Thought my PSU blew, but worked in another wall socket. Am i drawing too much power from 1 socket?

[rj2long]

I had my Computer, monitor, and speakers plugged into a surge protector. I just got a new gfx card (gtx 750 ti) today and worked fine unitl i tried playing metro 2033. just as i was about to get to actual gameplay the computer just shut off and wouldn't turn back on.

I tried plugging the tower in to a different socket on the other side of the room and it started up fine, though i have no way of getting the monitor hooked up to see if everything is ok.

so my question is: did i have too many things drawing power from the surge protector that it just shut off or did i just waste my money on a new card?

Specsoff the top of my head)
athlon II x2 220 dual core (2.8ghz)
4gb ddr3 ram
330W PSU
EVGA gtx 750 ti superclocked

I know the power supply is cutting it close but the gfx card only required a 300w psu.

 

[turkey3_scratch]

What power supply do you own? If it was an instant power cut it's highly indicitive you need a new one, as it could apparently not handle the load.

 

[rj2long]

What power supply do you own? If it was an instant power cut it's highly indicitive you need a new one, as it could apparently not handle the load.

not sure of the make/model, it came with the computer (was a pre-built pc) but figured it could handle the new card because the card only requires a 300w psu. I read several places say that it was a great card to throw in a pre-built pc to improve gaming performance.

but as you say, it was an instant power cut.

Edit: My computer is an asus cm1630, but i couldn't find any specifics on the power supply

 

[turkey3_scratch]

What power supply do you own? If it was an instant power cut it's highly indicitive you need a new one, as it could apparently not handle the load.

not sure of the make/model, it came with the computer (was a pre-built pc) but figured it could handle the new card because the card only requires a 300w psu. I read several places say that it was a great card to throw in a pre-built pc to improve gaming performance.

but as you say, it was an instant power cut.

Edit: My computer is an asus cm1630, but i couldn't find any specifics on the power supply

Power supplies in prebuilts are usually poor quality, I suggest you get a new one. Buy from one of the more mainstream brands like EVGA, XFX, Seasonic, Antec, Corsair. Even some of those brands make some lower quality units but they don't make units that are inclined to blow. They develop mostly Tier 3 and up power supplies.

 

[rj2long]

What power supply do you own? If it was an instant power cut it's highly indicitive you need a new one, as it could apparently not handle the load.

not sure of the make/model, it came with the computer (was a pre-built pc) but figured it could handle the new card because the card only requires a 300w psu. I read several places say that it was a great card to throw in a pre-built pc to improve gaming performance.

but as you say, it was an instant power cut.

Edit: My computer is an asus cm1630, but i couldn't find any specifics on the power supply

Power supplies in prebuilts are usually poor quality, I suggest you get a new one. Buy from one of the more mainstream brands like EVGA, XFX, Seasonic, Antec, Corsair. Even some of those brands make some lower quality units but they don't make units that are inclined to blow. They develop mostly Tier 3 and up power supplies.

Well its not the answer i was looking for but you are probably right. The psu didn't actually blow (thankfully) but i'm thinking that it either a) couldn't handle the load and shut off or b) something overheated as it it really hot out and i don't have ac.

Also, should i put my old gfx card back in or should this one be ok as long as i don't do any gaming?

 

[turkey3_scratch]

If you don't have AC that would make more sense. I doubted the low power draw of the 750Ti would actually cause that.

 

[ko888]

What power supply do you own? If it was an instant power cut it's highly indicitive you need a new one, as it could apparently not handle the load.

not sure of the make/model, it came with the computer (was a pre-built pc) but figured it could handle the new card because the card only requires a 300w psu. I read several places say that it was a great card to throw in a pre-built pc to improve gaming performance.

but as you say, it was an instant power cut.

Edit: My computer is an asus cm1630, but i couldn't find any specifics on the power supply

ASUS usually used this AcBel 330W model in the ASUS Essentio CM1630-08:

 

[rj2long]

If you don't have AC that would make more sense. I doubted the low power draw of the 750Ti would actually cause that.

Thats what I thought! I just used newegg power supply calculator and said i only need 266 watts. I'm gonna double check and make sure all the fans are working. I just cleaned it today with that canned air stuff but i;m wondering if i may have loosened something when installing the new card. Or could it really just be hot weather is too much to handle?

 

[turkey3_scratch]

Just if you're lower than the maximum watts does not mean a PSU cannot blow.

 

[rj2long]

Just if you're lower than the maximum watts does not mean a PSU cannot blow.

Of course, but if i had been over the limit that would likely be the issue

 

[ko888]

What is the temperature inside the computer case? Some PSUs will derate their power capacity when the ambient temperature increases.

 

[rj2long]

What is the temperature inside the computer case? Some PSUs will derate their power capacity when the ambient temperature increases.

How do i check the temperature?

Edit: downloaded PC Wizard all temps are between 35C-45C except for something called "TMPIN2" which is at a staggering 128 C

 

[turkey3_scratch]

Not sure what that is that's 128C but you might be able to make some S'mores by the computer.

 

[rj2long]

Not sure what that is that's 128C but you might be able to make some S'mores by the computer.

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1962032/tmpin2-128degrees.html

I guess that answers that. Also the fact that my hands didn't melt when i touched the computer lol.

 

[ko888]

The fact that you had to let the PSU reset itself indicates that one of the PSU's protection circuits was triggered.

My guess is that the OCP (Over Current Protection) setpoint may have been set too low on one of the +12V rails.

Poorly designed and implemented multiple +12V rail PSUs experience that problem.

 

[rj2long]

The fact that you had to let the PSU reset itself indicates that one of the PSU's protection circuits was triggered.

My guess is that the OCP (Over Current Protection) setpoint may have been set too low on one of the +12V rails.

Poorly designed and implemented multiple +12V rail PSUs experience that problem.

anything i can do or am i better off just getting a new psu?

 

[ko888]

The fact that you had to let the PSU reset itself indicates that one of the PSU's protection circuits was triggered.

My guess is that the OCP (Over Current Protection) setpoint may have been set too low on one of the +12V rails.

Poorly designed and implemented multiple +12V rail PSUs experience that problem.

anything i can do or am i better off just getting a new psu?

You can't fix or modify the PSU so your only option is new PSU. A PSU with a single +12v rail doesn't have that problem.

 

[rj2long]

The fact that you had to let the PSU reset itself indicates that one of the PSU's protection circuits was triggered.

My guess is that the OCP (Over Current Protection) setpoint may have been set too low on one of the +12V rails.

Poorly designed and implemented multiple +12V rail PSUs experience that problem.

anything i can do or am i better off just getting a new psu?

You can't fix or modify the PSU so your only option is new PSU. A PSU with a single +12v rail doesn't have that problem.

I appreciate the help. looks like i'll be using the rebate from my gfx card on a new psu

 

[ko888]

EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze
https://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-100b10500kr

 

[rj2long]

EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze
https://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-100b10500kr

ah i was just looking at that one! looks to be exactly what i need. much obliged.

 

[ko888]

EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze
https://pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-100b10500kr

ah i was just looking at that one! looks to be exactly what i need. much obliged.

Make sure you get the 80+ Bronze model. There is a cheaper 80+ standard model that doesn't perform as well.

 

[westom]

I know the power supply is cutting it close but the gfx card only required a 300w psu.

Most all computer draw less than 200 watts and rarely more short peaks of 350 watts. A power strip (and it must also have that essential 15 amp circuit breaker) would be rated at 1800 watts (15 amps times 120 volts). This arithmetic is easy.

Most who recommend power supplies only have hearsay knowledge. Engineers provided a supply that is more than sufficient. To keep help lines free of technically naïve questions, we tell computer assemblers that they need a 700 watt supply for their 350 watt computer. Is their computer so hot as to toast bread? Of course not. Computers that consume 700 watts would be that hot. Note how cool your machine is.

Watts do not properly select a supply. But other relevant parameters (ie amperes) required electrical knowledge. Most who recommend supplies do not have that knowledge.

Using layman numbers, your computer is many times less than what a power strip can provide. But don't stop there. Add all consuming numbers for everything attached to that power strip to appreciate what is and is not an overload.

Did so many forget to discuss the power controller? That controller decides when the PSU powers on, powers off, and even when the CPU is permitted to operate. You computer powers off when a power controller responds to some input. An informed discussion asks why a power controller powered off your machine.

Back to the power strip. Connect an incandescent bulb. If a power strip is overloaded or house AC power is defective, then that bulb will dim to less than 50% intensity. Anything brighter means voltage was just fine for all electronics. However dimming also says voltage is too low (potentially harmful) to motorized appliances. Bulb is a powerful diagnostic tool.