PSU overloading under high load

[Atomiic]

I built this rig just recently, thinking I'd get a nice performance for the buck:

Pentium G860 3 GHz = 70€
Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3V = 70€
Kingston DDR3 2x 4 GB 1333 MHz = 41€
Tecnoware Black Core 550 W = 35€
Gigabyte GTX 550 Ti = 100€

Link to PSU (declared 384W and 32A on 12V line): http://www.tecnoware.com/Power-Fusion/Products/TECNOWARE-POWER-FUSION/PC-POWER-SUPPLY/CORE-550W/BLACK-CORE-550W-14-CM-PSU_846.html .

I was horrified when I put the gfx card under heavy load with Heaven benchmark and suddenly the PSU started to make wire-frying sounds (fortunately no sparks were coming out), the 14cm fan was barely spinning and pushing out hot air. When the benchmark finished, everything was OK again.
If I try to run Skyrim on ultra settings the same thing happens.

I can have it replaced under warranty, but I think the damn thing is just too rubbish to run the power hungry 550Ti (well, it was kinda cheapish). It does have a fuse in there, but I don't want to risk it frying my whole system.

Can you suggest me a decent PSU, for a good price? Remember, the tech stuff is about 30$ more expensive over here in my backwater country in EU :lol: . Also, I don't intend to add any other components to this PC, except for a SSD drive (I already have 2 HDDs installed).

 

[festerovic]

I would just toss the part. I read reviews saying its a budget design, and is fairly low quality.

As for new ones, anything by Corsair, Antec, PC Power and Cooling, and Silverstone will be a better choice.

 

[toyftw]

I built this rig just recently, thinking I'd get a nice performance for the buck:

Pentium G860 3 GHz = 70€
Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3V = 70€
Kingston DDR3 2x 4 GB 1333 MHz = 41€
Tecnoware Black Core 550 W = 35€
Gigabyte GTX 550 Ti = 100€

Link to PSU (declared 384W and 32A on 12V line): http://www.tecnoware.com/Power-Fusion/Products/TECNOWARE-POWER-FUSION/PC-POWER-SUPPLY/CORE-550W/BLACK-CORE-550W-14-CM-PSU_846.html .

I was horrified when I put the gfx card under heavy load with Heaven benchmark and suddenly the PSU started to make wire-frying sounds (fortunately no sparks were coming out), the 14cm fan was barely spinning and pushing out hot air. When the benchmark finished, everything was OK again.
If I try to run Skyrim on ultra settings the same thing happens.

I can have it replaced under warranty, but I think the damn thing is just too rubbish to run the power hungry 550Ti (well, it was kinda cheapish). It does have a fuse in there, but I don't want to risk it frying my whole system.

Can you suggest me a decent PSU, for a good price? Remember, the tech stuff is about 30$ more expensive over here in my backwater country in EU :lol: . Also, I don't intend to add any other components to this PC, except for a SSD drive (I already have 2 HDDs installed).

Hi - feterovic was right on, go with a quality brand, such as the one's he listed (you can add XFX, & Enermax), something in the 430w - 550w
range is enough if you're not going to add another GPU to the system.

Tom

 

[djscribbles]

Add Seasonic as well

Here's a good (but a bit out of date) list that makes shopping easier: http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

It's always a good idea to look for teardown reviews from sites like Jonnyguru, hardwaresecrets and the like, their recommendations are made based on the quality and capability of individual component choices and the performance of the supply under load.

 

[toyftw]

Add Seasonic as well

Here's a good (but a bit out of date) list that makes shopping easier: http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

LOL - good catch - didn't notice Seasonic(I have the X-650) wasn't listed

 

[Novuake]

OK go for the Antec NEO ECO 520W. Cheap, gives rated wattage AND 80% effeciency

 

[Atomiic]

Thanks for tips guys. It seems my local store sells mostly crap like LC Power, Xilence, Chieftec, CoolerMaster, Gigabyte ... so I'll have to look into it a bit.

 

[toyftw]

Thanks for tips guys. It seems my local store sells mostly crap like LC Power, Xilence, Chieftec, CoolerMaster, Gigabyte ... so I'll have to look into it a bit.

Yeah - I wouldn't suggest any of those brands. Probably more than any other component in
your system, the "You get what you pay for" cliche rings true.

Tom

 

[Atomiic]

Oh, I could get this one for a decent price: http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=3035 .

It's listed under Tier2b on the Eggxpert list, so it should be ok.

 

[Novuake]

Oh, I could get this one for a decent price: http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=3035 .

It's listed under Tier2b on the Eggxpert list, so it should be ok.

I reeaaaalllly dislike Coolermaster...

My GX started to make a noise, a whine/rattle, after 2 weeks.

 

[toyftw]

Oh, I could get this one for a decent price: http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=3035 .

It's listed under Tier2b on the Eggxpert list, so it should be ok.

Agree with Novuake - avoid CM if possible.

Tom