How to test my power supply

[StefanWylde]

Do you guys have any ideas how can I put my PSU to its maximum, so I know my configuration is 100 % stable?
I'm running Phenom II X6 1055T with HD 6850, and my PSU has only 20 ampers on the 12v rail (dafaaq), and it still doesn't overheat or anything, but I still wanna know if I'm safe, because the PSU warranty expires in 6 months, and I don't really want it to stop working after it.
So how do I push it to its maximum? How to make all components take the most power from it?

Here's my total configuration:
CPU: AMD Phenom II X6 1055T 2.8 GHz;
GPU: Sapphire Radeon HD 6850 1GB GDDR5 256 bit;
RAM: Corsair XMS3 2x2GB Dual Channel 1600 9-9-9-24 1.65v;
MB: Gigabyte GA990XA-UD3 AM3+ Socket;
HDD: WesternDigital Caviar Blue 320GB SATA-II;
PSU: Konig 550W;
CPU Cooler: CoolerMaster Hyper 212+;
CoolerMaster Aurora Cold Cathode (I've got 2 of those);
And 2 extra 120mm Case LED Fans running on 1000 RPM.

#EDIT
I've been running 3D Mark Vantage and 3DMark 11, the voltage variations where the following: (measured with multi-meter)
3.3v Rail -> 3.33v ~ 3.35v
5v Rail -> 5.05v ~ 5.07v
12v Rail -> 12.08v ~ 12.19v

But 3D Mark only takes power from CPU and GPU, I need all my components to their maximum.

 

[lehtv]

Konig eh? Is it this one? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Konig-550W-Computer-Power-Supply/dp/tech-data/B0037XN1XA/ref=de_a_smtd

Says 12V1 26A, 12V2 24A. Not 20A total.

I don't understand how a 550W unit could even be rated for 20A. That's only 240W. If that were true, I'd definitely forget about any "testing" and replace it with a proper unit ASAP. 20A on +12V isn't enough to run that rig safely.

 

[StefanWylde]

Konig eh? Is it this one? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Konig-550W-Computer-Power-Supply/dp/tech-data/B0037XN1XA/ref=de_a_smtd

Says 12V1 26A, 12V2 24A. Not 20A total.

I don't understand how a 550W unit could even be rated for 20A. That's only 240W. If that were true, I'd definitely forget about any "testing" and replace it with a proper unit ASAP. 20A on +12V isn't enough to run that rig safely.

It's not the one on the link. And I don't have money, and all my components are under warranty, so I don't know what is there to worry about. The one I have is very old version of ATX, that's why it has only 20 amps on 12v. I'm not gonna replace it before the warranty goes out. Any link to test it please?

 

[lehtv]

I don't think the warranties of your components cover damage from a PSU crapping out.

You can get the highest +12V load with simultaneous Prime95 + Furmark which produce the maximum CPU and GPU power consumption, respectively. I recommend against pushing the PSU because I have no idea whether it has working protections or whether it will blow up in smoke and fireworks if overloaded. Just keep using it, and hope that it won't crap out before you have the money to replace it.

 

[StefanWylde]

I don't think the warranties of your components cover damage from a PSU crapping out.

You can get the highest +12V load with simultaneous Prime95 + Furmark which produce the maximum CPU and GPU power consumption, respectively. I recommend against pushing the PSU because I have no idea whether it has working protections or whether it will blow up in smoke and fireworks if overloaded. Just keep using it, and hope that it won't crap out before you have the money to replace it.

I've had this exact model before, and the PSU crapped out, but then everything was extremely overclocked, and the PSU was mounted at the top, so it was taking hot air directly from my Hyper 212, they were very close, now I bought case with bottom mounted PSU, now PSU takes fresh cold air, and I don't think it will over heat again. And yeah, when it crapped out, it didn't damage any components. (My crapped PSU got replaced with new one, and because of law issues, they didn't allow me to pay more and get better PSU)

 

[lehtv]

If you've already tested it before and know it's going to die when overloaded, why do you want to risk doing that exact same thing again? To get a free replacement before the warranty's over?

 

[StefanWylde]

If you've already tested it before and know it's going to die when overloaded, why do you want to risk doing that exact same thing again? To get a free replacement before the warranty's over?

No, I want them to break the law (I know there are holes in it) and get me more powerful PSU, of course I'll pay more. But they don't understand that I have 'powerful' rig that this PSU can't handle. And plus, in my country, even if you kill a component with overclock, they wouldn't know, so how would they know if it's the PSU? I won't tell em? Each component is bought separately from different shops.

 

[lehtv]

Then you're on your own with that one.

 

[Smoblikat]

run OCCT power supply test, then furmark on your GPU's while running IBT at maximum stress for your CPU and RAM, then while thats happening run a benchmark on you HDD's so they use max power. Hold on tight, it might get ugly.

 

[StefanWylde]

run OCCT power supply test, then furmark on your GPU's while running IBT at maximum stress for your CPU and RAM, then while thats happening run a benchmark on you HDD's so they use max power. Hold on tight, it might get ugly.

Can it explode?

 

[Smoblikat]

Can it explode?

The question is not CAN it, but WHEN it will. Do what I said and that should be accomplished in no time at all.

 

[StefanWylde]

The question is not CAN it, but WHEN it will. Do what I said and that should be accomplished in no time at all.

I ran OCCT, and in like 4 minutes, the voltage was varying between 11.89 and 12.00, Some times, the voltage was 12.00 constant, then it dropped at 11.90, then it get back to 12.00, stayed like that for 30 seconds, then back to 11.89, and I stopped the test since the PSU was running quite hot. On the box of the PSU, there was mentioned that PSU has short circuit, overheat and overload protection. If these work, that means I'm safe?

 

[lehtv]

Protections should just shut down the PSU safely, not kill it like last time you overloaded it with overclocked hardware.

 

[bryanl]

I would expect your computer to consume a maximum of 400W, while running a video benchmark, and while that's well below the 550W rating of your power supply, it's common for power supply ratings to be greatly exaggerating. Worse, excessive voltage or even surges may be generated at the time of failure, so I would rather not perform a torture test using an expensive computer as the power load. Protection circuitry does not always work properly. I am not familiar with the Konig brand and can't determine the quality or actual manufacturer of its power units.