Getting power offs at high load on CPU

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DrStupid87

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Aug 5, 2013
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Hello,

I recently bought this:

Mobo: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3
CPU: AMD FX-8350 8-Core
RAM: Corsair CMZ16GX3M2A1866C9 16GB 2x8GB
GPU: Nvidia GTX 560 SE 1gb

This is all running off of a 750w Corsair PSU. Trouble is, when I try to play games on any specs, my computer shuts itself down. I've checked SpeedFan and under load, my CPU tends to reach 60 Celsius quite quickly. So I think I'm overheating too quickly but some other people say that I'm running a power unit that's too weak. But 750w is surely enough to run all this right?

I am however using the stock fan that came with the CPU but I also have:
UCACO-FA30001-GB A30 cooler

If I install this, do you think it could help stop my power off issues?

Or is there something stupidly basic I'm missing (My wiring is fine I believe. Wouldn't be able to post here otherwise).

Thanks in advance.
 
Solution
ko888
For a system using a single GeForce GTX 560 SE graphics card NVIDIA specifies a minimum of a 450 Watt or greater system power supply that has a maximum combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 24 Amps or greater (actually 28 Amps or greater is more realistic) and that has at least two 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors.

Total Power Supply Wattage is NOT the crucial factor in power supply selection!!! Sufficient Total Combined Continuous Power/Current Available on the +12V Rail(s) rated at 45°C - 50°C ambient temperature, is the most critical factor.

Overclocking of the CPU and/or GPU(s) may require an additional increase to the...
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gbryan101

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May 28, 2013
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Do you have an old graphics card you can swap out with? If you do, try that. Next, I would look at the power supply, swapping it out if I could. If you don't have one lying around, go to someplace with a generous returns policy and 'borrow' it. After that, create a bootable of Memtest+ (included in many Linux install images or on its own). This will give you a good idea on the health of your RAM. While you're at it, try the other cooler. Actually, first, make sure the current cooler is really working.

Your case has good airflow, right?
 
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spawnkiller

spawnkiller

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Jan 23, 2013
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I would check for overheating issue first and power issue after...

if you have another graphic card, swap it and try to play, if it's overheating the issue will happen like before otherwise you could possibly be ok on this side (still need to check that you don't throttle on cpu and make sure the GPU don't overheat too as maybe it's full of dust...)

is your psu old ?? (as they all degrade by about 5 to 10% per year due to capacitor aging) (if swapping the GPU work fine then maybe this PSU can't push the required amps on the 12V)

Ram would generally cause a BSOD but it's still a good thing to check and make sure this component is ok
 
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DrStupid87

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Aug 5, 2013
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Thanks for the info.
I tried using and old Geforce 9500GT I had and the only difference I noticed was that it took slightly longer for my PC to shutdown (maybe a couple of minutes). Also ran memtest and there are no issues there thankfully as it's brand new.
I think that the current stock fan is working ok but I'm not really sure on how to thoroughly check stuff like that. SpeedFan was telling me it hit about 5000rpm whilst it was trying to run Skyrim at max specs.
Going to try the other cooler as soon as my new tube of thermal paste arrives.
As for the airflow thing? Honestly I don't know. I mean the case has a load of holes in it as well as a rear case fan which also seems to work.
Once I've tested my new fan I'll let you know what happens. Thanks again!
 
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DrStupid87

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My PSU is about two years old I think? Is there any kind of lifespan those things usually have, depending on the 80+ ratings they have?
Thanks for the info
 
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gbryan101

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May 28, 2013
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Well, the capacitors in the PSU degrade with age.

More on that here: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/300392-28-capacitor-aging

It's only two years old, so I would think it would be okay. If you have the opportunity, you can check it.

Also, I want you to try Passmark's PerformanceTest. It has a free trial. Watch it as it goes through the tests and see where it fails (if it does). This might give you an idea of what's wrong.

http://www.passmark.com/products/index.htm
 
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DrStupid87

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I think I may have found something I overlooked. The mobo I have has an 8 pin 12v socket (the one nearest the cpu) but the one coming out of my PSU is only 4 pin. Am I right to assume that this will probably cause me shutdown problems as well as this 12v thing being the 12v rail I see mentioned a lot?

On a whim I've bought and adapter that changes 4 pin to 8 pin and have to wait a couple of days until I get it. Has anyone had anything like this before?
 
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gbryan101

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If you are saying that you were powering an eight pin connection with a four pin connection, then yes, it could very well be the problem. I would actually be surprised that the system would even start up, though I have heard of weirder things happening.
 
