Originally posted by: Budarow
Originally posted by: cpmee
Originally posted by: Budarow
Originally posted by: jimmor
Originally posted by: Budarow
Hey guys, how about some opinions on whether or not my PS is adequate for a 4CoreDual based PC below? The know the Pentium D line sucks more juice than newer procs, but I'm guessing it ought to be okay with an Ultra V-Series 350w (ATX 120mm fan SATA Ready Power Supply with 18A on the 12V rail). I'm pretty sure the PS is defective and not just "underpowered" for the PC. The PC would not POST; however, the CPU fan, power supply fan and other case fans would spin-up. The monitor had a "blinking" cursor, but no messages.
I uninstalled the above Ultra power supply and installed another power supply (Thermaltake 430w) and the PC instantly POSTed and everything seems to be fine now (i.e., WinXP loaded, etc.). Just to make sure, I reinstalled the Ultra PS (prior to loading WinXP) and it was back to not POSTing again. So for sure, the issue is the PS.
The PC includes the following:
Motherboard:ASRocks 4CoreDual
CPU: Intel Pentium D925 at 3.0GHz (OEM HSF)
RAM:2 sticks of DDR2 PC6400 (OCZ)
Video:ATI X800XT PE (AGP)
Hard Drive:1 Maxtor 320GB
Sound: integrated
LAN:integrated
Optical Drives 2 DVD Burners (Samsung 203)
Fans: 5 total (3 case fans, the PS fan and the CPU fan)
There's nothing OC'd and all settings are on default/automatic. Also, the CPU and case temperature is good/normal.
Since the mobo was obviously receiving "some" power from the PS (i.e., the fans were spinning), I'm not sure if the PS is defective or if it just didn't have enough power for the PC. If the PS is defective, I need to exchange it.
Thank You,
Not sure what you are asking for, or why ?
You removed a "Ultra V-Series 350w" psu because your setup wouldn't post. You installed a "Thermaltake 430w" psu and everything now works ok? YES
So now you are trying to get people on this forum who have no access to your "old" 350watt psu to tell you whether it was faulty or just had insufficient power for your particular setup ??
Why does it matter, are you maybe intending to RMA it ? YES
You could obviously try switching off, or disconnecting, unnecessary to booting devices, ie, bios's integrated audio & lan, your 2 DVD burners and some case fans. If you then still can't boot, then likely your psu is faulty ---> assuming of course it ever worked with your computer setup? This is a good idea and I'll try this.
Of course if your Ultra V-series 350 is nothing more than a cheap "generic" psu, then I suggest you bin it and move onto a proper branded psu like the Thermaltake 430W you tested with !
Thanks for the suggestions
I received an e-mail from Ultra Products. The CSR went to the Newegg website and used their wattage calculator (never knew they had 1). Ultra came up with a 453w PS for my PC and said they recommend going ~100w over the "minimum" recommended wattage (so 553w).
Geez...if the Newegg calculator is right, 1 would think all the OEM PC builders out there who install power supplies which have ~1/2 (or less) the "recommended" wattage (per the calculator on Newegg's site) would be replacing the PS' in at least 50% of the PCs they sell.
IMO, I think the Newegg calculator is BS. Seems to be a marketing tool to get peeps to over engineer and buy more expensive PS'.
The OEMs have had plenty of power supply issues to deal with. I dont think any would have sold a system with Video:ATI X800XT PE (AGP) /350watt psu, unless it was only with a 15 day guarantee. They would have increased their profits on the higher watt psu too.
Large OEMs, like Dell, Gateway, Compaq, etc have their systems engineered to the last watt. If you later put just 1 stick of memory or a dinky pci card in it, watch out, the psu blows. Dell has had large returns, they have trying to keep quiet about, because they cheaped out on the psu on some models.
I agree with you, all I'm saying is a decent quality 350w PS with 18a on the 12V rail should have more than enough juice to allow a PC with my specs to POST. And this PS is supposed to be decent. Just guessing, but I'd imagine my PC at idle would draw less than ~150 watts. I'll disconnect a bunch of components just to test this PS, but I'm guessing it won't make a difference and the PC still won't post and I'll be RMAing this PS.
At idle, after its booted up, 150watts idle is about right. But booting puts a big load on the system, least double, getting the drives and fans etc started. Also since there are no psu police, specs on a psu are a lot of times, pure fantasy. As are the "certification" emblems.
But by all means rma the thing if the warranty is still good. It can always be used in a lesser system.