[M Powered]

Okay, for those who have been reading my post regarding my "various boot speed" delema, heres the latest and greatest.

I replaced the Motherboard with another P5WD2-P (what can I say, love it.) and the problem still remains.

Anyways, I emailed EVGA few days ago and they finally got back to me, both tech's blames the PSU. My 12v rails are kinda weak 11.8v on peak. My 3.3 rails are good.

Thing is I had an Antec Smart Power 2.0 500W where my 12v were good but my 3.3v rails are horrible (3.26 load) and the problem with my boot speed still exists.

So tomorrow the OCZ Powerstream 520 will arrive, so I hope that will fix my PSU problem once and for all.

Does the Presler 920 @ 280 FSB require THIS much power?

Heres my list of break downs to my problem.

Replaced memory - didn't fix
Replaced motherboard - didn't fix
Replaced PSU (with a bad one) - obviously didn't fix
Reinstalled OS - didn't fix
Prime ran for at least 9 hrs with numerous applications running including PCmark04 - never had a single hiccup.

I'm convinced my CPU is rock solid.

So what do you guys think? PSU?

[greenmaji]

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=434754

first page.. basicly two 65nm srunken Irwentdale Xeon's cores on these things.. so sure.. they take some power..

[Ross]

These new boards and procs are all about 12V...3.3V rails don't do squat anymore You'll know tomorrow if it was a PSU issue or not.

It *could* be heat-related, but I think your problem has been PSU-related from the get-go. If it will POST at that clock, but not load the desktop, I'd get into the BIOS, just let it sit for a while and see what the temps do (BIOS->Hardware Monitor). It may just be too much clock and/or Vc for the cooling and it's getting irritated/hot before getting to the desktop and crashing out.

Have you made it the desktop at that clock (or a close one) and quickly checked your temps first thing? Just curious how hot it is during boot...

[M Powered]

Temps are fine, CPU idles at 28C and Peaks at 46C at the current setting of 280 FSB @ 3.92Ghz. I'm water cooled, remember?

[diehrd]

Originally Posted by M Powered

Thing is I had an Antec Smart Power 2.0 500W where my 12v were good but my 3.3v rails are horrible (3.26 load) and the problem with my boot speed still exists.

So what do you guys think? PSU?

3.26 load is not a weak rail.Are you testing these rails with a digital multi meter ?

[speed bump]

Dual 12v lines and Intel CPUs = bad very bad. Thats where your problem is. You probably want something with atleast a single atleast 25 to 30 amp 12v line. So yes your OCZ pwerstream 520 should fix your problem.

[iamjcl]

I think there is alot of speculation about dual-rail 12v PSUs being "bad" for intel dual core chips.

My experience:

Antec SmartPower 450W 12v1=15a, 12v2=17 amps
This is Antecs "cheap" unit - and its a solid PSU.

1 SATA HDD, 1 Optical drive, 1 6600 GT

OC on a 920 to 4.0GHZ no problems for days on end.

Went to a higher-quality Antec TPII 550, just because I felt I was really pushing the former PSU, and results are the same: great.

I have always had good results with Antec, so continued. The 550 is 12v1=19a and 12v2=19a, fwiw.

Not saying a single-rail PSU couldn't be "better", but notice how most of the better / newest enterprise-level PSUs are going multi-rail? Its more stable within its current window, obviously.

Those pushing insane voltages on these chips (greater than 1.55v, IMO) MAY run into trouble on thes PSUs - I don't know, but with reasonable Vcore, they are certainly fine, and better overall IMO. If max Vcore OC is your only concern, perhaps the large single rail is the way to go.

- Chris

[M Powered]

Thanks for the input guys - I really appreciate it.

You guys cannot believe how frustrating this is.

From what I can see, it MIGHT just be the power supply - but like I said, we'll see today. USP should be here soon.

[Internal]

IF this was the amd side of things, it only would be a matter of time before someone said, "should have bought an intel".

So I say to you, "should have bought an amd".

