Bad PSU = source of all problems?

[Red]

I've got to wait until next week for my decent case/psu to come in (Allied 400W PSU) that was very stable with my last Athlon XP and 64 rigs.

I'm letting a friend borrow the unit so in the meantime I needed a temporary/cheap replacement so I went out to a local shop and bought some cheap case for $30 that came with a 350W Austin PSU (which I think is a Deer PSU brand as well).

Specs: AN35N-Ultra, 2x512 of PC3500 Kingmax in slots 2&3, athlon xp mobile 2400+, cheap ass Austin PSU =(

Problems: Computer can not get past first screen of BIOS when I set FSB & mem to 200. When I set to 166, the computer will work, but windows freezes like crazy. Temperatures are extremely low (TT silent boost and AS5), the memory use to run @ 215FSB in my A64 setup and everything else seems ok.... I've just got to deal with this cheap ass PSU. The voltages look *decent* in BIOS, the -12V rail sits around -11.6 though.

Could the PSU be the culprit? Could the PSU be the difference between being semi-stable @ 166 FSB but totally messed up @ 200FSB? Should a quality PSU like my Allied be able to push me up past 200 FSB? Thanks!

 

[Brian48]

Try using a RAM setting of 2.5-3-3-11.

 

[duragezic]

I guess you got it narrowed down the the cheap PSU. I'm really surprised that it's that bad though since your system isn't exaclty power-hungry. Are you running only what you mentioned or if not have you tried unplugging most of the devices just to see if the PSU is overloaded? I just upgraded to the same cpu and mobo, 2x256mb ram, and I'm still using my old Inwin Q500a w/ 300w PS. With a 9800Pro, two hard drives, two cd drives and some USB devices I have had no power supply issues whatsoever at 200fsb. My bro has a rock-bottom cheap $22 case w/ 350w PS and his XP system has been running fine.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I'd definitely play with the ram voltage and timings to see if that helps, and try running the sticks in 1&2 in case DC mode is causing a problem. Chances are that you are right about the PSU but never hurts to tweak in the meantime. I would even make certain the NB heatsink is transfering heat well.