Power Supply Problem

[ThreeEagles]

Hey Folks-
I've been having some trouble with my computer, but I think I've diagnosed the problem now, and am just looking for some confirmation here.

I have a P4 1.6GHz @ 2.4 GHz stable for > 1year on an Enermax 430W power supply I think I've had for > 2 years. I just added a Geforce FX 5900 and have started seeing my video die / lockup (screen just goes whacko and doesn't come back). I discovered that if I drop the core clock on the FX5900 the problems happen MUCH less often, and if I also drop the P4 back to 1.6 GHz the problems go away entirely. Unplugging the 12V plug to the video card also causes the problems to go away (the nvidia drivers automatically drop the video clock if the 12v isn't plugged in).

I checked my 12v rail and it's at 11.2v normally and will go up to 11.3-11.4v if I drop CPU and video card clocks. This leads me to believe that my power supply is crapping out.

So,
(a) do you guys agree with my diagnosis? and
(b) if so, what kind of PSU do we buy these days (brand/wattage)? I'm sure not buying Enermax again - it seems like 430W should be able to handle what I've got in this computer.

Thanks in advance and happy holidays!

 

[azntiger0586]

Originally posted by: ThreeEagles
So,
(a) do you guys agree with my diagnosis? and
(b) if so, what kind of PSU do we buy these days (brand/wattage)? I'm sure not buying Enermax again - it seems like 430W should be able to handle what I've got in this computer.

Thanks in advance and happy holidays!

a) Agree
b) 450 antec would be perfect.

 

[BG4533]

Yep, sounds like the PSU. I would recommend the Antec Truepower 430 over the 450W Smartpower? mentioned below. It is a better PSU, should be quieter and is about the same price. And yes, a 430W PSU should be able to handle your system with ease, I think yours just went bad.

Brian