Mid-Price PSU Limits Overclock

[cyborg28]

Hi,

I have an Ultra V-Series PSU that was powering a Q6600 on P5K-VM. Reviews on the chip and board both state they can hit FSB 400MHz without a sweat, but I could not get the system to POST past FSB 350 and could not figure out why. I could overclock to around 3.2 GHz, but could not start up even at 2.8GHz with FSB400. Using a kill-a-watt the system drew not more than 210 W from the wall under full load. I know the PSU can provide over 320 watts in a different system configuration.

I have recently switched to an Antec earthwatts 500 and can now start windows xp at 3.6GHz and FSB 400 (not even close to stable with the voltages I am willing to use).

Does this make any sense? What was my limiting factor?

Thanks,

Cyborg

 

[coldneutron]

what's the power rating on the ultra-v? they come in 350-600 w rating. the lower end models would be highly loaded on the 12V rail with that cpu, even more so if u overclock. noise and ripple increase in the psu output with load and can lead to instability. also, ultra v series are not highly regarded psu to begin with.

 

[cyborg28]

what's the power rating on the ultra-v? they come in 350-600 w rating. the lower end models would be highly loaded on the 12V rail with that cpu, even more so if u overclock. noise and ripple increase in the psu output with load and can lead to instability. also, ultra v series are not highly regarded psu to begin with.

Sorry, 400W Ultra V-Series. Used at up to, 320 W before, not using more than 210 W (both at the wall) with this build.

Also changed from an Ultra Micro-Fly SFF Case to the Sonata III and from a Thermaltake (anything but) Silent 775 D to a Xigmatek S1283.

The Silent 775 D was an amazing low profile cooler, 40 Deg C Idle 60 Deg C Load for a Q6600 @ 2.8Ghz and 1.3 V. The Xigmatek is Doing 42 Deg C Idle and 52 Deg C Load but I think the problem is with the push pin install of the large bulky cooler.

 

[coldneutron]

i'm not a psu snob, i've never paid more than $50 for a psu, and have 3 systems highly oc'ed, one for 3.5 years on the same $40 psu, but i've never heard anything good about the ultra v series psu, so it wouldn't surprise me if it caused issues.

 

[cyborg28]

i'm not a psu snob, i've never paid more than $50 for a psu, and have 3 systems highly oc'ed, one for 3.5 years on the same $40 psu, but i've never heard anything good about the ultra v series psu, so it wouldn't surprise me if it caused issues.

I hated shelling out $100 for a case I'm not fond of just to get the included $75 PSU that I feel is overkill for my system.

What PSUs in the Sub $50 range do you reccomend?

Thanks,

Cyborg

 

[coldneutron]

sub $50 are hard to find anymore with adequate 12V rail(s) considering current cpu and gpu power requirements. the psu i have are listed in more information in the author column under member configuration. i don't think u can get the ultra xfinity that i have anymore. the 550W powerup is still available from tigerdirect, but the price increased from $30 when i bought it to $50 now. i wouldn't pay $50 for it. i'd put out a little more $ and get a corsair. the 350W vantec has been great. had it powering an A64 3000+@2.43 and now a X23800+@2.7 for a combined 3.5 years, but it only has 15A on the 12V rail. they make a 460W version that is ~$55 which i would definitely consider.