[SOLVED] Seasonic X-650 and AMD 5700 XT - System Reboots, Freezes, Black Screens

[blazerunner]

I've got a Seasonic X-650 from 2015 paired with what seems to be a high transient GPU; Sapphire 5700 XT Nitro+, as well as my backup, an Asus GTX 970 Strix, also high transient. Apparently these GPUs cause black screens, reboots and freezes with certain Seasonic PSUs, which is what I'm dealing with. 
Can someone recommend a comparable 650W power supply, preferably with a fanless switch? I've looked at some options and so far I've drilled it down to a Corsair RM 650x or an EVGA Supernova G2 or G3 (both at 650w). However, I've seen people NOT recommend the G3 in this thread. If the Corsair RM 650x is a solid choice I can live with it being completely fanless at low power usage.

That said, I have a few questions:

1. Is there any Seasonic PSU that has addressed this issue?
2. From the PSU Tier List, it looks like none of the Seasonics are a good fit at 650w. Is this correct?
3. Would the Corsair RM 650x solve the issue?

 

[COLGeek]

Yes, the Corsair would be an excellent alternative.

 

[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

Out of curiosity, what did the PSU you currently have power up for the past 5 years? I think the problem you're facing is that the PSU might've just worn down due to power draw and age(capacitor degradation).

I'd stay away from EVGA's since they tend to have a varying degree of hit or miss PSU's in the same lineup of their portfolio. You could just pick up a brand new Seasonic Focus unit with 750W at the entire system's disposal so you also have headroom.

 

[blazerunner]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

Out of curiosity, what did the PSU you currently have power up for the past 5 years? I think the problem you're facing is that the PSU might've just worn down due to power draw and age(capacitor degradation).

I'd stay away from EVGA's since they tend to have a varying degree of hit or miss PSU's in the same lineup of their portfolio.

Nothing crazy, here are the specs:
Intel 4790K @ 4.3ghz at 1.171v
Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H-BK Motherboard
16gb Kingston HyperX Fury DDR3 RAM @ 1866mhz
Storage: Samsung 860 EVO SSD + WD Green 2TB HDD + Intel 520 180GB SSD

My previous GPUs have been: GTX 960, 980 and 1080, all from Asus, all STRIX models. Never had any issues with any of these. I had to part with my 1080 and use a 970 for a bit and that's when issues came up (typically when rendering from After Effects of Premiere Pro). I thought getting a 5700 XT would solve this, but it made things significantly worse.

My computer has been turned on nearly 100% of the time, rarely gets turned off, it's probably added some wear on it. It's still under warranty.

You could just pick up a brand new Seasonic Focus unit with 750W at the entire system's disposal so you also have headroom.

I'd like to stick with Seasonic, I like the hybrid fanless switch. But according to the PSU Tier List, arent the Focus series PSUs still supposed to exhibit these issues? Personally, I don't need 750W, unless the spikes from the 5700XT really require it? I'd prefer to come down to 650w.

Thanks for your help!

 

[avg9956]

I'm not familiar with Seasonic PSUs but there is a post on another forum of someone having the same model of your PSU having similar issue if their GPU draws power to a certain amount
http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?17298-seasonic-x650-gold-shutting-down-problem-advice
Note: The link is dead but right click on the drop down arrow Google: "seasonic x-650 GPU issues" its the 3rd link (jonnyguru website) > Right click > View cached to see the post.

His only resolution likewise, was to replace his PSU.

Some other related literature of Seasonic PSU with GPU issues:
https://www.guru3d.com/news-story/s...-plus-psu-has-gpu-compatibility-issues,3.html

SEASONIC issues warning for potential videocard compatibility issues with their FOCUS+ PSUs

https://knowledge.seasonic.com/article/20-focus-plus-and-gpu-potential-compatibility-issues Quote FOCUS PLUS & ASUS GTX970 STRIX: In very limited instances black screen may occur under heavy VGA usage. Current testing showed that certain VGA cards may emit higher than normal ripple when under...

linustechtips.com

 

[blazerunner]

I'm not familiar with Seasonic PSUs but there is a post on another forum of someone having the same model of your PSU having similar issue if their GPU draws power to a certain amount
http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?17298-seasonic-x650-gold-shutting-down-problem-advice
Note: The link is dead but right click on the drop down arrow Google: "seasonic x-650 GPU issues" its the 3rd link (jonnyguru website) > Right click > View cached to see the post.

His only resolution likewise, was to replace his PSU.

