The X-Connect = Absolute Failure

[BakedGoods]

I JUST got this PSU. My previous PSU had an avg of 11.4v +12v rails. Now the X-Connect didn't improve anything, it still has 11.3ish rails!! Instead now my computer restarts after playing CS:S for about 10 minutes.

Before I RMA this for a OCZ or Antec I have a few questions: Would my motherboard at all be in fault? This PSU has gotten excellent reviews with stable +12v rails, it makes me wonder if either A) I got a faulty PSU, or B) My motherboard is making any PSU have crapping 12v rails.

Any suggestions? Opinions? Thanks!!

[David]

Hi, and welcome to the forums. Have you checked your rails with a multimeter? It may well be a faulty PSU. What wattage is it and what system is it powering?

[BakedGoods]

No I don't have a multimeter, but the fact that my computer restarts now proves that the rails are pretty low, no? They get as low as 9.59 on load.

It's the 500w model, on an A64 3400+, DFI Lanparty UT, 6800GT, 1Gig RAM.

[Aphex_Tom_9]

it mgiht be your motherboard's handling of the voltages...

[BakedGoods]

If it is how can I correct it?

[David]

I would think that PSU should be able to power that setup. If that is the only component you have changed and you get reboots, i would say it was at fault. Checking with a multimeter to make sure would be ideal though. They arent that expensive, or borrow one.

[Daewood]

do keep in mind that these x-connects are made by powmax and powmax does not have a good reputation with psus so it could be that it is just crappy power that is whyi stick to the known-to-be-good companies TTGI, Fortron, PC Power and cooling, OCZ...

just my .02

[BakedGoods]

Okay, I just put this PSU into a new computer (A7N8X-DX). The +12V is a nice 12.16v!! What in gods name is happening with my DFI board? Any suggestions?

EDIT: Infact it stayed stable at 12.8v during a CPU Burn in and CS:S!! That's what I'm talking about...!! Damn DFI mobos... =S

[BakedGoods]

AWESOME! I figured out what happened, I noobed out! I forgot to connect the 4-pin cord into my motherboard, the PSU works like a charm =) 12.22 stable. Just awesome.

Thanks for trying to help though! I appreciate it!!

[Daewood]

lol i guess that would be a problem because that 4 pin plug is to provide extra power...

[zip22]

i did the same thing after messing with my computer. i couldnt figure it out for a while, and the rebooting was confusing the hell out of me. then i saw the cord dangling there. congrats on figuring it out on your own though. it would be hard for anyone to diagnos that problem, and it probably would have ended up costing you money.

[james__bean]

Infact it stayed stable at 12.8v during a CPU Burn in and CS:S!! That's what I'm talking about...!! Damn DFI mobos... =S

12.8 is way too high. Thats not even within the relatively weak standard of +-5%.

[Shuzzy]

12.8 is way too high. Thats not even within the relatively weak standard of +-5%.

keep in mind that these readings are just from his mobo and not from a more accurate source. the x-connects are getting a good rep for being a solid psu, as much as you "old school, only wanna trust 3 company" types wanna beleive it or not. btw, i've never had one, and im not a fanboy.

lol, i wonder if "fanboys" for ultra actually exist.

[zip22]

its not "old school" to trust brands experts have trusted, and are known to use the highest quality components. it is smart

it is not smart to look at reviews that say a powersupply has solid rails, and remains in spec and think its a good psu. longevity is a huge factor. these reviewers like flashy new things, and will praise anything they get. if you take the case off your ultra, show my whats inside then i might consider it a viable psu. until then, it will not rank in my book anywhere near the top of the list.

[james__bean]

Whats funny is that I actually have an ultra :p

[Aphex_Tom_9]

it a viable psu. until then, it will not rank in my book anywhere near the top of the list.
almost every review ive read about it has shown the insides. they appear a bit weak (small sinks) but the fans right over them (supposedly) make it a non-issue

[ShoNuff]

Whats funny is that I actually have an ultra :p

What do you think about the PSU? How do your +3.3, 5 and +12v rails hold up under load?

[situman]

keep in mind that these readings are just from his mobo and not from a more accurate source. the x-connects are getting a good rep for being a solid psu, as much as you "old school, only wanna trust 3 company" types wanna beleive it or not. btw, i've never had one, and im not a fanboy.

lol, i wonder if "fanboys" for ultra actually exist.

Certainly there are tons of OCZ "Fanboys" and half of them dont even own the powerstream!

[9mmCensor]

Certainly there are tons of OCZ "Fanboys" and half of them dont even own the powerstream!
and even morer PPC fans, who dont own PPC PSUs either.

[capmuffin]

and even morer PPC fans, who dont own PPC PSUs either.

True that...I bought one...cuz the fanboys said too :( but i love mine. But frankly any psu will work,as long as its a nice fortron,antec,ppc,OCZ,Enermax. Thier all HIGH QUALITY BRANDS! just dont get the cheapest one you can find

[Sentential]

Certainly there are tons of OCZ "Fanboys" and half of them dont even own the powerstream!
Well thats life for ya. Only the top 5% know what really going on, while the others repeat only what is told to them.

[deception``]

If you're using the DFI UT, bear in mind that Smartguardian could be inaccurately reading the voltages. But then again, you could simply have a bad board, too. I'd suggest you try some other programs to test your rails, and a voltmeter if you have one.

deception``

[situman]

and even morer PPC fans, who dont own PPC PSUs either.

PPC fans are solely based on user experiences, not the company reps advocating/advertising their products in the forums. Not saying its wrong, its just different types of "fanboys."

[deception``]

PPC fans are solely based on user experiences, not the company reps advocating/advertising their products in the forums. Not saying its wrong, its just different types of "fanboys."

There are unimformed fans across any brand. It doesn't matter what the product is. In this situation, I can guaruntee that every community has a number of people who think PC&C is the best, yet have never even held a single unit themselves. But, then again, the same is true for any power supply or product.

deception``

[Aphex_Tom_9]

There are unimformed fans across any brand. It doesn't matter what the product is. In this situation, I can guaruntee that every community has a number of people who think PC&C is the best, yet have never even held a single unit themselves. But, then again, the same is true for any power supply or product.

deception``
i will soon enough be holding a 600 watt pcp&c psu (monday or so), and ill tell you honestly what i think of it.

so far ive dealt with chieftec, thermaltake, and sparkle. the chieftec held up fine in a standard comp. the thermaltake actaully did very well in my system after i tweaked it a little, and held up under some pretty heavy loads. the sparkle is performing oddly, but i may have tweaked it to hell...

[deception``]

i will soon enough be holding a 600 watt pcp&c psu (monday or so), and ill tell you honestly what i think of it.

so far ive dealt with chieftec, thermaltake, and sparkle. the chieftec held up fine in a standard comp. the thermaltake actaully did very well in my system after i tweaked it a little, and held up under some pretty heavy loads. the sparkle is performing oddly, but i may have tweaked it to hell...

I've owned both the PC&C and my current OCZ amongst a number of other units. Both are very powerful, but I have said many times that features of the Powerstream always give it a slight edge.

deception``