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DrStupid87

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I thought it might be this. I've only ever built computers that had this 4 pin connection so it's a strange new world to be sure. As soon as I get the part, I'll do some stress testing and let you know if it worked. I don't suppose you have any useful links on power supplies and how they work? I feel my knowledge on them is now horribly outdated.

Thanks for the info.
 
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gbryan101

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Actually, wikipedia has a fairly good entry for computer power supplies.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_supply_unit_(computer)

Some of the info applies more to older and lower end machines, but it's a place to start.

To be honest, if you have questions on a power supply for your build, your best bet is the manual that came with your motherboard. It will say what connectors are needed for the motherboard to operate as intended.
 
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DrStupid87

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Aaannd back to square one. I put an adapter in to change the 12v pins from 4 to 8 (except it's not adapting the actual 4 pin connector, its adapting from one of those other ones (the one from the psu that looks rectangular and has anywhere between 2-4 relativley thick cables in a white plastic casing?)) and it's straight in that 12v ATX socket next to the CPU.

Nothing has changed :( In fact, the wire for my rear case fan 'popped' and started smoking so that's out of action now. I've been checking the logs from SpeedFan and the temperatures appear to be perfectly normal (no higher than 42 Celcius in most cases) so I'm absolutley baffled. It only seems to happen with high spec games including Farcry 3, Skyrim and BF3. The only thing I can think of at the minute is underclocking. Is this a good idea? Am I missing something more? If anyone needs more info, please let me know. Starting to hate this new build.

Thanks ahead of time.
 
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DrStupid87

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It turns out I'm much more daft than I previously thought. I looked at my gear again and it turns out I actually have 400w PSU not a 750w Corsair one... I think I confused my PSU with one from a completely different build. Sorry everybody.
I tried rigging it up again and including the front fan this time but got the same result (its wires burned and charred).
So I'm thinking now it may be worth shelling out for a new power unit to see if that helps. Despite the confusion with the PSU, I'm still confident with my wiring.
Sorry about that. Had to live up to my username at one point I suppose.

 
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DrStupid87

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Nah, I think everything else is ok. With running SpeedFan, everything still falls into acceptable temperatures. I've had a look at my event log from SpeedFan as well as Win7.
From speed fan, my highest temp (before power fails is 40 Celcius) and my event log shows (the power down event) shows an "Event ID of 41" and a "Task Category as (63)".

Only thing I can think of at the minute is a new PSU at at least 500w. Could this be any help?
 
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ko888

ko888

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Feb 18, 2009
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For a system using a single GeForce GTX 560 SE graphics card NVIDIA specifies a minimum of a 450 Watt or greater system power supply that has a maximum combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 24 Amps or greater (actually 28 Amps or greater is more realistic) and that has at least two 6-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors.

Total Power Supply Wattage is NOT the crucial factor in power supply selection!!! Sufficient Total Combined Continuous Power/Current Available on the +12V Rail(s) rated at 45°C - 50°C ambient temperature, is the most critical factor.

Overclocking of the CPU and/or GPU(s) may require an additional increase to the maximum combined +12 Volt continuous current ratings, recommended above, to meet the increase in power required for the overclock. The additional amount required will depend on the magnitude of the overclock being attempted.

Rosewill CAPSTONE-450
• OEM: Super Flower
• maximum combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 37 Amps
• two (6+2)-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors
• 80 PLUS GOLD Efficiency Certification
• 7 Year Limited Warranty
• Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182066

Seasonic S12II-520 Bronze
• OEM: Seasonic
• maximum combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 40 Amps
• one 6-pin and one (6+2)-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors
• 80 PLUS BRONZE Efficiency Certification
• 3 Year Limited Warranty
• Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094

XFX Core Edition PRO550W (P1-550S-XXB9)
• OEM: Seasonic
• maximum combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 44 Amps
• one 6-pin and one (6+2)-pin PCI Express supplementary power connectors
• 80 PLUS BRONZE Efficiency Certification
• 5 Year Limited Warranty
• Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013
 
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Solution
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DrStupid87

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Aug 5, 2013
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That was single-handedly the best answer to any question I've asked on the internet. Thank you a bunch. Very helpful. I spoke to a guy at a computer shop and he told me more or less the same you did here but tried to sell me a PSU at £120 so I walked out quickly. Thank you all for dealing with my whining. Big love.
 
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ko888

ko888

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Feb 18, 2009
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Seeing that you can get the XFX PRO550W P1-550S-XXB9 Power Supply for £49.86 Inc VAT, it's a good thing you walked out.
 
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