Power supply advice required.

Finndog703 · Sep 8, 2013

Would welcome advice of others as I've just got my pc back from a local computer repair shop as I had some graphic card issues. They have basically have fitted a new 500w power supply. My card is a power colour HD7970. I've checked the box and it says a minimum of 500w. I've also got a problem where once I start a race in Rfactor 2 game the PC goes off after about 3 seconds of starting the game.

I'm now thinking that maybe 500w isn't sufficient for my system and that's why I'm having issues but I'm certainly no expert so would welcome comments from others.

I was also surprised that I didn't see an improvement in my graphics/frame rate compared to my old card.

My old card was a HD7850.

Here's my set up

Tripple LG monitors

AMD FX 4100 3.6 GHZ QUAD CORE BLACK EDITION CPU UNLOCKED

8GB DDR3 1600MHZ FAST MEMORY (16GB MAX)

GIGABYTE 78LMT-USB3 MOTHERBOARD

Thanks in advance.

geofelt · Sep 8, 2013

Exactly what brand/model 500w psu was installed?
A cheap unit will not deliver the advertised power and will advertise peak load, not continuous.
500w should be sufficient for a 7950.

A 7950 is not a sufficiently large jump in capability over a 7850. You can detect the difference with a synthetic benchmark, but probably not in actual usage.

Another possibility is that your particular games are cpu bound, not graphics bound.

Run these two tests:

a) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 50%.
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.

Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
set to 50% and see how you do.

If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.

Finndog703 · Sep 8, 2013

geofelt :

Exactly what brand/model 500w psu was installed?
A cheap unit will not deliver the advertised power and will advertise peak load, not continuous.
500w should be sufficient for a 7950.

A 7950 is not a sufficiently large jump in capability over a 7850. You can detect the difference with a synthetic benchmark, but probably not in actual usage.

Another possibility is that your particular games are cpu bound, not graphics bound.

Run these two tests:

a) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 50%.
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.

Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
set to 50% and see how you do.

If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.

Thanks Geofelt.

The card is a 7970.

I've looked and it says on the side of the PSU - PSP group inc 80 plus bronze, peak wattage 500w

Finndog703 · Sep 8, 2013

If its not my psu then I wonder why my computer is going off?

Any ideas what I can do/try?

Maybe I pushing the limits too much with 3 screens.....

ko888 · Sep 8, 2013

Finndog703 :

500 Watts peak power doesn't even meet AMD's minimum recommended power supply requirements.

It should to be 500 Watts continuous. 500 Watts peak would be equivalent to a PSU with something between 400-450 Watts continuous.

What is the actual model number specified on the PSU's label?

Finndog703 · Sep 8, 2013

ko888 :

Finndog703 :

500 Watts peak power doesn't even meet AMD's minimum recommended power supply requirements.

It should to be 500 Watts continuous. 500 Watts peak would be equivalent to a PSU with something between 400-450 Watts continuous.

What is the actual model number specified on the PSU's label?

FSP450-60EP
Max 450
Peak 500

Thanks

Dark Lord of Tech · Sep 8, 2013

You need a more power , I would say 550w to 650w.

Here is 2 nice choices made by the best SEASONIC.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $44.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-08 15:27 EDT-0400)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Power Supply: XFX 650W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $59.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-08 15:19 EDT-0400)

ko888 · Sep 8, 2013

Finndog703 :

That PSU has a maximum combined +12 Volt continuous current rating of 30 Amps. You should be using a PSU that has at least 33 Amps or greater. That's why your PSU is shutting down because it is unable to provide the power your system is asking for so one of the protection circuits is being triggered.

The XFX Core Edition PRO550W (P1-550S-XXB9) is sufficient.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207013

Finndog703 · Sep 8, 2013

ko888 :

I thought as much but thanks for all the answers and taking the time to reply. Will look to get it sorted tomorrow on my day off.

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