Is it my graphics card or PSU that's the problem?

darrenkarp

darrenkarp

darrenkarp

Associate
Joined
16 Apr 2010
Posts
321
Hi all,

I'll try and be as concise as possible.

Using a Gigabte ME-800A-D1 PSU in my rig with a GTX 285 GPU. PSU was new Dec 2011. Today the system turned off. Not a great smell coming from the case but no smoke, popping, banging, etc.

I removed the GTX 285 (which uses 2 x PCI 6 pin power connectors from the PSU) and the system started up (It had no monitor or anything else connected to it).

I put my spare GV250 GPU which only uses 1 x PCI 6pin connector, connected a monitor to it and turned her on. She started up but nothing on the display. Black as night. All the other peripherals connected by USB seemed ok.

Is it the PSU that the problem and the fact that the GV250 only uses one PCI connector and not two means that at least there's enough power to start the system up?

Cheers
D.
 
So what PSU is it? Sounds like the PSU might've taken something out, or it was something else that caused the odd smell.
 
Tbh mate i dont think anyone here can give you a 100% answer , they would have to be there and its normoly a lot of trial and error.

highly dowt it was the gpu , they have a temp limit of about 90-100c so it shouldnt of got so hot to actualy start burning , if you can borrow a psu test that.
 
Sorry, my bad, read Gigabyte and instantly thought motherboard for some reason. On the other hand, googling around gives nothing...

But it does sound like a poor generic PSU, even if it's labelled by Gigabyte (I didn't even know they did PSUs). Always buy a reliable branded PSU otherwise you risk the entire system being taken out as well.

At the moment it sounds like the PSU is not powering certain parts of the system properly. I would try another PSU if possible to see if that gets anything.
 
you only need a low watt psu , like a 400w there not expensive.

i would say its the psu more then anything but hey im no pro :)
 
darrenkarp said:
A low watt PSU I don't need. I didn't bother giving all my specs out but 800W min.
Click to expand...

You don't need 800w.

An overclocked CPU + a top end overclocked GPU can easily be ran on a 500w PSU. You only need more if you're considering a multi GPU setup.

PSUs on the other hand needs to be of decent quality. Nearly all generic PSUs only state it's peak wattage, and this peak only lasts a few seconds before the PSU stops and dies. If the generic PSU was made from cheap materials, this could also mean it doesn't have any protection circuits, meaning when it dies, it could also take out the rest of the system.

Not to mention, the amps on the 12v rail are usually low. This is the important one to look at when buying a PSU for a discrete GPU. Almost all the wattage is on the CPU rail, and little on the 12v rail for the GPU. It's probably this part of your PSU that died, it was unable to give enough power for the 285 and finally died. On better reliable PSUs, there is plenty of amps for GPUs. This is what you need to look for.

The OCZ ZS 550W gives 38A, which multiplied by the voltage gives you 456w for the GPU + anything else that uses molex. This is more than enough power for your system.
 
Slight correction. it's a GE-M800A-D1 not ME. I have to bow down to your better tech knowledge. I'm sick to death of buying a new PSU once or even twice per year which is why I thought this time I'd buy a branded PSU which cost me £95.00.

In your opinion do you think it is my PSU that's faulty?
 
That PSU is NOT generic or anywhere near it. It's made by CWT. All PSU makers have failures so just because yours stopped working doesn't mean they are all bad. It's just when the good ones die they don't tend to kill other components on their way out, unlike the generics. Oh and I wouldn't recommend a 400w PSU when the only info is the PSU thats died and their graphics card. how much does the rest of the system pull?
 
Here's a quick update.....

It was my Zotac GTX 285 that's failed. I got a new PSU and a few puffs of smoke out of the GPU! I thought it may have been as it didn't smell to great. I've put my spare GTS 250 in and at least it works.

Does anyone know what the warranty period is from Zotac?

D.
 
So the 250 is now displaying a picture now? On your first post you said it wasn't, and that made me assume it was a PSU problem. The standard period is 2 years but if you've registered on the Zotac site it gets extended to 5 years.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom