I can't overclock my CPU anymore since I upgraded my GPU

[rob11rod]

Hi everyone!

This is my first post here in Tom's. I normally don't join forums because I often find my questions answered by just researching forum sites. But I can't find the answer to this one.


I was able to overclock my CPU without any problems when I was using my old 9400GT.
This was my setup when everything was fine:
- Core2Duo E7500 2.93GHz overclocked to 3.5GHz
- 2GB DDR2 667
- 1GB GeForce 9400GT
- 610Watts Power Supply (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817121041&cm_re=kingwin_power_supply-_-17-121-041-_-Product)

Here are my upgrades:
- Core2Duo E7500 2.93GHz overclocked to 3.1GHz (That's the best I got. Beyond that, my computer crashes)
- 4GB DDR2 800
- 512MB Radeon HD 4770 Overclocked to 930/1000


I already updated my BIOS, so it's the latest. I also tried to take off my new GPU and use the onboard, I was able to overclock 3.5GHz again. I think the problem is my PSU. I'm not too sure about that, that's why I humbly need your opinions fellas.

Thanks a lot!

 

[Dr Wu]

It's almost certainly the power supply... cheap PSUs are never worth it for heavy use. Get one from a respected brand (eg. corsair) and you should be fine. A genuine 550W PSU would be enough, but your '610W' one probably can't output half that.

 

[rob11rod]

It's almost certainly the power supply... cheap PSUs are never worth it for heavy use. Get one from a respected brand (eg. corsair) and you should be fine. A genuine 550W PSU would be enough, but your '610W' one probably can't output half that.

That's what I'm thinking too. I pulled this PSU off from my old computer, and thought this will be enough. How would I know that my PSU isn't giving me the real 610W they promised? Are there any software to monitor that?

 

[Dr Wu]

Well, it's not so much that you won't get 610W (you might, if you really pushed it), but the voltage probably drops off under load, as it did in this review, so it'll be fairly useless: http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=81
I'm pretty sure you can measure the voltages using cpuid HW monitor or similar, but really I wouldn't bother keeping this PSU in any case... if it blows up (as is often the case with cheap PSUs pushed to the limit) it could take out your motherboard too.

 

[fisshy]

It sounds like A PSU issue to me.

I personally prefer Gigabyte PSU's

Im running AT the moment (My I7 Machine drowned in a watercooling accident) An E7600 @ 1333MHZ FSB and @ 3.33GHZ with a Seriously OC'd HD 4850 on a 585w Odin

 

[rob11rod]

Definitely a PSU problem. I have overclocked my CPU again, now to 3.6GHz @ 1.3V. The problem was, I overclocked my RAM too much. When I choose 3.0A, system crashes. Now I'm staying at 2.0A 5-5-5-18. I'll do some research about quality PSU's. I will consider Gigabyte fisshy, and maybe Corsair etc...


Thanks fellas. Will post more soon on other threads. I have a bunch of questions.

Have a good one!

 

[rob11rod]

Best answer selected by rob11rod.

 

[fisshy]

Don't Mention It, Happy Computing