Problem so strange I want to cry!

[Echoj7]

Hello my problem is to me a bit of a headache! I recently purchased a LeadTek 8800GT 512mm due to a certain game that likes to melt PC's! Anyways heres the story;

I installed the 8800GT and almost immeditaly it would power off within in minutes, sometimes not getting past boot. I relieased my 400w PSU wasent going to cut it, so I bought a 600w PSU which is way past the recomended for a single GT. Again same issue, to be safe I totally uninstalled the drivers and updated to the lastest (169.09) and for about half hour it was fine. Went to setup my TV link and zooom, switched off. Same problem as before. Alittle bemused I unhooked all non-essentials and booted up, again same problem.

After examining the PC for about 45 angry minutes I noticed the pins that connect my SATA 160 where bent (i must of damaged it when moving it to slot the GFX in), so I did my best and refitted the cable, slotted everything back in, re-seated the GFX card and laid my PC on its side. 2 hours later and I'm smooth sailing, TV working (though not quite right) Loaded up Guitar Hero 3 on my PC, midway through Fire & Flames....zooom switched off again!

Now for the life of me I cannot understand whats happening - I have more then enough power, I've updated all my drivers, I replaced the PSU, check my RAM using memtest which shows its fine. My flatmate suggested that because the pins where damaged slightly on my main drive (the 160 contains XP) that it could be cutting out, but im not convinced
so i'm at a loss, that and I'm getting very little performance boost over my old Ati 2600 or even my 7600GT! (Crysis actually dropped frames) - Help!

Specs:

XP Pro SP2 (Fully updated)
Intel Core 2 Duo 6400
Abit IL9-Pro
LeadTek Gforce 8800GT
2048GB Corsair
160gb WD SATA
80gb Samsung SATA
Generic Sound card
600w PSU

[Rishi]

Is this a cheap 600w PSU?

[Echoj7]

Yes, £17, but even if it was the PSU its showing the exact same symtoms my 400PSU was showing.

[s_kinton]

Yes, £17, but even if it was the PSU its showing the exact same symtoms my 400PSU was showing.

Lol, £17 for 600w!!

The PSU is almost definately the problem. For the PC you've got you really need to buy a good, branded PSU, something like an Enermax, Corsair etc. Look for something around the 500w+ mark.

You've spent all that money on components and then risked it all by buying a terrible PSU.

[Echoj7]

I fail to see how the different in brand would resolve this issue, considering I had the exact same issue with a 400w. I've never used branded PSU and I've never had a problem. If cheap PSU where dangrous or below the advertised wattage, they wouldn't sell them.

I appericate the help though but buying a branded PSU is not a solution IMO

[Fraz]

If cheap PSU where dangrous or below the advertised wattage, they wouldn't sell them.

Unfortunately that's almost laughably untrue.

Could you post the specs (as in watts @ certain volts, for all the voltage rails) for both of your PSUs please?

edit: I don't know what your problem is caused by btw, I'm just interested to see if it could be the PSU. Your components should easily have enough juice if either of those PSUs are remotely up to spec, as an Intel Core 2 Duo 6400 and LeadTek Gforce 8800GT aren't massively power hungry components.

[Echoj7]

The only thing on the PSU itself is +3.3v, +5v, and +12v & 9A (these are coloured to match the cables)

[Fraz]

Weird. It really must be cheap if they don't even put a wattage spec table on it. Maybe they were afraid to, lol.

+12v & 9A

So it's saying it outputs 9 Amps at +12V?! If so, that's only 108 Watts @ 12Volts. Which is a joke for a 600W PSU. It should be more like 400W @ 12 Volts!

If that really is what you/it is saying, then you should remember that your 8800GT is using about 100 Watts all on its own.

[BUFF]

there should be a label on the side detailing what amperage the various rails are rated for e.g. 12V max output current 18A etc.

can you detail those or post a pic?

[killie99]

don't want to sound like I'm taking sides but I'd bet my mortgage on the problem being the power supply, seen it all too often before.

I think you're lucky it hasn't burst into flames yet and trashed the rest of your hardware - I'm being serious, don't underestimate the damage a poorly made PSU can do.

PSU's are one item where the heavier it is the better it is - a good 500w supply will feel like you're holding a 4 pint carton of milk.

[Fraz]

Totally agree - poor PSUs cause more problems than it's worth to save £30 or so. Total waste of time and money, basically.

A PSU is basically the foundation of your entire PC. Having a crap one (or 2 in your case ) is like trying to build a house on wet sand.

[iranu]

We keep saying it but we keep seeing people with cheap PSUs having problems and/or destroying £££ worth of computer equipment. Big wattage numbers mean nothing in the PSU merry go round. Quality (and enough amperage on the 12V rail) is all that matters. Even quality PSUs go bang now and again but they tend not to destroy the rest of the components.

I hope that it didn't take any of the other bits with it. Fingers crossed. You will need to inspect your components very carefully to see if there is any damage. Specifically I'd look for any scorching on the motherboard and graphics card particularly around the power socket(s).

[nutter99]

To make an analogy, the difference is like pipes in a house

You can have as powerful a boiler as you like but if you have some crappy rusted pipes they arent going to take that pressure.

Same goes for PSU with the reliability, stability of the amps down each rail etc etc. Its the same with cars, i know which id choose from a 1.6L Merc or a 1.6L Peugeot.

To be honest if you are here asking for advice then take it and dont dismiss it out of hand.

[Rishi]

Ok enough cheap PSU facts

In your situation I would put but those PSU's on to eBay and hope that some fool buys them, use whatever money you get towards a new well respected PSU. There is not much difference really between a crap one and a decent one

[Fraz]

Ok enough cheap PSU facts

In your situation I would put but those PSU's on to eBay and hope that some fool buys them, use whatever money you get towards a new well respected PSU. There is not much difference really between a crap one and a decent one

I assume in the last sentence you are referring to price?

[Rishi]

I assume in the last sentence you are referring to price?

Yes, you assume correctly, not a lot of difference in price. But a lot of difference in quality!