PSU question..

ambient · 08-08-2002, 10:43 PM

I really did look for somewhere else to post this. I always browse this forum, please move if this needs to be some where else. I've always thought that my mother board read bad (abit kt7a) for temp and voltage, but now that I have a DigiDoc, it reads almost exactly the same. My PSU's 12v rail is running between 12.35v~12.53v. I get black splotches in games some times, not like artifacts though. How much variance can you have? Could this be the cause of the splotches (they're very intermittent)? I'm probably just gonna replace it, but as I've stated before, I don't know d1ck about electricity.

ambient · 08-09-2002, 10:29 AM

could this be caused by the psu's wiring being bound up by zip ties?

utabintarbo · 08-09-2002, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ambient
could this be caused by the psu's wiring being bound up by zip ties?

Not likely unless you bind DC wires against an AC wire. The alternating magnetic field would create some (small) amount of "back-emf" in the DC wiring. Just a possibility...

Bob

bigben2k · 08-09-2002, 11:11 AM

You want no more than 5% deviation from spec, so for 12V, you do not want more than 12.6 .

You're OK.

Tell us more about your system, and we'll look at your black splotches.

redleader · 08-09-2002, 11:18 AM

In reality I was always told that virtually any componet is speced to work with 10% variance, so I doubt its your problem.

Also, 12v is mainly used to power motors, not chips, so its probably not going to cause problems with graphics (more likely a burned out drive) if it gets way too high.

fresno12 · 08-09-2002, 11:36 AM

Just as a guess not knowing what video card and type of memory you are running. I would say your video display problems are more likely memmory related. There are a number of things you can try.
Switch the video card with a known good one
If you have two sticks of memory try one alone and then the other
Also look for a small proggy on Google named "Gold Memory"
one of the best shareware programs for checking all of your system memory. (if it was your psu it would probably be more of a constant problem)

fresno12

airspirit · 08-09-2002, 11:44 AM

Did you OC your vid card? At any rate, that is common when the temps of the vid card mem or gpu gets too hot. Also, sometimes you get that if your FSB is bumped too high. Try these steps (in order):

1) Raise AGP Voltage +.01

... if that doesn't work, lower it back down to normal ...

2) Lower your FSB to original spec

... if that doesn't work, keep that setting in place ...

3) Underclock (if possible) your GPU/vid mem speeds by a goodly amount and check that (if OC, lower to original spec)

... if that doesn't work, keep those settings in place ...

4) Open your case and aim a box fan at your vid card

... if you still have problems, you may have a burnt vid card. Invest in a new one.

If the fan or underclocking fix it, then invest in cooling (if it's worth it) for the card. If the Voltage change fixes it, MAKE SURE you cool your vid card. If the FSB fixes it, you probably need a diffy vid card to push that high. Some cards don't like high voltages OR high FSB settings.

Artifacting is very common if the vid card is overheating or if there are physical failures in the card. Darf.

ambient · 08-09-2002, 12:21 PM

Thanks for all the replies. I thought it was gonna be the PSU for sure so I didn't post the rest of the specs. This has been happening weather or not the system is oc'd. I've tried different ram timings, different io and vcore voltages disabling all kinds performance tweaks, different bios's, different mobo and vid drivers. If any of you have any thoughts please suggest cause I'm thinking I'm gonna replace the card. I don't have another good card to test with. It only happens in games not benchmarks (like 3dMark). Maybe the card is bad. Fresno thanks for the tip about Gold Memory, I'll try it later, I'm at work right now.

here goes:

ABit KT7a
1.4ghz @ 1.4ghz
Leadtek GeForce 2 Ultra
maxtor 20gb 7200rpm ata100
Kingston Nic
Sb Live value (old one)
256mb OCZ pc 166
256mb kingmax micro BGA pc133
enermax gpe 351 330watt psu
sony supressa 10x8x32 burner
pine 48x cd-rom

bigben2k · 08-09-2002, 12:57 PM

You've got a pretty heavy load, for a 330W PSU. Did you add anything to your system recently?

I see you've got two different ram sticks. It shouldn't be an issue, but you might try without the slower one, just to check. A test (gold) might tell you a bit more, maybe not.

ambient · 08-09-2002, 01:05 PM

I switched some fans out and added some slower fans, but I don't think I have to many. Here is what I got for fans

1x 120 mm sunon 86cfm 3.2watts .?amps
4x 80 mm vantec stealth fans 21cfm .5watts?
1x 50mm sunon fan for video card. Video card has stock HSF and mem sinks but I added the fan above. I've checked to make sure the HSF is making good contact.

airspirit · 08-09-2002, 02:26 PM

If you've already checked the OC settings (I assume you OC'd the vid card), your card is bad. You'd be having more than artifacting if your PSU was to blame. It sounds like it's time to burn that one and get a new one. ATI Radeon 9000s are running in the $70-80 range on pricewatch ....

