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Is it possible to repair an old PSU? If not, where can I get a good replacement PSU for a vintage computer? (lemmy.ca)

submitted 4 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I've found 2 vintage desktops from around the 2000's era. One already had a broken power supply that won't even turn on (and thankfully didn't break anything else). The other desktop had a working ATX PSU, but it just blew out a few days ago. The PSU is an Elitech LC-B450E and I believe it has 4 molex connectors.

Now, I was wondering, would it be possible to repair the PSU (not that I would do that myself because I don't even know how to solder)? If not, would it be possible to get a relatively new one that's compatible?

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 months ago

If the computers have any value it would be better to just buy a new quality modern ATX power supply of the right size for the case (take dimensions for fit and ensure it's at least as many watts as the old one though it can be more) and do a drop-in replacement. Just make sure the power supply comes with some molex adapters and the maker usually sells additional cables if it's a semi or fully modular design so you could buy more molex plugs if the 3-8 they give you aren't enough.

That said power supplies can of course be repaired by anyone with soldering skills and sufficient electrical engineering knowledge and experience. They shouldn't be repaired by amateurs because they can store enough power to kill or maim a person who doesn't know what they're doing. It would be cheaper though to just replace the power supplies unless having all original/period equipment in the machines is important.