Need a new PSU, fairly old spec, is this PSU ok?

jon86

jon86

jon86

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Hi.

Further to my thread about my computer rebooting in Team Fortress 2 (http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=17949945&highlight=username_jon86), I have noticed that it will now reboot as soon as I go into a map. General browsing in Windows seems ok but as soon as I enter a map in TF2, the computer reboots. I don't have any other games installed or PSUs to test at the moment. My assumption is that it is rebooting as soon as there is a large draw on the PSU, perhaps from the graphics card. My current PSU is an Akasa 460W PaxPower that I ordered in April 2005 (so no warranty left). I have checked drivers and temperatures.

SpeedFan logs that the voltages in idle Windows appear to be somewhat lacking...

-12V: -9.32V
+12V: 11.71V
-5V: -0.43V
+5V: 4.92V
+3.3V: 3.22V

The BIOS shows roughly the same voltages.

I think it might be time to get a new PSU. Someone suggested I get one from the well known high street PC shop but my local one only sells 500 - 750W Jeantech PSUs or one really expensive (> £125) 850W BFG. I was thinking of getting a PSU from OcUK (free shipping) and wondered which one to get. This is my spec:

- AMD 3500+ Single Core Newcastle
- DFi Infinity nForce 3 motherboard
- Leadtek 256MB GeForce 6800GT (1 GHz/350 MHz - not overclocked)
- 1 GB (2 x 512 MB) OCZ Platinum DDR400
- Seagate 120GB and 80GB 7200.7 SATA
- MSI IDE DVD/CDRW
- Zalman fan controller
- 120mm Panaflo L1A and 4 80mm case fans

I was thinking of getting a PC Power & Cooling Silencer 470W Power Supply (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp...PC Power & Cooling Silencer 470W Power Supply) or an OCZ StealthXStream 500w Silent ATX2 Power Supply (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showp... StealthXStream 500w Silent ATX2 Power Supply). I am not planning on upgrading my computer for a long time so it doesn't need to be very futureproof... I just want it to work for a few years and not go wrong. :)

Would one of those be ok or can you recommend something better?

Thanks.
Jon
 
Just to note that unless you've checked the voltages with a multimeter you can't be sure they are accurate as software readings can be dodgy although all are in fact within tolerance levels +-5% is the rule.

It is of course possible that the PSU is at fault and changing is unlikely to do any harm but just to point out that it might not be the cause. As Ben Lee says both those PSUs should be more than capable for what you need. Before you build a new PC though it might be worth taking out all components and reseating them in case you knocked one slightly out of place before.
 
Thanks for the replies. I understand the voltages won't be exactly right and have to be taken with a pinch of salt. I was wondering what manufacturer makes the PC Power & Cooling Silencer 470W PSU and do you know where it would be RMA'd to? I ask as it has a 5 year warranty as opposed to the 3 year provided with the OCZ.
 
I'm not entirely sure for the PCP&C supply who is the OEM, I know that Seasonic do some of theirs but I don't know if the Silencer is one. It is listed as End Of Life on their website though.

OCZ own PCP&C so I don't know why the warranties are different, I'm guessing it would be because PCP&C is the premium brand.
 
It would certainly be worth blowing the dust and cleaning the fan out of the old psu and checking all the connectors to the mobo and peripherals are shiny and bright. Overheating and oxidation of contacts could be restricting max power output which is were you seem to have an issue.
 
I've got an Ultra X-Pro 450w supply that gives a very stable 12.12v that I've had to swap out because of a lack of PCI-E connectors.
I've used with my overclocked A64 4000+ system (7600gt).
If you are anywhere near Portsmouth it's yours for a tenner, sleeved cables, titanium finish, 12cm fan etc.
Can't think what else I'm going to do with it,
 
Would love to buy that from you but I live in Norwich. I'm sorry. :)

Thank you all for your replies. I will take your advice and check connections and for dust and such before I buy a new PSU.
 
You might as well do the standard tests though, they're free.

Memtest ISO
Orthos
Furmark
Remove one stick of RAM
Remove and clean video drivers, then install new ones
 
In theory your PSU shouldn't have any troubles powering that graphics card and your system as a whole but of course it could be on the way out I guess. Does the rebooting happen with all of games or just TF2? Have you got access to any other roughly equivalent card that you could pop in just to see if the same issue occurs?
 
As others have said it might not be the PSU. I presume you don't overclock, because if you do I'd recommend dropping everything back to stock. It's always helpful to have a spare psu though so it is worthwhile getting another. It could also be a problem with your memory, are timings set to auto/manufacturers recommended settings?
 
Thanks for all your suggestions. I haven't tried another game but TF2 has steadily got worse over the last week or so. I used to be able to play it for 30 - 40 minutes before it rebooted but now it does it as soon as I enter a map. The other equivalent card I have is a vanilla 6800 but that has bad graphics memory problems.

I'll check all connections and perhaps try with only one stick of RAM and then maybe install some benchmarking utilities or another game.

Thanks again.
 
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