How to check if PSU is faulty?

[G2401]

Hey guys. I have been having an ongoing problem for the past few months or so. I put an MSI Radeon R7770 into my computer, trying to play a step up from my Radeon HD 5450 512mb, but a recurring problem surfaced. Whenever I would try to game with the card, my computer ended up giving me the BSOD, and shutting down. I've narrowed it down to either a faulty card or a faulty PSU. I bought the PSU specifically for this graphics card considering it needed a 6-pin adapter. The 5450 doesn't require one, so the PSU may be at fault. I want to know how to check without having to pay a ton of money for a professional to look at it. Unfortunately I do not have a spare PC to test either in. Currently my specs are:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400
GPU: Radeon HD 5450 512mb
PSU: Antec 500w
Motherboard: Vostro 230

If there are any questions, or I didn't elaborate enough, please ask! Thank you in advance.

 

[GhislainG]

It could be either one. Could you borrow another PSU or test the GPU in another PC?

 

[G2401]

It could be either one. Could you borrow another PSU or test the GPU in another PC?

Like I said, I don't have another PC to test it in or borrow from, sorry.

 

[GhislainG]

Are both brand new?

 

[G2401]

Are both brand new?

The card was yes, but I bought the Antec off of Amazon used (Like New)

 

[GhislainG]

RMA one of the two and if it doesn't resolve the issue, then RMA the other one. I'd start with the GPU. Why did you buy a 7770 when better and more efficient GPUs are available for basically the same price?

 

[G2401]

RMA one of the two and if it doesn't resolve the issue, then RMA the other one. I'd start with the GPU. Why did you buy a 7770 when better and more efficient GPUs are available for basically the same price?

I'm not very tech savvy 🙁 but I bought it because it looked like a good leap from where I am at now. As for the parts, I bought them in August/September, so I'm not sure about the return policy.

UPDATE: Both of the items are ineligible for RMA. Should I sell them, or start over brand new?

 

[GhislainG]

Have you checked warranty on each manufacturer's site? They both have at least one year of warranty from the date of purchase.

 

[GhislainG]

tea urchin what is absolutely fatal? The OP bought a used PSU (a concern) and a new GPU that still is under warranty; his system was stable with the old PSU and GPU. He could obviously re-install the old GPU, but that wouldn't necessarily prove the new GPU is faulty because the PSU load will then be lower.

G2401, how powerful is the old PSU?

 

[G2401]

tea urchin what is absolutely fatal? The OP bought a used PSU (a concern) and a new GPU that still is under warranty; his system was stable with the old PSU and GPU. He could obviously re-install the old GPU, but that wouldn't necessarily prove the new GPU is faulty because the PSU load will then be lower.

G2401, how powerful is the old PSU?

The old PSU was the initial Vostro 230's with 300w, I upgraded it to 500 though for the 6-pin adapter that the 7770 required.

 

[G2401]

Are both brand new?

The card was yes, but I bought the Antec off of Amazon used (Like New)

Sorry. I did not notice this.
Absolutely fatal. It is 50/50 it is faulty.
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html

download the free version and check voltages on rails whilst under load.

Can't check to see if it is under load. I uninstalled the 7770 because it would BSOD when pushed, so by checking it, I wouldn't get the results correct? There may be something about the program I'm not understanding, please tell me if there is.

 

[G2401]

Have you checked warranty on each manufacturer's site? They both have at least one year of warranty from the date of purchase.

Is it still valid if I purchased it on Amazon?

 

[GhislainG]

Have you checked warranty on each manufacturer's site? They both have at least one year of warranty from the date of purchase.

Is it still valid if I purchased it on Amazon?

It should be; you can check the warranty on the manufacturer's site.

 

[GhislainG]

Is the system stable with the new PSU and the old GPU? If so, then RMA the new GPU since it still is under warranty. That will hopefully resolve your issue.

 

[G2401]

Is the system stable with the new PSU and the old GPU? If so, then RMA the new GPU since it still is under warranty. That will hopefully resolve your issue.

The old GPU doesn't make use of the 6-pin adapter like the 7770 does, would that have any effect on the results?

 

[GhislainG]

Is the system stable with the new PSU and the old GPU? If so, then RMA the new GPU since it still is under warranty. That will hopefully resolve your issue.

The old GPU doesn't make use of the 6-pin adapter like the 7770 does, would that have any effect on the results?

It's an issue because it doesn't load the PSU as much as the new GPU, but if the system is stable, then I'd presume the new GPU is causing the issue. You could also test the new GPU with the old PSU (it should be powerful enough for that test if only the GPU is working hard). Use a Molex to PEG adapter like http://www.amazon.com/HDE-PCI-Express-Pin-Molex/dp/B002CZANA8 (one should be included in the box) and run Furmark Burn-in test. The worst that could happen is the PSU shuts down because it can't handle the load.

 

[G2401]

Is the system stable with the new PSU and the old GPU? If so, then RMA the new GPU since it still is under warranty. That will hopefully resolve your issue.

The old GPU doesn't make use of the 6-pin adapter like the 7770 does, would that have any effect on the results?

It's an issue because it doesn't load the PSU as much as the new GPU, but if the system is stable, then I'd presume the new GPU is causing the issue. You could also test the new GPU with the old PSU (it should be powerful enough for that test if only the GPU is working hard). Use a Molex to PEG adapter like http://www.amazon.com/HDE-PCI-Express-Pin-Molex/dp/B002CZANA8 (one should be included in the box) and run Furmark Burn-in test. The worst that could happen is the PSU shuts down because it can't handle the load.

The reason I bought the new PSU was for the 6-pin adapter required by the 7770. Without it the machine won't even turn on, but I will try the Molex to PEG test with current PSU and 7770

UPDATE: This is the old PSU that came with the machine: http://snpi.dell.com/snp/images/products/mlrg/6R89K.jpg it is in no way compatible with the 7770, even with the Molex to PEG (which I do have) No way to test it with the 7770

 

[GhislainG]

Both 4-Pin Molex are used? If so, could a device using a Molex be disconnected?

 

[G2401]

Both 4-Pin Molex are used? If so, could a device using a Molex be disconnected?

No, neither of them can be used because the 300w isn't compatible with any pins.

 

[GhislainG]

The 300W PSU has 2 Molex connectors; what's connected to them, if any?

 

[G2401]

The 300W PSU has 2 Molex connectors; what's connected to them, if any?

One of the connectors attached to the motherboard (it had 12 prongs) and the other one had 4 (7770 has 6 female ports)

 

[GhislainG]

There should be 2 male Molex connectors like this on the Dell PSU: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Molex_male_connector.jpg Wjat are they connected to?

 

[G2401]

There should be 2 male Molex connectors like this on the Dell PSU: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Molex_male_connector.jpg Wjat are they connected to?

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TYqGk7VIS8ldduo5lGICU_WNthcH0qllWuA0Flziozc/edit?usp=sharing these are the only male connectors I have, but if you are reffering to them, then one connects to the motherboard (24 pin) and the other hangs freely (4 pin)

 

[GhislainG]

Then you really can't use it.What's your plan? RMA the GPU and if it doesn't fix the issue, replace the PSU?

 

[G2401]

Then you really can't use it.What's your plan? RMA the GPU and if it doesn't fix the issue, replace the PSU?

I think that may have to be it, but I want to know if its the PSU's fault, is their a program to do that?