How can I tell if my power supply isnt keeping up

[Xarick]

I have a sunbeam nuuo 550w that has been pretty good for the last couple of years, but lately when I have been playing my screen will freeze for a minute. I will get a NV... something something has stopped responding.. then all the sudden things will start rolling again. So I am starting to wonder if my PS is on the verge of death or if I have another issue.

 

[an51r]

That sounds like a driver issue more than anything, I would try another set of drivers for your card and make sure you have all the essential updates for whatever version of windows you are using. As far as the PSU is concerned you would have to give us the specs of your PC for anyone to make an accurate judgment.

 

[Xarick]

I have an 8800gts 320
p45 asus mobo
e6400 OC to 2.8
3 gigs of ram ddr2 800 running 5-5-5-12
1 200gig seagate barracuda drive
1 dvd drive
4 case fans 3 120's and 1 140 all running low speed
and a SB audigy 2

 

[Zap]

I've seen weakening PSUs cause that kind of problem. You'll need to use a multimeter to monitor voltages while you run something 3D (do a timedemo or some benchmark so you can watch the meter). I once replaced an Ultra PSU that was doing that. +12v would sag to under 11v while loaded.

 

[an51r]

Yeah the multimeter is a definitive check but you could also run a couple stress tests and watch the voltages from a program such as everest just for a quick check.

 

[Xarick]

I dont own a mutlimeter.
I could run speed fan as it monitors my 12v rail.

I am wondering. Could it be the HD? I keep thinking that it is the PS.
Another reason is that one time we had a power outage. The computer shutoff (surge supressor worked) But then when I went to turn it on it didn't turn on. The fans would spin, then stop, then spin then stop. Then eventually it turned on. I ended up replacing the mobo and havent had that issue since, but now this is popping up.

 

[Gillbot]

$5
http://www.harborfreight.com/c...m.taf?Itemnumber=98025

Use a multimeter.