For Chewy's about FSP Group AX500-A PSU

[AlienX69]

Hi Chewy,

I know it's been a while ..... hope things are well with you !

Just thought I would share something with you, since you recommended the FSP Group AX500-A when I was having a burning issue. It was quite a while back (bout' year and a half back). Anyway I bought two of those PSU's one I used the other I shelved (as a backup). I recently built a Core Duo E6850 and tried the spare AX500, now this is a year and 3+ months after I purchased. Well low in behold the PSU was a little flakey ..... it would not power up everytime. So to verify I placed the Ole reliable SuperAlienX PSU on the setup ..... worked everytime.

So I was kinda bummed when I read this:

http://www.fspgroupusa.com/FSPSUPPORT/fspsupport.html

1 year warranty

I wrote and explained that I never used the unit .... they said send it in ..... I did ..... just got it back ...... works everytime, not exactly see post #6!!

FSP Group was a pleasure to deal with ....... GOOD Company ..... so I recommend these PSU's as well

PS: Never had an issue with the first one after 1.5 year of usage !!

Ciao,
AX

[Chewy]

from your newegg link

http://forum.digital-digest.com/showpost.php?p=440211&postcount=71

Manufacturer Warranty
Parts 2 years limited
Labor 2 years limited

[Chewy]

I like their new booster approach for gamers with multiple gpu's

makes a lot of sense

http://www.fspgroupusa.com/PROMOTION/fsp_combo.asp

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104038

that 650 would probably be equivalent to a lot of 750-800watt power supplies

[AlienX69]

I don't game much on the puter, mostly on game consoles, easier for multi-player (son and I) .....

But that booster approach is pretty KEWL !!

I sent FSP an email to verify if the warranty is 1 or 2 years.

BTW: Look at how cool the CPU runs, this is at idle, but even under load it tops out at around 35-37 °C, and this is with a stock cooler. I probably need a better mobo. I got the E6850 and a ECS mobo for under $250, Fry's combo sale. The mobo graphics was crap, didn't have any drivers for WS display (22" Samsung), so I bought a mid-range GPU card (see below). The E6850 screams, it has decreased Shrink times 4 fold !!! When I use the previewer in PgcEdit it's like running at 64X ..... ROTF !!!

The AlienX Rocket
===============
Temperatures:
CPU 30 °C (86 °F)
GPU 53 °C (127 °F)
Seagate ST3320620AS 36 °C (97 °F)
Seagate ST3250823AS 36 °C (97 °F)
Seagate ST3320620AS 36 °C (97 °F)
Seagate ST3250823AS 34 °C (93 °F)

[ Processors / Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E6850 @ 3.00GHz ]

[ Motherboard ]

Motherboard Properties:
Manufacturer ECS
Product G31T-M
Version 1.0
Serial Number 00000000

Display:
Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS (512 MB)


Ciao and Best Regards,
AX

[AlienX69]

Also for got to mention these:

Optical Drive Optiarc DVD RW AD-7190S SCSI CdRom Device
Optical Drive PLEXTOR DVDR PX-800A


By chance have you done any testing with these ?

I can say that the PX-800A is a VERY GOOD reader, when my other optic drive fail to read it has done the trick !

[AlienX69]

Chewy,

Two things, first, I had to send the AX500-A back to FSP (on their dime). Still didn't boot properly every time. Took me awhile to convince a Tech Support person that there was an issue. They said AGAIN, "No Problem with this unit", well that didn't sit very well with me. After a little debate, he looked some more. Finally he discovered the issue, he replaced some parts, its been on the testing bench for over a week now, more like going on two, I need to call him today !!

