AC Adapter Buzzing (Yikes?!)

It only buzzes when I'm doing something graphically intensive. Like walking around the faction fleet in SWToR, and when the buzzing kicks in, my game starts to stutter. Not to the extend that it becomes unplayable though.

I'm not sure if the buzzing is causing the game to stutter, or the game is putting a strain on the AC adapter but they always happen in tandem.

Here's what the back of my adapter says. (I'm on the M17x-R2)

P/N J938H
MODEL GA24OPE1-00
INPUT 100-240V-50-60Hz 3.5A (3.5A)
OUTPUT 19.5V(19.5V)=12.3A(12.3A)
PA-9E FAMILY
REV: A01

Should I consider getting a new adapter? (My warranty is over unfortunately)
And if so, can I get one in Amazon? Or do I need to place an order through Dell?

Thanks!

 

If I were you I'd consider getting a new power adapter (it does indeed sound like it might be on the way out)

You might consider e-bay...I did a quick search and found a few out there.

Good luck!

 

I would strongly recommend against eBay, at least through Amazon you have the Amazon guarantee. I bought a second power adapter to carry in my bag for my new M17x R3. It showed on Amazon as the right one, all the specs match, when it came it looked the same and everything seemed fine. Except that somehow my computer could tell it wasn't from Dell (even though it was the same model and specs) and it would pop-up with an error and outright refuse to use the new adapter. I tried some of the fixes here but never could get it to work.

It wasn't an issue to send it back and get a refund, but I probably wouldn't want to go through it on eBay. My advice would be to buy one of the more expensive ones on Amazon, or maybe just go with Dell. The ones on Amazon that I think are probably legit are in the $90+ range (the one I bought that didn't work was $60), from Dell it is $120. It isn't a huge difference and you know the one from Dell will work.

 

It depends on which seller you go through on Ebay.

At least with Ebay you have buyer protection. Not seeing whats better about "the amazon guarantee".

 

mine does the same thing but i don't have stuttering should i get a replacement i still have warranty.

 

It is just easier IMO. The eBay buyer protection takes a REALLY long time in my experience. If you get a seller who just doesn't respond, or is not accommodating, you could easily spend more than a month trying to get it resolved. I had one case take something like 45 days from open to getting my refund, and this was a seller who literally never responded and just disappeared a few days after I made payment. They made me wait like 20 days to see if he shipped it and maybe it would show up (even though he would not respond and never provided tracking). Then they opened a case and gave him another giant amount of time to respond, and then upgraded the case and took forever to give a ruling. It was just really annoying and slow. It was also a pretty big purchase, so I was out like $300 the entire time.

Amazon is much much faster, the seller is expected to respond quickly and resolve the issue fast. I think the max time on an Amazon claim is like 14 days, and most are resolved within 3 days. If for example the seller doesn't respond, or won't give tracking, or whatever you will have a refund in 3 days.

 

Wow. I didn't know those cost that much. Since I'm getting a new PSU, should I buy one with a larger voltage? Is it alright for my rig (using Crossfirex) to be > 240V?

 

Larger is okay, don't get a smaller one.

P.S. You mean wattage, right?

 

I'm not sure. Says 100-240V on the back so I assumed it's Voltage. I'm not very tech-savvy. :I In fact, can anyone be so kind as to link me a recommended model on Amazon? I can't seem to find one.

Also, is it true that in some cases, where power isn't adequate, one will experience stuttering during graphically intensive scenes?

 

M17x is 240 watts. Go for the Delta brand one. Dell supplies two versions, Flextronics and Delta i believe are the only 2. I have both since i just received another M17x that im gonna sell off.

The one i just got has a Flextronics and the M17x i had has a Delta.

Delta is supposed to be the better one but i doubt theres any difference. It was more of a reliability thing.

 

GENUINE Original DELL 240W AC Adapter Charger PA-9E: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics
£33.89

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dell-AC-Adapter-19-5V-0J211H-0Y044M/dp/B004SY9LBI/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_2
£109.59

Can anyone explain the massive price difference? I'm not sure which one to get. The one from Dell looks reliable but costs 3x more.

 

I purchased mine from eBay from the following seller:

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/BLACKCATPC

Confirmed that it was a Delta pre-sale and can confirm it was legit

I would not be paying around 100 pound for one, that is a massive rip.

You could get a 330 watt for a little more!

Unfortunately I can't see one that specifies for Alienware in the name (as mine did), however he does have this one which has the same model number:

DELL PA-9E CHARGER PRECISION M6400 AC ADAPTER | eBay

I don't know if this is different at all?

Seems to have gone up a little too, I think I paid around £50 for mine inclusive of postage.

TBH, that one for £34 seems legitimate but cant be sure as there are no reviews. Also, if the pic is anything to go by it is a Flextronics.

 

The cheaper one looks much closer to the actual adapter, however, it is a Flextronic, which was the kind I got that did not work. It might work for you though, since you have an R2. I think the R3s are using Delta now.