Can a bad power supply make a computer slow?

[KarlKarrlander]

Hey!

I actually posted a thread about a build an hour ago and we got into a discussion on power supplies and it got me thinking:

Can a power supply on the lower end of the tier list, say one of Corsair's CX psu's, make a computer slower over the years? Will it have a higher chance of damaging components than other higher tier psu's?

I know that it's always recommended to get a more quality psu, but how much of a difference does it make when it comes to normal use of a computer (browsing, playing minor kids games, paying bills, Youtube)?

I was just curious and wanted to see what everyone has to say! I actually have a CX 750M in one of my gaming rigs and its been running great. Just wanted to see if it's going to slow everything down faster, and in that case I'm inclined on switching!

Thanks!

P.S: Superninja, if you're here then please join the conversation as well!

 

[turkey3_scratch]

A power supply will not affect your computer's performance. So you won't get more FPS from a better power supply, your computer won't load stuff faster and process data faster. It just won't happen. Hardware (like the CPU) either does what it is supposed to every clock, or does not. A power supply can cause system freezes, crashes, complete power loss, and other very bizarre instabilities, possibly even a BSOD, but it won't cause poor performance.

A bad power supply can decrease the lifespan of other hardware. Voltage stability overall is the primary factor for this. A power supply with stable voltage outputs will be handled by voltage regulator modules of other hardware (power supplies on other hardware) at more ease and cause less strain. Or, in the worst of situations, it completely annihilates your hardware if it's really crappy or has some component fail early on and cause permanent damage to other hardware. Many people overlook the idea of how important voltage stability is, because your other hardware is "fed", to use unscientific terminology, with that voltage.

 

[superninja12]

we get a lot of people on the forums....
smoke came from my power supply ... i was using a generic hp power supply / or corsair cx and was overclocking my r9 390 with an fi 6300.

on topic: no it doesn't increase performance direct, but it will shorter the lifespan of your components, this can cause crashes, black screens.
and more

 

[Archaic59]

Actually it can cause problems. A PSU with bad ripple can cause increased stress and heat on the system which in turn can affect performance.

 

[superninja12]

ow ^ learned something new thanks archaic

 

[Archaic59]

@ superninja12 - Only OP can select answer on an active thread. Please read forum rules.

 

[superninja12]

oops removed

 

[turkey3_scratch]

Actually it can cause problems. A PSU with bad ripple can cause increased stress and heat on the system which in turn can affect performance.

Yeah, but temperatures are something that can be easily monitored. Once heat is taken out of the equation, performance is exactly the same. As long as hardware is not throttling, everything is fine.

 

[Archaic59]

Actually it can cause problems. A PSU with bad ripple can cause increased stress and heat on the system which in turn can affect performance.

Yeah, but temperatures are something that can be easily monitored. Once heat is taken out of the equation, performance is exactly the same. As long as hardware is not throttling, everything is fine.

Correct but the fact remains that the PSU can be the primary cause of the throttling.

 

[turkey3_scratch]

True, you are right.

 

[superninja12]

slightly off topic.
if we look at how many people come on this forum with things like, motherboard broke,smoke came off my motherboard, (even psu exploded).
i wouldn't take the risk to take this competent lightly.

but even the thought how many people are using low quality power supplies, that shorten the lifespan of their rigs is frightening.
sooo cheap is more expensive in the end.

 

[Archaic59]

True, you are right.

A little back up-

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2741869/bad-psu-gpu-overheating-load.html

 

[turkey3_scratch]

You know, I notice I get very good temperatures with my CPUs in particular. Running Intel stock cooler with my I3-6100 and I5-4460, a stress test doesn't really make it ever go past 55C. Probably because I got an 850 G2 in my primary rig and a 550 G2 in my secondary.

Though I would think it'd be the VRMs that heat up from the ripple, I don't see how it'd have to do much with the CPU.

 

[KarlKarrlander]

I think the biggest reason for buying the low-end PSU's such as the CX series is that they are often the ones on major sales. I too was a victim of a CX purchase, the 750M W, and while I knew its reviews and the potential risks of getting a low-end PSU, I became blind by a 65 % sale. I guess that this happens to a lot of people as well.

Thinking of switching to the EVGA 650W Gold though, Superninja and I had a discussion on this and I like the results it's been getting and it's a tier 2 (if I'm not mistaken) PSU!

