What happens if your PSU is too weak for the video card? in PC gaming Tech

What happens if your PSU is too weak for the video card? in PC gaming Tech http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20366166 en Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:14:15 EDT Sat, 05 Dec 2009 04:14:15 EDT Re: What happens if your PSU is too weak for the video card? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20459929 Konceptz : either a

1.blue screen
2.Freeze
3.System will reboot
4.System will cut off. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20459929 Sat, 10 May 2008 00:04:31 EDT Re: What happens if your PSU is too weak for the video card? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20428789 signmeuptoo : To The Flash: That is something that comes from FUD that PC Power and Cooling published online. One single 12VDC rail is NOT necessarily ANY better, and CAN be WORSE. Why?

Here:

Most power supplies with multiple 12VDC rails only have so called "rails" from the fact that a single 12VDC rail is split up with a number of separated over current protection sub circuits. It *IS GOOD*, generally, to HAVE over current protection. Why? Because any given wire and/or connector can handle only so much current before it melts and burns and even catches fire. Also, other damage can occur to the rest of the system from a great an out of control load or short circuit. By setting a 12VDC rail into sub circuits simply with individual over current protection, you add a safeguard to things.

Now:

Some supplies DO HAVE "real" multiple 12VDC rails, such as Corsair's brand new HX-1000, which has TWO discrete 12VDC rails, but with over current set at, according to official statement, 40 amperes each. It is an awesome power supply.

However, IMHO, the ideal would be to have each so called rail be 22 amperes over current set, and to have the rails balanced as far as load. Here is an example:

Let's say the total possible output of the total 12VDC of a supply is 800W. The total maximum amount of available current support would then be about 66.7 amperes. Break that down by dividing by 4 rails and you have 16.67 amperes per rail if they all loaded down exactly the same. *HOWEVER*, since loading is NEVER balanced on a given system, each rail has its overcurrent set at 18 or even 20 amperes. So that means 4 rails of which each is over current set at 20 amps, but they all can't go to that amount totaled.

This is how supplies are done, with the overcurrent set high enough to take into consideration that no one's system loads down each rail equally.

Now:

On top of this, PCP&C still insists passing around even MORE marketing FUD: Their company boss, even recently, decried the use of modular connections on consumer power supplies. He insists that it increases the possibility for failures, a significantly reduced voltage/increased resistance, and even burn out danger. Bull crap I say. Real world tests done by pros have found that there is only a voltage drop of well less than .3%, on, say, a 12V run: That would mean 11.997 Volts DC. Big freaking deal. Sure, as load increases, that increases some, but no matter. Besides, they DESIGN the supplies to OUTPUT a regulated voltage based upon readings after the connectors, so voltages are made for it.

Officially, a supply is within spec if it is withing +/- 5%, or 11.4 - 12.6, and few supplies ever come close to being within 1% of baseline anyways, or within 11.88 - 12.12 throughout their full loaded range, though some are.

So FUD on both arguments by PCP&C. Sure, they make good power supplies (even if some models have Teapo capacitors and only a 40 degrees C temp rating for full load), but they put out pure B.S. that misinforms the public. Keep in mind that this is the same company that refuses to use 120mm - 140mm fans on the underside of the supply, insisting that only 80mm end fans work acceptably, even though it isn't true. I'd rather have a supply with modular and safe rails and a quiet 135mm fan that is still rated for 50 degrees C than what they sell. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying they make bad product, they DO make very good supplies (well, their OEMs make them, but I digress...) What I am saying is, don't listen to FUD.
--
You know your life has gotten "DICEY" when it turns into an episode of LOST, like my ex wife, who I swear is one of "The Others". Cancer and other diseases kill fellow members here at DSLR! Easy: Join us in Teams Helix and Discovery to save the world!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20428789 Sun, 04 May 2008 01:44:53 EDT Re: What happens if your PSU is too weak for the video card? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20372386 Somnambul33t :

said by bolt

:

It was an Antec 450 watt power supply. It was a psu from a previous build. I think it's age was showing a little and that's why I was having problems. I replaced it with a 650w SilverStone.

From what ive read, the average power supply will lose about 10% of it's rated output every year of close to 24/7 usage. this is one of the reasons i started turning my main PC off at night if it isnt running anything.

this, plus general power supply knowledge, is why you shouldnt build a new PC without installing a new supply as well.

when you talk about "future proofing" a power supply, it's good to an extent, but i wouldnt recommend keeping that supply around longer than 2 or 3 years of heavy use and then installing it in your brand new machine simply b/c it's rated output is still within your requirements.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20372386 Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:55:41 EDT Re: What happens if your PSU is too weak for the video card? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20372341 eX_NihiLo : The confusion on multiple vs single rail PSUs can be ended here. »www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthr···p?t=3990. In summary a multple vs single rail is the Nth thing you should consider on selecting a PSU.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20372341 Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:38:31 EDT Re: What happens if your PSU is too weak for the video card? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20371884 The Flash :

said by jouno53

said by ninjatutle

:

I have an 8800GT, minimum requirements are:
400W with 26A output.

