My 4 month old PSU randomly gave out on me mid session. I want to do the paperclip test but I’ve heard it’s dangerous/risky. Should I?
Posted by DistrictDry2852@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 33 comments
I’ve heard you can damage the PSU or even get shocked yourself.
afraidofthe-dark@reddit
I run a gpu in my pc with an external psu and a paperclip and it’s never given me any issues. It’s only 12 volts, so you’d need a lot of juice or wet hands to get hurt
Germacide@reddit
Well that's something you can do.
afraidofthe-dark@reddit
Safer than splicing 24 pins into some proprietary bs
AwaitingCombat@reddit
at 4 months old, I'd consider an RMA
there is no real harm in the paperclip test, just make sure you jump the right pins
every product on the market has duds here and there, no one has 100% production success
DistrictDry2852@reddit (OP)
How can I do an RMA? The return window on Amazon has closed and I didn’t have a warranty.
Ebytown754@reddit
you'll reach out to the manufacturer of the PSU. You'll have to provide your proof of purchase? is this a pre built pc?
DistrictDry2852@reddit (OP)
The PC is prebuilt but the PSU was an upgrade. I bought it from Amazon.
Ebytown754@reddit
Thermaltake PSU?
DistrictDry2852@reddit (OP)
Yes. Thermaltake toughpower GT 1000W
The old one is 600W im pretty sure.
Ebytown754@reddit
https://my.thermaltake.com/csErma.aspx
I'd just RMA it. It has a 5 year warranty. It will all be through the manufacturer. Not amazon
AwaitingCombat@reddit
i saw in your other comment its a thermaltake PSU
Here is Thermaltake's RMA site
they'll likely want the serial number and the proof of purchase (amazon receipt)
DistrictDry2852@reddit (OP)
Thanks
Diligent_Pie_5191@reddit
Just go to Walmart and buy a power supply tester for 15 bucks.
DistrictDry2852@reddit (OP)
I live in the border and only cross over to America on sundays. By the time I’m buying the tester I’ll already be sending it back. Still, I’ll buy one to keep handy since it’s not expensive.
Diligent_Pie_5191@reddit
Yeah it’s handy. You might want to check that they have it in stock though. A lot of stuff is online only
TheDutchTexan@reddit
RMA and get a new one. Although next time forget about Thermaltake and cop yourself a Corsair. I had a Thermaltake and it blew up in 2 years. The corsair I replaced it with? Ran my old rig for 10 years flawlessly. My new one has a Corsair too but it is just a year old...
DistrictDry2852@reddit (OP)
I’ll keep that in mind, thanks.
First_Musician6260@reddit
Not normal at all. If it was a real infant failure, it would have been caused by a pre-existing fault in the unit, although that probably would have shown up sooner.
What PSU was it, and what was it plugged into?
DistrictDry2852@reddit (OP)
It was this [PSU](https://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Toughpower-Connectors-Capacitors-PS-TPT-1000FNFAGU-3)
Plugged into this [PC](https://thermaltakeusa.com/products/quartz-i350-r4-s2qt-b66r-350-lcs?srsltid=AfmBOoo6onSED6C11xQacyEhSHLKaqiKnCvv2sdr-yddp3yKvNiK8-ET)
but with 2 more RAM sticks and an RTX 4070 super.
2raysdiver@reddit
That Amazon link gets 404'd for me. If it is the one that came with the PC, then it isn't likely powerful enough for the 4070 Super. Is it one you installed? And either way, what is the wattage?
DistrictDry2852@reddit (OP)
Thermaltake toughpower GP 1000w I upgraded when I got the new graphics card.
First_Musician6260@reddit
I meant on the outlet side.
DistrictDry2852@reddit (OP)
It was plugged into a surge protector. I live in Mexico so it’s pretty important. It was the basic one with multiple ports you can buy from Amazon. I only had the pc and the monitor plugged into it.
aragorn18@reddit
If you're worried, you can buy a cheap PSU tester to see if the basic functions work. It's a little more involved than the paperclip test. https://www.amazon.com/Computer-PC-Tester-Connectors-Enclosure/dp/B076CLNPPK
But, what PSU is it? How did you determine that it has failed?
DistrictDry2852@reddit (OP)
It was this [PSU](https://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Toughpower-Connectors-Capacitors-PS-TPT-1000FNFAGU-3)
Plugged into this [PC](https://thermaltakeusa.com/products/quartz-i350-r4-s2qt-b66r-350-lcs?srsltid=AfmBOoo6onSED6C11xQacyEhSHLKaqiKnCvv2sdr-yddp3yKvNiK8-ET)
but with 2 more RAM sticks and an RTX 4070 super.
I was playing when my pc suddenly shut off and wouldn’t turn on.
I plugged in my old 600W PSU just to test if it would turn on that way and it did, so I’m fairly certain the PSU is the problem.
I did have an issue when u first got it where I assumed this PSU didn’t work because I hadn’t plugged in the cables all the way while thinking I had, so I tried plugging them in extra hard and still nothing.
aragorn18@reddit
Sounds like it simply failed. It's rare, but it happens. Contact Thermaltake for a replacement.
DistrictDry2852@reddit (OP)
I didn’t have a warranty, think I’m screwed?
aragorn18@reddit
Why don't you have a warranty?
DistrictDry2852@reddit (OP)
I bought it from Amazon. It cost about 20 dollars and frankly this is the first time a warranty woudlve been useful to me.
aragorn18@reddit
There's no reason that buying from Amazon would mean you have no warranty.
DistrictDry2852@reddit (OP)
When I bought it Amazon had an optional protection plan option that I didn’t get but after looking at the listing again the description does say it has a 5 year warranty anyways, I think?
aragorn18@reddit
That optional protection plan is separate from the warranty. The warranty is provided by Thermaltake. Contact them.
DistrictDry2852@reddit (OP)
I will thanks.