Insufficient PSU?

beefyt · 12-20-2008, 08:47 PM

Hi there,

I just bought a whole new system and pieced the thing together and managed to get it up and running despite a few setbacks. I've spent a little time reviewing the PSU info and selection thread, and I wish I had done so before I went to buy.

My specs are as follows:

ATI Radeon 4650
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500
4g DDR 2 PC8500
MSI P45 Neo3

with an

Antec 500W, 12v PSU

I've been experiencing freezing about 1-3 minutes after I log into Windows, and I'm thinking that my PSU just isn't cutting it (but I'm a bit of an amateur here, so I'm not sure. Prior to the freezing, the comp wouldn't even POST when I turned the power on. It would start, and every fan would start spinning for 15-20 seconds, and then the whole thing would power off (this was my first clue that it was probably a power issue.

Additionally, I tried putting an EVGA 8400GS in the machine (assuming it would have less of a power draw), and I didn't experience any freezing.

What I'm looking for is a confirmation or a refutation of my speculation, and perhaps a suggestion for an adequate PSU in the case of the former, or a suggestion about what to try next in the case of the latter.

Thanks all!

**wrench97** · 12-21-2008, 05:34 AM

The Antec's quality have really suffered over the last year and you should have a minimum of a 550w watt unit in a modern pc with a pcie video card while the 4650 is not a large power draw it still uses more then a 8400gs so I think you found the issue
Seasonic - any model
Corsair - any model
Thermaltake - "Toughpower" series only
Coolermaster - "Real Power Pro" series only
PC Power & Cooling - any model
Silverstone - any model

Hack7 · 12-21-2008, 07:15 AM

I know OCZ wasn't on wrench's list but this is a really good deal and OCZ makes a really good supply:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341010

**wrench97** · 12-21-2008, 09:02 AM

It's a little short on amps and ocz units don't MOV's the even out power spikes.

Hack7 · 12-21-2008, 09:08 AM

Because of the multiple rails only having 18A each?

Hack7 · 12-21-2008, 09:11 AM

I have the OCZ in one of my rigs and I like it, but I have this one in my main rig and it's on the list and a good deal too:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171023

12-20-2008, 08:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
beefyt Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1 OS: XP	Insufficient PSU? Hi there, I just bought a whole new system and pieced the thing together and managed to get it up and running despite a few setbacks. I've spent a little time reviewing the PSU info and selection thread, and I wish I had done so before I went to buy. My specs are as follows: ATI Radeon 4650 Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 4g DDR 2 PC8500 MSI P45 Neo3 with an Antec 500W, 12v PSU I've been experiencing freezing about 1-3 minutes after I log into Windows, and I'm thinking that my PSU just isn't cutting it (but I'm a bit of an amateur here, so I'm not sure. Prior to the freezing, the comp wouldn't even POST when I turned the power on. It would start, and every fan would start spinning for 15-20 seconds, and then the whole thing would power off (this was my first clue that it was probably a power issue. Additionally, I tried putting an EVGA 8400GS in the machine (assuming it would have less of a power draw), and I didn't experience any freezing. What I'm looking for is a confirmation or a refutation of my speculation, and perhaps a suggestion for an adequate PSU in the case of the former, or a suggestion about what to try next in the case of the latter. Thanks all!

12-21-2008, 05:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,435 OS: Win7	Re: Insufficient PSU? The Antec's quality have really suffered over the last year and you should have a minimum of a 550w watt unit in a modern pc with a pcie video card while the 4650 is not a large power draw it still uses more then a 8400gs so I think you found the issue Seasonic - any model Corsair - any model Thermaltake - "Toughpower" series only Coolermaster - "Real Power Pro" series only PC Power & Cooling - any model Silverstone - any model __________________ Power Supply and Selection

12-21-2008, 07:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
Hack7 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: St. Louis Posts: 90 OS: XP pro	Re: Insufficient PSU? I know OCZ wasn't on wrench's list but this is a really good deal and OCZ makes a really good supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341010

12-21-2008, 09:02 AM	#4 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,435 OS: Win7	Re: Insufficient PSU? It's a little short on amps and ocz units don't MOV's the even out power spikes. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

12-21-2008, 09:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
Hack7 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: St. Louis Posts: 90 OS: XP pro	Re: Insufficient PSU? Because of the multiple rails only having 18A each?

12-21-2008, 09:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
Hack7 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: St. Louis Posts: 90 OS: XP pro	Re: Insufficient PSU? I have the OCZ in one of my rigs and I like it, but I have this one in my main rig and it's on the list and a good deal too: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817171023