Computer power surge

[hakestom]

Hello .

My new computer had a power surge today just as I was installing some updates for windows , I would like to know the possible causes for this surge and ways to fix it .

My computer specification is as follows :

Asus M5A78L-M/USB3 Motherboard

Corsair CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9 8GB 1600MHz

AMD Bulldozer FX-6100

Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB SATAIII 6Gb/s 16MB Cache 3.5 inch Internal Hard Drive OEM

700 WATT Power supply Alpine Black

When I started my computer up again the screen stated: Your motherboard anti surge protection initiated and shut your computer down .

Also , will it matter that I was installing windows security / general windows updates when the computer shutdown mid-way , can this corrupt my computer in anyway ?

The computer is homebuilt and I only completed it the day before this post .

Thanks for help .

 

[davcon]

The cause of the surge = AC utility(your power company) has voltage spikes and surges.
What you can do is add a surge protector.
Spend $20 and buy something decent.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812107196
Don't buy something that looks like this.i have plenty of this type from back in the day.can only handle so many lightening strikes and surges.
Have plenty of friends with ruined electronics that used the $5-10 bar.
One lightening strike killed everything plugged into it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=12-107-188&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=2
Just run the update utility again,you'll be fine.
Your psu is questionable btw.(not good quality)

 

[hakestom]

The cause of the surge = AC utility(your power company) has voltage spikes and surges.
What you can do is add a surge protector.
Spend $20 and buy something decent.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812107196
Don't buy something that looks like this.i have plenty of this type from back in the day.can only handle so many lightening strikes and surges.
Have plenty of friends with ruined electronics that used the $5-10 bar.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=12-107-188&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Page=2

Thanks for replying , but are you sure that it was my power company because my computer was the only thing affected in the whole house .

Also are you sure that it wasn't the failure of any of my components, psu for example that could not handle the cpu voltage or something.

I'm pretty sure the installation will pick up where it left off (at least i'm hpoing any way).

Thanks for help , please reply!

 

[davcon]

Sensitive electronics such as a running pc are far more susceptible to spikes and surges.
You'd never know on other appliances.
Yes i question your power supplies ability to handle such occurrences.
Yes your update downloads will be fine.
Thank your stars it wasn't the bios or other firmware.
Regardless anyone running a pc directly into the wall socket is asking for it imo.

 

[hakestom]

Sensitive electronics such as a running pc are far more susceptible to spikes and surges.
You'd never know on other appliances.
Yes i question your power supplies ability to handle such occurrences.
Yes your update downloads will be fine.
Thank your stars it wasn't the bios or other firmware.
Regardless anyone running a pc directly into the wall socket is asking for it imo.

Thanks , this is my first build so I have little experience butI will be ordering a surge protector before I use the machine again

If the bios loads can I rest assured my components are ok?

 

[davcon]

Thanks , this is my first build so I have little experience butI will be ordering a surge protector before I use the machine again

If the bios loads can I rest assured my components are ok?

If you post to bios that's a good start.
You said the mobo initiated a built-in anti surge protection and shut your computer down.
Sounds like you're fine!

 

[hakestom]

If you post to bios that's a good start.
You said the mobo initiated a built-in anti surge protection and shut your computer down.
Sounds like you're fine!

I didn't see your comment about the psu , but my psu should be able to handle my specification right? I mean I haven't installed a graphics card yet so ... Its not as If I'm putting any strain onto the 650 w supply .

The only things that would use significant power would be my cpu and motherboard .

Their have been some reviews suggesting that the power supply is not the advertised 700 watt however , would you reccomend changing the psu to prevent any risk of component failure ?

 

[davcon]

Are you in the U.K.?
Yes i would suggest a better quality psu.
I'll wager the Alpine is a 450-500W psu at best.

 

[hakestom]

Are you in the U.K.?
Yes i would suggest a better quality psu.
I'll wager the Alpine is a 450-500W psu at best.

Yes , I'm in the UK .

But do you know whether the alpine will be able to sustain my current components if its output is only something like 400-450 watt's ?


EDIT: According to http://support.asus.com/powersupply.aspx the minimum I will need is 300 watts , so it seems It should be ok as a temporary measure until I buy a new one .

 

[davcon]

Yes , I'm in the UK .

But do you know whether the alpine will be able to sustain my current components if its output is only something like 400-450 watt's ?

I don't see why it wouldn't,however i would have some concerns once you add a gpu.
Better quality units would handle a surge (within limits) before it ever got to your mobo.
Personally i wouldn't add a gpu that requires external power to that unit.
I would start saving some dosh to buy a quality unit.
I say your other post and psu link.
20 Pounds does not buy a decent unit not even a quality 450W.
I've replied to threads on this forum in regards to Alpine units and issues on other members gear.
You do really get what you pay for!

 

[hakestom]

I don't see why it wouldn't,however i would have some concerns once you add a gpu.
Better quality units would handle a surge (within limits) before it ever got to your mobo.
Personally i wouldn't add a gpu that requires external power to that unit.
I would start saving some dosh to buy a quality unit.
I say your other post and psu link.
20 Pounds does not buy a decent unit not even a quality 450W.
I've replied to threads on this forum in regards to Alpine units and issues on other members gear.
You do really get what you pay for!

I have my eyes on the :http://www.amazon.co.uk/OCZ-600W-ModXStream-Power-Supply/dp/B001GLFD54/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1329506081&sr=1-3

This would just about allow me to use my gpu once I have installed it http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sapphire-11179-09-20G-6870-GDDR5-Graphics/dp/B004R7MTPQ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1328902957&sr=8-6
but I would be hitting the 600 watt limit so may need to get a psu with 750 watts instead :/

 

[davcon]

I have my eyes on the :http://www.amazon.co.uk/OCZ-600W-ModXStream-Power-Supply/dp/B001GLFD54/ref=sr_1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1329506081&sr=1-3

This would just about allow me to use my gpu once I have installed it http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sapphire-11179-09-20G-6870-GDDR5-Graphics/dp/B004R7MTPQ/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1328902957&sr=8-6
but I would be hitting the 600 watt limit so may need to get a psu with 750 watts instead :/

Not even close to 600W total system use.
Maybe 300W total system power use with a 6870.
http://www.guru3d.com/article/radeon-hd-6850-6870-review/10
OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W = semi-modular/3yr warranty
http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/1911152/art/ocz/modxstream-pro-600w-pc-po.html?srcid=369&CodePromo=oui
OCZ ZS Series 550Watt = All Japanese Capacitors/3yr warranty
http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Power+Supplies/650W+or+less/550W+OCZ+ZS+Series+80PLUS+Bronze+Power+Supply+?productId=45457&source=skinflint
XFX Core Edition PRO550W = all Japanese caps/5yr warranty
http://www.ksn-online.com/products/UPS-Power-Supply/Miscellaneous/XFX/XFX-Core-Edition-PRO550W-Power-supply--internal?prodid=789822