Query about the PSU for a build.

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Taur

Honorable
Jul 19, 2013
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10,510
Hi there.

I built a pc myself with the following components,
Ram
8GB-Kit G.Skill RipJaws-X PC3-12800U CL9
Processor
AMD FX-6300 Prozessor, Boxed, Sockel AM3+
Motherboard
ASRock 970 Pro3, AM3+, ATX
Cooler
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - Intel/AMD
GPU
Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT Boost, 2GB GDDR5
HDD
Seagate Barracuda 7200 1000GB, SATA 6Gb/s
PSU
Super-Flower Amazon 80Plus 450W
Fans
3* 120mm Fans for the case
1 * 80mm Fan
Currently the system is not overclocked , that is my aim down the line.
The problem that I am having is that the system will restart every so often. I could be playing multiple games with no problems but if I loaded up facebook and opened a flash based game it might restart.
It could also do this if the system is idle.
It has also done it once or twice while playing WoW or Eve.

I have wiped the HDD incase it was a virus , and double checked all the connections on the motherboard.
I even left the pc into two different repair outlets who could find nothing wrong with it.
I have checked the Ram and it appears ok.

Im wondering if the PSU is up to the task. The GPU from what i have read runs at 200w-300 leaving a fair bit of overhead for the rest of the components.

Any suggestions?
Any help greatly appreciated.
 
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I would say the PSU is the problem. I've never heard of that one. If it is of low quality, it can not only give those kind of symptoms, but when it dies, it can take something with it. Usually something important on the MB. The rest of the system looks good, but I would change the PSU.
 
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Yep, almost definitely the PSU. Low quality PSUs are best avoided at any cost. The best brands are Antec, Corsair, Seasonic and Silverstone (alphabetical order) as basically all their models are good, although other brands have got some good models too.
 
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Yep, that'd be an excellent choice.

(By the way, in case anyone is wondering, I'm not in the US and therefore am not familiar with your pricings and so will not recommend specific products unless suggested by someone who does.)
 
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Cheers for the feedback.
From what I can tell, the Superflower in question is of good build quality.

Is it sufficient as 450W or would I need a stronger one to keep everything running.
I used a online calculator to check Watts needed and it came up with between 380 and 400 W.
Cheers
 
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Can you post where you found the favorable review of the Superflower PSU?
 
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Hi Clutchc

Im going off recomendations from Boards.ie
Most of the systems built recently with similar parts use it.
I also found this link to a german site , apologies its in german
http://wiki.computerforum.de/doku.php?id=hardware:review:cp_vs_sf

I have used Google translate and cut and pasted the conclusion.


Conclusion

Yes what is ultimately hold? Not anywhere where it says 650W 650W are also there. Except for a few small things that CombatPower failed all along the line. Starting with the ports on the too-small primary capacitor to the missing two 12V rails (4 were given on the nameplate, but only 2 are physically present). This is for the layman or the above-mentioned potential buyers, however, not to recognize that he must rely here on the nameplate. But that's not enough, the fan and the massive voltage drop so do the rest fall through the AC adapter. Since the PFC good course and good efficiency in the low load range comfort not over it.

The Super Flower suspend convinced, however in all areas, except for a few small things, like the non-defeatable LEDs or lack MOV there is nothing in it. The voltage waveform is again particularly emphasized the course of the 12V rails designed to be extremely stable, burglaries are not present as good as cooked. Impressive in this price range (from 40 €) is also the primary capacitor Nippon Chemicon, which also has an approximately 7-fold capacity of Combat Power.

Conclusion So, prefer a pair of € lie down more, but you also get what is promised.
Moreover, not all PCs will ever need 650W or more. 400-500W for most PC's are far more than adequate.

Pros and Cons (short summary)
Combat Power 650W
Has fallen
- Undressing
- MOV (surge protection on the primary side)
- PFC course

Did not like:
- Only 2 specified instead of 4 12V rails
- Tough break the tension that led to premature termination of the stress.
- Too few connections
- To small-sized components as well as the board does not give the impression of a 650W power supply.
- Noisy fan is not improved by the "fan control"
- Lines not gesleeved

Super Flower Amazon 450W
Has fallen
- Sophisticated design
- Stable lines
- Connectivity
- Hardly noticeable at idle and under load, not volume
- Gesleeved all lines

Did not like:
- Lack of MOV
- Absence of doffing
Not be switched off LED's on the fan -


The Super Flower Amazon provides for the price offered a good performance from and affords only a few weaknesses, so we give the Super Flower Amazon our Silver Award

I dont mind changing the PSU, Im just wondering would it cause restarts like I described above or do I have another bigger problem lurking in my system :)
Thanks
 
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It appears to be a well reviewed unit. So, I'll not suspect the quality of the PSU anymore. However, those symptoms are indicative of a failing PSU. The problem could also be a loose connection to the board. Check the 24 pin and 4/8 pin connectors that they are firmly seated in their sockets and the clip is locked. You may even want to try gently wiggling the wires while the PC is running to eliminate the loose wire possibility. At least at the board. Careful not to 'zap' the components with static discharge from yourself. Best wear a grounding wrist strap or keep one finger touching bare metal on the case.
 
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Cheers Clutchc, I will try that.

I left the pc into two different repair outlets, the first said that my PSU was not up to the job. After a week they installed a higher wattage unit which according to them , "blew up" when switched on.
I was a bit skeptical, especially once I had a look into the machine and noted that my crappy yellow cable ties were still in place and the rough and ready job of cable managment looked to be untouched.
I brought it to another repair outlet who took the machine apart and put it back together again.
Its an odd one alright.
 
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When you assembled the PC, you don't think you added an extra standoff that wasn't needed, do you? Sometimes an extra standoff behind the board can short or ground out the traces. That can range from the PC not being able to start to it failing once up and running. But I still suspect the PSU.
 
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Good point.

The case I used, which I didnt link in the first post, the BitFenix Merc Alpha
https://www.hardwareversand.de/Midi/50575/BitFenix+Merc+Alpha.article

had its own built in standoffs installed. (Standoffs being the little bits to keep the motherboard off the case side wall, i hope)
I did not add any more to it.
Maybe I should have but as far as I could see the Motherboard was not touching the case when screwed in.
I think the PSU is the fault too, while they might be ok in general maybe mine has a loose connection or something else wrong with it.
A friend of mine who builds a few pc's took the system apart and could not find anything wrong with the components. He is checking out software/driver conflicts now to see if that would cause the problem.
 
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That is a very typical case. Your board is an ATX that is a bit narrower than normal, hence the right-most row of standoffs weren't even used. You should have added one to the far left for that board. The rest were built-in. If you didn't add the one standoff, no big deal. It would just give the board a little more support when inserting/removing cards. So I doubt there is a standoff grounding out the board.
 
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