Is my PSU the problem?

PsychLight · Aug 4, 2014

I've just received a gigabyte r9 270 oc.It was the last component for a rig I had been building for a while.When I installed it I played New Vegas (which has now started to crash as well,but probably because of buggy mods/game) and it ran fine.i then tried witcher 2.The game looks amazing on high and seems to run smoothly.To my surprise though it seems to use 99% or close to that of the GPU pretty constantly.

Two or three times now at completely random times my PC will just instantly shut down when playing this game(spread over 10 hours of gameplay),it never happens when doing anything else.My case cooling and the GPU fans are pretty good and temps never seem to go far above 55 or so,so I'm pretty sure overheating's not the problem.I'm guessing it's my PSU since it seems to be get a bad rep,but I'd like a second opinion.

Z87X-UD3H
250GB EVO SSD
SAMSUNG LITEON OPTICAL DRIVE
I3-4130(STOCK COOLER)
8GB HYPERX RAM
CORSAIR CX500M
DEFINE R4 CASE

I thought 500w would be enough for this build but I guess 99% GPU usage uses up lots of power?Any tips on how I can amend this until I get a higher quality PSU?

Thanks

Alec Mowat · Aug 4, 2014

Probably thermal or output limits on the PSU cause it to shut down over time. Could be heat in the tower as well.

Yoplait95 · Aug 4, 2014

Completely shutting off or BSOD'ing? Your PSU looks as though it can handle the system. What brand is it.?

Yoplait95 · Aug 4, 2014

Alec Mowat :

As the Op stated temps are in cheque.

m3ch · Aug 4, 2014

Instant shutdown does usually indicate a overheating problem. How are you measuring those temperatures? Does turning down settings to medium stop the problem? (This would also suggest overheating is the cause). What is the temperature of the CPU? I think a 500W PSU should be adequate for this build.

Alec Mowat · Aug 4, 2014

Yoplait95 :

I doubt he can measure the PSU's temperature, TBH.

PsychLight · Aug 4, 2014

m3ch :

I'm using MSI afterburner.I obviously can't check the temps right before the crash,but have taken a habit to look at the measures every few minutes and after more demanding sequences and they seem to stay at reasonable ranges.I haven't checked the PSU temps while in game(any programs that can help with that?),but even with the stock cooler they seem fine when doing normal stuff.

PsychLight · Aug 4, 2014

Yoplait95 :

Instant shut down,although for reference New vegas did make my screen go green and force a shutdown,but that game's buggy as hell so I don't know if that's relevant.

Sorry picked best solution by mistake,I'll ask a mod to fix it.

Yoplait95 · Aug 4, 2014

Alec Mowat :

Are you saying you think that the PSU overheating is the cause?

Alec Mowat · Aug 4, 2014

PsychLight :

It has never shut down on me.

It's most likely your PSU. You're not the first one to post PSU issues with the Corsair CX500M. The PSU has a thermal or power usage limit, it shuts down as a precaution. It's an annoyance on low end PSU's. I would just spend the extra and get a good quality PSU.

PsychLight · Aug 4, 2014

Just to be clear I'm talking about my GPU temps.The PSU could very well be overheating but I thought it would handle this fine in a well ventilated case.

Also the main reason that I'm suspecting the PSU is that right after the immediate shut down the only thing I can hear is the coil whine coming off it,and then it takes a few flicks of the PSU switch before the rig cooperates and turns on.

Yoplait95 · Aug 4, 2014

PsychLight :

Best Answer has been unselected

Just a quick question.. Are you on carpet?

PsychLight · Aug 4, 2014

Yoplait95 :

My bad

Nope, the PC is on top of a wooden desk.

It's a corsair.This particular model seems to get a very bad rep,wish I knew that before buying it.It's the CX500M.
I guess it's time to bite the bullet and get a nice Superflower.

Yoplait95 · Aug 4, 2014

PsychLight :

Yoplait95 :

My bad

Nope, the PC is on top of a wooden desk.

It's a corsair.This particular model seems to get a very bad rep,wish I knew that before buying it.It's the CX500M.
I guess it's time to bite the bullet and get a nice Superflower.

In my rig my CX750M holds up perfectly... I have had no problems with the two.

PsychLight · Aug 4, 2014

Alec Mowat :

Lots of mods and a rubbish load order probably the cause.

Also,is it normal for the GPU to be the loudest thing in the rig?everything else is very quiet but under load the GPU fans are very noticeable in a silent room.

PsychLight · Aug 4, 2014

Yoplait95 :

PsychLight :

In my rig my CX750M holds up perfectly... I have had no problems with the two.

I think the 500W version particularly has some problems,but I'm not sure.

Yoplait95 · Aug 4, 2014

PsychLight :

Alec Mowat :

Lots of mods and a rubbish load order probably the cause.

Also,is it normal for the GPU to be the loudest thing in the rig?everything else is very quiet but under load the GPU fans are very noticeable in a silent room.

Yes by far the GPU should be loud, well the GPU and CPU should battle it out for sound xD

PsychLight · Aug 4, 2014

Yoplait95 :

PsychLight :

Yes by far the GPU should be loud, well the GPU and CPU should battle it out for sound xD

Thanks man.Yeah I noticed the stock cooler's a close second when it comes to noise.I'll try to replace it with something quieter when I can.

Onus · Aug 4, 2014

OP indicated that his Best Answer selection was by accident; sorry about that.

PsychLight · Aug 4, 2014

Onus :

That was the first time,it was already unselected.Thanks

PsychLight · Aug 6, 2014

To anyone interested my PSU fried today.I guess this confirms it was the problem.

Alec Mowat · Aug 6, 2014

PsychLight :

Told ya.

Is my PSU the problem?

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