Cova · 08-09-2002, 02:39 PM

You think thats a heavy load for a 330W PSU? I'm running...

Athlon 1333 @ 1533 (1.85V)
ABit KT7A-RAID
ATI AllInWonder 8500DV
SB Live
cheap NIC
512MB PC133 (1 stick no-name brand)
Plexwriter 24/10/40
Pioneer 16X DVD
2x Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM
2x Maxtor 60GB 7200RPM

All off a 300W no-name PSU with no power-related problems at all. I've also got a few USB devices drawing 5V power from the USB bus as well.

For your problem ambient - I would definatly suggest focusing on the video card as the source of your problems. It sounds to me like bad video RAM.

ambient · 08-09-2002, 02:59 PM

Quote:

If you've already checked the OC settings (I assume you OC'd the vid card), your card is bad. You'd be having more than artifacting if your PSU was to blame. It sounds like it's time to burn that one and get a new one. ATI Radeon 9000s are running in the $70-80 range on pricewatch ....

I only OC'd the card slightly a long time ago. It never did OC that well. I can't decide if I should get the 9000 or the 8500 or a ti4200. I know the 4200 is gonna OC the best. But I only need to play my games @ 100fps.

bigben2k · 08-09-2002, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Cova
You think thats a heavy load for a 330W PSU? I'm running...

Athlon 1333 @ 1533 (1.85V)
ABit KT7A-RAID
ATI AllInWonder 8500DV
SB Live
cheap NIC
512MB PC133 (1 stick no-name brand)
Plexwriter 24/10/40
Pioneer 16X DVD
2x Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM
2x Maxtor 60GB 7200RPM

All off a 300W no-name PSU with no power-related problems at all. I've also got a few USB devices drawing 5V power from the USB bus as well.

For your problem ambient - I would definatly suggest focusing on the video card as the source of your problems. It sounds to me like bad video RAM.

Hey, sometimes, you just get lucky.

I agree though the VC ram is the first thing to look at.

The basics though would make you clean the cards' connectors, then reseat it. Re-install the latest video driver, then check if the prob is still there. Then, check system ram.

airspirit · 08-09-2002, 05:02 PM

Yeah, do what Ben suggested. Unfortunately I don't think it will do you any good. If it was a problem with connections in the AGP slot, you'd get more than minor artifacting. System ram will not cause a problem like this, so I wouldn't even bother (though it can use some checking now and then).

At any rate, do everything that was listed in this thread, and if there is no solution from that, you need a new card. If I recall, those GF2 cards' memory isn't replacable, and it isn't worth doing it anyway. Just get a new card.

08-08-2002, 10:43 PM	#1
ambient Cooling Savant Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 312	PSU question.. I really did look for somewhere else to post this. I always browse this forum, please move if this needs to be some where else. I've always thought that my mother board read bad (abit kt7a) for temp and voltage, but now that I have a DigiDoc, it reads almost exactly the same. My PSU's 12v rail is running between 12.35v~12.53v. I get black splotches in games some times, not like artifacts though. How much variance can you have? Could this be the cause of the splotches (they're very intermittent)? I'm probably just gonna replace it, but as I've stated before, I don't know d1ck about electricity. __________________ water cooled 1.4 tbird @ 1580 143x11 vcore 1.88 vio 3.55

08-09-2002, 10:29 AM	#2
ambient Cooling Savant Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 312	could this be caused by the psu's wiring being bound up by zip ties? __________________ water cooled 1.4 tbird @ 1580 143x11 vcore 1.88 vio 3.55

08-09-2002, 11:11 AM	#4
bigben2k Responsible for 2% of all the posts here. Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas, U.S.A. Posts: 8,302	You want no more than 5% deviation from spec, so for 12V, you do not want more than 12.6 . You're OK. Tell us more about your system, and we'll look at your black splotches. __________________ WBTA (Water Block Testing Alliance) Nordic Hardware WC 101

08-09-2002, 12:21 PM	#8
ambient Cooling Savant Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 312	Thanks for all the replies. I thought it was gonna be the PSU for sure so I didn't post the rest of the specs. This has been happening weather or not the system is oc'd. I've tried different ram timings, different io and vcore voltages disabling all kinds performance tweaks, different bios's, different mobo and vid drivers. If any of you have any thoughts please suggest cause I'm thinking I'm gonna replace the card. I don't have another good card to test with. It only happens in games not benchmarks (like 3dMark). Maybe the card is bad. Fresno thanks for the tip about Gold Memory, I'll try it later, I'm at work right now. here goes: ABit KT7a 1.4ghz @ 1.4ghz Leadtek GeForce 2 Ultra maxtor 20gb 7200rpm ata100 Kingston Nic Sb Live value (old one) 256mb OCZ pc 166 256mb kingmax micro BGA pc133 enermax gpe 351 330watt psu sony supressa 10x8x32 burner pine 48x cd-rom __________________ water cooled 1.4 tbird @ 1580 143x11 vcore 1.88 vio 3.55

