Help 3 fuses in ten minutes :(

MikeB · 20 Jul 2006 at 05:50

Just upgraded video card to a 1800xt and now found my fuse on PC power lead is blowing, is this a case of PSU can't cope and spazs out?, i.e. I need a new one?

hp7909 · 20 Jul 2006 at 05:59

MikeB said:
Just upgraded video card to a 1800xt and now found my fuse on PC power lead is blowing, is this a case of PSU can't cope and spazs out?, i.e. I need a new one?

What brand & make is it? Also provide the readings on the side, e.g....

MikeB · 20 Jul 2006 at 06:01

its a Winpower
400w max, what else do you need to know?

hp7909 · 20 Jul 2006 at 06:14

MikeB said:
its a Winpower
400w max, what else do you need to know?

hp7909 said:
{snip}Also provide the readings on the side, e.g....

EDIT: First of 400Ws is a-bit low for a X1800. Second, +12v RAIL should be above 18A (if split, combined/added-up figure should be more than 20A) :cool:

MikeB · 20 Jul 2006 at 06:19

ok says....

orange 3.3v 0-20a
red 5v 2.5-30a
white -5v .5a
yellow +12v 20a
blue -12v .8a
purple 5v 0-2a

voltage 230, amps 5, 50hz freq.

hp7909 · 20 Jul 2006 at 06:21

MikeB said:
{snip}yellow +12v 20a{snip}

Seems fine

What else you running, i.e. rest of your spec?

MikeB · 20 Jul 2006 at 06:29

2 hard discs, 2 optical drives, one 120mm fan, one 80mm fan, and cpu fan. First time it has happended was 10 mins inot direct x game after installing new card, have to assume the card is drawing down a lot of power and causing psu issues

hp7909 · 20 Jul 2006 at 06:50

MikeB said:
2 hard discs, 2 optical drives, one 120mm fan, one 80mm fan, and cpu fan. First time it has happended was 10 mins inot direct x game after installing new card, have to assume the card is drawing down a lot of power and causing psu issues

Normally I thought system would just not power up :confused:

To rule out PSU (though I still think 400Ws is low), try another kettle lead, e.g. monitor one? & also check where you are connecting it to & make sure its not faulty/dodgy!

Energize · 20 Jul 2006 at 08:09

Faulty psu, cant be anything else unless the fuses are too low ampage or cable is screwed.

Skawn · 20 Jul 2006 at 09:37

Well... I can confirm that not enough power to graphics card will still boot windows but cause odd crashes in games - happened to me and turned out to be a dodgy PSU [after RMA'ing my graphics card... Doh!].

bbreezeuk · 20 Jul 2006 at 10:13

what size fuse are you using

Corasik · 20 Jul 2006 at 13:08

Even a 3amp fuse should be sufficient for a 400W PSU.

400W load, 60% efficiency, would use 666 Watts on the mains. 666watts/240v = 2.775 amps. That said the best PSU's allow for some degree of 'short term' overload, or 'peak current', a 5amp fuse @240v should be enough for for almost 1.2kilowatts before it blows.

If its blowing 5amp fuses, there's probably a fault in the PSU thats causing it to draw too much current from the mains. If thats the case, probably best to buy a modern high efficiency PSU, and save on electricity

BullBoyShoes · 20 Jul 2006 at 13:15

Fuses are there not to protect your graphics card, but as a last line of defence to prevent electrical fires.
Your 400w supply would only need a 3 amp fuse.
Try powering your PSU with no load see what happens

Psycho Sonny · 20 Jul 2006 at 13:23

your psu is not powerful enough simple as, buy a new DECENT power supply, i reccomend enermax noisetaker 600W