Second, see the Optiarc DVD RW AD-7190S SCSI mentioned above. Having issues, getting I/O errors during the burn, Reads fine. I have this connected via SATA/IDE PCI card. My 4 SATA's on the mobo are taken by the HD's. My guess is either the PCI card or too many SATA's for the mobo ?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16815124022

I gonna try moving it to my other PCI slot (See review link, only 2 PCI slots on ECS micro mobo, it was FREE Core Duo)

I 00:08:32 Destination Device: [5:0:0] Optiarc DVD RW AD-7190S 1.00 (D (SCSI)
I 00:08:32 Destination Media Type: DVD-R (Disc ID: TYG02) (Speeds: 4x, 6x, 8x)
I 00:08:32 Destination Media Sectors: 2,298,496
I 00:08:32 Write Mode: DVD
I 00:08:32 Write Type: DAO
I 00:08:32 Write Speed: 8x
I 00:08:32 Link Size: Auto
I 00:08:32 Test Mode: No
I 00:08:32 BURN-Proof: Enabled
I 00:08:33 Filling Buffer... (40 MB)
I 00:08:34 Writing LeadIn...
W 00:08:55 Failed to Write Sectors 320 - 351 - The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error.
W 00:08:55 Retrying (1 of 20)...
W 00:08:59 Retry Failed - Power On, Reset, or Bus Device Reset Occurred
W 00:08:59 Retrying (2 of 20)...
W 00:08:59 Retry Failed - Logical Block Address out of Range
W 00:08:59 Retrying (3 of 20)...

Have quite a few like this, aways the same "Failed to Write Sectors 320 - 351", it never touches the disk. It will burn a couple, then the above error. Not making coasters as it fails before "Writing LeadIn.." any ideas ?

[Chewy]

well that card does not claim to support sata optical drives
and their support sucks, I spent forever finding the card and then no drivers, unless you use the raid ones, probably?
I hate probablies

I doubt it's the pci slot, try the beta drivers

[Chewy]

switch out with a sata off the mobo, this is the obvious solution?

[AlienX69]

I assumed if it supported SATA HD's it would support optic drives .... bad assumption I guess huh ? ? I see if a driver might correct !!

As for your second post (#8), what I'm probably gonna wind up doing is swapping the whole drive out with the one I put in my son's case. I gave him the ole P4 with the ASUS mobo that has 4 SATA ports on the mobo, it's only using two SATA HD's .... this will be the final solution .....

I'm gonna see if that PCI card supports optic via the IDE conn .... I like installing the optic drives on separate IDE ports but this FREE cheap mobo only has one. Last resort will be to chain the two optic IDE's on one port, which I know works, had it config like that for a while before building my son's box.

PS: The Plex PX-800A is ROCK SOLID, nice drive and well worth the extra $$$.

[AlienX69]

I just got of the phone with "Jimmie" at FSP, very nice guy, he's been looking at the AX500-A everyday for two weeks on the test bench. He's replaced a few parts, he thought he got it, after a 48hr burn-in he shut it down last night ... turn it back on ..... NO POWER !!! He said he's had many, many RMA's, this is the first he's encountered with this kind of problem (my luck) .... will probably send me a NEW one since he can't fix, he has to get it authorized, he's only authorized to repair.

PS: I called left msg as Jimmie wasn't there, he returned my call from his HOME, he's out sick today !! Praises to Jimmie !!!

[pfloyd]

The only add on cards that work great with ODD's are the ones with the Silicon Image chips.....

[AlienX69]

Do U have one you can recommend pfloyd?

PS: One of the best (top 10, for sure) Albums (DSotM, avatar) ever put on vinyl....

[AlienX69]

Well that card is worthless for Burning ..... Reading no problem. Tried new drivers no help, tried using the IDE port, IDE optic drive .... worse !!!

I wound up puting the AD-7190S in another box my ole P4 config (call it the slow poke now). The mobo has 4 SATA ports, 2 for RAID .. I always config as JBODs .. it was a little tricky geting it configed .... OSHD on SATA1; AD-7190S on SATA2 ; and Secondary SATA HD on RAID1 .... burned one so far, good start

As for the FSP AX500-A got it back (the orig) seems to work so far, had it a couple of days, it's power up at least 10-15 times after a GOOD warmup. Jimmie said he replaced basically everything before finally replacing the main board .... it works, dats all that matters !!!!

AX