08-09-2002, 12:57 PM	#9
bigben2k Responsible for 2% of all the posts here. Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas, U.S.A. Posts: 8,302	You've got a pretty heavy load, for a 330W PSU. Did you add anything to your system recently? I see you've got two different ram sticks. It shouldn't be an issue, but you might try without the slower one, just to check. A test (gold) might tell you a bit more, maybe not. __________________ WBTA (Water Block Testing Alliance) Nordic Hardware WC 101

08-09-2002, 11:18 AM	#5
redleader Thermophile Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: The deserts of Tucson, Az Posts: 1,264	In reality I was always told that virtually any componet is speced to work with 10% variance, so I doubt its your problem. Also, 12v is mainly used to power motors, not chips, so its probably not going to cause problems with graphics (more likely a burned out drive) if it gets way too high.

08-09-2002, 11:36 AM	#6
fresno12 Cooling Neophyte Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Puerto Rico Posts: 22	Just as a guess not knowing what video card and type of memory you are running. I would say your video display problems are more likely memmory related. There are a number of things you can try. Switch the video card with a known good one If you have two sticks of memory try one alone and then the other Also look for a small proggy on Google named "Gold Memory" one of the best shareware programs for checking all of your system memory. (if it was your psu it would probably be more of a constant problem) fresno12

08-09-2002, 11:44 AM	#7
airspirit Been /.'d... have you? Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Moscow, ID Posts: 1,986	Did you OC your vid card? At any rate, that is common when the temps of the vid card mem or gpu gets too hot. Also, sometimes you get that if your FSB is bumped too high. Try these steps (in order): 1) Raise AGP Voltage +.01 ... if that doesn't work, lower it back down to normal ... 2) Lower your FSB to original spec ... if that doesn't work, keep that setting in place ... 3) Underclock (if possible) your GPU/vid mem speeds by a goodly amount and check that (if OC, lower to original spec) ... if that doesn't work, keep those settings in place ... 4) Open your case and aim a box fan at your vid card ... if you still have problems, you may have a burnt vid card. Invest in a new one. If the fan or underclocking fix it, then invest in cooling (if it's worth it) for the card. If the Voltage change fixes it, MAKE SURE you cool your vid card. If the FSB fixes it, you probably need a diffy vid card to push that high. Some cards don't like high voltages OR high FSB settings. Artifacting is very common if the vid card is overheating or if there are physical failures in the card. Darf.

08-09-2002, 01:05 PM	#10
ambient Cooling Savant Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 312	I switched some fans out and added some slower fans, but I don't think I have to many. Here is what I got for fans 1x 120 mm sunon 86cfm 3.2watts .?amps 4x 80 mm vantec stealth fans 21cfm .5watts? 1x 50mm sunon fan for video card. Video card has stock HSF and mem sinks but I added the fan above. I've checked to make sure the HSF is making good contact. __________________ water cooled 1.4 tbird @ 1580 143x11 vcore 1.88 vio 3.55

08-09-2002, 02:26 PM	#11
airspirit Been /.'d... have you? Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Moscow, ID Posts: 1,986	If you've already checked the OC settings (I assume you OC'd the vid card), your card is bad. You'd be having more than artifacting if your PSU was to blame. It sounds like it's time to burn that one and get a new one. ATI Radeon 9000s are running in the $70-80 range on pricewatch ....

08-09-2002, 02:39 PM	#12
Cova Cooling Savant Join Date: May 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 247	You think thats a heavy load for a 330W PSU? I'm running... Athlon 1333 @ 1533 (1.85V) ABit KT7A-RAID ATI AllInWonder 8500DV SB Live cheap NIC 512MB PC133 (1 stick no-name brand) Plexwriter 24/10/40 Pioneer 16X DVD 2x Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM 2x Maxtor 60GB 7200RPM All off a 300W no-name PSU with no power-related problems at all. I've also got a few USB devices drawing 5V power from the USB bus as well. For your problem ambient - I would definatly suggest focusing on the video card as the source of your problems. It sounds to me like bad video RAM.

08-09-2002, 05:02 PM	#15
airspirit Been /.'d... have you? Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Moscow, ID Posts: 1,986	Yeah, do what Ben suggested. Unfortunately I don't think it will do you any good. If it was a problem with connections in the AGP slot, you'd get more than minor artifacting. System ram will not cause a problem like this, so I wouldn't even bother (though it can use some checking now and then). At any rate, do everything that was listed in this thread, and if there is no solution from that, you need a new card. If I recall, those GF2 cards' memory isn't replacable, and it isn't worth doing it anyway. Just get a new card.

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