Some other related literature of Seasonic PSU with GPU issues:
https://www.guru3d.com/news-story/s...-plus-psu-has-gpu-compatibility-issues,3.html

SEASONIC issues warning for potential videocard compatibility issues with their FOCUS+ PSUs

https://knowledge.seasonic.com/article/20-focus-plus-and-gpu-potential-compatibility-issues Quote FOCUS PLUS & ASUS GTX970 STRIX: In very limited instances black screen may occur under heavy VGA usage. Current testing showed that certain VGA cards may emit higher than normal ripple when under...

linustechtips.com

I added up all my parts on PC Part Picker:

Intel Core i7-4790K 4 GHz Quad-Core Processor 11W - 88W
Phanteks PH-TC14PE 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler 5W - 10W
Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H-BK ATX LGA1150 Motherboard 17W - 70W
Kingston HyperX Fury White 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR3-1866 CL10 Memory 18W
Western Digital Caviar Green 2 TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive 3W - 15W
Intel 520 Series Cherryville 180 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive 2W - 10W
Samsung 860 Evo 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive 2W - 10W
Sapphire Radeon RX 5700 XT 8 GB NITRO+ Video Card 66W - 265W
>>> Total: 486W <<<

I'm about 150 watts shy of the max that the X-650 can handle. I am planning on upgrading my system this year to at least a 10900K, which will bring up the total power to about 510. I'm aiming to get either 11900K or one of the new Alder Lake CPUs once they come out. I'm now wondering if I should move to 750 watt PSU instead to future proof?

 

[refillable]

I am not familiar with X-series PSUs having shut down issues, as far as I know it affected Focus and Prime series, not the older X series, but I may be wrong. There are better units than the Seasonic Focus, even with it having fixed its shut down problems. It's noisy, and its transient response is somewhat on the bad side. I'd look into something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085WW5WJH?tag=pcpapi-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1

No one knows what kind of power does Alder Lake is going to need, but 650 W is plenty for your current build. PCPartpicker is overestimating like all PSU calculators out there. More likely your system is not going to consume more than 350W.

 

[COLGeek]

There is an issue with older X-series Seasonics and certain AMD GPUs. I personally went through this very issue with a former Vega Frontier Edition GPU I once used. It is a valid issue with certain combos.

 

[blazerunner]

There is an issue with older X-series Seasonics and certain AMD GPUs. I personally went through this very issue with a former Vega Frontier Edition GPU I once used. It is a valid issue with certain combos.

Ideally I'd like to gethe Seasonic Focus Plus 650 Gold (SSR-650FX). They apparently released a statement about their Focus PSUs having issues a couple years... do you think it's safe to buy now? Here's a reddit thread about their statement: View: https://www.reddit.com/r/Amd/comments/9zd1os/seasonic_updated_statement_after_the/


And an archived page from Seasonic's site with their statement:
https://web.archive.org/web/2019022...s-plus-and-gpu-potential-compatibility-issues

 

[--SID--]

It's not only a compatibility issue. It's also a ripple issue and that's not solved. https://linustechtips.com/topic/1093286-why-you-shouldnt-buy-a-seasonic-focus-plus-goldplatinum/ Avoid Focus Plus Gold and Focus Plus Gold based psu's.

 

[COLGeek]

Ideally I'd like to gethe Seasonic Focus Plus 650 Gold (SSR-650FX). They apparently released a statement about their Focus PSUs having issues a couple years... do you think it's safe to buy now? Here's a reddit thread about their statement: View: https://www.reddit.com/r/Amd/comments/9zd1os/seasonic_updated_statement_after_the/


And an archived page from Seasonic's site with their statement:
https://web.archive.org/web/2019022...s-plus-and-gpu-potential-compatibility-issues

If getting current stock, you should be good to go. I use and recommend Seasonic PSUs, I would be good with using as described here.

 

[COLGeek]

My nephew (system was previously mine) is using this Seasonic (https://seasonic.com/focus-px) 850w with a Radeon VII with rock solid performance. Zero issues.

If current stock, I would have no issues using a Gold/Platinum Focus PSU with a RX 5700 XT.

Old X-Series, nope.

 

[blazerunner]

It's not only a compatibility issue. It's also a ripple issue and that's not solved. https://linustechtips.com/topic/1093286-why-you-shouldnt-buy-a-seasonic-focus-plus-goldplatinum/ Avoid Focus Plus Gold and Focus Plus Gold based psu's.

I was hoping they'd solve the problem, that thread is from 2 years ago (maybe they have?) Really unfortunate, I like the hybrid fanless switch on the Seasonic.

 

[--SID--]

They did not solve the problem. They RIP Focus Plus 2 yrs after release and introduced Focus GM/GX/PX in 2019

If you want a hybrid switch than get a Super Flower Leadex III.

 

[blazerunner]

They did not solve the problem. They RIP Focus Plus 2 yrs after release and introduced Focus GM/GX/PX in 2019

If you want a hybrid switch than get a Super Flower Leadex III.

Thank you! Guess Seasonic is definitely out of the question then. I can't buy the Super Flower Leadex, it's not sold anywhere near me (just checked). I guess my choices now come down to:

• Corsair RM 650X Gold
• be quiet! Straight Power 11 Platinum 650W
• EVGA SuperNova P2 650W Platinum

Price between these doesn't matter to me.

 

[Vic 40]

Why so stuck on 650watt? Give yourself some room and get a good 750watt.