Might need a new PSU

[desura]

Computer is completely dead. Not even LED lights are turning on.

It has been doing this for almost a year now.

Basically, it will work fine...then it will not work...then it will work fine again.

I suspect the PSU is the culprit since I am running things really close.

Anyways, need a new one. Don't want to spend more than $30. Will not budge over that.

Would prefer to spend $20.

Suggestions? I assume I should get a 500 watt at least.

Specs...

core i5 ivy
gtx 560 ti 448
2 hard drives and 1 sad
various peripherals
8gb ram

 

[SymphonyX7]

You'll need to up your budget, especially with that GTX 560 Ti sucking power. I suggest a Corsair CX or VS series or one of FSP's offerings like the Hexa or HNN series for OEMs. They're all are 80+ rated, although the FSP ones should be more efficient. The 500W CX, VS and Hexa should be around $40. The 500W HNN should be even cheaper, if you can find one since it's supposed to be an OEM part. FSP HNN model numbers go like this: FSP500-50HNN, FSP600-50HNN.

Either that or you risk damaging your other components. You won't get a decent 500W PSU under $30. Just think of the price difference as insurance.

 

[lehtv]

What is your current PSU then? Is it not under warranty?

You're buying the new unit from the US, I assume?

 

[desura]

PSU is PC POwer and cooling Silencer Mark III 400w

I've run the calculator a few times and my max draw should be around 330-340, which should be within 80% of 400w.

I just reseated everything on the PSU...and it works again!

Really weird.

 

[lehtv]

330-340W isn't within 80% of 400W... 330/400 = 0.825. Also, the unit has a +12V rail worth 30A or 360w. However, I don't think you'll be using that much power in reality. The 560 Ti 448 consumes under 200W peak, and the rest of the system consumes about 100W at most while gaming. Assuming no OC.

Theoretically you should be fine with that unit... if not, grab a new 500W unit and RMA the current one?

 

[desura]

Okay, so it happened again.

This is what seems to be happening that I can deduce...

No power.

Then, when I take out PSU and do paperclip test, rehook everything back up, it works again.

Is there...some sort of...something built up in the PSU? Like a charge or something?

Using CPUID HWMonitor...

Voltage 0 3.38 Volts [0xD3] (+3.3V)
Voltage 1 0.83 Volts [0x68] (CPU VCORE)
Voltage 2 0.06 Volts [0x4] (VIN2)
Voltage 3 1.41 Volts [0x78] (VIN3)
Voltage 4 5.89 Volts [0x8C] (+5V)
Voltage 5 8.27 Volts [0x5E] (+12V)
Voltage 6 2.11 Volts [0x84] (VIN6)
Voltage 7 3.38 Volts [0xD3] (VSB3V)
Voltage 8 3.30 Volts [0xCE] (VBAT)

12v looks ridiculously low.

 

[desura]

Just checked bios and the 12v line from there looks fine.

What is going on? Maybe I have too much stuff drawing power hence the hwmonitor reading is so low, once I get past bios?

How exactly does the 12v line work?

 

[_Rick_]

The only way to troubleshoot a PSU, short of getting a testing rig, is to swap it out. There's really no other way, as the moment the PSU goes out, you have the mainboard switch off the system, and thus no way to monitor what's going on.
You could hook up a high frequency logging multimeter/oszi and log the min/max voltages, especially the 12V line, and see if that drops below 11V - but unless you know someone willing to lend you that gear for free, going with a new PSU is going to be much cheaper.

 

[desura]

Just installed RMA'd motherboard.

Works perfectly now.

The motherboard was going bad.