PSU Question

antoin · 27-09-2008, 03:36 PM

Running a rig with:
5000+ AMD Athlon 64 x2
4GB Ram
250 GB HDD
8800GT 512MB
Abit AN78GS MOBO
550W PSU

When I run the Abit EQ program to have a look at what my voltages and temperatures are it starts to Beep incessantly and the 3.3V rail says that it's value is 3.26. With a warning sign beside it. When I play Crysis warhead it sometimes cuts off what looks to be power to the graphics because my screen goes black saying it has no signal - so I suspect this is my PSU.
Also, on the ATX12V1 power socket on the motherboard there are 8 pinholes and my PSU only has 4 to fill it, my manual says that's fine but 8 is recommended, this have any relation to this at all do you think?
Should I get a new PSU? If so, could someone recommend my one?

scorps65 · 27-09-2008, 06:09 PM

My PSU also came with a 4-pin power cable and my motherboard required a 8-pin. I inserted my 4-pin cable and my PC didn't start.

I ordered a 4-pin to 8-pin adapter and plugged it in. My PC finally booted with no problems. Strange thing is 2 days later i removed the adapter and only had my PSU's 4-pin cable attached and it still booted.

Strange indeed.

I read later on that you don't need the full 8-pin's. Some motherboards simply use 8-pin's and some use 4. An extra 4-pins won't add any power or anything like that so my best guess is that you have a faulty PSU.
Whats the make?

antoin · 27-09-2008, 06:33 PM

It's a Win Power 550W.
Can't remember how much I paid for it, but anyway I have ordered one of these:OCZ Stealth XStream 600W PSU - SLI Ready ATX2.2 12cm LED Fan - Ebuyer hope it does the business for me.

antoin · 27-09-2008, 06:43 PM

I read that if you use the 8 pins it provides better stability and meets the 240VA protection limits whatever they are!

scorps65 · 27-09-2008, 07:09 PM

Exactly!: whatever they are

It doesn't really affect anything. You could get an 4-8pin adapter for cheap and test it out its worth a shot.

antoin · 27-09-2008, 07:16 PM

Yep, but I've ordered the new power supply anyway, I'll let you's know how that goes, better gettin a better one anyway because before long the one I have might die and take everything I have with it!

scorps65 · 28-09-2008, 04:26 AM

good man

Swansen · 29-09-2008, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorps65

Exactly!: whatever they are

It doesn't really affect anything. You could get an 4-8pin adapter for cheap and test it out its worth a shot.

Its an overclocking feature, you can send more current and voltage via having more wire to do so.

Big B · 01-10-2008, 02:13 PM

Usually, those 8-pin power connectors do accept a 4-pin, but you have to plug it in on certain pins. However, covering your bases isn't a bad idea.

When it comes to power, it's better to think of the connectors as being there for a reason, not optional.

It makes me think of DFI's NF4 LanParty boards, in that they had 4 power connectors. The people who had problems with power were usually affected with one of two problems: not a strong enough PSU or not plugging in all the connectors. If someone is designing a multilayer motherboard, you can bet that the design isn't being done by a hobo they found on the street.

I don't want to sound like I'm beating you over the head, but if someone has designed a product and tested it extensively, I would wager that they would (or should) know more about it than the end user.

27-09-2008, 03:36 PM	#1 (permalink) Top
antoin Geek Trainee Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4 Status: Offline	PSU Question Running a rig with: 5000+ AMD Athlon 64 x2 4GB Ram 250 GB HDD 8800GT 512MB Abit AN78GS MOBO 550W PSU When I run the Abit EQ program to have a look at what my voltages and temperatures are it starts to Beep incessantly and the 3.3V rail says that it's value is 3.26. With a warning sign beside it. When I play Crysis warhead it sometimes cuts off what looks to be power to the graphics because my screen goes black saying it has no signal - so I suspect this is my PSU. Also, on the ATX12V1 power socket on the motherboard there are 8 pinholes and my PSU only has 4 to fill it, my manual says that's fine but 8 is recommended, this have any relation to this at all do you think? Should I get a new PSU? If so, could someone recommend my one?

27-09-2008, 06:09 PM	#2 (permalink) Top
scorps65 Mega Geek Join Date: Nov 2007 Age: 20 Male Posts: 375 Times Helpful: 22 My Mood: Psychadelic Status: Offline My Computer	My PSU also came with a 4-pin power cable and my motherboard required a 8-pin. I inserted my 4-pin cable and my PC didn't start. I ordered a 4-pin to 8-pin adapter and plugged it in. My PC finally booted with no problems. Strange thing is 2 days later i removed the adapter and only had my PSU's 4-pin cable attached and it still booted. Strange indeed. I read later on that you don't need the full 8-pin's. Some motherboards simply use 8-pin's and some use 4. An extra 4-pins won't add any power or anything like that so my best guess is that you have a faulty PSU. Whats the make? __________________ Last edited by scorps65; 27-09-2008 at 06:12 PM.

27-09-2008, 07:09 PM	#5 (permalink) Top
scorps65 Mega Geek Join Date: Nov 2007 Age: 20 Male Posts: 375 Times Helpful: 22 My Mood: Psychadelic Status: Offline My Computer	Exactly!: whatever they are It doesn't really affect anything. You could get an 4-8pin adapter for cheap and test it out its worth a shot. __________________

28-09-2008, 04:26 AM	#7 (permalink) Top
scorps65 Mega Geek Join Date: Nov 2007 Age: 20 Male Posts: 375 Times Helpful: 22 My Mood: Psychadelic Status: Offline My Computer	good man __________________

01-10-2008, 02:13 PM	#9 (permalink) Top
Big B HWF Godfather Join Date: Dec 2001 Age: 28 Male Posts: 9,640 Times Helpful: 585 My Mood: Devilish Status: Offline My Computer	Usually, those 8-pin power connectors do accept a 4-pin, but you have to plug it in on certain pins. However, covering your bases isn't a bad idea. When it comes to power, it's better to think of the connectors as being there for a reason, not optional. It makes me think of DFI's NF4 LanParty boards, in that they had 4 power connectors. The people who had problems with power were usually affected with one of two problems: not a strong enough PSU or not plugging in all the connectors. If someone is designing a multilayer motherboard, you can bet that the design isn't being done by a hobo they found on the street. I don't want to sound like I'm beating you over the head, but if someone has designed a product and tested it extensively, I would wager that they would (or should) know more about it than the end user. __________________ Hardware Forums\|HWF Rules\|My DVD's\|PSU FAQ\|HWF Folding Team\|2CPU

27-09-2008, 06:33 PM	#3 (permalink) Top
antoin Geek Trainee Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4 Status: Offline	It's a Win Power 550W. Can't remember how much I paid for it, but anyway I have ordered one of these:OCZ Stealth XStream 600W PSU - SLI Ready ATX2.2 12cm LED Fan - Ebuyer hope it does the business for me.

27-09-2008, 06:43 PM	#4 (permalink) Top
antoin Geek Trainee Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4 Status: Offline	I read that if you use the 8 pins it provides better stability and meets the 240VA protection limits whatever they are!

27-09-2008, 07:16 PM	#6 (permalink) Top
antoin Geek Trainee Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4 Status: Offline	Yep, but I've ordered the new power supply anyway, I'll let you's know how that goes, better gettin a better one anyway because before long the one I have might die and take everything I have with it!

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