Just installed 8800GT, now startup issues

[P229SAS]

I just got around to upgrading my XFX 7800GT to the eVGA 8800GT last night. After installation of the new card, I have an interesting issue. When I press the power on button in front of my case, nothing happens for about 10 seconds. Then, all of a sudden it comes on like normal and everything boots just fine.

Last night I played COD 4, Crysis SP Demo, and ET: QW for about 4 hours and did not have any problems at all. Finally shut everything down and went to bed, then when I got up this morning it still has the startup delay of about 8-10 seconds.

Is it time to head up to my brick and mortar Tiger Direct for a new PSU before this one blows? I bought this Antec TPII 550 at a local store about 1 year ago and have never had any problems with it but I think I read somewhere that some of them have issues.

 

[jonnyGURU]

I had one of those "True Blue" 480W's do the exact same thing and when I opened it up it was failing the same way almost all CWT built Antecs failed.

If you're not under warranty, open the PSU up. I bet you'll find a number of swollen or leaking caps all over the secondary side of the PSU (the side with the nest of smaller capacitors.)

If you don't want to open the PSU because it's still under warranty, just shine a flashlight through the fan. You should be able to see the tops of the caps splitting open.

Typically a 550W is enough power for an 8800GT, but an older PSU that's been running under high temperatures for a prolonged period of time is not.

 

[MarcVenice]

With some luck you'll get an antec earthwatts 500w as a replacement.

 

[jonmcc33]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
With some luck you'll get an antec earthwatts 500w as a replacement.

How is it that he replaces his video card and it's his power supply that's at fault?

 

[P229SAS]

Well sure enough I shined a light through the fan and the caps are just as jonnyGURU expected. I went up to the local Tiger Direct and picked up an OCZ Stealth Stream 600W for $70. After installing the new power supply, it booted up instantly upon pressing the button and everything works great.

 

[jonmcc33]

Originally posted by: P229SAS
Well sure enough I shined a light through the fan and the caps are just as jonnyGURU expected. I went up to the local Tiger Direct and picked up an OCZ Stealth Stream 600W for $70. After installing the new power supply, it booted up instantly upon pressing the button and everything works great.

Hmmmm, I didn't read Jonny's post. That OCZ should be good for you, good price too.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: jonmcc33

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
With some luck you'll get an antec earthwatts 500w as a replacement.

How is it that he replaces his video card and it's his power supply that's at fault?

Because the new gtaphics card is more demanding. Graphics cards are typically at least 25% of your PC's load.

Originally posted by: P229SAS
Well sure enough I shined a light through the fan and the caps are just as jonnyGURU expected. I went up to the local Tiger Direct and picked up an OCZ Stealth Stream 600W for $70. After installing the new power supply, it booted up instantly upon pressing the button and everything works great.

Uggh... why that unit? Certainly they had a selection?

 

[P229SAS]

They had the following brands: Ultra modulars priced from around $49-150, Thermaltake ToughPower 700 around $170, two OCZ Stealth Stream models 600W and 700W for around $70 and $130 respectively. Finally, they had a few CoolMax and also some low price brands i.e. 250/300W for around $30 etc. That is all I can remember from what I saw. I should also mention that I am somewhat on a "budget" and am not prepared to spend $200 on a PSU at this particular time. Also, I will never run SLI if that means anything as well.

I dare ask what is wrong with the one I just bought? *cringes*

On another note, I ran the HL Lost Coast stress test with the Antec 550 when I first installed the 8800GT and it literally got about 45fps. Furthermore, I ran Portal with all settings maxed at 1280x1024 (my LCD native resolution) 4xMSAA 16x AF and it ran at about 40fps and never got above 60fps no matter what. Now with the OCZ, the net_graph 1 command shows about 150fps in Portal with the same settings and about 135fps in the Lost Coast test. Note that with Portal, this is on a particular level, not necessarily that high throughout the game.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Ah! Ok. So given the availability you got the best for the money. Very good.

I sometimes forget that not all of the Tiger stores have the same selection as what they have online.

 

[P229SAS]

I would have ordered something online but I really needed my system up and running asap. I really hate to sound like I am trying to skimp on the PSU but I just don't have that much spare money right meow.

Even though I am all set at the moment, what PSU would you recommend for a gaming system not intended for SLI?

Thank you very much for the input and advice!

 

[jonnyGURU]

You're fine with the StealthXstream considering you're probably not even going to be using half of it's capability.

