PSU too weak?

[pjpaladin2k]

Everyone once in a while My screen will go black and I have to restart the computer.. this happens in other games, too. I think my power supply isn't good enough. I have a core2duo 6400 and my motherboard has an 8 pin connector, as well as a 24 pin connector, but my PSU only has 4 pin and 20 pin connectors. It's rated at 500w but I'm thinking it's just cheap, as it came with my case. I also occasionaly get blue screens of death.

I checked all the temps, everything is running ice cold.. 30C on the cpu and 50c on the GFX card.

 

[Alexhk]

Well random lock ups aren't always the PSU's fault but given that you've got a rather cheap one on your hands it would be a good place to start. If your temps are fine and your RAM passes a few memtest loops i'd say its time for a decent power supply. If you could let us know your full system details (most importantly video card) I can make a recommendation or two.

 

[pjpaladin2k]

RAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227126

250 gb sata 3.0 drive from western digital
Core2Duo 6400

Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813135022

SPecial note about the mb like I said in my first post, it has a 20+4 and 8 pin power connectors, my PSU only has a 20 and a 4 pin.

Case and PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811156062

Video card is a BFG 7950 GT OC

I saw this on newegg, too http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16812183045

Is it worth trying that?

 

[pjpaladin2k]

heres an error report that I get after I restart

BCCode : 1000007f BCP1 : 00000008 BCP2 : F7AF3D70 BCP3 : 00000000
BCP4 : 00000000 OSVer : 5_1_2600 SP : 2_0 Product : 256_1

I tried running Memtest twice, the first time I locked up, the 2nd time I got a black screen. But no errors were found while it was running.

 

[dicecca112]

its a raidmax PSU there, build quality is terrible. It may be reated at 500W, but I wouldn't be surprised if its not pulling the wattage need to run your system, not saying your system is using 500W its, just that the rails probably can't supply the right power to the right places.

You sould be using a 24pin PSU and as well have the 8pin CPU power connected. Not doing so is going to damage your board and possibly other components.

Get a new PSU. Its not that the PSU is too weak, its not compatible.

 

[Super Nade]

If I'm not mistaken Raidmax' OEM is Sun Pro Electronics, in other words, it is pretty poor excuse for a PSU. You are taking a big chance with your expensive equipment.

 

[Alexhk]

You'll be happy to know your system is pretty lean when it comes to power consumption. Your Core 2 duo will draw around 65w at stock and your 7950GT probably draws around 55w (X-bit labs has measured the power consumption of a 7900GT to be ~49 and this legit reviews article shows the 7950GT to draw about 6 more watts than the 7900GT.) So long as you get a good, quality power supply that can actually supply its rated output without dangerous fluctuations in output voltage you'll be all set. Two excellent choices that will provide stable, clean power are

Enhance 400 watt 80+ - $58

or

Seasonic S-12 430 watt -$75

(the Seasonic 380w unit would of been ideal but it lacks the EPS 8 pin connector)

Both give you plenty of headroom for upgrades and both are 80%+ efficient designs so less excess heat and lower power usage.

 

[pjpaladin2k]

I ordered a new Rosewill PSU with a 24 pin connector and 8 pin connector, do you think I'll be ok? It's rated at 450 watts, but Rosewill is more quality than whatever crap $5 psu they gave me with the case.

I ran the computer with that PSU for a few days, trying to figure out what was wrong... do you think it could've damaged anything? x_x

 

[Super Nade]

Bad choice mate. If you are lucky, you may land one made by WinTech, who are halfway decent when compared to garbage ATNG,Youngyear or Solytech.

If you can, I'd suggest you cancel your order.

Alexhk provided a couple of good choices, you ignored that and went with Rosewill.

 

[pjpaladin2k]

I didn't order it yet

The ones listed are too pricey for me... I really need to keep this at about $50 with tax+shipping

But do you think my PC will be spared permanent damage? I think it's crashed about 15 times, I'm on my old one now. Not using it until I get a better PSU.

 

[Super Nade]

Are you serious mate?

A $50 no-name unit will probably torch your rig! If you can spend the bucks for a 7950 and a Core2Duo, why skimp on THE most important part of your rig? Set a $80 budget and you are good to go.

 

[pjpaladin2k]

Alright, I'll order the $58 dollar one from ewiz.

The computer right now still runs fine and everything aside from the occasional black/bluescreen and lockups. Hopefully that means it's not damaged?

 

[Super Nade]

The computer right now still runs fine and everything aside from the occasional black/bluescreen and lockups. Hopefully that means it's not damaged?

Hopefully not. Sometimes crappy units can take your components with them. For example, excessive ripple on the 3.3 V line under load would severely stress the DRAM power electronics and may even kill your RAM. I'm not trying to scare you to death, but these are very real dangers of using crappy units on an expensive computer.

 

[pjpaladin2k]

Alright, thanks for all the help mate