[deception``]

Originally Posted by Internal

IF this was the amd side of things, it only would be a matter of time before someone said, "should have bought an intel".

So I say to you, "should have bought an amd".

No offense, but this really is not appropriate here. Let's try to get away from this whole "an eye for an eye" crap, ok?

deception``

[M Powered]

Would having a power relay effect anything?

Because right now there is a relay that powers the pump first, then the plug goes to the PSU.

People on the water cooling forum says it would'nt affect anything - is that true?

[M Powered]

Well, didn't fix the problem OCZ Powerstream 520 is in, and the problem is still there!

Now this leads me to believe it might just be the stupid power relay.

[Sentential]

Originally Posted by M Powered

Well, didn't fix the problem OCZ Powerstream 520 is in, and the problem is still there!

Now this leads me to believe it might just be the stupid power relay.

Its typically more simple than that. Give us a picture of your PC. Perhaps you dont have something plugged in?

My guess is that you didnt plug in the 4 pin molex by the ATX2.0 connector

[Ross]

I've seen relays cause issues when not using a diode to keep things going in the right direction when activating the coil. Did you build the relay circuit yourself? Triggering a coil is basically connecting a trigger voltage to ground and occasionally when that connection is made without using a diode, it can almost act like a short on the trigger wire (assuming PSU/mobo) and cause enough of a load to send the PSU into protection mode. If you built it yourself, you need to take that into account. If it's an off-the-shelf relay/control board, it's should have been engineered correctly

What's the relay circuit and what pump are you using? Yeah, put up a pic of your case so we can see what's going on in there...

[iamjcl]

Originally Posted by Sentential

My guess is that you didnt plug in the 4 pin molex by the ATX2.0 connector

FWIW, on my P5WD2-E the molex "EZ plug" connection is not needed. I've used the system with and without that connection, on both previously mentioned PSUs, and the system works and OCs precisely the same either way.

- Chris

[Sentential]

Originally Posted by iamjcl

FWIW, on my P5WD2-E the molex "EZ plug" connection is not needed. I've used the system with and without that connection, on both previously mentioned PSUs, and the system works and OCs precisely the same either way.

- Chris

*ACTUALLY* lol.... If you read the manual carefully it states specifically that it is *required* for dual-core processors... oops?

[iamjcl]

*Actually* the point of my post is that it works either way.

I didn't advise that you leave it disconnected, I stated that it would still work perfectly well either way. I tried it. So I know. I didn't just read the manual...

- Chris

[iamjcl]

M powered,

I'm curious if your new PSU (which I understand didn't help your re-start issue - sorry) improves in any way your achievable OC, without changing any other settings ?

As I stated earlier, my conjecture is it probably won't, unless you are supplying really high voltage to the CPU. What Vcore do you normally run ? I just assume you are probably in the less than 1.5v area...

Lots of people use the PSU you just got, and love it - I would like to hear your results -vs- the lower-end Antec (at the same settings). Thanks.

- Chris

[Internal]

Originally Posted by deception``

No offense, but this really is not appropriate here. Let's try to get away from this whole "an eye for an eye" crap, ok?

deception``

It's all in jest, the smiley says so.

So please, don't go creating funk that doesn't exist and then tell me I'm in the wrong cause it's all in good fun.

Good day.

[diehrd]

Originally Posted by M Powered

Would having a power relay effect anything?

Because right now there is a relay that powers the pump first, then the plug goes to the PSU.

People on the water cooling forum says it would'nt affect anything - is that true?

A relay will be on its own line and only trigger the computer to start just like pushing a power button so no it will not matter. However if the relay is quirky a cold boot issue or reboot issues can result.

Also I would like to mention any one using a Dual cored Rig Amd or Intel should view power supplies on the same terms servers with 2cpu view them and not view them like people with a single CPU do.

So split 12v rails are a no no and any one who uses a weak or underpowered supply and says it is ok cause they are lucky enough to do it should be well warned to avoid giving such advice as chips and or system damage will occur when that PSU fails to power the rig or pops from being in overload mode all the time.