Is my PSU bad?

Diddlyjoebob · Sep 1, 2016

My computer has been crashing at random times, it shuts off and won't turn back on. To turn it back on I either have to switch off my PSU for about 10 seconds or unplug it. Seeing as my PC turns on it apparently isn't completely dead, but after checking these voltage readings I'm wondering if anyone can tell me if it's bad?

The voltage #1 fluctuates between around .800V and 1.400V. Sorry I am a complete novice when it comes to dealing with computers, but I can't afford to buy a new computer, take it to a shop, or to not have it. Any help is greatly appreciated.

(EDIT: The other voltages also fluctuate but only about .01 - .04V fluctuation )

Deathcon51 · Sep 1, 2016

Yes, it sounds like it could be the power supply, but if you happen to have another 125v power cable (I believe that's what it is), try using that in place of the one already plugged into the wall from the PSU.

Diddlyjoebob · Sep 1, 2016

Alright, I should be able to find one by tomorrow and update the post. Thanks for your help so far

Deathcon51 · Sep 1, 2016

Diddlyjoebob :

Yeah, no problem. This is a learning experience for the both of us.

Diddlyjoebob · Sep 1, 2016

Alright, I used a different power cable and the Voltage is still fluctuating. Now another question, is this fluctuation undoubtedly something in my power supply? Should I check something else before purchasing a new PSU at this point? Also if I were to get a new PSU, with my set-up it's recommended about 750W PSU. I found a PSU I would want, but the 850W and 1000W ones are the same price. It seems obvious that getting the 1000W one would be better, but I know it would have a higher draw and technically "waste power" which would cost me more money than it needs to. However, if this is the only flaw I would opt for the higher wattage. Are there any other issues in opting for a higher wattage PSU? ( These are the PSU's I was talking about - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16817139140 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16817139141 )

Vic 40 · Sep 2, 2016

If you want to use software rather then a multimeter,use this instead,

Download hwinfo32,

http://www.hwinfo.com/download32.html

You can open hwinfo32,after that open the sensor window by checking sensors only,
after that click run

imo the best software tool to use.

Second of all,what other parts in the buidl?
Would also like to know which psu? =maker/model/wattage.

Diddlyjoebob · Sep 2, 2016

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P
GPU: Radeon R9 290
CPU: AMD FX 8320 8 core 3.5GHz Processor
Storage: Toshiba DT01ACA200 2TB SATA Hard Drive
RAM: 2x4gb Corsair Vengeance LP 1600MHz
Power Supply: ATNG APED-950FC 800W 80 Plus Bronze Certified

Downloading hwinfo now, will update soon!

Diddlyjoebob · Sep 2, 2016

Still showing low Voltage
I have a class now I'll be back in about 3 hours. Thanks again for the help so far and in the future

Diddlyjoebob · Sep 2, 2016

Do you need any other information from hwinfo?

Vic 40 · Sep 2, 2016

Looking at that and the other tool is it telling that the sensors can't be read right so the only way to tell if voltages are in spec is with a multilmeter or looking in the bios,the last will not be under load though so don't tell everything.

I;m going to take a better look at that psu for later.Doesn't seem to be great,but should be sufficient.It's the first thing i suspect though.

Diddlyjoebob · Sep 2, 2016

I can check with a multimeter, can you let me know what should read what though?

Vic 40 · Sep 2, 2016

You can use a spare molex to read the +5 volt rail,for which you should use a black+red wire/output on the connector,for the +12V rail would you test a black+yellow wire/output.
The voltages for the +5V rail should that be between "+4.75 V to +5.25".
The voltages for the +12V rail should be between " +11.40 V to +12.60".
Ideally would you want them to be closer to what they should put out,so between ~11.9V and 12,2V for the +12V rail for instance.No big fluctuations as well,like going from 11.7V to 12.3V for instance.
.
If testing for the +3.3V rail should you test via the 24pin connector,means more work,can look at this vid for some more info about that,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac7YMUcMjbw
look at about min.6:45.
The voltages of the 3.3 should be within "+3.135 V to +3.465".

Can look at the whole vid of course.But for checking the +5V and the +12V do you not have to take the cables out of the components,these can be done while using the pc so that it is done under load.

Diddlyjoebob · Sep 2, 2016

I tested them on the 24 pin connector, they all seem to be within those perameters other than the blue to black line that's supposed to read -12v I'm only getting 11.48v there

Vic 40 · Sep 4, 2016

The -12V has can deviate for 10% so it's within what's allowed.

Are you able to test with another psu? Maybe from a friend or ...

What are the temps of the gpu? Is it a reference style cooler or custom?

Diddlyjoebob · Sep 5, 2016

Not sure what happened but I haven't had any crashes in a few days. Can't really test another PSU without having the problem as of now.

Vic 40 · Sep 5, 2016

Maybe that reconnecting the psu did the trick.

Diddlyjoebob · Sep 7, 2016

The issues have started again, and now when I reboot the PC I've noticed that all of my games and such that have a Username and Password saved don't have the Username or Password saved anymore. Also it has logged me out of some applications that usually either stay signed in or automatically do so on startup.
EDIT: Also have had the PC freeze and become completely unresponsive at one point and another point it froze but became responsive again about two minutes later. Also not sure if this is relevant, but if I'm not listening to anything and have my speaker turned up every once in a while I hear a noise. Almost like someone tapped a microphone with something soft. Like a drum beat but fuzzy. As for another PSU to test with I have one, but it's only 425W can I even test my rig with it or is that unsafe?

Vic 40 · Sep 8, 2016

Did you search for malware? Look at malwarebytes antimalware and a good antivirus first.
Can you test games on another account? A guest account or the hidden admin account.Before using the last make sure you have no malware.

I wouldn't use that 425watt psu with the r9 290 in the system,can you lend a low power gpu from someone?

Diddlyjoebob · Sep 8, 2016

I have a lower power GPU, I'll have to go dig it out later though. As for the malware scan, I used Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and it identified zero threats.

Dark Lord of Tech · Sep 8, 2016

Run Speccy , believe it or not will read the PSU voltages sometimes.

If those other readings were legit PC wouldn't even run.

Diddlyjoebob · Sep 8, 2016

Could you be more specific? Which readings wouldn't allow the PC to run? Those voltages are too low or what? Sorry total noob to the PC world.

Vic 40 · Sep 8, 2016

The 3.3V is way to low,but as said if that was really the case would the pc not run so the readings are off.

Try with the other psu and the low power gpu.

Dark Lord of Tech · Sep 8, 2016

That whole voltage readout is wrong , if they were actuals ,PC wouldn't even boot.

Diddlyjoebob · Sep 9, 2016

Sorry have been very busy, should be able to check out Speccy later. Also hopefully will have time to test new PSU tonight or tomorrow, will update soon. Thanks for all the help thus far!

Diddlyjoebob · Sep 9, 2016

Still has the wrong voltage readouts. I even took out the CMOS battery and tested it with a multimeter, which read 3.27V. I've been seeing some stuff on this http://www.resplendence.com/whocrashed do you think it's something I should download and see what it says next time I crash?

Is my PSU bad?

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