Need better power supply?

E

enbid

New member
:wavey:

Hi all,

I'm experiencing a new problem with my PC. The problem came up when I was playing games. Suddenly there was a message popped-up saying that there is not enough power supplied, so the graphic adapter have to lower down its performance to a safe condition to prevent lock-up. After that I need to restart my PC in order to be able to play the game again. This doesn't happen everytime, quite rare actually. But I'm curious to know what triggers it.

I'm currently using 6600GT AGP. My PSU is 475W but I don't think it is pure 475W since it's a generic PSU. This PSU is used to power up 2 optical drives, 2 hard disks, :amd: Athlon XP processor, and my 6600GT.

Is there really insufficient power supply? If I'm running my card in it's full potential (FAA + anisoptronic), will it pull more power from the PSU?
 
enbid said:
:wavey:

Hi all,

I'm experiencing a new problem with my PC. The problem came up when I was playing games. Suddenly there was a message popped-up saying that there is not enough power supplied, so the graphic adapter have to lower down its performance to a safe condition to prevent lock-up. After that I need to restart my PC in order to be able to play the game again. This doesn't happen everytime, quite rare actually. But I'm curious to know what triggers it.

I'm currently using 6600GT AGP. My PSU is 475W but I don't think it is pure 475W since it's a generic PSU. This PSU is used to power up 2 optical drives, 2 hard disks, :amd: Athlon XP processor, and my 6600GT.

Is there really insufficient power supply? If I'm running my card in it's full potential (FAA + anisoptronic), will it pull more power from the PSU?
Click to expand...

Hi enbid :wavey:

What is the make of your PSU, and more importantly what is the aperage rating on each of the rails (+3v, +5v +12v) it should say on your PSU.
 
Hi enbid!

As XMS said if you could get the Ampages off of the label of your PSU then it would be easier to judge whether the PSU is really insufficient.

If you are having that problem then it is almost 100% likely that your poswer suply is not strong enough to power the 6600GT. I have a BFG one and they list that exact error as having the PSU as the cause. The problem is that the power comes through the motherboard, and so the card cannot draw its own power from the PSU.

A generic PSU will more than likely not provide enough power to power that card as it is a powerful card that requires a good 12v Rail.

Welcome to SX tho! :wavey:
 
This definately sounds like a PSU problem to me... Does it happen after playing for a long time? If so the PSU could be overheating and losing enough power to trigger that message to pop up.

As XMS asked for, what are the rails rated at and who makes the PSU? Generic PSU's can be sheisty as all hell :)
 
XMS said:
Hi enbid :wavey:

What is the make of your PSU, and more importantly what is the aperage rating on each of the rails (+3v, +5v +12v) it should say on your PSU.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the prompt replies from you all.

Btw, the brand is Addva. The rating for each rail is:

+3v: Rating.A = 35A

Peak.A = 35A

+5v: Rating.A = 36A

Peak.A = 41A

+12v: Rating.A = 15A

Peak.A = 19A
 
enbid said:
Thanks for the prompt replies from you all.

Btw, the brand is Addva. The rating for each rail is:

+3v: Rating.A = 35A

Peak.A = 35A

+5v: Rating.A = 36A

Peak.A = 41A

+12v: Rating.A = 15A

Peak.A = 19A
Click to expand...

I'm not an expert on PSU but I'm pretty sure that the rail in bold is the one that is causing the problems. 15A isn't a lot for a 12v RAIL to have. Mine has 34A so I'd advise getting a good quality PSU such as OCZ Powerstream etc! :)
 
name='kempez815' said:
I'm not an expert on PSU but I'm pretty sure that the rail in bold is the one that is causing the problems. 15A isn't a lot for a 12v RAIL to have. Mine has 34A so I'd advise getting a good quality PSU such as OCZ Powerstream etc! :)
Click to expand...

:eek:

Ehm..Looks like i need to hunt for a good PSU then. Hopefully the same problem won't come up again. Oh btw, will the lack of power affect the stability of the whole system also (Windows crashes, errors, etc)? :rolleyes:
 
enbid said:
:eek:

Ehm..Looks like i need to hunt for a good PSU then. Hopefully the same problem won't come up again. Oh btw, will the lack of power affect the stability of the whole system also (Windows crashes, errors, etc)? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Power supplies are the "Heart of your system" They do all the Hard work and pump round the power to all the components delivering all the power ya need. If the "heart" aint up to the job, then the rest of the system stops.....

So, yeah....they matter a lot!

Try an OCZ Powerstream or a Tagan or an Enermax....all good PSU's! :cool:
 
you want to be looking at a VERY minimum of 17a on the 12v. this is what my psu has and it keeps me stable with respectable rails in windows.

what would your budget for a new psu be? also wher are you situated? we can help you to choose a new one.
 
kempez815 said:
Power supplies are the "Heart of your system" They do all the Hard work and pump round the power to all the components delivering all the power ya need. If the "heart" aint up to the job, then the rest of the system stops.....

So, yeah....they matter a lot!

Try an OCZ Powerstream or a Tagan or an Enermax....all good PSU's! :cool:
Click to expand...

Wat about Cooler Master or Antec? Good enough?
 
Dave said:
you want to be looking at a VERY minimum of 17a on the 12v. this is what my psu has and it keeps me stable with respectable rails in windows.

what would your budget for a new psu be? also wher are you situated? we can help you to choose a new one.
Click to expand...

I'm in Singapore. Just now I saw a good deal for Cooler Master PSU. I'm thinking of getting that one. But I don't know the ratings yet. It has 430W.

Wat would be the minimum to run a PC like mine?
 
i would say that 430w may just about cover you at the moment but for the future i would recommend at least a 500w. could you possibly provide us with a link so we can spec it out for you.
 
name='Dave' said:
i would say that 430w may just about cover you at the moment but for the future i would recommend at least a 500w. could you possibly provide us with a link so we can spec it out for you.
Click to expand...

For now I think 500W is too expensive since I'm still a uni student (havn't earned my own money) :p . I downloaded a few pricelists from the shops here in Singapore from hardwarezone.com.sg/priceguide
 
name='enbid' said:
For now I think 500W is too expensive since I'm still a uni student (havn't earned my own money) :p . I downloaded a few pricelists from the shops here in Singapore from hardwarezone.com.sg/priceguide
Click to expand...

The main thing is that you get a PSU that's a good brand that has good amps on the 12v Rail. I would reccomend at least 30a on the 12v Rail.

Antec's Truepower are pretty good and not too expensive.....
 
its not really about the wattage on it you have to look at the ampage rails but yes the antec ones are very good so are the OCZ :D
 
Yes. That enermax sld provide many years of happy computing. OCZ's are for modders/ppl with mega SLI rigs with water cooling (me is thinkin somethin like Fragtek :D)
 
name='NickS_' said:
Yes. That enermax sld provide many years of happy computing. OCZ's are for modders/ppl with mega SLI rigs with water cooling (me is thinkin somethin like Fragtek :D)
Click to expand...

yepp too troo OCZ are very good all round tho even someone who dosent have wc can bennifit from an OCZ i dont have wc and i still have one :)
 
name='harmonicgen007' said:
yepp too troo OCZ are very good all round tho even someone who dosent have wc can bennifit from an OCZ i dont have wc and i still have one :)
Click to expand...

I also have the OCZ.. Excellent PSU and personally I wouldn't get that Enermax :)

Also I don't know about the mega SLI rig thing, OCZ's are for people who want a great PSU :D
 
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