PSU problem? [Archive] - Aria Forums - UK's #1 Performance Hardware Community

laco_di_sangue

23-09-09, 16:43

I got a Sapphire radeon hd4670 and a Arianet 550w black psu 1 month ago.
all was fine for 2-3 weeks then the pc started slowing down
while playing. the cpu doesnt seem to get hot while playing, i've re-installed
windows xp pro...still the same.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Is it the psu or the hd4670 the problem?
thanx

coiler

23-09-09, 16:46

what are the 12v+ rails on the PSU, can be read from side of sticker on PSU itself.

alexnifty

23-09-09, 16:49

laco_di_sangue

23-09-09, 16:57

it says:
+12v1 = 16A
+12v2 = 16A
-12v = 0.3A

When I installed card and psu i was playing Fallout 3 on high settings (1680x1050)
Grid had decent graphic detail and framerate and PES2009 on high settings at 1680x1050.

thanx guys

Monkey

23-09-09, 18:12

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That one was just for Coiler

Aaron

24-09-09, 01:07

It could be the PSU on its last legs as you say.. Can you get hold of some monitoring software to see what voltage the rails are ACTUALLY supplying to the board, rather than what they're supposed to. :)

laco_di_sangue

24-09-09, 08:50

Hi Aaron,
asus pc probe claims +12 = 12.25V.
The slow down is only noticeable when playing games.
Under normal use the computer seems fine.
Can it be that the psu is not providing enough power
for cpu and gpu when under load or something?
Is it the gpu getting hot?
Please help!!!
Thanx

haroon

24-09-09, 09:09

If your PSU were the problem then I would expect the computer to crash or stop working, but not slow down. Might be not enough memory if it takes time for the slowdown to happen, or possibly your GPU overheating, but again I would expect crashes with a hardware fault.

What games are you playing?

Agree, but to be on the safe side you may want use a multimeter to test the PSU. IT does sound like a overheating issue, maybe you get some temp measuring software and check you're memory usage when playing games.

laco_di_sangue

24-09-09, 09:24

I have 2GB of cheap ram...but that didn't impact on the computer as i was able
to play for 2-3 weeks without problems.
While running 3DMark06 I can't feel hot air coming out of the pc...that's why i kind of ruled out a overheating problem.
I've also tried to re-seat the ram, graphic card and installed a new cpu cooler.
I don't have a multimeter....so I might buy another psu and if that sorts the problem out then i'll rma this one...

coiler

24-09-09, 09:44

I think this sounds like an ATI gfx card problem, my 4850 started going like this.

Do you get any artifacts on the screen while gaming? (strange shapes, colours or quick flashing objects?)

alexnifty

24-09-09, 10:09

Download GPU-Z and run it while playing games. You can then use it to see what the maximum GPU core temperature was.

The fact that you don't feel hot air coming out of the back of the case means it is going elsewhere :-/

coiler

24-09-09, 10:11

Fan failure possibly? or not spinning up properly - take side of case off too and watch gpu fan and listen to it load up intensive game - does it spin fast or trundle round normal speed?

laco_di_sangue

24-09-09, 11:06

hi coiler,
the image quality is good, no strange behaviours.
I still play PES 2009 on high settings but lower res (1024 i think).
Something has happened after 3 weeks using the new card and psu.
What can have failed that doesn't prevent the computer from working fine,
but produces half of the performance???
(which you feel when playing games and high resolution video)
thanx for your time

p.s.: I've tried Dirt Demo but is unplayable even on lowest settings...mmmhhh...is it normal with my configuration?

coiler

24-09-09, 11:12

have you been able to look at the fan speed yet?

laco_di_sangue

25-09-09, 11:02

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AurAD59ORyM3dDJpTGo5WkNUSGVHcktfY3J6Szh4R Wc&hl=en_GB

that's what gpu-z logs while running first 2 scenes from pcmark06.
Is it normal?

thank you

alexnifty

25-09-09, 15:31

Probably should leave GPU-Z running while you play the games you're getting slowdown in. Try and work out if the slowdown is connected to temperature.

laco_di_sangue

26-09-09, 00:57

hi alex,
using ati control panel you can set the fan speed
and using 85% of the fan max speed, it managed to keep the gpu under 46C
while playing GRID.
I still experience a terrible lag, the game slows down
randomly (or looks like it).
It's a bit better if you race without opponents...but nothing like the
performance i was getting just after installing the card.
:fail

Lynx

26-09-09, 06:58

What drivers are you using?

Monkey

26-09-09, 16:08

VPU RECOVERY!?!?!

Possibly?

laco_di_sangue

27-09-09, 18:13

hi all,
I'm using catalyst driver from ati's
website, version 9.9.
I've also tested the previous version as well...same problem.
With or without vpu recovery the 3d performance is still rubbish.
Thanx

laco_di_sangue

29-09-09, 14:49

I've noticed that even the 'magnifier'
function of the mouse doesn't work properly if
you move it around the screen.
Any suggestion?
Will this case remain unresolved?
:coffee:

coiler

29-09-09, 15:55

but is the fan physically spinning at a good speed?

have you taken case off and had a look in a game or 3dmark?

laco_di_sangue

29-09-09, 19:50

hi coiler,
The fan is spinning, gpu-z reports 46C as max temp reached while running pcmark06.
Thanx mate

laco_di_sangue

01-10-09, 20:47

try to play this video on your pc (http://video.google.co.uk/videosearch?q=hd&hl=en&emb=0&aq=f#)

Ok, I've received another psu (550w), the problem persists.
If i try to play the video up there, i get terrible lag (only video affected, other apps are still usable).
I've tried disabling the pci-e slot and use the internal vga and that's it, no more lag.
So I've put my old radeon x550 in and the lag is back!
Is it the motherboard? The pci-e slot?!?

:sick: