Black screens: 750W not enough for R9 390X and FX-9590 @ 4.7 GHz?

Jon93

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Oct 1, 2015
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Hi!

I just upgraded my GPU and MB from [1] to: [2]

I learned afterhand that the old MB didn't support the 220 TDP CPU but I was still able to use it at 4.6 GHz. Now I figured I'd get the 990FX R2.0 (which is said to support the 220 TDP) just to get the extra juice out of the FX 9590 and the 5 GHz turbo.

TL;DR: The problem is that I can't get the new system to run even above 3.5 GHz now without resulting in a black screen after a minute or two or whenever I mess with the "overclocking" in Catalyst control center.

I figured maybe my PSU just isn't up to the task even though I used http://powersupplycalculator.net/ to calculate the minimum wattage at approximately 720W for my system (the 390x wasn't available so I used the 290x instead in the calculator and it has 10% higher TDP). I'm going to try switching back to the R9 280 soon to see if I can put the clock speed higher with that without black-screening.

Or is there something else that might be the problem? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

[1]
CPU: FX-9590
GPU: XFX R9 280 DD 3GB
MB: Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P
PSU: Cooler Master: G750M
RAM: 1x BallistixSport 4GB 1600MHz, 2x (some old memory sticks I do not recall the name of)

[2]
GPU: Sapphire R9 390X Tri-X OC 8GB
MB: Sabertooth 990FX R2.0
Case and Cooling: CM Storm Scout II Advanced Gaming with Noctua NH-D14 for the CPU.

Same specs otherwise (except the two old memory sticks that didn't appear to work with the new MB [uneven number])
 
Solution
Standard requirement for a r9 390x is a decent 700w psu. That's counting on an Intel 100w or AMD 125w cpu. Not the 220w 9590. IF you had a decent 800w psu, this would balance that scale somewhat. This cpu is not for the average Joe, it was intended for a select clientele, that being gamers and superusers, who would have a justifiable reason for having a high end gpu such as a 290x or even crossfire gpus. (time period gpu). This was why amd recommended a 1000w psu. The option to OC even slightly, on a 220w cpu, with its already high voltages, will dramatically increase that wattage, well beyond normal increases at much lower speeds and voltages.

So the answer is maybe. Tier1 psu might just squeak it if the low voltage rails are strong...


How does that solve the problem since the 9590 is practically just a stock-overclocked 8350/70? If it runs at less than 4 GHz then is it any different from a 8350/70? I need to know whether this is a PSU problem first because I've seen several posts of people with 750W that run the 9590. And if it does require a 1000W PSU (which it apparently doesn't at 4.6 GHz) then I'd rather buy for less than a whole new processor with lower clock speeds.

As for watercooling, I've never had any problems with overheating at 4.6 and the NH-D14 does the job.
 


That would be my guess as well when looking at power consumption tables of it (for some reason http://powersupplycalculator.net/ does not account for this). I just want to make sure before going buying a new PSU. Are black screens a trademark of too little power?
 
Standard requirement for a r9 390x is a decent 700w psu. That's counting on an Intel 100w or AMD 125w cpu. Not the 220w 9590. IF you had a decent 800w psu, this would balance that scale somewhat. This cpu is not for the average Joe, it was intended for a select clientele, that being gamers and superusers, who would have a justifiable reason for having a high end gpu such as a 290x or even crossfire gpus. (time period gpu). This was why amd recommended a 1000w psu. The option to OC even slightly, on a 220w cpu, with its already high voltages, will dramatically increase that wattage, well beyond normal increases at much lower speeds and voltages.

So the answer is maybe. Tier1 psu might just squeak it if the low voltage rails are strong enough, tier2 doubtful, tier3 or below doesn't stand a chance. 850w would be a safe minimum for upper tier, 1000w would be better.

As CTurbo previously said.

Oh, the CoolerMaster G750m is a lower end tier3 unit(that's not good) built by Channel Well Technology (CWT) (that's not good either), so while you may have seen other builds successfully running your cpu at 750w,chances are their grade of psu was much higher, which means better ripple, better stability, better output etc. You ask if this is a psu problem, to this the answer is a definite yes, it's your particular psu that's probably the culprit. I'd replace it with a much higher grade 850w minimum, which would settle any debate on size issue or load issue.

Gpu 375w possible
Cpu 220w
Mobo,drives,fans etc @100w
System runs @650-700w. CWT CoolerMaster psu output @650w-700w if you are lucky.
 
Solution


Bought it last year, but it's apparently a low-grade one so I guess that's the problem.
 


Very well, thank you. I'll see if I can get a decent 1000W PSU soon just to be on the safe side [would be painful to spend $100+ on a 850 and it still isn't enough].
 
^^ Exactly. The whole point is that you're getting lucky that things are still working. The PSU connects to EVERYTHRING, your expensive CPU, motherboard, and GPUs. It would be a crying shame to see the $70.00 PSU take out $1k worth of parts because you want to save $100.00 on a PSU.

Besides, getting a high end PSU with a 5-7 year warranty will last you quite some time, through numerous builds, and more importantly will give you peace of mind and protect that $1000.00 worth of parts...
 


Right. Thanks for the list!

Will a tier 1 Cooler Master V850 850W 80+ Gold suffice ($140)? (the V1000 is twice as expensive unfortunately)

Or do I need to spend $200 on something like a tier 2 Corsair RM 1000W 80+ Gold?

Or can I get away with an un-tiered 1000W at $170 ? I was looking at LC-Power Legion X2 1000W 80+ Gold.
 


Alright, I'll save that choice! Thank you.

Won't be able to get a new PSU for another 2-3 weeks so I'm open to other suggestions as well so long as it's in that price range :)
 
How about: Power Fractal Design Newton R3 1000W 80+ Platinum at $200? However it is considered tier 3 by that previous post.

Then there's the Xilence Modular Series 1000W R3 80+ Bronze for about $150 which is untiered. Of course this price is the most preferable.
 
Not a chance. You are running an expensive pc, that has very little room for instabilities caused by mediocre psu's. In a nutshell, any higher power gaming pc is not recommended for usage on a tier3 psu. You don't run a corvette or a Ferrari on 87 octane gas, it gets super unleaded. Same principle.
 


Ummm... technically you could. Octane has nothing to do with the -quality- of the gas, it's still good gasoline. Octane has to do with ignition timing and preventing pre-ignition in the combustion chamber. Most cars these days have knock sensors which will retard timing if it detects pre-ignition. The car will make more -power- running on super-unleaded since it can run as designed, but it won't damage the engine. :)

 
Technically you can run a high end pc on a tier3 psu, but you are trusting a $1000+ pc to a $40 psu that's built with some of the industries lowest standard parts, lowest warranties in general, mediocre output, mediocre life span and questionable outputs that at times are downright lies.

Sure it'll work, but the question remains as to how long, and just what it'll take with it when it goes. Just as that Ferrari will run on 87, Ferrari will be laughing all the way to the bank everything it comes in for service cuz jets are clogged, catalytic converter is bunk, 100K sparkplug are toast after 30k miles etc etc etc.

If you are going to do the job, do it right or don't do it at all, cutting corners leads to nothing but trouble tomorrow. Tier3 and below psus are not designed or intended for high power systems and the resultant amperage draws, so spending the extra few $ for a quality tier1 or 2 psu is warranted, and is cheap insurance vrs replacing a $500+ gpu or a $150 motherboard or both.
 
I just found that the RM 1000W was also tier 3 (even though the 850w version is tier 2) so I guess that one goes out the window as well. I think I'll be going for the EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 G2 as it is labeled as tier 1.


A quick off-topic question: What memory would you guys recommend for this setup? I found that the 990FX supports 1866 MHz max and the most attractive options appear to be HyperX Fury, for their price. And I assume 16GB won't make any big difference compared to 8GB for gaming?