Is it possible that 450W isn't enough for a "normal" system?

[Bar81]

I recently reconfigured my system (you can see it in the sig) with the following:

A64 3700+ (2.4Ghz)
2x512MB OCZ EL PC3200 Platinum
ATI Radeon X800 XT Platinum Edition
Raptor 74GB 10k rpm HD
2x Samsung 160GB 7200rmp
Plextor PX-712SA SATA burner

The power supply I'm using is a 450W with the following specs:
http://www.silenx.com/productc...ry=18&idproduct=95

Before I started the reconstruction project I had run Prime95 for days and it was fine although at the time with an A64 3200+ at 2.2Ghz and a 9800 Pro.

Between about 30 minutes and after no more than about two and a half hours at stock speed Prime95 errors out. I ran memtest X86 3.1A on the memory for 15 passes with no problem (I also backed down mem speed but it didn't make any difference) and otherwise the components are not at issue given I had all the HDs prior to the upgrade.

Now, I backed down the clock speed of my CPU to 2.0Ghz and I noticed two things. One, the air coming out of my PSU was no longer hot, just lukewarm, and Prime95 has been going in excess of three hours without issue.

So, my question is, is it possible that my PSU doesn't have enough juice for my setup? If so, then how big a PSU do I need? 600W? I'm just really surprised if the PSU can't handle it as I bought the 450W particularly for its headroom, or so I thought.

 

[CplusE]

I am not sure the 450w is the rated power or maximum power of your PSU.
If it is a rated power, 450W should be adequate for your current system. If it's the number for max power, then an upgrade might be necessary.

 

[Bar81]

I linked to the product page for the PSU, does it not provide enough info?

 

[RedShirt]

That PSU should be PLENTY!

Edit: Well, the SPECS show it should be plenty... I'd try to get your hands on a different supply to do a quick test and see if Prime errors out. While the specs show the supply to be more than enough for your system, there is a chance the supply is faulty.

 

[Bar81]

Well, the reason I started thinking about the PSU was Anand's review of the A64 3400+ in which he stated that using a 9800 Pro and just operating at stock speed for the 3400+ they needed in excess of a 400W PSU, actually a 430W. So, bumping up the speed another 200Mhz, adding a Raptor and another 7200 rpm hard drive for three total drives, and dropping a power hungry X800 XT PE may require more than an extra 20-50W of power???

 

[RedShirt]

Originally posted by: Bar81
Well, the reason I started thinking about the PSU was Anand's review of the A64 3400+ in which he stated that using a 9800 Pro and just operating at stock speed for the 3400+ they needed in excess of a 400W PSU, actually a 430W. So, bumping up the speed another 200Mhz, adding a Raptor and another 7200 rpm hard drive for three total drives, and dropping a power hungry X800 XT PE may require more than an extra 20-50W of power???

Perhaps, but that looks like a very nice supply with good amperage on all the rails. Try unplugging everything but what you need. (keep the raptor plugged in, but unplug your burner and extra hard drives.

See if it still errors.

 

[Bar81]

Good idea. I'll give that a shot.

 

[Goi]

The specs on that SilenX PSU look great. IIRC, SilenX PSUs are decent, but I could be wrong. In any case, el cheapo PSUs don't normally sell for $130+ for a 450W.

 

[Bar81]

Well, I unplugged all my case fans and my RAID 1 array while putting the 3700+ back at stock speed and it is stable past the three hour mark so far although the very warm air coming out of the back of the PSU is telling me that even this setup is stressing the limits of the PSU. Looks like SilenX and I will be having a chat later today.

 

[slpaulson]

I might be wrong, but I think I heard that SilenX psus are just Fortrons with a weaker fan.
Fortrons are great psus, but maybe the weaker fan is just not enough.

 

[Bar81]

That's my understanding also. It's not the fan. For whatever reason there's not enough juice. The good news is that SilenX are allowing me to upgrade to the 600W by paying the difference (I'm going overboard now just to make sure ) Going to swap it out right now and I'll update with results.

 

[RedShirt]

Originally posted by: Bar81
That's my understanding also. It's not the fan. For whatever reason there's not enough juice. The good news is that SilenX are allowing me to upgrade to the 600W by paying the difference (I'm going overboard now just to make sure ) Going to swap it out right now and I'll update with results.

