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What is the current rev of the PA-15?

post #1 of 13
1/22/08 at 9:20pm
Thread Starter 
What is the current rev of the PA-15?

Also, any issues with a rev 01 PA-15?
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post #2 of 13
1/23/08 at 12:17am
*bookmarks thread*

I'm a bit curious too...as I need to get either a PA-13 or 15 for my e1705 ~> m1710 conversion.

*lurks in background, hoping to glean information*
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post #3 of 13
1/23/08 at 1:12pm
I am on my third PA-15 for my i9100. This machine sucks power like a space heater and kicks it out the back in the form of heat.

My most recent model is Dell part number "N3834" rev A02. It has lasted the longest to date, probably about 20 months, but it is making buzzing and crackling sounds (as the others did prior to death), it is also regularly overheating and shutting off. After a bit of cool down, it comes right back on and everything is fine.

I do not know the revision numbers of my first two units, but I suspect they were A00 or A01 and both died after 18 months or so with similar behavior to what I have described.


Compared to the PA-10 or PA-13, these are large and clunky and IMHO not as well made at all, they just feel cheap and not of the same quality level.

Azureal
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post #4 of 13
1/23/08 at 1:52pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Azureal View Post
I am on my third PA-15 for my i9100. This machine sucks power like a space heater and kicks it out the back in the form of heat.

My most recent model is Dell part number "N3834" rev A02. It has lasted the longest to date, probably about 20 months, but it is making buzzing and crackling sounds (as the others did prior to death), it is also regularly overheating and shutting off. After a bit of cool down, it comes right back on and everything is fine.

I do not know the revision numbers of my first two units, but I suspect they were A00 or A01 and both died after 18 months or so with similar behavior to what I have described.


Compared to the PA-10 or PA-13, these are large and clunky and IMHO not as well made at all, they just feel cheap and not of the same quality level.

Azureal
Good to know. I don't need 150 watt now. Dell just replaced my 7800 with a 7900 and I oc'ed it and my watt meter was showing 90 watts while playing UT 3 so I need a little more power. I am thinking of going for the 150 watt unit now so I'm ready for any future upgrades, but if the 150's have issues then maybe I should get a 130. What are some recommendations?

Note: I will keep one of my PA-10 90 watters for travel so size is not an issue for me.
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post #5 of 13
1/23/08 at 11:36pm
What program are you using to gage wattage?
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post #6 of 13
1/24/08 at 12:01am
I'm on RevA01 and I've had it for 18 months now.
The i9400 ofcourse draws way less power than a i9100 which was a beast of a machine.
Why ofcourse the PA15 was designed for, but could by the looks have been bigger, as quite a few i9100 owners had problems with them.

My adaptor just gets warrm, no where near hot, even on a hot day like today.
The laptop is on day and night with no issues.
And I've got everything maxed out and 2x USB powered external HD's (one a 100GB 7200RPM one), and not a single power issue.
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post #7 of 13
1/24/08 at 2:09am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TurbodTalon View Post
What program are you using to gage wattage?
I used a meter:

http://www.amazon.com/P3-Internation...1151292&sr=8-1
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post #8 of 13
1/24/08 at 1:00pm
pieter, I completely agree with you. I think the PA-15 is more than suitable for use on the stock i9400/E1705 although, when maxed out with RAM/CPU and GPU such as TT's rig, the power consumption does approach the limits that even this huge brick can sustain.

I had an idea a few weeks ago as my PA-10 was overheating whilst gaming. I have about five PA-10 supplies and plan to wire two of them in parallel to create a supply which should be capable of up to 180 watts. I'll take some pictures and do a write up to share.

Azureal
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post #9 of 13
1/24/08 at 1:36pm
Thread Starter 
Well, I went with PA-13's. We will see what my load is when I get them.
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post #10 of 13
1/24/08 at 1:43pm
I also just ordered two new PA-13 units as I am waiting for the delivery of a new 7950 GTX purchased from GeforceTony earlier in the week. I know my little 90W PA-12 will not be able to handle it at all.
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post #11 of 13
1/24/08 at 1:50pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Azureal View Post
I also just ordered two new PA-13 units as I am waiting for the delivery of a new 7950 GTX purchased from GeforceTony earlier in the week. I know my little 90W PA-12 will not be able to handle it at all.
Where did you buy yours from? I bought from eBay. The seller I bought from said that he is sending rev A05.
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post #12 of 13
1/24/08 at 5:41pm
I just received them in the last hour and put one into use. It is rev A03. The seller was Parts-People Inc out of Austin.

Total cost for two units shipped was US $116.52, $52.95 a piece plus about 10 bucks for shipping. I thought that was a pretty good price considering Dell wants $99.95 each.

It is 30% physically larger than the PA-10 and I would guess 30% smaller than the PA-15. It is the same design as the PA-15 just physically smaller.

One thing I really like about the PA-10 & PA-12 units is the wrap around cord design, it made traveling a little easier. I don't travel enough to worry about it though.

I doubt if there is much difference between revisions, probably an updated circuit to accommodate a new part vendor or something as simple as that.

Now all I need is my 7950 GTX !!!!

Azureal
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post #13 of 13
1/24/08 at 11:27pm
Yes the PA-15 is UGLY and cumbersome.
I only use it at home and take the PA-10 on the road with me.
As you said Azureal the rubber bungy keeps the cables nice and tidy.

The PA-15 comes with heavy duty cable that doesn't bend easy either.
It's a serious power supply, but not as bad as the Sager 9870 with it's 220w power supply
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