Is My PSU failing under this load?

[Logan00]

I currently have a Vantec 520W, with a peak load of 620W.

I have 5 PATA HD's, AMD 2200+, 2X256 DDR, BFG 6800 OC, Sound Card, DVD-RW, CD-RW, and 1 1200mm, 3 80mm fans for cooling.

I've noticed it has started hanging and crashing, especially when I start up Vid Games. Are there any tools to see if power is stable? Should I upgrade? if so, then I was thinking ocz 600W. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Zepper]

You didn't mention the mobo you have. Does it have a P4-12V connector to power the CPU? You have plenty of power in your PSU - it just needs to be distributed properly. Hanging and crashing sound like more of a RAM problem - try reseating it and bumping up the voltage on it a bit. Random restarts is a gimpy PSU symptom.

.bh.

 

[Amaroque]

Check your voltages with a multimeter. I'm running the hardware listed in my sig, plus 6 80mm case fans off an Antec True550.

Zepper: I don't think any AXP boards have the 12v connector on them.

 

[Zepper]

Lots of Socket-A mobos have that 4-pin square connector. Running the CPU off the 12V rail has been part of AMD's recommendations since the Athlon came out. Just no one did it. I started seeing them on more Athlon mobos when the nF chipset mobos came out.
. Now most Abit (including the VA-10 and the KW7 I have here), MSI, Soltek, etc. Socket A mobos have them. I won't buy one without unless it is a top model at a really low price as it helps to spread the load among the rails. And often you can get by with a lower powered PSU than might otherwise be possible. You also get equally stable voltages to expensive, multi-phase designs and voltage regulators are usually more efficient with a larger differential between Vin and Vout. It's all good!

.bh.

:moon:

 

[Logan00]

I have a Abit KR7A-Raid Mobo. I dont know what you were refering to with regards to the CPU question. I will rewire my computer tonight. If any of you guys have any advice as to how to distribute the rails correctly, It would be greatly appreciated. I'm a hobbist, so I dont know every single technical term. Thanks for all your help guys. This is why i luvs anandtech. PS I'll also take your advice on the ram.

 

[Amaroque]

That's odd...

My A7N8X-E Deluxe, a top of the line NF2 AXP board didn't have a four pin connector.

 

[Zepper]

Amaroque,
. Asus is one of the few that have chosen not to use the P4-12V connection on their Socket-A mobos. They use the relatively expensive multi-phase power circuitry instead. They do use the P4 on their Asrock budget line.

Logan00,
. What I meant by distributing the load might be confusing. All wires from the PSU that carry the same voltage actually connect to the same point inside the PSU. Only the latest designs have dual +12V rails. On most PSU designs both the +3.3V and +5V regulators are attached to the same winding of the switching transformer while the +12V comes off a separate winding. What I mean about distributing or balancing the load means obtaining a proportionate share of power from both windings. On your system, the 5/3 winding is heavily loaded while the 12 winding is relatively lightly loaded.
. The KR7A-RAID is an old design (KT-266A chipset is 5 generations old), from back before Abit started using the P4 connector on their Via based designs. I think the P4 started with Abit's KT-600/KM-400 based units - but may have been on the KT-400 also, I'm not sure. The MSI KM2M Combo L had the P4 as well and it was KM-266 based.
. I was able to slip my new KW7 (KT-880 based) in under my Win 2k that was installed and running on an Asus A7V600 without any major problems. So maybe it's time to upgrade the old mobo...
. I would also suggest turning off the power at the power switch on the back of the PSU and wait 10 minutes and unplug and examine the ATX power connector for signs of overheating. I've seen some pix recently on this forum that are pretty hairy - the plastic shell melting away from the 5V (red wires) contacts in the ATX shell on the PSU side and the rest of the plastic blackened. This is what comes of relying too heavily on the 5V side.
. I've recommended cleaning, tightening and enhancing (with Caig Labs Pro Gold) the contacts in the ATX connectors in several other threads here in the last month or so. And to touch the ATX connection every so often while in operation to see if it's getting too warm - it should never get too warm to touch. If the connector is getting too warm then it's time to take corrective measures.

.bh.

:moon: