I think I need a new PSU

[damarble]

My new desktop I just built is rebooting randomly, worse when OC, and the DVD drive doest read discs anymore, but it worked just fine before I installed it. (It was an external drive)
Basicly I am running everthing in my sig, and the DVD burner, that's it. The PSU is stock, and my case is somewhat cheap. JPAC Computer made the PSU.

So does my problem sound like a weak PSU?

[kswaid]

I would say there is a pretty decent chance that the problem is your PSU. Those cheapos that come with low-priced cases are usually pretty weak and will cause a lot of problem OC'ing.

Do you have a multimeter? If not, then borrow one. Check the voltage on a spare molex connector. If the values are pretty far off or fluctuate rapidly, the problem is your PSU.

I would suggest that you buy atleast a namebrand 450w PSU. Check around the forums for suggested models. Good luck.

[damarble]

Yeah, I've got one. I'll have to try it. BIOS gives these readings (approx), but I would trust them a lot. Also the volts do fluctuate a lot. I have the CPU underclocked now, @1.8, and it reboots less. It seems fine in XP @ idle, but launch a game and...blackness.

CPU: 1.34 -set at: 1.375
DDR: 2.57 -: 2.6
DDR VTT: 1.28
AGP: 1.52 -: 1.55
3.3: 3.31
5: 4.99
12: 11.73

[kswaid]

Those values sound acceptable, but pretty low on the 12v. Check them under load using F@H or something. Then get out the multimeter and see how they fare. With 11.7 @ idle, I would think that they would drop pretty well under load. Let me know what results you get.

[Electron Chaser]

I think you are correct in this assessment. Everything you listed as happening are all classic signs of a weak or failing PSU.

[pak]

Though this might not be the *most* technical solution, but probably a very good way to find out, is to swap the PSU with a know good one.

I honestly do not like sticking probes in my rig while its on.(I know, Im a wuss) But if you have a know good one, from another pc or something, throw it in. If it stops, problems solved. If you dont have one lying around, go buy one that you would like to have, if yours is bad. If it fixes it, problem solved. If not return it. (I know, thats kinda sleezy, but if you have no other choises :p) If you cant return it, atleast you have nice PSU, but try to make sure you can return it when you buy it.

--pak

[damarble]

I have decided to get a new PSU then. Thanks for the helpful input. If you have a favorite post here please. :D

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=383139

[kswaid]

What is your budget, and do you care about noise?

[damarble]

$100 and under, as quiet as possible but power is more important.

[yeha]

the quietest psu's are seasonic s12's, a full 6-7 dba quieter than any of fortron's non-passively-cooled models (blue storm, aurora, etc.). but then i'm a silence freak, so the difference from 19 dba up to 26 dba may not be important to most users. heck most people's hard drives are hard-mounted and thus 30 dba or more, so the fortrons are quiet overkill for 99% of people.

the fortron ax500 has been getting great feedback in the forums, it's probably the safest bet for you. i'm going with a seasonic s12 330w for my next system myself.

[kswaid]

I would recommend a fortron supply. They are very high quality and pretty quiet. Or you could go with an Antec or other quality brand. Just make sure you get at least a 400w psu to cover future upgrades and add-ons.

[damarble]

The PSU is 100% the problem. I ordered a Fortron 530 from newegg but it was DOA so I am waiting for a replacement. In the mean time I want to use the rig, so I unplugged all the extra stuff, also the GFX card. Tada, no more reboots. That card sucks up a lot of juice. Funny that it still works fine unplugged, but I havent gamed with it that way so that may be the only way I would see the difference. I also disabled the OC on the GFX card for now.