New Seasonic PSU - Black Screens (Monitor loses signal)

[raska551]

Hello,

I bought a Seasonic Focus Plus 850W Platinum last week which seemed to work fine in the beginning (desktop use). However, when I tested a game, I got a black screen under full GPU load after few seconds (monitor lost signal, could still hear people talk in teamspeak, so not a full crash).

Checked all the cables, tried a game and got a black screen after 30 seconds again.

I used an EVGA SuperNova NEX750b (which is not considered a good PSU) before, so I installed it again to see if it works. And no surprise, it worked perfectly under load.

I contacted the retailer, sent it back and got a new (not yet opened) one today. After installing it I had the same black screens problems as I had with the first one.

The EVGA one can power my overclocked GPU without any problems, both Seasonic PSUs caused black screens even at stock values. I also tried different power strips and wall sockets but it did not change anything.
I did not reuse the EVGA cables.

So, is there anything I could do or try out before sending it back?
I'm still within my 14 days right of withdrawal, so I am not going to try out a third one or send it to Seasonic.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Barty1884]

Initially it sounds like a display driver issue but, if you've tested successfully (and can't replicate the issue) with the NEX750b, there's nothing jumping out at me as an obvious fix.

Have you pushed the button to disable "hybrid mode" on the PSU? Worth trying that out, as it may be overheating a little............. it should automatically kick the fan on, but I believe the fan kicking in is load-related and not necessarily temps. Depending on your ambient temps/airflow in the case etc, it may be getting warmer than expected for the load.

I have heard of one or two of SeaSonic units (that are great quality) having some very random issues in 220V-240V regions, yet testing as top of the line in 110-115V countries. Where are you located?

 

[R_1]

Try a different GPU driver.
which GPU overclocked to what?
I think the issue is software related somehow. the chances of 2 Focus Platinums being bad are slim.

 

[raska551]

Initially it sounds like a display driver issue but, if you've tested successfully (and can't replicate the issue) with the NEX750b, there's nothing jumping out at me as an obvious fix.

Have you pushed the button to disable "hybrid mode" on the PSU? Worth trying that out, as it may be overheating a little............. it should automatically kick the fan on, but I believe the fan kicking in is load-related and not necessarily temps. Depending on your ambient temps/airflow in the case etc, it may be getting warmer than expected for the load.

Disabled the "hybrid mode" but the problem persists.
I got Phanteks Enthoo Primo case (currently with open side panels), heat should not be a problem.

I have heard of one or two of SeaSonic units (that are great quality) having some very random issues in 220V-240V regions, yet testing as top of the line in 110-115V countries. Where are you located?

Germany, 230V.
I mean it should still work but I have not considered this aspect at all when reading reviews.
I'm going to return it and will try out another brand.

Thanks for your answer!

 

[raska551]

Try a different GPU driver.
which GPU overclocked to what?
I think the issue is software related somehow. the chances of 2 Focus Platinums being bad are slim.

Asus 970 Strix, overclocked to 1515/7900 - running fine with the EVGA PSU.
The Seasonic PSUs cause black screens at stock values (1253/7010) while drawing less power.

The online retail shop actually never told me if the old PSU was faulty. I sent it in, they checked it and just send another one.

I will call them tomorrow and ask if they were able reproduce this issue. If they did, I might got pretty unlucky with two faulty PSUs in a row.

 

[Barty1884]

Germany, 230V.
I mean it should still work but I have not considered this aspect at all when reading reviews.
I'm going to return it and will try out another brand.

Thanks for your answer!

YEah, it's definitely weird - and I CANNOT confirm this to be a known issue, I've just heard of one or two people having issuesin 230V regions.