PSU going bad?

[perdomot]

I haven't upgraded from my FSP 500W Bluestorm psu for a couple of years now and I think it might be going bad on me. Running an X3 Phenom II and an HD3870 and when I just tried to play my old Serious Sam game, it turned off on me and I had to disconnect the power cord for 30 seconds in order to be able to start the PC again. Doesn't happen during regular use including video encoding, only gaming. Should I get something new and what is a good psu with preferably modular connections? Thanks.

 

[Lunyone]

Well I wouldn't rule out other possible problems with your system powering off. Your mobo chipset might be getting too hot under load or even your CPU or other possible parts are getting too hot too.
Personally I don't need modular PSU's, because they usually cost more for those options, but I've included some PSU's on this link.

 

[perdomot]

The thing is I've played the game for hours before and I checked the temps and they were ok. Only thing I can figure is the psu unless the vid card is shutting down the system.

 

[Modelworks]

Really need a voltmeter to check, not a software program, but a meter you connect to the power supply with test leads. You can get one for under $10 just about anywhere. Doesn't need to be fancy just show dc volts. Connect it to yellow and black on a power connector, set it to DC volts of at least 20VDC and watch the voltages as you do routine task. Should never drop below 11.4 volts.

 

[john3850]

FSP 500W Bluestorm psu = junk
Had same problem
When i got my 800xtpe rma BS
When i added 1 a returned stick of mem 1gig.
When I added 1 more HD.
When I went from a gt 7900 to a 7950 ,256 more mem.
When I ran a high oc 500 to 540 fsb.
PC runs as a ut server 24 7 for 5 yrs.
PC always shuts off if rebooted .
Added a old black delta fan to rear of PS got few more yrs.
When MB pulls to much load PS shuts off.
Volt meters says ok on all legs.
Need a dc amp meter to see were PS shuts off.
Try extra hi speed rear fan outside of PS.
Suggest you replace ,2-15 amp lines seems to be on low side.

 

[john3850]

Dumb question is PS clean.

 

[yh125d]

John, let me get this right. You run a PSU for 5 years 24/7 with a high end card and high OC, have what sounds like a dead fan then fix it and run another few years, and think it's junk because it's now broken?

 

[perdomot]

I don't have a voltage meter so i can't check it. Would rather not play around with stuff I don't have experience in. PSU is clean. Decided to order a Corsair 550W psu to replace the FSP. Works fine for general use and encoding but when I try gaming, its just no good.

 

[john3850]

PS fan runs fine once system is up.
Fan has quit a bit of power tried holding blade while turning on ps.
Fan may have a delay on start up but I never saw it.
PC is running 30 days add some extra load Gig of mem shuts off.
I believe when PC firsts boots up it pulls more amps shuts off on boot.
Once it gets running it stays on unless I start pulling a high long load.
The cpu with 5% load is 60c,the 88gtx 65c.
Case cooling is poor do to location and HTPC case.
If PS fan was dead PC wouldnt stay on for months.
Only rear cooling is 1 60mm fan.
On the 12v line is is a shut off that cuts power at 15+amps.
When PS was on a AGP MB with 800xtpe it had same shut off problem
to many amps on 1 line. replaced it with OCZ single 12 leg.
PS has been in a MSI for over a year.