In your position, I would have gone with a Corsair VX550, which I understand Tiger doesn't even sell. But like I said, you're fine with what you got.

 

[jonmcc33]

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU
Because the new gtaphics card is more demanding. Graphics cards are typically at least 25% of your PC's load.

How much more demanding is a 8800GT than a 7800GT though? The 7800GT was a 110nm part and the 8800GT is a 65nm part, although over double the transistor count. Do you think his PSU was already damaged before he installed the 8800GT?

 

[MarcVenice]

caps dont start bulging and bursting overnight from what I understand of it, so yes the PSU was allready dmg-ed. The 8800gt put it over the edge though.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: jonmcc33

Originally posted by: jonnyGURU
Because the new gtaphics card is more demanding. Graphics cards are typically at least 25% of your PC's load.

How much more demanding is a 8800GT than a 7800GT though? The 7800GT was a 110nm part and the 8800GT is a 65nm part, although over double the transistor count. Do you think his PSU was already damaged before he installed the 8800GT?

An 8800GT actually uses quite a bit more than a 7800GT. 65nm vs. 110nm part doesn't matter when you have that many more transistors, never mind the fact that the card has features thathis old card simply did not have that unleashed a potential bottlenecks present before the upgrade causing the computer to consume more power over all.

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
caps dont start bulging and bursting overnight from what I understand of it, so yes the PSU was allready dmg-ed. The 8800gt put it over the edge though.

Exactly. Those caps were probably buldging for a while. It took the extra power consumption from the upgrade to push the PSU over the edge and make it act all loopy.

 

[P229SAS]

In a sense, it is probably a good thing that I upgraded my video card to reveal the power supply problem because I wonder how long it would have lasted anyways. When I originally built the system back in early 2006, I purchased all of the components from a local computer store. They did not have a large selection of power supplies and I *assumed* Antec would be fine because it is a widely recognizable brand. I never knew about the problem until recently so there is no telling how long the caps have been damaged.

I appreciate everyone here chiming in with input/advice!

 

[s44]

Don't forget to RMA the old power supply! You'll get back a pretty good replacement that doesn't have the same crappy caps.

 

[Puffnstuff]

My last antec 550w ps had low amps on the 12v rail and couldn't handle the cold boot inflow and wouldn't start up the system. I would go round and round even unplugging the extra power line to the video card until the fans started then plug it back in so my system would continue to boot. It was a real pita until I pulled it out and replaced it with an enermax 550w ps with 36a on the 12v line. Never had anymore power problems.

 

[MarcVenice]

P22, in a sense it isn't, somebody else isn't going to be as lucky and will see flames pouring out of his PSU and might lose some other components. Could have been you ...

 

[P229SAS]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
P22, in a sense it isn't, somebody else isn't going to be as lucky and will see flames pouring out of his PSU and might lose some other components. Could have been you ...

Yeah you're right. I have not opened it up and thus voided the warranty so I might try to contact Antec and see if I can get a replacement as a backup.

 

[Old Hippie]

In a sense, it is probably a good thing that I upgraded my video card to reveal the power supply problem because I wonder how long it would have lasted anyways.

Gotta love those rationalizations. :laugh:

 

[P229SAS]

It's true though, otherwise what MarcVenice said could have become a reality with me.

Also, I just submitted an RMA request to Antec so we shall see what happens.

 

[P229SAS]

Just got an update from Antec and this is the exact reply:

"The bad capcitor issue did not effect the True Power 2.0 series. What are the voltage outputs you are getting from your power supply?"

Shame on me for not checking the specific voltages, but at the time I knew something was wrong based on the other issues. I am not an expert, but unless my eyes are deceiving me the caps are just as johnnyGURU described.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: P229SAS
Just got an update from Antec and this is the exact reply:

"The bad capcitor issue did not effect the True Power 2.0 series. What are the voltage outputs you are getting from your power supply?"

Shame on me for not checking the specific voltages, but at the time I knew something was wrong based on the other issues. I am not an expert, but unless my eyes are deceiving me the caps are just as johnnyGURU described.

BULLSH!T! The cap problem DID effect the TPII.

Here's a 480 just from last week: http://www.jonnyguru.net/forum...entid=701&d=1194373333

ANY Antec that's built by CWT has Fuhjyyu caps in it and are prone to failure.

 

[HOOfan 1]

maybe the bad cap problem didn't "effect" them...but it seems to have "affected" them...

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
maybe the bad cap problem didn't "effect" them...but it seems to have "affected" them...

Oooohhhh.... :Q