How do I know I need a bigger PSU?

S

Starbrite

n00b
Joined
Jul 19, 2005
Messages
25
Wondering about this my computer keeps shutting itself down on its own im playing EQII then bleep computer is off this sucks..
 
Maybe your PSU is faulty. Or maybe some other part of your system is. You've got to do some troubleshooting.

We can help you, if you give us some details:

Has this always happened, or did it just start?
If it just started, what changed around the time it started?
What equipment do you have right now, exactly?
 
Ok since ive built it, it has done it this is maybe the 4th time doesnt do it often. Currently im using a Q-Pack case, Foxxcon NF4K8MC Mobo, XFX 7800GTX factory OC, and Corsair XMS 1 gig ram. I played farcry and it did it to me then all of a sudden doesnt anymore then twice in CS:S and now once in EQII its pissing me off lol.
 
Starbrite said:
Ok since ive built it, it has done it this is maybe the 4th time doesnt do it often.
Click to expand...

Does that also mean it doesn't happen every time? Is there anything in common with all the instances of this problem which we might consider as a cause? That you're always playing a game, maybe?

How long ago did you bild the machine?

Starbrite said:
Currently im using a Q-Pack case, Foxxcon NF4K8MC Mobo, XFX 7800GTX factory OC, and Corsair XMS 1 gig ram. I played farcry and it did it to me then all of a sudden doesnt anymore then twice in CS:S and now once in EQII its pissing me off lol.
Click to expand...

Which processor and how fast? How many of what kind of drives? Which operating system?
 
yeah it does it only during game never at windows screen, im using windows xp home with sp2 and running a AMD64 4000+ I just currently have a sony 16x dvd drive and a cheap crappy Maxtor 40 gig harddrive fireball 3 it says on it(had it quite awhile..)
 
I would think that your power supply is adequate, if it is operating properly.

Are there any messages when the machine turns off? Anything in the system event log?
 
Ok just used my superstep thing to see what was wrong by using the alarm it has it says my +12v is going to low past 10.80 is where it default sets when it should go off how do I fix that?
 
What is your computer set to do in response to a critical error?


Meanwhile, here are instructions I wrote for you on accessing the system event logs.

1) Right-click on "My Computer"
2) Select "MAnage" from the resulting context menu
3) In the resulting "Computer Management" window, select "Event Viewer" under "System Tools" under "Computer Manager"
4) Select "Application", or "Security", or "System" in the right-hand window to view the different logs.
 
Nothing is the logs sadly its something to do with this +12v volt thing dont know alot about psu's.
 
Well, it does sound like you need a new PSU, yes. Uhm, don't do like so many out there and just assume bigger is better. So many people put away ungodly amounts of money for these >500W, I think a few even >600W now because people finally caught on that systems have started using more and more over the years, so assume they should use the most they can get. Look instead for quality first. For example, I'm doing great with this 420W PSU on a system with basically no parts known for being good power savers -- well, excluding the CPU, which if I could run it at stock -- and I can't, voltage won't go that low -- would use a mere 45W, but, instead, is using more towards 90... Let's just not even get started on the video card which has to have a molex connector to supply the needed extra boost of power...

Actually, I'd suggest this PSU as a pretty good option for pretty cheap. It does surprisingly well with my dirty lines here and keeps my voltages within 5% or so at the worst I think it was. I'm pretty sure the margin is even smaller than that. Most importantly, it's about the cheapest you can go with power supplies that keep voltages semi stable. d-: At least, more importantly to me... I mean, if you aren't afraid to look hard and spend 2x as much, you can find a PSU that will keep voltages within 1% probably, so it's just a matter of how much effort and money you wish to spend.

If you buy a 600W PSU, I will find you, and I will kill you and take your video card. ^_^
 
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