Do I need a new power supply for my Intel DZ68BC Z68 Motherboard?

[connect4]

Sometimes when I start up my computer, my computer shuts down and then restarts and my bios configurations will "reset to default." I have to change my bios settings each time this happens. (Happens about 1-2x/week).

A few months ago, there was a power outage while my computer was running and when the power came back, I turned my computer back on and my computer started to "stutter" or pause on and off, but this went away after 30 minutes or so. It happened a few times after that but seems to be working fine now.

Are all these problems related to my power supply? (I am using a 4 pin connector to my motherboard's 8 pin slot)


Thank you


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My Computer Setup:

1. Mobo- Intel DZ68BC Z68 Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813121533

2. PSU- Antec earthwatts 380 watts power supply:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371005

3. RAM- CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB Ram 1600 - 1.5V DDR3 CAS 9 low profile
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186

4. CPU- i5-2500K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

5. CPU Fan- Cooler- Hypermaster 212 Plus-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

My motherboard requires an 8 pin connector and i've been using a 4 pin (since my power supply only has a 4 pin- "12V(P4)"). My computer also should be using well under 380 watts using a power calculator.

 

[Xttony]

No problem with the 4 pin connector.
Check the temperature of every component regularly.
Sometimes it also happpens due to ram problems. Are the ram frequency and timings set in your bios match that of the ram?
Is XMP enabled?

 

[connect4]

Hi Xttony,

I believe my ram frequencies and timings are set correctly as I had to manually change it to make it 1600 (I remember doing this when I first got my motherboard months ago- I saved my Bios settings so I assume it is correct. Which I have to reload each time my bios settings "reset")

My mobo has an "Xmp" profile, but it is not enabled. I use a manual setting, where I just fixed the 1600 part. Although the Xmp profile seems similar/same to my manual profile.

Should I turn on the Xmp profile?


On an amazon review someone has mentioned that
"...the board memory recommendation is for low or very low voltage memory 1.25-1.35 volts and Corsair vengeance is not approved for the board since it is 1.5v memory"

However, others mentioned that they use 1.5v corsair 1600 memory without any problems.

Should I switch to 1.25v memory?

 

[Xttony]

No problems with the ram voltage. 1.5 volts is fine.
Did you set the timings? Generally your motherboard's default frequencies should be 1066MHz or 1333MHz at a lower timings. This settings should work fine with your system. Since the system has decreased both the timings and frequency of the ram card, there is just a slight speed decease. Also the default ram frequencies match the fsb speeds which is the best settings.
So memory running in default mode is faster than 1600MHz.

If you want to run the ram at 1600MHz it is better to enable XMP because it will set all the settings required for the ram automatically. When I enabled XMP on my computer the system crashed sometimes (a not so unknown problem), so as my memory were 1866MHz and my default ram speed was just 1066MHz I decreased the timings to 7-7-7-18 or 7-7-7-20 and I didnot face any blue screens or other crashes. No speed lags either. So I also recommend you to decrease the timings to like 8-8-8-20.

 

[connect4]

No problems with the ram voltage. 1.5 volts is fine.
Did you set the timings? Generally your motherboard's default frequencies should be 1066MHz or 1333MHz at a lower timings. This settings should work fine with your system. Since the system has decreased both the timings and frequency of the ram card, there is just a slight speed decease. Also the default ram frequencies match the fsb speeds which is the best settings.
So memory running in default mode is faster than 1600MHz.

If you want to run the ram at 1600MHz it is better to enable XMP because it will set all the settings required for the ram automatically. When I enabled XMP on my computer the system crashed sometimes (a not so unknown problem), so as my memory were 1866MHz and my default ram speed was just 1066MHz I decreased the timings to 7-7-7-18 or 7-7-7-20 and I didnot face any blue screens or other crashes. No speed lags either. So I also recommend you to decrease the timings to like 8-8-8-20.

Okay I just checked and the default is:
Multiplier 10
1333
Runnings @ 10 10 10 15

Currently I have been using this setting for the past months:
Multiplier 12
1600
Running @ 10 10 10 15 (I think this is wrong and it should be 9 9 9 24, I never realized this, could this be whats been causing these problems?)

So I should probably set it back to default, Multiplier 10, @ 1333?
And is using 10 10 10 15 okay also? How is 8 8 8 20 better?


Thanks for all of your help by the way

 

[Xttony]

8-8-8-20 is good because it will suit your cards at lower frequency. 9-9-9-24 will be slow as you are running the card at a lower frequency. Just make sure voltage settings are set to SPD settings of ram which is likely to be 1.5 volts.

 

[connect4]

Updates:

Changed my memory settings from 1600mhz 10-10-10-15 to 1333 mhz 10-10-10-15. Same problem. (Haven't tried to lower timings- I just have no idea what I am doing so I left it at default)

I've even noticed that my Bios's settings will even "reset" *more* now. (Maybe 3 times/week instead of 1). The first few days it reset every morning. (BTW I turn off my PSU's power switch and surge protector every night...)

I think I will try a new PSU next...

Any more ideas? Is my memory settings at fault? I really don't want to RMA my board...

 

[twelve25]

CMOS battery?

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

You have the listed memory as Corsair Vengeance DDR 3 1600 but you have been running it at a different profile? I would restore the memory to the board default (which should be 1333 at 1.5v) and then turn it up 1600 at 1.5v (this shouldnt present any issues). In the past I have some experience with Corsair memory running at non normal profile (different speed and voltage) and it seems to be lead to some stability issues.

 

[connect4]

My Corsair Vengeance are 1600 with 9-9-9-24 timings:

I have been running my Corsiar Vengeance @ 1600 on 10-10-10-15 (wrong timings) and 1.5V for months.

After starting this thread I was recommended by Xttony and Intel support, I switched back to default, 1333 on 10-10-10-15 and 1.5V and the issue is still not resolved. (It appeared to happen more frequently).

Should I change it back to 1600 with the right timings 9-9-9-24? I have never tried this before.

 

[connect4]

Hello Twelve25,

I did not see your reply. How would I check if my CMOS battery is bad? And if it is bad, could I get it replaced or do I need to RMA my board?

 

[twelve25]

It's a little watch battery on the motherboard. You could check it with a multimeter or just replace it as they are pretty cheap. It uses the battery to power a chip to store all your settings. So if nothing is getting kept when you power off the computer, it could be the cause.

Looking at the pictures of your MB on the link to newegg you provided, it looks like it's right above the skull logo in the bottom right of the board.

ALso, is your ANtec Earthwatts 380W kinda old? I had one of those from about 7-8 years ago that was causing spontaneous reboots in a relatives machine. I opened the top of the power supply casing and I could see leaking and bulged capacitors which was definitely the cause of the problem.