I went to test my PSU...

[Matthew Magee]

I went to test my PSU (Xtreme Gear 800W ATX Power Supply model XG-P800) with my Coolmax PC/SPS/ Tester. All of the lights except the +3.3v and the -5v lights are on. My computer will turn on for about 5-10 seconds, with no signal to the monitor or any peripherals. After that it will shut off for about 5-10 seconds, then restart. I reset the CMOS, I have a new CPU, motherboard, case, heat sink, and RAM. Any ideas?

 

[C12Friedman]

The XtremeGear PSU is the weakest point of any CyberPowerPC build. I will suggest replacing it. The -5v error is normal since the -5v rail has been missing from PSU's for quite a few years but the 3.3v being not lit is bad. I will suggest that rather than dealing with the RMA process through CyberPowerPC, you simply pick up an appropriately powered PSU. A quality 500W would probably work but you would need to let us know your hardware configuration for us to be sure (and to advise properly)

 

[avjguy2362]

I think your PS tester is telling you the 3.3v and -5v rails are not functioning. Evidently your PS brand is not highly recommended when googling your brand it is compared to KIA. Spend more money next time, simply because a high quality PS will last you 7+ years through many builds, so is effectively cheaper in the long run!

 

[Matthew Magee]

Thanks for the replies, I ordered a new PSU (link below). I obtained the PSU from a brother after he downgraded since he did not need that much power. Thanks again!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817170012

 

[hunter315]

Congrats, you just ordered a PSU even worse than the POS you started with. The 36A on the 5V rail and only 16A on the 12V rail tells you it is from the era when CPUs were powered from the 5V rail, we have since moved to powering the CPU and GPU from the 12V rail, unfortunately you only have 192W of power available on your 12V rail, you will be lucky to power up a decent CPU, motherboard, and 2 hard drives with that, if you have ANY dedicated GPU in the system you are going to overload that 12V rail and blast that PSU to kingdom come.

 

[C12Friedman]

I really would've liked to advise before you made the purchase there. A common (you aren't alone here) thought here is that a PSU has minimal function and effect on the PC's operation, after all it's only function is to provide power for the computer. What is not being taken into account is that the power that goes into the PC needs to be well regulated for the PC to function properly. The Logisys 480W is a very old design for a PSU, we know this by the inclusion of a -5v rail which hasn't been used in many years along with the fact that the +5v rail has more amperage than the 12v rail. That design has not been updated in the past 10 years, by modern standards it would be considered a 200-250W PSU. That in itself would be enough for us not to recommend it even if we were to ignore the fact that the unit is built by YoungYear (which I can't call a positive point here).
I will recommend that during the time you are risking your PC with that PSU, you look to budget a quality PSU (not all PSU's are equal) by such reputable brands as Corsair, SeaSonic, EnerMax, Antec... if you let us know first, we can advise taking both budget and purpose into account (why I wanted your configuration info)
Good luck

 

[Matthew Magee]

Well then... looks like I am not taking advice from my Comp Sci major brother again. I use a standard Intel I3, low quality motherboard, along with no GPU and only one hard-drive, so I think I may be fine until I get more money for upgrades.

 

[C12Friedman]

... I use a standard Intel I3, low quality motherboard, along with no GPU and only one hard-drive, so I think I may be fine until I get more money for upgrades.

Your current configuration I would estimate to draw about 100W from the 12v rail which should not stress that PSU and you may be able to use it for a while. The fact that it is an old design should not detract from it's ability to provide the 190W it claims on the label (if it can actually do that).

 

[Matthew Magee]

I think I should be fine, I'm using an Intel i3-3220, MSI H61M-P31/W8, along with basic RAM and no GPU.