Nailing down system instability

[brafu]

Ok, I have a new build that's giving me a lot of headaches and I just can't seem to nail the issue down. At this point I'm just tired of trying to resolve this because I lack the knowledge and experience to properly figure this out.

How do I go about testing each piece of hardware in order to figure out where my issue resides?

I have already run OCCT, Prime95, and Intel's extreme tuning utility to stress test various elements of my PC, but all passed. Also ran Windows Memory testing utility and the RAM passed.

If more detailed info is desired I'll post it, but it's a long story lol

 

[GhislainG]

Unfortunately it can't be done with an IGPU because the die includes both the CPU and GPU.

 

[brafu]

How are you monitoring the IGPU temperature to make sure it's fine when both the CPU and IGPU are under stress? I doubt a 430W PSU would have issues providing power to that system, but it's possible if there's an issue with it. What's your next step if replacing the PSU doesn't help? Will you RMA the CPU or install a better cooler or a video card?

The only thing I can do is go where the evidence points, and right now it seems to point towards a faulty PSU and not the CPU/iGPU. I seem to be pretty much out of options in as far as trying to diagnose this because I don't have a spare PSU, nor do I have a GPU to stick in it at the moment.

AS far as what I'll do if replacing the PSU doesn't help... I don't know, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

 

[GhislainG]

Good luck and let us know the outcome. Resolving issues without spare parts always is challenging. Can't you borrow a PSU from a friend or an IT person?

 

[brafu]

Good luck and let us know the outcome. Resolving issues without spare parts always is challenging. Can't you borrow a PSU from a friend or an IT person?

Thanks, and no. None of my friends (local ones at-least) are even remotely as interested in computers as I am, so at most all they have is their one and only computer. I tried to see if a PSU from one of my old desktops might work, but it's an old Dell Dimension 3100 made back in 07/08 and it doesn't have the right 12v power connector for my MB.

EDIT::

But I can say that this has been a learning experience, and one I wish I didn't have to deal with on my first build! lol

 

[moulderhere]

I wouldn't use the old dell powersupply.

 

[brafu]

I wouldn't use the old dell powersupply.

Not going to since it wont work for my MB.

 

[brafu]

Ok, so I found a multitester that I forgot I had, so I was wondering if anyone could give me some info on how to properly test my PSU to see if there's anything obvious wrong with it that would be causing my problems. I really have no experience in testing electronics like this so the more detailed the better.

On a side note:

I did contact Corsair and got an RMA authorized, but before I spend the $10-20 shipping it back to them I would like to test it and see if it's really faulty so I can put my mind at ease.

 

[scout_03]

if you have the rma approve send it back it will be the best thing to do .

 

[brafu]

if you have the rma approve send it back it will be the best thing to do .

Well, if I was totally sure the PSU was the problem, then yea I would agree with you. But right now I'm not totally sure, plus I wont be sending it back till Monday anyway so I figured I'll test it and see what I find.

My biggest worry is that I send it back and get a replacement, only to find out that it wasn't the problem and now I need to think of something else.

 

[scout_03]

the pin out of the connector http://pinouts.ru/Power/atxpower_pinout.shtml try to not dismont the pins from the 24 pins connector use the probe of your voltmeter from the top part of the plug or you could void your warranty .

 

[brafu]

the pin out of the connector http://pinouts.ru/Power/atxpower_pinout.shtml try to not dismont the pins from the 24 pins connector use the probe of your voltmeter from the top part of the plug or you could void your warranty .

I found a youtube video that did a walkthrough on how to test it, but since I couldn't actually put the PSU underload by connecting a fan I couldn't get anywhere. I'm not going to keep trying since I don't want to break anything and, as you pointed out, void my warranty.

I'm just going to go through with the RMA and hope for the best. It truly seems like it's the PSU so hopefully it'll resolve my issue.

But, just to satisfy my curiosity, is there any way that it could be the CPU or iGPU? As I posted before both tested fine for at-least an hour or so on stress testing, but combine them and the system goes boom.

Also, Thank you very much for the link, it's actually very informative and it's been bookmarked for future reference.

 

[scout_03]

we will know when you get the new psu since there is a stress test for psu in occt ,i got plenty of those usefull link if you need something else .

 

[brafu]

we will know when you get the new psu since there is a stress test for psu in occt ,i got plenty of those usefull link if you need something else .

Right now I'm hoping it is the PSU, then at-least I can stop driving myself crazy with a phantom PC issue =P