how many amps?

[cretinbob]

Upgraded to a 4200+ x2 and founf that it must draw a bit more thanthe 18 amps my power supply provides, so I'm looking for anew one. Found an Ultra X-connects which has 35 amps on a single rail. It's on sale, and while I'm sure it would be enough, it's never stupid to ask.

 

[DSF]

For people to give any kind of meaningful answer, we need to know everything else that's in your system, not just the processor.

 

[cretinbob]

That probably would be helpful....


Epox 9npa+
4 256mb sticks of RAM
1 SATA drive
2 IDE drives
liteon burner
Nvidia 6600 video card

I run a couple of USB devices too



// I was tired, not drunk....

 

[jonnyGURU]

Actually, 18A should be fine. What kind of PSU is it?

How did you determine that it "must not be enough"??

 

[smithkt]

Just a stab in the dark.... This is an older motherboard. Any chance that you need to update the bios to support a dual core processor?

 

[cretinbob]

The BIOS is good, and the CPU runs fine, both cores detected, and I'm playing with it now at around 2.7 Ghz.

Once I put all 4 sticks of RAM in though, the system doesn't boot, just give me a memory detection error. I can run all 4 sticks 2 at a time with no problem whatsoever. I can boot with three sticks, but it (or I) corrupted my OS. That may also have been due to the fact that I changed CPUs and did not do a clean install, but I haven't tried three sticks again.

I also just realized that while I tried reseating all of my connections, I didn't try reseating the power connector.

The supply itself is a "Turbolink" ATX-CW500P4 Like this It's 500w max.

I started a thread over in CPU and overclocking first, and it kinda came down to a power supply possible issue, like that last stick of RAM is just kicking it over the edge.
I figured it would be better to ask than just go run out and buy a new PSU or the wrong size.

 

[cretinbob]

I need better glasses or better lighting or to slow down or both.......


Anyway, I see now that it's a dual rail-16a on +12v1 and 18 on +12v2

+3.3 is 17a, +5 is 25a

hmmm back to the drawing board I guess.

See this is what makes building your own computer.....fun.....:evil:

 

[Quiksilver]

With all 4 sticks in are you able to get into the BIOS? I assume you set memory timings and the correct command rate (2T). Also I think AMD machines tend to have trouble with 4 sticks of memory anyway but I can't verify that.

 

[robertk2012]

Originally posted by: Quiksilver
With all 4 sticks in are you able to get into the BIOS? I assume you set memory timings and the correct command rate (2T). Also I think AMD machines tend to have trouble with 4 sticks of memory anyway but I can't verify that.

If I were you I would listen to what quicksilver said.

 

[tynopik]

Originally posted by: cretinbob
The supply itself is a "Turbolink" ATX-CW500P4 Like this It's 500w max.

um, that's an extremely bad PS

i believe the Ultra X-connects is also semi-notorious

 

[cretinbob]

Yeah, I know it's no top of the line model, but like many many others, I kinda looked at it and said " Hmmm 500 watts, came with the case and is working". ANd it did with the single core.


So 20-25 amps on the 12v rail should be OK then?
I still believe my issue is the power supply rather than the RAM or configuration.

 

[tynopik]

it's not just the amps, it's also the quality of the unit

$44 http://www.buy.com/prod/antec-...loc/101/203477214.html

is only 380W but it is far, far better than your current unit

and if you afford a tad more
$65 http://www.buy.com/retail/user...p&display=col&dclksa=1

i really wouldn't recommend anything cheaper

 

[Quiksilver]

Originally posted by: tynopik
it's not just the amps, it's also the quality of the unit

$44 http://www.buy.com/prod/antec-...loc/101/203477214.html

is only 380W but it is far, far better than your current unit

and if you afford a tad more
$65 http://www.buy.com/retail/user...p&display=col&dclksa=1

i really wouldn't recommend anything cheaper

I would...
http://www.buy.com/prod/corsai...loc/101/205466485.html

http://www.buy.com/prod/antec-...loc/101/203477215.html
by $5 XD

 

[robertk2012]

The PSU isnt the problem he is experiencing. Come one people. His PSU sucks but its not going to cause his problem.

 

[tynopik]

Originally posted by: robertk2012
The PSU isnt the problem he is experiencing. Come one people. His PSU sucks but its not going to cause his problem.

it might be, especially if it is running a little out of spec

 

[Puffnstuff]

You should use a digital multi-meter and check the rails while the system is running under load to be sure.

 

[gingerstewart55]

Well, if you really want another power supply, those Corsairs are quite nice units.......really should consider one of them.

Another to consider, though, is the Enhance ENP-5150GH. An outstanding power supply......and they're the OEM supplier of the Antec Quattro power supplies and some of the Silverstones.

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=PS-E5150GH

It runs $68 + shipping...no rebates.

 

[cretinbob]

Originally posted by: robertk2012
The PSU isnt the problem he is experiencing. Come one people. His PSU sucks but its not going to cause his problem.

Enlighten us. If it weren't for the fact that the only thing that has really changed is the draw, then I'd say you were right. I was thinking I tweaked the slot or it was dirty or something, then I started pullling the RAM out an replacing it to make sure I didn't kill one of them either.

This isn't my first build and yeah, things have gotten more powerful, and the specs have gotten tighter, but it's not a whole lot different now.

But I am hear to learn. That's what makes this stuff fun...for me anyway.

 

[DSF]

You never answered the question of whether you went into the BIOS to check the RAM settings.

 

[robertk2012]

It works fine with two sticks of ram right? Check the ram timings instead of just running out and buying a psu.

 

[cretinbob]

I used the RAM timings reported by CPUID

2t

CAS 2
tRCD 3
tCL 3
tRAS 7
tRC 11


That is instead of auto I chaged them to the appropriate (?) values. That is without any memory divider or overclocking. Everything else I left auto. All 4 sticks are Kingston Hyperx.

Is that were I screwed up?

 

[gingerstewart55]

Personally, I'd go back into the BIOS and reset the memory setting to AUTO.....motherboards, esp. older ones, are notorious for having difficulty running with all their RAM slots filled, esp. at aggressive setting, which I'm betting CPUID is reporting given you're using HyperX. Put it into AUTO, get it running right first, then you can begin tweaking your RAM settings. But don't be surprised if you have to run looser timings than what they're "supposed" to be able to run.

 

[cretinbob]

You keep saying "older boards" and I keep thinking of a BX

ANyway, I came across something about poower management and someone having a similar issue. I'm going to go try that, and set mem settings back to auto.


back in a bit

 

[gingerstewart55]

Originally posted by: cretinbob
You keep saying "older boards" and I keep thinking of a BX

Sorry about that.......but a Socket 939/nForce 4 chipset motherboard that was newly released in 2005 rates as an older motherboard in my book.

Heck, I'd even call my little rig's Gigabyte P965 motherboard as "older". Guess that shows you where my mindset is....

 

[cretinbob]

Yeah, I now, things have come a long way.

So yeah, that hasn't helped things. I did set everything, including the divider and voltage for the RAM to auto. Then it gave me the same problem with 3 sticks. So I tweaked the divider (down to 133 x 270 is running the RAM at 180 3x HTT) and it booted, but I got a new , BSOD that said system is not ACPI compliant :Q So that is at least something different with three. 2 still worked fine. I found This website , which I thought both funny and scary at the same time.

I have been running the RAM at 3v, do I dare try taking it to 3.2 or is that just stupid and completely the wrong direction? Also what about the chipset volatge? Could this have an effect?