Raidmax PSU problems with new build

Psyqo

Junior Member
Jan 30, 2009
5
0
0
So I bought and built a new system this past week. Got it to POST but began seeing some lockups/reboots a few minutes after getting into the BIOS. I ended up unplugging a bunch of things, so that now the computer is down to only the following components listed below. My issue is that after 15-20 minutes of idling in the BIOS and watching the Hardware Monitor, I notice the following:
5V rail (which starts around 5.214v) steadily begins to climb into the 5.5V range (and the interface colors it red as a warning), as the 12V rail (which starts around 11.856v) begins decreasing to around 11.35v. This change occurs over a few minutes time, and during that time the power supply itself begins emmitting a loud humming/whining noise. After topping the 5.5V range on the 5V rail, the computer will typically go into a reboot loop where I have to kill the power myself. I'll list the parts before I begin to ask questions:

Case (includes 500W PSU): http://www.newegg.com/Product/...Item=N82E16811156062

PSU's individual listing is here, even though it was included in the above case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...17152029&Tpk=rx-500s

Mobo: Asus P6T SE

CPU:
Core i7 920

Memory: (down to 1 stick installed of the 3 I bought as I was eliminating possible problems when troubleshooting)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...Item=N82E16820227365

Video card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...Item=N82E16814102830

Fearing that my meager list of components was drawing too much power I used a Kill-A-Watt to watch the wall socket, and it was only pulling a max of 235W. So I ask AT, this would be the classic sign of a faulty PSU, correct? I don't want to assume anything, but 2 nights of analysis point straight to that. Also, I found a discussion that pointed out the link to the individual Newegg listing for the PSU above, and the reviews are abhorrent. I originally purchased the case because of the 1300+ glowing reviews on Newegg, but I guess I didn't scrutinize the PSU.

With that out of the way, what are my options to resolve this? Newegg says that an RMA would need to include the entire case, but I happen to like the case, just not the shoddy power supply. When I call Raidmax, should I even try to see if they would replace it, or should I see if they can give me credit towards a better one of their PSUs, such as: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...Item=N82E16817152028 ?

If it comes down to it I am able to buy a better Corsair or Rosewill PSU and chalk this up as a $70 mistake, but it would be nice if this could be resolved by Raidmax. It just sucks as this would be the first DOA-ish part I've bought before.
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
7
81
It isn't as much a faulty PSU as a crappy PSU. According to the label it only puts out around 22.6A for +12v, which is not going to be sufficient for a Core i7 and Radeon 4890. A good 500W PSU will put out at least 10A more on the +12v. It is rare to find a decent PSU that comes with a case (outside of Antec).
 

Psyqo

Junior Member
Jan 30, 2009
5
0
0
I see, so how do I tell if a PSU is going to put out enough A (amps?) for my components? Would this 550W Rosewill be sufficient? http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817182030

(Side rant: It amazes me how building computers has only gotten more complicated, not less over time. Now you have to mess with RAM latencies and speeds, but apparently also just getting a power supply is no longer just choosing a big wattage # and going with it. Sigh.)
 

yh125d

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2006
6,886
0
76
I can tell that rosewill is overrated right now. 30A on 3.3v... 50A on 5v? Thats ridiculous. Two 18A 12v rails with a combined 35A? not gonna happen. It's probably closer to 22A on 3.3 and 5v, with 30 combined on 12v. To put it simply, the rosewill is crap. Seasonic 500w or Antec EA500 or Corsair VX450 would be much better choices
 

Psyqo

Junior Member
Jan 30, 2009
5
0
0
Thanks for the suggestions. Looking at the recommended PSU manufacturer list from ATI, Rosewill is suspiciously absent, while Corsair and Antec did have several valid offerings, so now I'm shopping between those 2.
 

brblx

Diamond Member
Mar 23, 2009
5,499
2
0
Originally posted by: Psyqobut apparently also just getting a power supply is no longer just choosing a big wattage # and going with it. Sigh.)

actually that's never been the case. it's just that in earlier years, GPU's required little 12v power to function.

basically, any 300w unit that would turn on and not totally puke could run mom's emachine, and ten years ago, it could run your gaming rig, too. now, though, quality has become key. whether you got a bad unit or that design simply doesn't regulate power well, i would say it would be worth it to upgrade to a quality 500w unit like one of those linked above- realize that even if it doesn't fail, the components in your 500w raidmax are probably capable of generating less than the guts of a seasonic-built 300w.

