Power Supply Problems?

[jbroughton]

I just replaced my dead Antec TP II power supply with a CoolerMaster eXtreme Power 600W (it was on sale for $40 at CompUSA and I didn't want to wait for another PSU to be shipped to me) and after working fine for a few weeks, I'm now experiencing a problems.

When I go to turn the computer on, the power supply starts up, the discs spin up, and then it just dies. Sometimes it comes back on for a couple seconds, but then turns off again. I have to turn it off, turn it back on a couple times using the on/off switch on the PSU a couple times before it makes it to the boot screen. Once it does, it turns on and boots with no problem.

I'm wondering if this is a power supply issue or if there's any other component that could be responsible for these problems. Thoughts?

The computer is a Q6600, with 4GB ram, 3 HDDs, 2 optical drives, and a 8800GT.

Thanks

 

[jonnyGURU]

That Cooler Master "600W" is actually a 500W SevenTeam, and that's 500W rated at 25°C. So when working at the operating temperature of your typical PC, you may be only getting 375W.

 

[MarcVenice]

That should still be enough to at least boot his PC. I couldn't say if it's a PSU problem for sure. Might be motherboard too ? Any chance you can pick up or use a different PSU, which can be returned if it doesn't turn out to be the PSU ? That would be the easiest way of excluding the PSU as the source of your troubles.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
That should still be enough to at least boot his PC.

Should be. But we can't say for sure until he RMA's the PSU for another one and it does the same thing.

You would THINK that it would be enough to at least boot, but I find that the simple act of booting into the OS can take a lot of power. When I was running the quad FX with a pair of GTX's, I needed at least a 700W to just boot to a desktop, yet when I was running 3DM, etc. I would only draw about 600W from the wall.

Fortunately, he bought it at a B&M so a swap will be quick and easy and will prove that the problem is in fact the PSU or not.

 

[jbroughton]

I've been using the power supply for a couple of weeks with zero problems, even under quite a heavy load. So I don't think it's an issue of the PSU being insufficient. It just seems to be have developed some sort of problem. I should mention that I moved the computer to another room right before this started happening. (It booted up fine the first time in the new room, but after that this started happening.) I just moved it back to the original spot, and I'm getting the same issue, so I doubt that is significant.

I'm not sure if CompUSA will take it back or not but I will try. It's been over 30 days since I bought it.

I might end up just having to replace it completely. Having experienced two problem power supplies (first the Antec TPII, now this one) any recommendations on a good brand? This is getting a little frustrating.

Thanks

 

[MarcVenice]

Antec Earthwatts series are good PSU's. So are the Corsairs, 450vx is reliable yet very affordable. 520hx gives modular cabling, but costs more. Any Seasonic PSU is good to go as well. Just be prepared to pay 50-60$ for one of those PSU's. But if you do, then it will last you a long time. Btw, you did make sure all cables are thoroughly plugged in etc ?

 

[jbroughton]

Yes, I checked the connections.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: jbroughton
I've been using the power supply for a couple of weeks with zero problems, even under quite a heavy load. So I don't think it's an issue of the PSU being insufficient.

That's very naive. Why would you think that if a PSU was being stressed near to the point of failure that it would fail immediately?

Components degrade over time. When you run components near their capability at higher temperatures for any extended period of time, failure will happen within time. How long that period of time is depends on how much you're stressing the component.

That's what's so bloody ridiculous about all of these people that claim they can run their SLI machines off of a 400W power supply... call me in a year.

You have a unit that you picked up at a B&M that should be very easy to exchange. You're giving up w/o even trying. I'm not sure what you're fishing for when you could just walk into the store and try to swap it out and remove all doubt (at least for another three or four weeks for the second unit to fail IF the problem is that you're over extending the power supply.) Does it really hurt to try?

 

[jbroughton]

I based that statement on my understanding that I would see some sort of system instability if the computer wasn't being supplied enough power or the power supply was being stressed. The system has been solid once it's started up, running under quite a load without any problems. But really, most of the time with this PSU, I not done anything close to using the computer at full capacity.

But I don't know much about power supplies, that's why I'm asking for advice.

As far as taking it back to the store, I intend to that tonight, but like I said, I'm not sure if they will exchange it after 30 days or not.

 

[MarcVenice]

Nah, the PSU will supply your PC with the power it needs, even if it means it's getting stressed really bad, near maximum capacity. It does mean the PSU will be prone to failure sooner or later though, because it will degrade pretty fast if pushed to it's limit. So yeah, the advice in general is to replace the PSU, and see if the problem persists or not.

 

[jbroughton]

If I swap it out for the same model, and it works fine, is it safe to assume that's the problem then? Or could the PSU just be bad or defective in some other way?

 

[MarcVenice]

I wouldn't swap it out for the same model. Get an antec earthwatts 500w or a Corsair 450vx, it will cost you 20$ more or so, but those are real qaulity PSU's. But yes, if you swap the PSU out, and it runs fine, when stressing it ofcourse, using 3dmark06 for example, or playing a heavy game lik Crysis, then it's safe to assume that the coolermaster PSU is defective in some way.

 

[amdfansftw]

i had the same problems with the coolermaster 600W i bought off newegg for 40 bucks after rebate last year. it's most likely the psu man i wouldn't suggest getting another one.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: jbroughton
I based that statement on my understanding that I would see some sort of system instability if the computer wasn't being supplied enough power or the power supply was being stressed.

Originally posted by: MarcVenice
Nah, the PSU will supply your PC with the power it needs, even if it means it's getting stressed really bad, near maximum capacity. It does mean the PSU will be prone to failure sooner or later though, because it will degrade pretty fast if pushed to it's limit. So yeah, the advice in general is to replace the PSU, and see if the problem persists or not.

Exactly. The unit will provide the power, but being run at the upper limits of it's capability will make it fail sooner or later (and in this case fail sooner than later) and by "fail" a PSU doesn't often just up and quit. They typically deteriate and provide less and less stable power until they can't power anything anymore.

Originally posted by: jbroughton
If I swap it out for the same model, and it works fine, is it safe to assume that's the problem then? Or could the PSU just be bad or defective in some other way?

Well.... If you swap it for the same model and it does the same thing, then the point is made that the Cooler Master eXtreme Power 600W isn't enough for your computer despite everyone saying that all you need is a 380W to power an 8800GT card. But the WISE thing to do is to just get a decent unit in the first place like Marc suggests.

Of course, if you are past 30 days or whatever Comp allows they may only allow you to exchange for like merchandise.

 

[jbroughton]

Well, I think I'm going to go with the Earth Watts PS.

I knew I shouldn't have bought a CM.

Thanks for the responses.