Is my PSU broken or just too small?

[nsimmering]

My new build is shutting down (just turning off like a breaker is tripped) during gaming and 3DMark06. It turns right back on when I push the power button.

System:
Gigabyte GA-EP45-DSL3
VisionTek HD4870
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX
Intel E8400 + stock cooler
Corsair XMS2 1GB DDR2 800 (Set of 2)
WD Caviar SE16 640GB
Samsung 2S223Q DVD burner
Coolermaster centurion 534
Windows XP pro

Nothing is overclocked or ever will be. I used a CCC Overdrive profile to turn up the fan speed on the 4870 cooler.

I first assumed it was a heat issue and speeding up the gpu cooler helped (also dropped the gpu temp from 80's to 50's C), but the problem came back after the computer was taken home.

Next I assumed it was a PSU issue, so I disconnected two 120mm case fans and left the case open. Medieval II total war played fine for hours. Also 3Dmark06 ran all the way through.

Did I just buy an undersized PSU? The psu is on the list of approved units on the ATI web site, but maybe I just didn't take enough into account for all the cpu, ram, fans etc.

Or, did I get a bad PSU that I need to RMA before it burns out and destroys the rest of my stuff?

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[AmberClad]

It's not "undersized". I used to use a HX520 on a similar configuration (OCed E8400 + HD4870) without any issues. And I don't think two fans are going to make much difference as far as power usage.

How do CPU temps look?

 

[nsimmering]

Thanks for your response.

I only checked the CPU temp once in the CMOS when restarting. It was 50 ish C if I remember right. I set the CPU Warning Temperature in the CMOS to 70C and it never went off. I did not monitor the CPU temp in Windows while running the game though. I'm not sure what the best way to do that is.

 

[AmberClad]

RealTemp works for monitoring temps.

 

[nsimmering]

Thanks, I'll run some tests tonight.

 

[nsimmering]

The cpu temp never got out of the 50's. Looks like the max temp for the E8400 is 72C.

After messing around some more, we figured out that the case fans really have nothing to do with it. Its the case itself. When the case is closed the machine crashes. With the side panel off it runs fine.

Does this make it an air flow issue? The psu itself overheating? Some sort of short with the alumunum case? I'm baffled...

 

[HOOfan 1]

PSUs do have overtemperature protection that will shut them off if they get too hot. Not saying that is your problem, but it could be, is the PSU fan spinning?

 

[Yellowbeard]

Originally posted by: nsimmering
The cpu temp never got out of the 50's. Looks like the max temp for the E8400 is 72C.

After messing around some more, we figured out that the case fans really have nothing to do with it. Its the case itself. When the case is closed the machine crashes. With the side panel off it runs fine.

Does this make it an air flow issue? The psu itself overheating? Some sort of short with the alumunum case? I'm baffled...

It actually sounds like a shorting issue. You may want to inspect all your wiring and also make sure you don't have an unused standoff or some other object causing a short.