 

JEDIYoda

Lifer
Jul 13, 2005
33,986
3,321
126
Originally posted by: Psyqo
Thanks for the suggestions. Looking at the recommended PSU manufacturer list from ATI, Rosewill is suspiciously absent, while Corsair and Antec did have several valid offerings, so now I'm shopping between those 2.

It is suspiciously absent because Rosewill did not pay ATI to list their PSU!!
 

tomoyo

Senior member
Oct 5, 2005
418
0
0
I certainly would not recommend Raidmax or Rosewill for buying a psu unless you absolutely cannot get a better brand such as Corsair. Rosewill is a newegg house brand, so it's not exactly focused on the best quality. While it's miles better than bestbuy house brands, it's still not in your interest to buy unless a good psu site has a really good review of the specific rosewill you're looking for.
 

HOOfan 1

Platinum Member
Sep 2, 2007
2,337
15
81
Originally posted by: tomoyo
I certainly would not recommend Raidmax or Rosewill for buying a psu unless you absolutely cannot get a better brand such as Corsair. Rosewill is a newegg house brand, so it's not exactly focused on the best quality. While it's miles better than bestbuy house brands, it's still not in your interest to buy unless a good psu site has a really good review of the specific rosewill you're looking for.

Certainly not a Solytech/Deer built Rosewill like the Stallion

not to mention at $60...it is EXTREMELY overpriced
 

SparkyJJO

Lifer
May 16, 2002
13,357
7
81
Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
Originally posted by: tomoyo
I certainly would not recommend Raidmax or Rosewill for buying a psu unless you absolutely cannot get a better brand such as Corsair. Rosewill is a newegg house brand, so it's not exactly focused on the best quality. While it's miles better than bestbuy house brands, it's still not in your interest to buy unless a good psu site has a really good review of the specific rosewill you're looking for.

Certainly not a Solytech/Deer built Rosewill like the Stallion

not to mention at $60...it is EXTREMELY overpriced

Yeah, considering you can get this for $54 or $44 AR:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817139008

Or for $49.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371006
 

brblx

Diamond Member
Mar 23, 2009
5,499
2
0
one of those is definately sirtec. the other may be fsp. i don't mind fsp but i don't know if i'd call either of them 'very good.' i'd rather take the earthwatts 430 or 500 for somewhere in the same range, or a similar 400-500w oem seasonic.
 

brblx

Diamond Member
Mar 23, 2009
5,499
2
0
do you have to do this in every thread? very few OCZ reviews exist where actual testing is done. measuring voltages in software and throwing up some assclownhardware stamp of approval should not have any sway. for $50-75 there are power supplies from more reliable OEMs.
 

HOOfan 1

Platinum Member
Sep 2, 2007
2,337
15
81
Originally posted by: brblx
one of those is definately sirtec. the other may be fsp. i don't mind fsp but i don't know if i'd call either of them 'very good.' i'd rather take the earthwatts 430 or 500 for somewhere in the same range, or a similar 400-500w oem seasonic.

Yeah the Fatal1ty is Sirfa (now that that Sirtec sold 100% of their shares in Sirfa and apparently divested themselves of the SMPS business)

only the 700W Fatal1ty is a good Impervio platform.

StealthXstream is a FSP Epsilon

Are they great? Hell no. Are they decent to mediocre...yeah they are ok.
 

theAnimal

Diamond Member
Mar 18, 2003
3,828
23
76
Originally posted by: WaitingForNehalem
They both get excellent reviews. Just google them.

Those "reviews" of the Fatal1ty 550 are essentially useless, not having used the appropriate equipment to test.
 

Psyqo

Junior Member
Jan 30, 2009
5
0
0
I came to peace with the fact that the PSU is probably not faulty, just underpowered for my needs and bought an Antec Earthwatts 650 yesterday as Micro Center had a good deal (and I couldn't wait any longer to get this thing running). I'm happy to report that all is well with the new build!

Thanks for all your help guys.
 

WaitingForNehalem

Platinum Member
Aug 24, 2008
2,497
0
71
Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
Originally posted by: brblx
one of those is definately sirtec. the other may be fsp. i don't mind fsp but i don't know if i'd call either of them 'very good.' i'd rather take the earthwatts 430 or 500 for somewhere in the same range, or a similar 400-500w oem seasonic.

Yeah the Fatal1ty is Sirfa (now that that Sirtec sold 100% of their shares in Sirfa and apparently divested themselves of the SMPS business)

only the 700W Fatal1ty is a good Impervio platform.

StealthXstream is a FSP Epsilon

Are they great? Hell no. Are they decent to mediocre...yeah they are ok.

These reviews like the StealthXStream:

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com...wer-supply-review.html

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/451

http://www.overclock3d.net/rev...xstream_600_watt_psu/1
 

Quiksilver

Diamond Member
Jul 3, 2005
4,725
0
71
Originally posted by: Psyqo
I came to peace with the fact that the PSU is probably not faulty, just underpowered for my needs and bought an Antec Earthwatts 650 yesterday as Micro Center had a good deal (and I couldn't wait any longer to get this thing running). I'm happy to report that all is well with the new build!

Thanks for all your help guys.

It was a bit of both actually... a crap PSU and the fact it's wasn't a "real" 500W PSU.
It's probably over-rated by at least 150W and uses cheap crap ass components.
The 650W is a "real" 650W PSU
 

HOOfan 1

Platinum Member
Sep 2, 2007
2,337
15
81
Originally posted by: WaitingForNehalem
Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
Originally posted by: brblx
one of those is definately sirtec. the other may be fsp. i don't mind fsp but i don't know if i'd call either of them 'very good.' i'd rather take the earthwatts 430 or 500 for somewhere in the same range, or a similar 400-500w oem seasonic.

Yeah the Fatal1ty is Sirfa (now that that Sirtec sold 100% of their shares in Sirfa and apparently divested themselves of the SMPS business)

only the 700W Fatal1ty is a good Impervio platform.

StealthXstream is a FSP Epsilon

Are they great? Hell no. Are they decent to mediocre...yeah they are ok.

These reviews like the StealthXStream:

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com...wer-supply-review.html

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/451

http://www.overclock3d.net/rev...xstream_600_watt_psu/1

They are a good value...they are good for the price, but they are not GREAT. I certainly wouldn't want to try and pull 700W from an FSP Epsilon. 500W, sure that is fine.
 

WaitingForNehalem

Platinum Member
Aug 24, 2008
2,497
0
71
Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
Originally posted by: WaitingForNehalem
Originally posted by: HOOfan 1
Originally posted by: brblx
one of those is definately sirtec. the other may be fsp. i don't mind fsp but i don't know if i'd call either of them 'very good.' i'd rather take the earthwatts 430 or 500 for somewhere in the same range, or a similar 400-500w oem seasonic.

Yeah the Fatal1ty is Sirfa (now that that Sirtec sold 100% of their shares in Sirfa and apparently divested themselves of the SMPS business)

only the 700W Fatal1ty is a good Impervio platform.

StealthXstream is a FSP Epsilon

Are they great? Hell no. Are they decent to mediocre...yeah they are ok.

These reviews like the StealthXStream:

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com...wer-supply-review.html

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/451

http://www.overclock3d.net/rev...xstream_600_watt_psu/1

They are a good value...they are good for the price, but they are not GREAT. I certainly wouldn't want to try and pull 700W from an FSP Epsilon. 500W, sure that is fine.

Well, HardwareSecrets said this about the 600W:

In fact OCZ could easily have labeled this product as a 700 W power supply and keep claiming 80% efficiency (during our overload tests we pulled 711 W from it and it kept 80% efficiency).

 

HOOfan 1

Platinum Member
Sep 2, 2007
2,337
15
81
also with pretty high ripple...which was much lower than the ripple other review sites found on OCZ FSP based units...because other sites have found FSP Epsilon units to exceed specification for ripple around 700W

Like I said...they are good, and worth the price you showed in your link...they aren't GREAT though.

I would save the moniker GREAT for the likes of the Fatal1ty 700W, or the PC P&C Silencer 750 or the Antec Truepower New 750W...of course above those I would rank some units EXCELLENT.