Results 1 to 16 of 16

Thread: Quick PSU query

  1. #1
    Splash
    Guest

    Quick PSU query

    Hokay - I'm down with most stuff but PSUs are a bit of a dark art to me. I'm having stability issues of late with my PC which are absolutely not down to temps (all individual components have tested as stable well above the temps that I push them to in regular use), and with a little judicious swapping out of components I'm down to 2 possible guilty parties - motherboard or PSU. My rig is essentially...

    E6850@3.3Ghz
    4x1Gb Corsair DDR2 PC6400
    1 Optiarc DVDRW (sata)
    5 hard drives (2x250GB, 1x36GB, 1x160GB, 1x200GB)
    8800GTS 640Mb
    3x120mm fans
    Asus P5B Deluxe Wifi

    Now I know that's a lot of hard disks, but I can't really justify a couple of f1's at the mo to consolidate them so I'm stuck with them for now. I've run that system through the PSU Calculator which reckons that (and I overestimated, allowing 15% for capacitor aging) 518W should be fine. My OCZ StealthXStream 600W is supplying at rest (according to Everest)

    +3.3V: 3.30V
    +5V: 4.99V
    +12V: 12.46V
    +5V Standby: 4.99V

    Firstly does everyone agree with me that the PSU is looking like The Weakest Link (Goodbye?)? If not, why not? (I'm not disputing, I'm asking for advice here!)

    Secondly - given that the PSU seems to be supplying less than it should on the +5V and a borderline +3.3V is this grounds for a warranty replacement?

    Finally - if it's NOT grounds for a warranty replacement can anyone recommend a PSU that'll do the do for my box? I was looking at the Corsair HX620 and TX650, but I'm open to suggestions. I'm keen to keep with a relatively low powered but decent one - something in the 600-750W range rather than a 1000W+ monster, as I'm happy that I'm never going to need that much juice.


    So, the floor is yours: who wants to go first?

  2. #2
    Gentoo Ricer
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Galway
    Posts
    11,048
    Thanks
    1,016
    Thanked
    944 times in 704 posts
    • aidanjt's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Strix Z370-G
      • CPU:
      • Intel i7-8700K
      • Memory:
      • 2x8GB Corsiar LPX 3000C15
      • Storage:
      • 500GB Samsung 960 EVO
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA GTX 970 SC ACX 2.0
      • PSU:
      • EVGA G3 750W
      • Case:
      • Fractal Design Define C Mini
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • Asus MG279Q
      • Internet:
      • 240mbps Virgin Cable

    Re: Quick PSU query

    A +5vdc +/-0.01v variant is fine. And you're using no more than 270W. Just get something... not OCZ.
    Quote Originally Posted by Agent View Post
    ...every time Creative bring out a new card range their advertising makes it sound like they have discovered a way to insert a thousand Chuck Norris super dwarfs in your ears...

  3. Received thanks from:


  4. #3
    Splash
    Guest

    Re: Quick PSU query

    The +/- 0.01v wouldn't be too much of a concern, but it drops off more when the machine is under load. Not significantly more, but... enough to cause me concern.

  5. #4
    Honored
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Bristol
    Posts
    491
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked
    15 times in 15 posts
    • ackrite26's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P5E-VM HDMi G35
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core2Duo E6550 w/ Zalman CNPS8700NT
      • Memory:
      • 4Gb Crucial Ballistix DDR2 PC5300 w/ Enzotech Pure Copper Heatspreaders
      • Storage:
      • 1* 36Gb WD raptor/1* 500Gb Samsung Spinpoint HD501LJ
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Sapphire HD 4850 512mb
      • PSU:
      • 425W Enermax MOD82+
      • Case:
      • Silverstone Sugo SGO2W
      • Operating System:
      • XP Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • LG 22" Flatron
      • Internet:
      • Cable - 4Gb

    Re: Quick PSU query

    No software that detects power usage from your PSU is accurate - you need a multi meter for that.

