Seasonic question

[hapkiman]

I've been asking on several forums but still haven't been able to get a definitive answer -- Here's my issue:

I just got a new Seasonic 80+ Platinum SS-860XP2 860 watt unit for my build. I'm getting ready for twin 970s in SLI (have one now, getting the other in about three weeks).

My situations is this:

Does anyone here have this exact same PSU - and does their fan ever spin?

My fan never spins on this PSU. I mean never.

The unit has the "Hybrid silent fan control system." And from what I can tell from the minimal explanation it has in the owners manual and from Seasonics website, its supposed to come on after a certain load point or temp. But I have never seen it spin yet. Even under heavy load.

But the good news is my system and the PSU seem to be working great, and all readings shown in AIDA 64 Extreme and other utilities show wattages are correct and all my other power readings are good.

But why doesn’t the fan ever turn on? Do I have a defective unit maybe?

Can anyone explain the different fan modes please? I know there is a small switch on the PSU. One is Normal mode, and the other Hybrid mode. I have tried both, and there is no difference. The fan doesn't come on in either mode.

Also I would think the fan would spin when I first power on the computer, but it does not.

Like I said, my computer and the PSU seems to be working very well. My system is incredibly fast. And my office is pretty cool, so nothing in my rig ever really heats up no matter what Im doing.

My system has been running for about 4 days straight now, and not a single crash, error, lock up or BSOD, so I know I have a very stable system. I have ran AIDA 64 Extreme stress test, played numerous games including Farcry 4, BF4, Crysis 3 - and all at max settings. No problems or hiccups, but the PSU fan still never came on.

I thought this was top of the line PSU and I love Seasonic, so I want it to be performing properly. Plus if I have a defective unit I want to get a new one ASAP.

Here are my system specs:

Case: Corsair Air 540 Mid Tower
CPU: Intel i7 4790k @4.4GHz
CPU cooler: Corsair H80i
Motherboard: MSI Z97 Gaming 7
GPU: MSI Gaming GTX 970 4GB
SSD (BOOT): Samsung 840 EVO 250GB
HDD Western Digital 1TB 7200RPM HDD
OS: Windows 8.1 Pro 64 bit with Media Center
PSU: Seasonic 860 watt 80+ Platinum SS-860XP2
RAM: 8GB (2x4GB) Crucial Ballistix Tactical @ 1866MHz
Case cooling: 4 -140mm Corsair fans in push-pull configuration
Mouse: Razer Deathadder
Keyboard: Steelseries 6G v2 mechanical gaming keyboard
Monitors: twin 22” 1920x1080p @60Hz Samsung Syncmaster B2230HD

Any help would be appreciated. Like I said I would like for someone with the this same PSU to tell me if their fan ever comes on.

I actually set the tower case on my desk with the right panel off to watch the PSU over the past couple of days while in use - just in case it was cycling or spinning from time to time- (it sets sideways in the Air 540 with the fan facing out). I've never seen the fan spin once.

Do you guys think I got a lemon. Even Seasonic has a bad unit from time to time. The catch is that everything seems to be working so good.

 

[Charlie98]

The proof is in the numbers.... I don't believe you are taxing the PSU to a point where the fan needs to spin up.

Things may change when you add the 2nd GPU.

 

[DigDog]

there is no way your system will every get the PSu hot enough for the fan to activate. and this is good.

that PSU has been uilt with excellent internal heat dissipation components; it's essentially passive until you push it.

rejoice because thats exactly what you want in an ideal situation.

 

[meeshu]

Thanks for posting detailed computer specifications!

Are you sure the fan is not rotating at all (quietly)?

Your current computer setup takes approximately 400 Watts at full load.

In "Hybrid" fan mode, the SeaSonic SS-860XP² PSU's fan should not operate until approximately 30% load is applied (about 260 W). The fan then should spin slowly and quietly until around 50% load (430 W) when the fan will gradually spin faster depending on load.

In "Normal" fan mode, the fan should be spinning slowly and quietly until around 50% load (430 W) when the fan will again ramp up in speed according to load.

It appears that the fan and/or it's controller may be faulty, as the fan should be always running while in "Normal" fan mode. It may be time to RMA the PSU for another.

EDIT: Initially thought the fan did not operate until 50% load, but this is incorrect.

 

[Soulkeeper]

I have that PSU the fan does spin for me if the switch is set one way (ie: never fully stops). If I set the switch the other way it stops spinning under light load/temp.

 

[Haserath]

A single 970+4790k will only use maybe 200-250W in a full system.

My system with plenty of fans and an X5650+6950(power hungry compared to LGA 1150) is still within 300W from the wall with a crappy old Bronze unit for gaming; your system would have to use 260W(ty meeshu) before conversion losses to even turn the fan on.. I think you overdid it on the unit even for SLI.

Get the second 970 and test or turn hybrid mode off to see if the fan works at least.

 

[TemjinGold]

OP: At that load, if the fan DID spin, you'd have a lemon...

 

[meeshu]

There is a lot of misinformation being posted.

With the PSU fan operation mode switch in "Normal" position, the PSU fan should ALWAYS be running.

The speed of fan is load dependent as per my post #4.

 

[philipma1957]

There is a lot of misinformation being posted.

With the PSU fan operation mode switch in "Normal" position, the PSU fan should ALWAYS be running.

The speed of fan is load dependent as per my post #4.

this is the only correct answer . and I have had the 660 the 760 the 860 the 1000 and the 1200 all of them endlessly spin in normal.

to the op get a plastic straw turn the pc fan switch to normal poke at the fan with the straw to get it moving. let us know what happens.

and by a plastic straw a cheap wimpy one that bends easy.