Oh hell no! I'd tell them I'd want it for FREE! There is no way that supply should not be able to handle that load!

 

[Rukkian]

Couldnt it be possible that he is pushing the limits of 22a on the +12v rail?

 

[Bar81]

Originally posted by: RedShirt

Originally posted by: Bar81
That's my understanding also. It's not the fan. For whatever reason there's not enough juice. The good news is that SilenX are allowing me to upgrade to the 600W by paying the difference (I'm going overboard now just to make sure ) Going to swap it out right now and I'll update with results.

Oh hell no! I'd tell them I'd want it for FREE! There is no way that supply should not be able to handle that load!

I agree with you completely, their specs are bullshit and they should replace it with one that lives up to the specs but I don't have the luxury of time to argue and if I wasn't buying the PSU for its low noise level I would have just returned it and got another but I do care so I didn't have much choice. In the good news department, it seems like the 600W can handle my setup now although at $200 I would expect dual opteron support.

 

[raildogg]

It should be enough ... btw ... nice vid card ..... hehe me want one ...

 

[XBoxLPU]

Could it be possible low memory voltage ( liked noted here, http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2206&p=2 ) ?

 

[Bar81]

No, the memory is rated at 2.65v and like I said the beefier PSU fixed the problem.

 

[billyjak]

I have a PC Power & Cooling 450w with 6 hard drives 2-74 gig raptors, 2-wd 120gigers & 2-IBM 30 gigers 2 burners, a floppy a Leadtek 6800gt and mine runs fine.
Not all power supplies are built with heavy duty windings and capacitors, that's why I only buy PC Power & Cooling power supplies. Look Here

 

[Bar81]

Yeah, and they sound like a turbine engine. No thanks.

 

[Zebo]

Wattage means nothing, It's all about the 12. A enermax 350 has more usable power than the silenx 450. 26A vs 22A. Problem is enermax aint quiet. It's sad almost everyone I've seen buys thier PSU's w/o looking at the 12V rail. There are several dozen articles out there on the net highlighting the all importantance of this spec with modern vid cards and processors who derive 100% of thier power from the 12. Oh well live and learn.


Your set up.~
Processor 90
vid card 70
drive 3 x 20 = 60
------
= 220W minimum off the 12V = 18.5A minimum but the 22A was measured at freezing temps, not case temps which lowers it's rating, big time. Plus you're using more power than that though other peripherals like mobo and CD idle, cards. No way a, bogus, freezing temp rated 22A PSU can handle your setup..especially overclcoking.

One way to tell if people suspect PSU is run 3dmark03 and if it crashes or restarts that's the problem. This really stresses a system out.

Anyway silenx makes a really good 600 watter as you found with a whopping 36A on the 12...dual opteron indeed. hehe




Edit: You all could do the same for $109 or $88...not saying it would be quiet though.

 

[Bladen]

What about an Antec Neo http://www.antec.com/specs/Neo480_spe.html

Would this be a good PSU for such a setup?

 

[JWMiddleton]

You stated:

Is it possible that 450W isn't enough for a "normal" system?

Eh, what is "normal" about this system?? LOL - Congrats on a great box! Don't suppose you got SETI times on that bad boy?

 

[otispunkmeyer]

i have a an enermax 475 watt noisetaker.....dual 12 v rails.

got 6800GT, Athlon 64 3200, 2 sata drives and cd rom dirves. no probs at all both rails add up to about 32amps

i had a feeling that 22amps on that silenx PSU looked a little meager

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: Bladen
What about an Antec Neo http://www.antec.com/specs/Neo480_spe.html

Would this be a good PSU for such a setup?

Dual 12 is cool. The first is the 24 and 4 pin power connector which feeds board, PCIs and chip(s). The second is all the molex and fan connectors. What this does is minimize power fluctuation to IC's from drives and fans noise. I like a big fat 12 though only cause I have so much invested in it with 2 enermax and one OCZ PSU without fail. Also some vid cards and presshot may exceed 18A..but probably not.

That antec might even be quiet because if it's large 120mm fan. Might want to search for some reviews as it's a new product.

 

[Goi]

18A on the +12V means over 200W of power. I don't think any CPU or video card is going to exceed that soon.