Bad Power Supply?

[Chieftexas]

Posted about this a few weeks ago, and thought I had solved the problem but it has reared its ugly head again. My system has been experiencing random shut downs/restarts while under load. Originally thought it was a cooling issue as my 6950 had been set to manual fan control and was running pretty hot. After increasing the fan speed and lowering the temps, the problem was reduced dramatically (system crash and reboot happens far less frequently now), but is still happening every once in a while. The error log in Windows 7 describes it as either a power supply or cooling issue, but my GPU never runs above 53 C anymore so it cant be a cooling problem. The strange thing is, the higher I set my GPU fan speed, the less frequently this issue occurs - leading me to believe its not a power supply issue either (Doesn't increased fan speed = increased power usage?). Any ideas/suggestions greatly appreciated

System Specs:

Phenom II X4 925
Hyper 212 Plus CPU Cooler
Sapphire 2GB 6950
8GB DDR3 1333
500GB HD
650W Power Supply

 

[davcon]

What make and model of psu?

 

[Chieftexas]

Its an Apevia Java 650W

 

[davcon]

I would suspect the psu isn't up to snuff.
Don't know much about Apevia other then it isn't on my short list for a quality psu.
Seeing 650W max on the label isn't a good thing.
You want a 650W unit thats delivers the labelled output continuously not max.
It indicates to me that it's struggling under load from what you mention.
The psu is probably what's overheating and shutting itself down.

 

[ko888]

I'd suspect that PSU is really only a 500 to 550 Watt unit at most.

Who knows what the power quality is like on those budget brands.

I haven't been able to find any test reviews on that unit. It could have poor voltage regulation or even high ripple and noise which would cause symptoms as described by the OP.

 

[obsidian86]

That psu is over rated by bout 200 watts and is even out of spec on the amount it can provide

 

[Chieftexas]

Haha thanks for the response guys, yeah Im sure its the PSU, total off brand, risked it because it was on sale and Newegg had decent reviews. Do you think I'd be covered with a good 80 plus 650W or should I bump up to 750 at least? Thanks

 

[ko888]

Haha thanks for the response guys, yeah Im sure its the PSU, total off brand, risked it because it was on sale and Newegg had decent reviews. Do you think I'd be covered with a good 80 plus 650W or should I bump up to 750 at least? Thanks

If it's a reputable name brand you should be able to handle two Radeon HD 6950's in CrossFireX if you so desired.

 

[davcon]

Yep! a good quality 650W would be fine a 750W no sweat with your specs.
http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-6950-crossfirex-review/14
Antec TruePower New TP-750 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371025
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007657%2050009830&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=58%7C17-207-003%5E17-207-003-TS%2C17-207-009%5E17-207-009-TS%2C17-139-021%5E17-139-021-TS%2C17-256-072%5E17-256-072-TS%2C17-703-030%5E17-703-030-TS
PC Power & Cooling Silencer 760W
http://www.ncixus.com/products/index.php?sku=57845&vpn=PPCS760&manufacture=PC%20Power%20%26%20Cooling&promoid=1312
Seasonic M12D 850W
http://www.ncixus.com/products/index.php?sku=35155&vpn=M12D%2D850W&manufacture=Seasonic%20Electronics&promoid=1312
Forgive me if NCIX shipping is retarded in U.S. = good prices though.
It's a Canadian company and shipping is cheap in Canada.

 

[Chieftexas]

Thanks everyone for the help!

 

[Chieftexas]

Best answer selected by Chieftexas.