Can a underpowered PSU cause low fps?

Mikoloco · Apr 7, 2014

Im having a really big problem, I have a GTX 650 ti which I bought recently to use on this gaming computer, and the problem is, im getting like 20-25 fps on games like Battlefield 2 (I do mean 2, not Battlefield 3 which would be understandable)
Not to mention that I was able to play Elder Scrolls V:Skyrim on ultra with my other GPU (HD 6770) with no lag at all.
Specs:
GPU:650 TI ASUS
CPU:Intel core duo E7500
RAM:6 GB RAM DDR2 333 MHZ
MOBO

5N32-E SLI
PSU:LC POWER 450 W.

Rami Zerker Reini · Apr 7, 2014

I'm quite sure that if the PSU wasn't sufficient your GPU would say "NOPE!" and shut down along with your computer.

Murissokah · Apr 7, 2014

No.

An insufficient power supply will cause all sorts of instability, but will not reduce performance.

Mikoloco · Apr 7, 2014

What could it possibly be then??
im really at an huge loss, I've tried everything, replace HDD, try other compatible mobo, only thing I haven't tried was to get a new CPU and MOBO and Ram aswell which would be pretty expensive because I can't afford it atm.

Murissokah · Apr 7, 2014

Rami Zerker Reini :

You can be fully sure. A faulty PSU will either output power outside the electrical standards (overvoltage/undervoltage) and cause ICs to power off, or it will overheat, possibly leading to a catastrophic end of all digital life around it.

Eggz · Apr 8, 2014

If it runs other things normally, then that is an indication that the game itself is the source of the trouble. You should look at the settings to see if anything is really high. Also, you might have something in the Nvidia control panel overriding the game with higher settings than you specified in the game's controls. Before doing anything drastic, you should try the simple things, like resinstalling the game and your drivers (clean install). Use driver sweeper to help with that.

Mikoloco · Apr 8, 2014

Yeah but im having this problem in all games except ironically CPU heavy games like Hearts of Iron

arkest Hour, Hearts of Iron 3 and whatnot, in games like Skyrim with my HD 6770 I was able to play it at ultra for example at 45-50 fps steady and with this GTX 650 TI, I get like 20-25 fps max.

Eggz · Apr 8, 2014

That is strange, since the 650 ti is a more powerful card.

Mikoloco · Apr 8, 2014

Agreed, im at a complete loss, it all happened since I changed my 465 GB HDD to a 160 GB Samsung HDD.

Eggz · Apr 8, 2014

Did you do the HDD and teh GPU swap at the same time, or was the 650 ti working properly on the old HDD?

Mikoloco · Apr 8, 2014

Yeah, the GPU was working pretty well with the old HDD

Eggz · Apr 8, 2014

Hmm, that suggests it's software issue. Did you clone the drive to the new one, or did you fresh install Windows to start over?

Either way, I would suggest doing the driver sweeper, allowing it to reboot in safe mode first. Get that program here: http://www.guru3d.com/files_get/display_driver_uninstaller_download,9.html

Use it to remove all Intel, AMD, and Nvidia drivers. That will take three restarts, in safe mode each time. The program will automatically take you into safe mode when you start it if you let it.

Then do a fresh install of your Nvidia drivers.

Mikoloco · Apr 8, 2014

The other HDD failed on me and I replaced it with the 160 GB one, I had to reinstall windows(and all drivers of course)
The drivers are all 10% updated.
It's really, really weird I never faced something such as this

Eggz · Apr 8, 2014

Yeah, drivers are finiky. The driver sweeper thing is worth a shot anyway just to rule it out if nothing else. But, hey, it might solve the issue.

Mikoloco · Apr 8, 2014

Alright, im going to try it, I'll report what happens.

Mikoloco · Apr 8, 2014

Didn't wok, still same fps on skyrim ;(

Eggz · Apr 8, 2014

Boo! You went into Safe Mode and completely removed all graphics drivers, even the folder (there's a checkbox)?

Mikoloco · Apr 8, 2014

What checkbox?
I rebooted into safe mode when it asked me to

Eggz · Apr 8, 2014

You can see it on the screenshot at this site: http://www.guru3d.com/files_details/display_driver_uninstaller_download.html

It comes up when you are about to start the removal process while in safe mode. I think the box says "Remove C:\AMD or C:\NVIDIA folders."

Mikoloco · Apr 8, 2014

Alright, I had a slight problem with my TP-link wireless thingy after removing ALL drivers, but I have internet acess again, and still fps didn't change :|

Eggz · Apr 9, 2014

That's really weird. Hmm. Try a few different things to rule out simple hardware stuff, which is essentially a stab in the dark at this point. But you can (1) switch around your RAM sticks into different slots and make sure they are seated properly, (2) put your GPU into another PCI-e slot, and (3) connect your HDD into a different e-SATA port on your motherboard using a different e-SATA cable.

If those things don't work, you might try another HDD, since your problem started after the swap. Sorry it's giving you such a hard time.

Mikoloco · Apr 9, 2014

Alright, I had tried the RAM swapping earlier, while it got slightly faster it didn't work the fps remained the same, the p5n32e sli only has one blue slot to put the graphic card o
im going to try connecting the HDD into a different e-sata port, but with the same cable

Eggz · Apr 9, 2014

Yeah, diagnosing strange stuff is just a process of elimination - just how it goes. Do you have a DVD drive to borrow an e-SATA cable from? That would work.

Mikoloco · Apr 16, 2014

Guys, I found the culprit, my CPU was underclocking itself, go to the bios and go to ''Overclocking'' and set the multiplier to 11x.
This afflicted me for months, now im able to play comfortably almost every game.

Can a underpowered PSU cause low fps?

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