Possible PSU failure when gaming.

Kerf · 20 Oct 2014

My computer tends to randomly lose power completely, as if someone unplugged it. This has happened twice within the past 3-4 weeks. Looking into this problem, people tend to mention its either PSU failure, overheating, or bulging/failing mobo caps. I checked the caps on the mobo, they look completely fine, no browning or anything from what I could see. I don't believe its overheating as I track temperatures with CPUID HWmonitor and I am not overclocking. Now that just leaves the PSU. Here is what I am thinking. About 2 months ago I upgraded my video card from AMD HD 5870 to R9 270x. I noticed that it recommended at 500w PSU, my PSU is only a 485w, although several people told me it would still be ok. I have a Dell XPS 435T/9000. Current specs include, Intel i7 920, R9 270x, x2 500gb Hard drives, 9GB Ram, 485w PSU. Any suggestions?

Kerf · 20 Oct 2014

I also want to add that due to upgrading my video card from 5870 to R9 270x, I had a slight heating issue. Apparently the R9 270x was expelling heat upwards into the case instead of out the bottom of the case. Because of this, My CPU was getting hotter than it should. I took the siding of the case of too help with this and its seemed to be working. Would me playing with the case off cause this problem?

Imrankhan · 20 Oct 2014

Well you sorted out the Problem that its the PSU.
Buy it here.
550w - Newegg.com

If you suspect its overheating,Try a different CPU cooler. CoolerMaster Hyper 212x will best help for non-overclocked CPUs.

ICIT2LOL · 20 Oct 2014

Kerf run this and let us see the rail voltages please

UsingHW Info PSU

Download HW Info and pick the right bit version - HWiNFO, HWiNFO32/64 -Download -(copyand paste this site into the search bar) If you donot need the runninginformation in the smaller right hand panel close it. Inthe left hand windowclick on the + for the individual device groupings and theywill open out tothe various components.

Go on opening out further until you get to the device itself. click on it anditwill highlight. In the right hand window there will be a verydetaileddescription of that device as in brand, speeds model number etc etcThese arevery detailed and are just what is needed for searching for driversetc.

To getthe PSU volts you need to select the Sensor button circled in yellow inthe picfor PSU testing do the same and scroll down the readout as in my pic towhereit has Nuvoton = yours might be a different section name / title. Postback apic of that please.

If you want a more definitive test see this https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/301799-psu-test-dc-output-voltage.html butleaseonly use a digital multimeter and not an analogue as they injecttypically 9vinto a circuit to test and into a 3.3v or 5v rail - not a good idea!!see thepartial pic of the correct sort of meter in that tutorial. details ifyou scrolldown that listing.

Now a good reference article is this
Voltage Rails - Power Supply 101: AReference Of Specifications it will explain in detail what thevoltages are and functions of the PSU/

The rail voltages may come up in a section that is not titled as in my pic but it will be the section that has Vbatt in it.
If you like you can run this too to see what power the system probably needs needs
eXtreme Power Supply Calculator - The most trusted PSU Wattage Calculator