Currently mine is 305W and 18A.

Would (3) +12V Rails be better or 1 +12v at a higher rate?

+12V1@18A,+12V2@18A,+12V3@18A
or
+12V@49A

Most modern supplies have multiple +12V rails. Since you have 3, and it requires 26A, all three of your 18A rails are more than enough.

From what I understand, one big rail is better than several rails.

Once one rail is in use, it can't be used for anything else. But for one big rail it can be split between multiple devices.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20371884 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 23:35:51 EDT Re: What happens if your PSU is too weak for the video card? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20371317 bolt : It was an Antec 450 watt power supply. It was a psu from a previous build. I think it's age was showing a little and that's why I was having problems. I replaced it with a 650w SilverStone.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20371317 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:51:23 EDT Re: What happens if your PSU is too weak for the video card? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20371109 jouno53 :

said by ninjatutle

Most modern supplies have multiple +12V rails. Since you have 3, and it requires 26A, all three of your 18A rails are more than enough.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20371109 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:14:00 EDT Re: What happens if your PSU is too weak for the video card? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20370241 The Flash :

said by bolt

:

I had a PSU that just just > large enough to run my video card. As the PSU aged I was getting random reboots, random BSDs and having problems booting. Replacing the PSU solved all those problems.

What PSU was that?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20370241 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:31:26 EDT Re: What happens if your PSU is too weak for the video card? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20369853 bolt : I had a PSU that just just > large enough to run my video card. As the PSU aged I was getting random reboots, random BSDs and having problems booting. Replacing the PSU solved all those problems.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20369853 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:18:55 EDT Re: What happens if your PSU is too weak for the video card? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20369263 The Flash : Good choice.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20369263 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:24:30 EDT Re: What happens if your PSU is too weak for the video card? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20369044 ninjatutle : I ordered the Corsair 650W from buy.com. It came in at just under $100 with 2nd day air and tax. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20369044 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:40:18 EDT Re: What happens if your PSU is too weak for the video card? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20368927 eX_NihiLo : Any of those PSU are fine for your current configuration. As long you don't plan on upgrading to a 9800GX2 or similar dual GPU card in the future you're fine there as well.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20368927 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:19:25 EDT Re: What happens if your PSU is too weak for the video card? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20368709 The Flash : Get the 650, it's the same price as the 550.

Larger rails are probably overkill but the price difference isn't that much. Plus you should be set for the future.

If you're on a tight budget, the 450 will work just fine.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20368709 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:43:32 EDT Re: What happens if your PSU is too weak for the video card? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20368581 ninjatutle : Is it overkill to go with the larger rail ones? I'm not running SLI and not overclocking.

These are the 4 I'm looking at. They range from $70-$120 shipped. I'll be ordering something today. I'll spend $120 if I have to, but I would rather spend $70.

1. Corsair CMPSU-450VX 450W +12V@33A

2. Corsair CMPSU-550VX 550W +12V@41A

3. Corsair CMPSU-650TX 650W +12V@52A

4. PC Power & Cooling S610EPS
610W Continuous @ 40°C +12V@49A

• 450VX
»www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a···SU-450VX

• 550VX
»www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a···17139004

• 650TX
»www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a···17139005

• PC Power & Cooling S610EP
»www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a···17703005]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20368581 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:22:35 EDT Re: What happens if your PSU is too weak for the video card? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20367333 The Flash : I wouldn't even plug that PSU in your computer.

Get a PSU with a large 12V rail, Corsair has great PSUs.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20367333 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:26:31 EDT Re: What happens if your PSU is too weak for the video card? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20366800 ninjatutle : I have an 8800GT, minimum requirements are:
400W with 26A output.

Currently mine is 305W and 18A.

Would (3) +12V Rails be better or 1 +12v at a higher rate?

+12V1@18A,+12V2@18A,+12V3@18A
or
+12V@49A ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20366800 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:18:08 EDT Re: What happens if your PSU is too weak for the video card? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20366618 signmeuptoo : It's supposed to simply shut down from overload protection, but two things: loading down an individual rail can result in various issues such as failure to boot, instability, overheating, or blown secondary of supply.

Often supplies do blow when overloaded, though it "isn't supposed to" happen.
--
You know your life has gotten "DICEY" when it turns into an episode of LOST, like my ex wife, who I swear is one of "The Others". Cancer and other diseases kill fellow members here at DSLR! Easy: Join us in Teams Helix and Discovery to save the world!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20366618 Tue, 22 Apr 2008 02:10:50 EDT Re: What happens if your PSU is too weak for the video card? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20366200 Respawn : I'm no expert but what happened to me a long time ago was...

I got a 9800 pro and my psu was too weak so the psu blew out after a bit. My computer just wouldn't turn on. I got a new psu and everything was fine for many years until my 9800 pro finally gave out.

No damage to anything else that I was aware of.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20366200 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:44:28 EDT What happens if your PSU is too weak for the video card? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20366166 ninjatutle : Will there be any damage?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20366166 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 23:38:11 EDT