Help: is my psu dying?

mrtckane · 1 Aug 2011 at 09:34

hello.

in the last two weeks I have noticed what I ca. only describe as 'fluctuations', whereby the fans in my system slow down and the lights dim for a few seconds, then everything returns to normal. I have replaced a few fans but it still appears to happen.

it's growing in intensity as time goes on, I just want to be sure before I replace the psu.

thanks,
chris.

DazQ87 · 1 Aug 2011 at 09:41

It is possible, what is the make and power rating of your PSU and what is your full system spec?

mrtckane · 1 Aug 2011 at 10:32

it's a coolermaster igreen 630w psu which according to three different online calculators should have been more than enough. though she is 3 years old now.

the system is:
asus p5x58d-e mobo
i7 920 cpu
6gb corsair xms3
ati 5870 gpu
2x 1.5tb wd green hdds
2x. 2tb samsung f4 hdds
ocz bigfoot 120gb ssd
generic dvdrw drive

the requirements came in at about 560 watts.

Clav · 1 Aug 2011 at 10:43

PSU's get less efficient over time and you do have a lot of devices plugged in. If I were you I'd play it safe and get a better psu anyway. If it does go it could take other components with it, which is a nightmare.

Reaper 392 · 1 Aug 2011 at 11:18

its either your PSU, or something wrong with the plug socket. i would guess its your PSU.

if you dont plan on getting a second graphics card then i would recommend either of these:
non modular: XFX 550W core edition
modular: Antec 550W

if you do plan on using a second graphics card in crossfire then i would recommend either of these:
non modular: XFX 750W core edition
modular: OCZ Z-series 850W 80+ gold

your very likely to save money in the long run if you go for an expensive PSU as they are going to be far more efficient, saving a lot of money on the electricity bill

mrtckane · 1 Aug 2011 at 11:24

I do not intend to get another graphics card at this time.

I have recently moved house and this only started happening after the move, coincidentally the lights in the bathroom, which are halogen, do flicker from time to time. all the other light fittings have energy saving florescent lamps installed so this behaviour isn't observable. before I buy a new power supply I should get an incandescent lamp in the same room as the computer, then wait for the flickering to start on the computer and see if it occurs with the lamp aswell.

Tealc · 1 Aug 2011 at 12:28

It would be unusual for the PSU not to be able to compensate for any fluctuations in power supply from the mains. They usually have large capacitors on the primary to smooth power delivery to the secondary components.

I've had power outtages for fractions of a second and my PSU has kept my PC running, but that was in my old house, this one has a solid power supply from the mains.

mrtckane · 1 Aug 2011 at 16:52

Tealc said:
It would be unusual for the PSU not to be able to compensate for any fluctuations in power supply from the mains. They usually have large capacitors on the primary to smooth power delivery to the secondary components.

I've had power outtages for fractions of a second and my PSU has kept my PC running, but that was in my old house, this one has a solid power supply from the mains.

^ yes, shol'va, in my old house, when the lights went out in a power cut, the computer would get just enough time for me to consider saving my document before it went down.

I shall replace the PSU first, if problems persist, i shall look at a UPS device.

Thanks for all your help lads.

mrtckane · 4 Aug 2011 at 20:50

right, going for the XFX 550W core edition, done some tests and i'm almost certain that this power supply is on it's way out, i'll have to wait a week before buying a new one but it's been doing this for a fortnight so hopefully i can get another few days out of it at least.

The fans speed up and slow down, the LEDs in the fans get brighter, and then dimmer.

I know the motherboard is ok as these fans are connected directly to molex, but i dread to think what this inconsistent 12v rail is doing to the hard disks.

I have suspended all use of the machine for gaming or anything really stressful & have set the bios to defaults and unplugged all non essential devices, hopefully that should be enough, as i still need to actually use the machine for day to day things.

Thanks again for your help.