Any tips for replacing a PSU?

[Boldy]

Recently I've ordered a power supply, and this'll be my first time actually replacing a computer part of my own considering I bought a prebuilt and a family member replaced my GPU. Obv. very excited, as it'll be one small step towards a 970 I'll get in March hopefully. It's coming in two days, so I'mma need some tips on how to well..replace a PSU. I know you just unscrew it and unplug, etc and then screw and plug in the new one but I want to make sure I won't screw up my computer. I won't be getting another one again so I'm understandably cautious.

Thanks.

[Air]

There's really not much to say. It's a fairly obvious process.
On thing to do would be to ultilize the zip ties that come with it for some cable management. If the PSU is modular, it can be easier in some PC cases(not all) to plug the cables into the motherboard, drives, and graphics card(s) before plugging them into the PSU itself.

Oh, and don't try plugging a PCI-E cable into a CPU header and vice versa.

[Air]

Originally posted by TreyD:

Originally posted by Air:

There's really not much to say. It's a fairly obvious process.
On thing to do would be to ultilize the zip ties that come with it for some cable management. If the PSU is modular, it can be easier in some PC cases(not all) to plug the cables into the motherboard, drives, and graphics card(s) before plugging them into the PSU itself.

Hmm, I'll write that down. Any safety tips?

Not much, aside from not plugging the PSU into a wall socket until you are done.

[_I_]

what power supply did you order?

[_I_]

excellent power supply
work slow

unplug the old psu from everything, remove the 4 screws and pull it out of the case
install the new psu in the case, replace the 4 screws
plug it in to the mobo (20+4 and 4+4)
plug it inot drives/fans with molex/sata connectors
plug it into an outlet
turn the psu on, turn the pc on

[chiefputsa☒lag]

unplug fgrom wall socket.

take a picture of pervious motherboard connectors.
remove sata cables.
remove power cables to sata hdd, sata optical drive.
remove 20+4 pin main power connector.
remove 4(+4pin) auxiliary power connector located near cpu.
remove cpu fan header.
remove chassis fan header.
remove motherboard usb connector.
remove motherboard power switch, reset switch, led connectors.
doublecheck for any power supply connectors not disconnected.
if applicable, unscrew middle and top motherboard screws if auxiliary power cable is located under.
unscrew psu, carefully remove psu, insert new psu and do above in reverse order

[Bad 💀 Motha]

All the connections are keyed!
You really can't go wrong.


- Un-plug main power cable so no active power is there. To help ensure this, once main power cable is detached, press and hold power switch on your case for 10-15 secs just to ensure discharge has occurred.
- Disconnect all internal cables that lead back to old PSU.
- Unscrew old PSU and carefully remove it + cabling.
- Install new and screw it into place.
- If you have a chassis with bottom-mounting-PSU placement, place the PSU fan-side down so it can draw fresh, cool air into the PSU instead of grabbing hot air from inside the case.
- Then route your cables so it's all clean, and plug them in. Each cable is keyed so it only goes one way.
- Double-check everything internal before you connect main power cord and power up the system.

Since PSU purchased is Modular, then this is better overall, as you can sort out what cables are needed to be connected, based on hardware requirements. Just be sure to store any un-needed extras for the PSU is a safe place so they don't get lost. As cables for modular PSUs are almost always proprietary to a PSU brand/model/series.

[badcow1]

I like a anti-static band or at least do not work on your computer wearing socks and standing on carpet.

[Teknohead]

Just ground .. ignore above

[Lateralus]

make sure you got your socks on and standing on a thick carpet and shuffle your feet a lot before you start....

[_I_]

Originally posted by TreyD:

Fully clothing myself like a eskimo with added protection goggles! Got it!

better to work on it naked, better odds of you touching somethnig to have a common ground with the psu and case

[presence]

If you always touch the case before you touch what's inside the case, you'll likely be fine. And don't forget that 4 pin near the cpu, it's easy for first timers to forget about.