    Your PSU should easily power your rig.
    Uni Rig:
    Intel Core2Duo E6550 w/Zalman CNPS8700NT | Asus P5E-VM HDMi G35 | 4x1GB Cruicial BallistiX PC2 5300 w/ Enzotech DDR-C1 | Sapphire HD 4850 512Mb | 36GB WD Raptor OS | 320GB WD WD3200AAKS | X-Fi Elite Pro | Silverstone SUGO SG02 | Enermax MODU82+ 425w | XP Pro

    Home Rig:
    **Under Construction** | 160GB Seagate Barracuda | Coolermaster Wave Master [Modified] | Coolermaster Real Power Pro 450w | XP Pro

  6. Received thanks from:


  7. #5
    Splash
    Guest

    Re: Quick PSU query

    Quote Originally Posted by ackrite26 View Post
    No software that detects power usage from your PSU is accurate - you need a multi meter for that.

    Your PSU should easily power your rig.
    Yep, I appreciate that any software is going to be subject to calilbration issues, but as I say I'm down to it being either motherboard or PSU. The stability problems only occur when the machine is under heavy load, and even then the temps report back as being well within limits (62 degrees on the cpu max, 66 degrees on the GPU max), which is leading me back to the PSU.

    I guess I'm looking to see if I can RMA this PSU, or if I should splash the cash on a new PSU and if so which.

  8. #6
    Registered+
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    Somerset
    Posts
    36
    Thanks
    2
    Thanked
    5 times in 5 posts
    • nick1's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P5Q Pro
      • CPU:
      • Intel E8400 Core2Duo
      • Memory:
      • 4GB (2x2GB) Corsair XMS2 6400 C4 DHX
      • Storage:
      • 1TB SAMSUNG HD103UJ 32MB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Nvidia 9800GT
      • PSU:
      • 450W Be Quiet Dark Power PRO
      • Case:
      • Antec P150
      • Operating System:
      • Windows XP 32 bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Samsung Syncmaster 205BW
      • Internet:
      • ADSL up to 8Mb

    Re: Quick PSU query

    If you're looking for a stable PSU, I can recommend a be quiet! Dark Power PRO 650W
    They're pricey, but rock solid on all rails, 88% efficient and modular.

  9. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Posts
    799
    Thanks
    66
    Thanked
    71 times in 70 posts
    • kmac's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-P55-US3L
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core i5 750
      • Memory:
      • 2GB Corsair DDR3
      • Storage:
      • 2 Samsung F3 500GB each
      • Graphics card(s):
      • ATI HD4770
      • PSU:
      • Enermax Modu 82+ 525W
      • Case:
      • Lain -Li PC-7FN Black
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 7 Prof 64 Bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell U2412M

    Re: Quick PSU query

    If you were to splash the cash as it were I would look at the Corsair HX620 (I have one) or the Enermax Modu85+ which comes in 525W or 625W variants

    With regard to RMAing your PSU bear uin mind they are usually heavy (the good quality ones anyway) and I would weigh (no pun intended) up the cost of postage back verusus the probability of recovering the initial outlay.

    The software report of voltages is not sufficient grounds I owuld say for an RMA - would need to be properly tested with multi meter

    By the way both the PSUs I recommend above are modular and extremely quiet

  10. Received thanks from:


  11. #8
    The late but legendary peterb - Onward and Upward peterb's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Looking down & checking on swearing
    Posts
    19,378
    Thanks
    2,892
    Thanked
    3,403 times in 2,693 posts

    Re: Quick PSU query

    Testing PSU's is a relatively complex task as you need to test it under load - which means a pretty powerful dummy load. You would also need to check transient performance - how well a PSU copes with a suddenly applied load (like a drive spinning up)

    The voltages you report are OK - and even the best regulated PSUs will drop slightly on load - for two reasons:

    1. You will get a small resistive drop in the cables from tne PSU to the load - some PSUs gert round that by connecting the voltage sense cables to the load at the connection point, so the voltage is regulated at the point of delivery. Secondly, voltage regulation is a feedback loop - and the sense voltage supplies an error signal to correct the output voltage, there has to be an error signal, however small, so there will always be a small drop off in regulation with load - and the droop should be (but often isn!) part of a PSU's specs.

    I can't comment on the particular PSU are using - I haven't used one, but consensus seems to be that they are not particularly good. I use a Corsair PSU, and its build quality seems OK to me, and consensus seems to rate these quite highly.

