PSU 1000W can't power SLI!

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damunk

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System Specs:
I7 @ 4.2GHZ
6GB Corsair ram (no over clock)
Rampage Extreme 3
2 X GTX480 SLI (no overclock)
All on water cooling so Temps are really good!
ATX Xilence Modular 1000W PSU QUAD SLI ready 80 Bronze.

My Problem = Furmark passes on single GPU mode but shuts down computer in SLI mode instantly.

The rampage motherboard can allow you to test each GPU by switching off individual slots which means you don't have to take out the cards.

So I have tested each card individually on Furmark and they pass. Only in SLI mode the computer always shuts off.

I have stress tested the CPU with prime95 and has passed. I have even tried 3.2GHZ OC.
I have memory tested the ram which took 6 hours and it passed. All ram is same latency.

I am using up to date Nvidia drivers.

I have killowatt meter reader. The results were:

I7 @ 4.2ghz = 330 watts
+ 1 x GTX480 = 220 watts = 550 Watts

I don't know reading of all system full wack with SLI because it crashes too quick with Furmark.

Appreciate help and response.

 
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Rammy

Rammy

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I'd have concerns about the PSU. It's not a model I'm familiar with at all, and googling+database search didn't really give me the data I needed. Additionally, Xilence's own website doesn't appear to have the information for that PSU. All very concerning.
I found some info which suggests it has 6 12v rails for a total of 146A, but no stated maximum 12V load. This is a big concern for me, as those figures would imply a PSU of nearer to 2000V, if it was possible to use them all.
This could mean a few things, none of them good. One thing that might be worth a try is to use alternate PCIe power cables (I don't know if you've tried this).

Also, 550W is a surprising amount to be using.
 
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damunk

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Cpu temps are 35-39 celcious on idle.
GPU's are around 30-32 idle and around 50 when been used.

I used separate water cooling containers for GPU's & CPU.

Has six 12Volt rails:

12(v1) = 20amps
12(v2) = 20amps
12(v3) = 33amps
12(v4) = 20amps
12(v5) = 20amps
12(v6) = 33amps

From the box.

What do you mean alternate PCI cables? You mean switch them around? So test the 33Amp rails on the GPU's?
 
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Rammy

Rammy

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Yeah that's what my googling turned up. Problem is, that's entirely unrealistic. If you could use all of that, that's 1752W of 12V potential. Any good (and even any crappy) PSU should have a figure of maximum combined 12V load.
Like this - http://i.imgur.com/nWoq1ag.png

And yeah, if some quirk of poor design is causing you problems, plugging your cables into alternative sockets on the PSU might help. It's a bit of a long shot, but worth a try given how easy it is to test.
Assuming it looks like this - http://www.quietpc.com/images/products/x-750w.jpg you should have a few options.
 
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damunk

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That's how it looks. Yep. And also yeah lol :D I was doing the figures and it doesn't add up lol.

It must have a limiter somewhere.


 
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damunk

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Yes. Thanks for the help guys. I'll switch the rail cables then I have to find a PSU and perhaps dismantle the fan and have it sprayed red. lol The colour has to be right.
 
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damunk

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Yes. Alsong as it has red it will colour code match the other components on the system.

So this is antec. This company also has the 80 bronze , sli etc logos just like the xsilence.

I think it is all to do with the rails. Some have one big rail and some seem to have multiple rails.

I also saw companies such as pulse, alpine selling PSU's with red fans.

Pitty corsair don't do it.

Edit: Jese that antec as four 12v rails at 40 amp each!
 
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Rammy

Rammy

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Given most PSUs these days are installed facing down, there probably isn't much of a demand for colour coordination.

Multiple rails aren't necessarily a bad thing, in fact, they don't make a difference if they are wired and rated correctly.

Just make sure to do your homework next time, anyone with some basic PSU knowledge would have called that one as a lemon.

EDIT - The HCG-750 and HCG-900 are made by a different company to all the other HCG PSUs, hence the quite different specs. They do state a maximum continuous 12V load though.
 
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damunk

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You say people would have called that one as a lemon but only the brand perhaps.

What I mean is I did that that in consideration but I am on 1000W

And my system I am guessing will be pulling 650-700W in SLI everything gung ho.

That leaves enough space for a inefficient PSU.

Or does it not work like that. I've just read some bad reviews on XSilence as we speak.
I am going with the 900W antec. Just read some amazing reviews.
 
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Rammy

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Nah there's a few warning signs, namely a lack of available information. Brand recognition helps for sure, but PSUs from the same brand vary dramatically in quality due to pricing and different OEMs.

Efficiency is irrelevant really. There are plenty of PSUs which either can't reach their sticker wattage, or are ambitiously and misleadingly labelled.

The HCG-900 is fine enough but it's not modular.
If I were going to buy a PSU in the 900-1000W range, I'd probably be looking at the Antec HCP-1000, Corsair RM850/1000, AX860, EVGA Supernova 1000, XFX Pro 850/1000/1050, Seasonic X850/1050, Rosewill Tachyon 1000, SuperFlower Leadex Platinum 1000.
I'm probably missing a few (or a lot) but there's a lot of really high quality PSUs to look at.
 
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damunk

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Oh right. I forgot about the modular part. I was thinking I can either swap fans which I don't know if is possible or easier just spray paint the fan red.

I will take responsibility of warrantee void.

I suppose which ever is easier taking apart. Some things to think through.
 
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damunk

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Slightly good news.

I put both gtx480 on the 33amp rails
Cpu and motherboard on the 20amp rails

And it passed Furmark showing 820watts on the killometer.

Problem is now the CPU rail is 240 watts max. Well I;ve calculated Cpu will be at 200watts on 3.2ghz.

If I put it back to 4.2ghz then I think it should kill the system.
 
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damunk

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This is hilarious. Solving one problem can lead to another.

Now everything is working but in furmark right from the offset I get green flickering artifacts.

Games are okay for the few second I played but as Furmark is the acid robust test , it has failed!!

Furmark in sli green artifact. Even though I have put it on 33amp rail do you think it is on it's border limit?

Thanks for the help thus far. p.s I'm even running 4.2ghz now.

Even downclocked both cards to 400mhz. Changing the rails did help some what. Got to be PSU , surely.
 
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damunk

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I think I should STOP right here before I do some serious damage.



In SLI together the system NO longer crashes and shows great performance and utilization of the gpu but with horrendous green artifacts on FURMARK.

So it looks like something to do with PSU.

I have tested both cards individually again with Furmark and their both fine when worked alone so I should stop now before it is too late.
 
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damunk

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Things get even more interesting.

The PSU might not be at fault.

I just ran furmark in non full screen mode 1920x1080 and it's fine!!!

If you run any resolution aslong as it is non full screen I am fine.

The killawatt meter read 1050 watts and nothing shutdown!!! I exceeded this PSU wattage limit.
I over clocked both GTX480's to 850mhz. CPU at 4.2GHZ to do this.

The green flickering is ONLY at full screen mode. This where the problem lies. Fullscreen.
The system always stays stable in non full screen. It seems when it detects 1080p or 720p.

I will take this to the graphics & display section.
 
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