 

[turkey3_scratch]

For a quality 650W unit, I usually recommend the FSP Hydro G 650W http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fsp-hydro-g-650-power-supply,4462.html

Performs better than the EVGA 650 GS (if that's the one you are speaking of). The EVGA G2 is more expensive. The EVGA 650 GQ is not as good as the Hydro G 650W either. The FSP is an often overlooked unit IMO. For $80-$90 it is a good deal.

 

[Archaic59]

You know, I notice I get very good temperatures with my CPUs in particular. Running Intel stock cooler with my I3-6100 and I5-4460, a stress test doesn't really make it ever go past 55C. Probably because I got an 850 G2 in my primary rig and a 550 G2 in my secondary.

Though I would think it'd be the VRMs that heat up from the ripple, I don't see how it'd have to do much with the CPU.

Ripple can screw up the capacitors on the motherboard as well as the PSU and then you have even worse ripple hitting components. It's like a ripple snowball rolling downhill.

 

[turkey3_scratch]

Are you sure that "ripple screws up PSU capacitors"? That seems a bit ironic to me, since PSU capacitors filter ripple. I think ripple from the PSU can in turn affect the motherboard capacitors, but would "excessive ripple" harm the PSU capacitors from one unit to the other when the PSU capacitors filter that ripple? Every PSU starts with complete AC 50-60Hz ripple, and after the switchers and transformer you have that super high frequency square wave if I'm correct.

It just doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Archaic59]

Are you sure that "ripple screws up PSU capacitors"? That seems a bit ironic to me, since PSU capacitors filter ripple. I think ripple from the PSU can in turn affect the motherboard capacitors, but would "excessive ripple" harm the PSU capacitors from one unit to the other when the PSU capacitors filter that ripple? Every PSU starts with complete AC 50-60Hz ripple, and after the switchers and transformer you have that super high frequency square wave if I'm correct.

It just doesn't make sense to me.

Page 8-

http://www.mouser.com/pdfDocs/UCC_ElectrolyticCapacitorTechnicalNotes.pdf

 

[turkey3_scratch]

I am well aware how heat affects capacitors. Every 10 degrees below the rated temperature of the capacitor doubles the lifespan of the capacitor. I'm just currently questioning the idea that a PSU with higher ripple output will in turn have more heat in its capacitors. It doesn't seem right to me *scratches head*.

 

[turkey3_scratch]

Oops, I thought you meant Section 8. Looking at page 8 (section 5-3) I see what you mean. So in this case, the first capacitors in a sequence would deal with the most heat and ripple, and as you go down the chain, those capacitors deal with a lot less ripple if I'm correct.

 

[turkey3_scratch]

As a matter of fact, thanks for that link! I'll try to memorize that stuff in this month.

 

[superninja12]

I think the biggest reason for buying the low-end PSU's such as the CX series is that they are often the ones on major sales. I too was a victim of a CX purchase, the 750M W, and while I knew its reviews and the potential risks of getting a low-end PSU, I became blind by a 65 % sale. I guess that this happens to a lot of people as well.

Thinking of switching to the EVGA 650W Gold though, Superninja and I had a discussion on this and I like the results it's been getting and it's a tier 2 (if I'm not mistaken) PSU!

its a g2 series its solid tier1

 

[turkey3_scratch]

I have one gripe with the 650 G2: the price. You can actually get a 750 G2 for like $5 more usually.

 

[KarlKarrlander]

I have one gripe with the 650 G2: the price. You can actually get a 750 G2 for like $5 more usually.

I noticed that as well, which got me thinking if I should go for a 750W instead. Is FSP owned by another company? Can't find it on the Swedish retailers (I live in Sweden).

 

[Outlander_04]

A dose of reality: Power supplies can be ford's or Ferraris. Both get you there, unless you plan on thrashing it in which case the Ferrari gets you there faster .......and is still worn out.

Most pc builds people propose here are going to draw a couple of hundred watts tops so even a modest 450 - 500 watt unit will work and stay working for years. Usually longer than the practical life of a pc .
I know of pc's that have been running cx430's for more than 8 years .

Almost no one NEEDS a Ferrari. But I would choose one over a ford if it was in my budget. If not the the ford gets you there