    As to whether the PSU is the cause of the instability - sadly the only simple way is by substitution. Given that teh PSU is the easiest device to substitute, (and on the balance of probabilities, the most likely cause) that would be the one to change - but there is always the risk that the stability returns, and then you are down to changing the mobo anyway.

    One possibility, with all those drives, is that noise is being introduced onto the PSU rails, but you need an oscilloscope to detect that; this is where transient performance is important.
    (\__/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    Been helped or just 'Like' a post? Use the Thanks button!
    My broadband speed - 750 Meganibbles/minute

  12. Received thanks from:


  13. #9
    SSK
    SSK is offline
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    126
    Thanks
    16
    Thanked
    1 time in 1 post
    • SSK's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus P5N-E SLI
      • CPU:
      • Intel Quad Core Q6600
      • Memory:
      • 4GB
      • Storage:
      • Samsung 500GB SpinPoint
      • Graphics card(s):
      • BFG 8800GT 512mb OC2
      • PSU:
      • OCZ GameXstream 700W
      • Case:
      • Sharkoon Rebel 9
      • Monitor(s):
      • 22" LG Flatron Wide MonitorTV HD Ready

    Re: Quick PSU query

    Quote Originally Posted by aidanjt View Post
    A +5vdc +/-0.01v variant is fine. And you're using no more than 270W. Just get something... not OCZ.
    I havnt had any issues with my OCZ psu...are they that bad tho?

  14. #10
    Gentoo Ricer
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Galway
    Posts
    11,048
    Thanks
    1,016
    Thanked
    944 times in 704 posts
    • aidanjt's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Strix Z370-G
      • CPU:
      • Intel i7-8700K
      • Memory:
      • 2x8GB Corsiar LPX 3000C15
      • Storage:
      • 500GB Samsung 960 EVO
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA GTX 970 SC ACX 2.0
      • PSU:
      • EVGA G3 750W
      • Case:
      • Fractal Design Define C Mini
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • Asus MG279Q
      • Internet:
      • 240mbps Virgin Cable

    Re: Quick PSU query

    Not as bad as the £10 700W PSUs you'd get in Maplin or what not, but they're not up to scratch compared to the big boys. OCZ do good memory sticks, but that's a far cry away from the complexities involved in PSU design, which, seems to be getting out of hand these days.
    Quote Originally Posted by Agent View Post
    ...every time Creative bring out a new card range their advertising makes it sound like they have discovered a way to insert a thousand Chuck Norris super dwarfs in your ears...

  15. #11
    finding nemo staffsMike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    11,498
    Thanks
    197
    Thanked
    794 times in 741 posts
    • staffsMike's system
      • Motherboard:
      • evga 680i
      • CPU:
      • e6600
      • Memory:
      • geil ultra pc6400
      • Storage:
      • WD 320gb
      • Graphics card(s):
      • leadtek 8800 GTS 640mb
      • PSU:
      • ocz gameXstream 700w
      • Case:
      • akasa eclipse
      • Monitor(s):
      • dell 2007wfp and Lg L194WT
      • Internet:
      • pipex homecall

    Re: Quick PSU query

    Although I wouldn't rate them up with seasonic and enermax, ocz make great PSU's. My one is next to silent, stable and very efficent given its age (80% or more I believe).

  16. Received thanks from:


  17. #12
    Splash
    Guest

    Re: Quick PSU query

    Cheers all for the pointers

  18. #13
    No-one's Fanboi Thorsson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Neverneverland
    Posts
    2,750
    Thanks
    47
    Thanked
    93 times in 92 posts
    • Thorsson's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASUS P8Z77-V PRO
      • CPU:
      • i5 3570k
      • Memory:
      • 2x8Gb Corsair Vengeance PC1866
      • Storage:
      • 256M4 SSD; 2Tb 7200RPM Barracuda; 2Tb Linkstation
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA GTX970 SC
      • PSU:
      • Corsair HX650
      • Case:
      • Antec 300
      • Operating System:
      • Win10 64
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 2515H
      • Internet:
      • Fibre Optic 30Mb

    Re: Quick PSU query

    AFAIK OCZ don't make PSUs at all. They get someone else to make them. Which means that some are probably going to be good and some not so good. If you paid >&#163;80 (given wattage and brand) it's probably good, if <&#163;50 probably bad, and somewhere in between so-so.

