games freeze, does it sound like psu to you?

[supergt99]

i have this problem with a rig that i have. here are the specs:

p4 3.0
512mb ram
p4p800s-x mobo
wd hard drive
9800pro

now this has been freezing up in games like CSS and WOW, sims2.
i tried switching every part, and then i thought what about the psu? so i hooked my DVOM to psu.

12+ in windows no load is 11.9-12.0
12+ in win. with full load 11.18-11.2

runs about the same voltage during gaming. so i ordred a new PSU, just wanted to see what you guys think.

[dicecca112]

that drop in the 12v is way too much, what are you using for a psu?

[Karbon]

I'd say anything less than 11.6 is just downright bad for your components. It sounds like you are using some no-namer brand of PSU, which would explain why it drops so much under load. What PSU did you order?

[Hirlix]

What software is the best to check out the voltages of a PSU?
Thanks.

[nicspits]

your digital voltage meter will give you more accurate readings than any software or other method of reading embedded sensors. the 12v line might be it, it really sounds like the PSU is struggling to supply the power (remember guys that these components are built with voltage tolerances that often go down to around 11v) that low of a voltage level is really an indicator of the PSU struggling to supply the current overall, so yeah:

get an fortron, antec, pc power and cooling PSU. The best value is a 500w or so fortron(sparkle, if it has FSP in the model number, that's it). These should be around $80 but they perform as if they were $160(going on the price/performance of crappy PSUs like powmax and such).

post back so we know you have it fixed so someone doesn't post a follow up with the same problem....months from now..... thread dredging grrr.

Edit: (hirlix: if you must, Motherboard Monitor [MBM5])

[supergt99]

well this is on my backup rig, not my main. anyway the psu is "high power". i have a sparkle550w in my main so that is what i orderd for my second rig. sparkle has been good to me so far.

[nicspits]

that should cure it, enjoy