Overclocking Limited by PSU?

[verix]

I just wanted to double check on this, and I think this is the right area because it's overclocking related. If not, my mistake!

Anyway, my setup is AMD X2 3600+ (Yeah, I know it's not Intel or quad, but hey, it was $60), a 7900GS, and a 430W Seasonic PSU (which is awesomely silent) which has 14A and 15A on the two 12V rails.

I have the X2 up from 1.9 to 2.6ghz, and the 7900 up from 540/600 to 609/714. I can't go any higher on the 7900, and I'm wondering if it's power-related or maybe I've just reached the limit of my card. I kinda suspect it's from low power, but I'd like to ask before investing in a new PSU.

One thing I think is worth mentioning, there are two PCI-e connectors from the PSU, and the 7900 will power on with one but not the other. I'm kinda thinkin Seasonic just kept the cables the same for their S12 line of PSUs and just disabled one of the PCI-e connectors on the lower end.

Thanks for any help!


Verix

 

[Markfw]

No, that seasonic 430 is fine. I have a quad@3.6 and I only have a 550 Seasonic. I have a quad@3.0 on a fortron 450 (but no video card, 1 meg PCI)

 

[verix]

So my vid card can't go up with a new PSU? Damn...and here I wanted to rationalize buying something new and shiny....

Thanks!

 

[Accord99]

A new video card can be quite shiny.

 

[firewolfsm]

Definitely not the PSU, I have the same model, but a 7900GT @ GTX and a Quad. Something else is holding you back.

 

[verix]

Could it just be the card won't go that high? It's certainly not the temp, 42C idle. I've read in multiple places that they can go upwards of 700Mhz, did I just wind up with a less over-clockable card?

 

[PliotronX]

The average for stock cooling on the 7900GS is the lower 600's on the GPU AFAIK. Different manufacturers use different coolers and some users are able to safely voltmod with better cooling so that may explain at least most of the reports of 700MHz. What is the symptom that gives you suspicion of the PSU?