    While it's true that software measurement of the rails is unreliable, given that two of your rails are almost spot on, I tend to think that it is fairly accurate in your case. It's the 12V rail that would be worrying me. It's within spec (allowed up to 5&#37; difference), but that reading (out by 4%) is at idle. I'd want to see what the readings were under load.

  19. #14
    finding nemo staffsMike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    11,498
    Thanks
    197
    Thanked
    794 times in 741 posts
    • staffsMike's system
      • Motherboard:
      • evga 680i
      • CPU:
      • e6600
      • Memory:
      • geil ultra pc6400
      • Storage:
      • WD 320gb
      • Graphics card(s):
      • leadtek 8800 GTS 640mb
      • PSU:
      • ocz gameXstream 700w
      • Case:
      • akasa eclipse
      • Monitor(s):
      • dell 2007wfp and Lg L194WT
      • Internet:
      • pipex homecall

    Re: Quick PSU query

    Very true mine is based on an FSP, OCZ also now own PC power and cooling another very good brand.

  20. #15
    Senior Amoeba iranu's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    On the dinner table. Blechh!
    Posts
    3,535
    Thanks
    111
    Thanked
    156 times in 106 posts
    • iranu's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Maximus Gene VI
      • CPU:
      • 4670K @4.3Ghz
      • Memory:
      • 8Gb Samsung Green
      • Storage:
      • 1x 256Gb Samsung 830 SSD 2x640gb HGST raid 0
      • Graphics card(s):
      • MSI R9 390
      • PSU:
      • Corsair HX620W Modular
      • Case:
      • Cooler Master Silencio 352
      • Operating System:
      • Win 7 ultimate 64 bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • 23" DELL Ultrasharp U2312HM
      • Internet:
      • 16mb broadband

    Re: Quick PSU query

    I find it hard to believe that a quality 600W PSU with those voltage readings is giving you instability issues. It's possible of course. What sort of errors are you getting? BSOD/random shut downs?

    You've got 4x1Gb of ram and usually you need a voltage increase on the northbridge to get all for slots stable. The ram independently tested would show up to be fine. Could this be your issue?
    "Reality is what it is, not what you want it to be." Frank Zappa. ----------- "The invisible and the non-existent look very much alike." Huang Po.----------- "A drowsy line of wasted time bathes my open mind", - Ride.

  21. #16
    No-one's Fanboi Thorsson's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Neverneverland
    Posts
    2,750
    Thanks
    47
    Thanked
    93 times in 92 posts
    • Thorsson's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASUS P8Z77-V PRO
      • CPU:
      • i5 3570k
      • Memory:
      • 2x8Gb Corsair Vengeance PC1866
      • Storage:
      • 256M4 SSD; 2Tb 7200RPM Barracuda; 2Tb Linkstation
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA GTX970 SC
      • PSU:
      • Corsair HX650
      • Case:
      • Antec 300
      • Operating System:
      • Win10 64
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 2515H
      • Internet:
      • Fibre Optic 30Mb

    Re: Quick PSU query

    Quote Originally Posted by staffsMike View Post
    Very true mine is based on an FSP, OCZ also now own PC power and cooling another very good brand.
    So going forward their PSUs (or at least the high end ones) should be very good. Maybe they'll have designs that have the features people like and not cost the earth (unlike the PCP&C ones).

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. How big a PSU and why a Corsair one?
    By carbon8ed in forum Cases
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 11-12-2007, 07:52 PM
  2. Quick sata query
    By Shooty* in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 11
    Last Post: 14-11-2007, 11:03 AM
  3. Psu Exploded!!!!
    By shadowmaster in forum Help! Quick Relief From Tech Headaches
    Replies: 51
    Last Post: 08-10-2007, 03:25 PM
  4. Quick MCE2005 query...
    By Ant in forum Software
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 12-08-2005, 06:33 PM
  5. PSU Query (new Gcard) + Memory question
    By Dorza in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 23-01-2005, 08:06 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •