My 9800 PRO does not have enough power!

[mettleh3d]

Hey folks, first time poster. Wondering if you guys know what the problem is

So These are the specs of my newly purchashed machine:
AMD 64 3400+ socket 754
DFI UT Lanparty nf3 mobo
1gb kingmax dual channel ram (-_- socket 754s dont support dual chan. dammit)
ati 9800 pro
420W stock raidmax case PSU

Ok, so I'm owning it up it Counter-strike Source one day, (my computer has been on for about 2-3 days straight) and all of a sudden, my screen goes black, flashes twice, and then reads something like:

THE POWER IS NOT CONNECTED TO YOUR ATI 9800 PRO CARD. PLEASE REFER TO THE MANUAL AND TRY AGAIN.

And so i panicked, calmed down, and opened up my case. The power was definitely plugged in correctly and securely. I thought that was just a mistake, until the message appeared 3 more times over the course of a week.

Now, im bitter. I know how to buy a good machine, but PSUs are totally foreign to me. Is it my power thats the problem? I have
2 optical drives
2 hard drives
7 fans throughout the case
4 UV blacklights for unnecessary but cool lighting FX
1 UNGRATEFUL 9800 pro

Is my video card nearing its death already? (It was stripped from an older machine, 1 year old) Do i opt for a new power supply, and what do i look for? PC power cooling gets great ratings, but im a college student and i dont need the luxury that they boast.

If you've read this far, thanks. Any input would be fantastic.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Intially after seeing you have a 420W PSU, I didn't think it (the PSU) was the problem. Once I read the 7 fans, 4 lights part, then you might consider getting a bigger PSU.

 

[mettleh3d]

hahaha. I use a lot of the included DUAL Y-power connectors to plug in everything i have. I even bought some more dual connectors for some fans i previously had to sacrifice. Is it really the lack of power or is it a crappy PSU to begin with? I read a lot of articles that say advertised wattage is just a cheap marketting ploy, and it really boils down to...trusting PCP&C.
What determines good power? wut does the 12A , 5A, 6V mean? thanks for the reply

Steve

 

[Budman]

Maybe the contacts are just not making good contact,try removing the power connector & use an other or just reinstert a few times to make sure good contact with the pins.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Welcome to AT.

I think that raidmax PSU would be a prime suspect.

I think investing in a new powersupply would be a good idea.

There's a $53 XClio 450watt at newegg that I would trust a lot more than that raidmax. There are plenty of other options between $50 and $100 too.
When you get a powersupply, it's best to stick to a name brand that's known for quality (Seasonic, Antec, OCZ, Enermax, Fortron, Sparkle, etc.)

 

[imported_Kensai]

Maybe try a different connector to the VGA?
Or maybe a different PSU.

 

[sniperruff]

ummm raidmax? what is that roach baits? do yourself a favor and get a quality PSU.

 

[mettleh3d]

hahaha thanks. I'll get another PSu. I guess I stuck with it for awhile coz the fans on the PSU were UV sensitive, they lit up when my blacklights were on. Looked spectacular. Guess its bye bye for it.

Thanks for all your replies