Undervolted GPU causing games to crash and BSOD?

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glenpicklekeyboards

Jun 23, 2018
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I have a gaming PC that is causing me some problems. The GPU is an XFX XXX RX580 and the PSU is an OCZ500MXSP. I got the PSU for free, but it didn't have all the cables. It was missing the 8 pin PCI-e power cable that the GPU requires. It instead had an 8 Pin to 6 pin PCI-e power cable, that I connected to the GPU with a 6 pin to 8 pin adapter. So the GPU powers up just fine, but it's only powered by 6 out of 8 of the pins from the PSU.

Games crash a lot, particularly while playing PUBG. It happens sometimes while playing Overwatch as well, but it happens less frequently on Overwatch. I have also seen the blue screen of death, which I think is related. Could these crashes be caused by the GPU having the wrong plug to it? I just want to make sure before I spend the money on a new PCI-e power cable. They seem to be very hard to find since it is a rather old PSU.

Other info:

CPU: Intel i5 5700k
SSD: Samsung EVO 250GB
Plenty of case fans, so I don't think it's overheating.
I'm running an ubuntu VM on the same system, but it seems to crash regardless of whether or not that is powered on

Edit: this picture: https://imgur.com/a/GIBvRx8 makes it look like the two pins that aren't connected are both GND, so it may not be undervolted at all
 
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pete_101

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Aug 2, 2014
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Do you want a comparison to what you've just told us? You might as well said, I just brought a fancy new car and I'm trying to run it on the rubbishy contaminated fuel I got for free, I know it's not the right type but I'm trying to make it work.

Do yourself a favour and buy a new PSU of a good make which comes with the proper 8 (or 6+2) pin connector. Your free PSU is a cheap unit that has unreliable voltage and then you're using an adaptor that's a fire risk and your wondering why your computer is crashing.
 
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electro_neanderthal

electro_neanderthal

Respectable
Jan 22, 2018
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I'll have to agree with pete here... as much as I'm inclined to first say "drivers" followed by "check individual components"... it's probably your PSU. Hopefully it hasn't already permanently damaged your CPU or graphics card.

This view we have is also reinforced if you read all the negative reviews on Newegg from people who have owned the aforementioned PSU for around 3 to 6 months. A quality unit from Seasonic USA, Corsair, EVGA, (or several other brands I have forgotten) will be a much wiser investment than continuing to use the current PSU. A 450W or higher rated PSU from one of the reputable brands should suit your system just fine.
 
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glenpicklekeyboards

Jun 23, 2018
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I went out and got a 750W EVGA gold PSU and it crashed twice during my first PUBG match. Did I hose my GPU?

 
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lumineZ

lumineZ

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Jul 25, 2017
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What are the temps on your CPU and GPU during idle and under load?
 
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glenpicklekeyboards

Jun 23, 2018
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I just played a bunch of games to test it out and couldn't get it to crash again. But at idle the CPU and GPU were both around 40 and while playing they were both around 75-80
 
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pete_101

Splendid
Aug 2, 2014
2,988
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While I'm sorry to hear it's still crashing with a new PSU, you really did need it. It is possible the old one did screw something up (not saying that it 100% has).

One of the easiest things to fix, which can get messed up, is the BIOS. You could try clearing the CMOS and then loading the default drivers. If you don't know how to clear it, then on the motherboard there should be 2 jumper pins marked as "CMOS clear", use a metal object like a screwdriver to make contact between the two. If you can't find them, just remove the motherboard battery for 10 minutes then put back in.
 
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glenpicklekeyboards

Jun 23, 2018
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I've been waiting a while to make sure that this was the fix, but it hasn't crashed in a long time, so I'm ready to select this as the best answer. Thank you very much for your help!
 
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