Need advice on replacing my PSU

[SuperDave1685]

Hey there guys. I'm thinking of getting a new PSU. I just bought a 920 D0 who's batch has been known to do 4.2Ghz on 1.328v and 4.6Ghz at 1.44v on the same board as me. However, I'm having trouble getting the CPU to clock at those voltages. I've also had some some BSOD's lately that I just can't explain. I can leave the PC priming for 2 hours no problem and then start folding and fold for 2-3 hours and then a random 0x09C BSOD. Sometimes it will prime for only 15 min. Last time I checked, the 12v was putting out 11.91v according to the BIOS, the 5v was at 4.85v and the 3.3v was right at 3.3v.

I bought my PSU (PCP&C 750W Silencer) in 2007 (I think) when I first bought my case (the one in my sig). At the time, I used it with a Opteron 170 and a DFI board. So, I guess you could say my PSU has some mileage on it. From the Opteron system I went to a C2D, then to a C2Q (Q6600), and then to my current i7 system. I'm running 9 120mm fans, a D5 pump, 2CCFL lights, plus all the rest listed in my sig

So my question is this: What size PSU should I be looking into? I'm almost certain my PCP&C unit has seen better days with 4 years of pretty good use. According to http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp, I need between 950W and 1100W. But I wanted to hear what you guys had to say! Thanks for any input!

-Dave

 

[onefstsnake]

I always go big on PSU's. Im currently running an Antec TPQ 1200w and I love it. Hardass has the OC version for sale for a great price.


Not sure how your coming up with 950-1100w. When I use that calculator I come up with around 600w for my rig.

Does the rig BSOD with higher voltages than what the batch is "known" to run at?

0x09c comes up with this:
System bus errors
Memory errors that may include parity or Error Correction Code (ECC) problems
Cache errors in the processor or hardware
Translation Lookaside Buffers (TLB) errors in the processor
Other CPU-vendor specific detected hardware problems
Vendor-specific detected hardware problems

If you havent already I would try tweaking the voltages a bit. (not just vcore)

 

[SuperDave1685]

yeah I've tried tweaking the voltages, but it doesn't seem to help. the calculator said 1034W actually with a minimum of 995. I just thought it might be time for a new PSU, seeing as I have a 5970, which is actually 2 5870's. I don't think my PSU was built to handle the amerage draw of my video card and CPU. I just have a gut feeling its time to upgrade my power supply.

 

[SuperDave1685]

Well I just got a good deal on an Antec TPQ-1200 1.2kW. (Well I think it was a good deal anyways lol.) Once it gets here and I get it wired up, I'll see if some of stability problems subside. If not, oh well... I got a nice PSU for my next system

 

[EarthDog]

MASSIVE overkill but a nice PSU. That thing would have run juuuuuust fine with a quality 850W PSU and overclocked.

5970 TDP is like 300W, CPU cant be more than 250W and thats with a HELL of an overclock...

 

[onefstsnake]

You buy the one from Hardass?

 

[SuperDave1685]

LOL Earthdog. No, the ones Hardass was selling were sold. I bought this one off of overclock.net. Well I figure I might as well be ready for the future!

 

[onefstsnake]

I love mine.
Only downside is the fan can be a bit noisy and the power cord isnt a standard PSU cord.

 

[SuperDave1685]

Just installed my Antec TPQ-1200.....

Plugged everything in, flipped the switch on my system... The lights flashed and the fans spun up for about a second. Annnnndddd.... then nothing : Talk about mad. I had to remove my motherboard just to fit those bulky *** cables through. I cut off the bulky ATX connector sleeve, since I didn't see a reason for it, making sure I didn't cut any of the small capacitors underneath it.

I shorted the black and green pins (15 and 16) to see if the PSU would turn on even.... nope. When I plugged in the power cable to the back of the PSU, I heard an audible "pop" as well. Am I screwed or what?

 

[onefstsnake]

Mine pops a bit when I plug the cable in. But I think its just because the PSU is always one when plugged in TPQ 1200 has no switch.

 

[SuperDave1685]

No its not that. I can short out the ground and power on pins and it turns on for a few seconds, then cuts off. I connected my old PCP&C 750W to my motherboard to see if somehow the motherboard was to blame. Nope. My PCP&C turned on the mobo's fans, case fans, and pump on just fine. Does the LED on the rear of the PSU change colors if something is wrong?

 

[onefstsnake]

When my rig is off led is red, when its on its green.

Dont think ive seen any other color.

 

[SuperDave1685]

Lol the classic red/green combo.... I hate being colorblind! Those are the two hardest colors for me to make out! I wish they'd make it red and blue. Now that combo, I can tell the difference!

On a positive note, I've gotten in touch with the Antec rep over at overclock.net. He's working on getting me a new unit. I'm crossing my fingers he can deliver. He's the director of the Antec's Power Supply Division in Taipei

 

[RollingThunder]

Lol the classic red/green combo.... I hate being colorblind! Those are the two hardest colors for me to make out!

Dave,

Not good being color blind............you can't see the "incoming" Taliban AK green tracers, eh?

Oooah!

 

[SuperDave1685]

LOL RT!! I just am partially colorblind! Like dark blue/black, light pinks/white, etc.

On a side note - glad to see my Raptor has found a home (according to your sig)

 

[RollingThunder]

LOL RT!! I just am partially colorblind! Like dark blue/black, light pinks/white, etc.

On a side note - glad to see my Raptor has found a home (according to your sig)

Dave,

I always find a good home for old "Marines!"

But that's not your Raptor installed (yet).

 

[SuperDave1685]

Haha Well glad to know my Raptor is useful as a paper weight!

 

[onefstsnake]

So I take it the TPQ is DOA?

Hopefully the seller will correct this.

 

[SuperDave1685]

Yea the TPQ was DOA. I could only get readings on the 3.3V and 5V lines. No dice on the 12V. I PM'ed OklahomaWolf and he thinks that somehow, the unit's protection circuitry somehow kicked in and that's what is making it non-functional.

I spoke to the Director of Antec's PSU Division in Taipei over at overclock.net. He's handling the "shortcut RMA" for me He's forwarded my issue to his counterpart here in the states and he's going to get me a new unit for free. So I can't complain I guess

 

[onefstsnake]

Nice! That was fast.