Faulty PSU? Help

The300zx1993 · May 9, 2013

I just recently built my first computer, and I love it, but I'm having some problems. After about a week of use, my computer would randomly shut off, then power on by itself without me pushing anything. It would only do this in game though, it has done it 1 time in Trials, 1 in DAYZ, and about 5 in ARMA 3. It would happen after around 2 hours of gameplay. I am positive it's not my temperatures because I monitor them and my CPU only gets to 45C at max. The reason I put "faulty psu" in the title was because one time, (literally once), my motherboard said it had triggered the Anti-Surge protection. I would like to get some insight on this issue. It's not only annoying, but I'm afraid it could damage my components, and possibly just get worse.
Thanks.

Specs:
CPU: i5-3570k
MOBO: ASUS P8-Z77 V LK
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LP 4G
HDD: WD Caviar Blue 1TB
NETWORK: ASUS PCE-N15
GPU: EVGA GTX 660 SC
PSU: Raidmax 500-AF
OS: Windows 8

christop · May 9, 2013

Might be a bad psu.. Raidmax is not the best brand..

bignastyid · May 9, 2013

Raidmax makes absolutely horrible power supplies they are one of the worst brands you can buy imho. Here's a god guide on what makes and model to look for when you buy a replacement.
http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

The300zx1993 · May 9, 2013

bignastyid :

Thanks for the chart, but do you also think it is my PSU, or could it be something else? Such as my RAM, its not on the QVL for my MOBO.

Deleted member 217926 · May 9, 2013

Easy enough to rule out the RAM. Run memtest for 8 to 10 hours. Any errors at all mean you either have a bad stick or it is configured incorrectly.

http://www.memtest.org/

If you need help setting up and running memtest just ask.

Kjwinden · May 9, 2013

To me it sounds like your CPU or GPU is overheating.

bignastyid · May 9, 2013

It's a good possibility its the PSU as when it heats up the voltages will start to produce noise on the power rails which will cause stability issues(bsods, shutdown, and cpu and or gpu throttling). No harm in running memtest and checking temps and even if it turns out its not the power supply this time I would still highly suggest replacing that unit. Even the newegg link advises to replace Raidmax power supply asap.

The300zx1993 · May 9, 2013

Kjwinden :

The highest I've gotten the CPU to was 45C, in ARMA 3. My GPU maxes at around 70C, so I'm positive the temperatures aren't causing it to shut down.

The300zx1993 · May 9, 2013

bignastyid :

I've been monitoring my voltages, and my 12V rail seems weird. At idle, on my desktop, it will stay at 12.38-12.48V, but when I get into a game, it will drop to 12.01-12.1V. Seems kinda backwards to me.

bignastyid · May 9, 2013

Have you been able to monitor the voltages when it crashes? Between the symptoms and the error the motherboard threw I would suspect the power supply even if i didn't know the brand but knowing the brand and what the produce its makes takes it to the top of the list of possibilities. Here's a great unit that is currently on sale at newegg.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096
It will power a 2nd 660 if you decide to sli later.

toarranre · May 9, 2013

what are you pushing the CPU too (assuming to OC as it's an unlocked processor) and what is the ram running at? I would revert to factory settings to rule out OC unstability.
Just because CPU temp is fine doesn't mean other components aren't over heating. GPU and PSU would be prone to this and the fact that you saw a power surge makes me think PSU is to blame. Check its temp during intensive use, if you can fry an egg on it get a new one.

The300zx1993 · May 9, 2013

bignastyid :

Nope, I've been playing all day, and no crashing. The only time I actually want it to crash, it won't. I've already got an RMA issued, and I'm either going to buy that one, or this one. That is if the PSU is my problem, and not something else.

The300zx1993 · May 9, 2013

toarranre :

No OC for me. Stock clock on everything. My RAM is DDR3, 1600, but my mobo auto selects it 1372 MHz, so I left it. The only thing that is OC'd, is the GPU, and it's factory; however, EVGA says my GPU boost is supposed to be 1111 MHz, but mine gets to 1176 MHz. Don't think that would be problem though because once again, it's factory. But I think OC instability is out.

Velouria · May 9, 2013

A similar thing is happening to me.
After playing RaiderZ or World of Tanks for about 10 minutes, my computer powers off then back on.
When you feel the actual PSU case, is it really hot during normal load? I mean hot to your hand?
someone told me you judge it by the heat coming from the back of your case, but there is hardly any air I can feel. :/

The300zx1993 · May 9, 2013

Velouria :

During normal operation, the air coming out is cool on my hand. When i'm gaming, it gets mildly warm. I haven't actually tried touching it when I'm in game to see if it's hot, but I guess I could try it tomorrow after school.

toarranre · May 9, 2013

The300zx1993 :

Sure sign of a struggling PSU. I was going to suggest removing the GPU and doing something intensive with just the integrated graphics, but I'm 99% sure it's the PSU. Good luck with the new one, let us know how it goes!

Velouria · May 9, 2013

Toarranre,

If you place your hand on your PSU inside the computer case, is the PSU really hot to the touch? Mine is like a hot stove eye when it is just bearable to hold your hand on it for a few seconds.

toarranre :

The300zx1993 :

Sure sign of a struggling PSU. I was going to suggest removing the GPU and doing something intensive with just the integrated graphics, but I'm 99% sure it's the PSU. Good luck with the new one, let us know how it goes!

bignastyid · May 10, 2013

That seasonic is a much better power supply then the rosewill, And even though the rosewill is advertised as a 650w the 620w seasonic can deliver more power on the 12v rail(s) and its $20 cheaper.

toarranre · May 10, 2013

Velouria :

Doesn't sound healthy. Of course the PSU will heat up during use but if it's dusty/overworked/Insufficiently ventalated/just not a great PSU it will over heat, pushing the resistance of it's components up therefore further over heating until it fails to provide enough power for the system to function (or worse!)

The300zx1993 · May 11, 2013

I just ordered the Seasonic PSU, but I just got my computer to shut off during DayZ. I didn't look at my voltages, but I did notice something. When the computer shuts off, it doesn't turn on by itself. I stayed perfectly still to wait and see if it would come on, and it didn't. I have to move my mouse to get it to come back on, but the computer isn't going to sleep because all my fans shut off and I have it set to never go to sleep in my power settings, so I'm pretty sure it's powering all the way down. I'm going to try and get it shut off again, and watch what happens with voltages.

Velouria · May 11, 2013

Are you saying that when it seems to power down randomly, you move your mouse, and it comes back on????

That sounds really strange to me. I hope that was a typo ^^
and I just changed out (took me like 2 hours haha) my PSU. The PSU is cool to the touch. By now, my other PSU would have been very hot. I am really really hoping that resolves my PC issues!!

How long do you have to wait for your PSU to come in?

The300zx1993 :

toarranre · May 13, 2013

I don't quite understand. Do you mean when you turn power on you have to move the mouse as well to make it turn on, or that it is going to standby and powering the fans as well?

Faulty PSU? Help

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