pc shuts down during 3dmark vantage

cant return it as it's not under warranty any more. It has 2 x 6 pin connectors, so if it intended to be used for 2 graphics cards, then why would it be causing a problem now?
 
snail said:
cant return it as it's not under warranty any more. It has 2 x 6 pin connectors, so if it intended to be used for 2 graphics cards, then why would it be causing a problem now?
Click to expand...

Because it is cheap, really really cheap. Just because they give you 2 connectors doesn't mean anything, mainly because they don't have a reputation, therefore anything goes. If it were Seasonic, Enermax, Corsair or even some of the top end model Cooler Master PSUs I'd understand your argument of why 2 connectors but unfortunately the brand is completely unknown. Google any of the reputable brands I mentioned and you'll see the amount of results (with actual people making posts) of any of their PSUs, then Google yours and you'll see basically no threads. My guess is they produced those PSUs for a short time and either no-one wanted to sell their products anymore because of quality problems or they liquidated because I see it isn't being sold in the US anymore. Wonder if it is still sold in SA...

That said, I would test with another PSU to be sure before buying but my guess is the PSU isn't powerful enough. It just isn't possible for 2 graphics cards to be malfunctioning.

You should note that a bad PSU could damage graphics cards. My Thermaltake PSU that exploded damaged the graphics card I had at the time (GF6600GT). That doesn't mean the PSU needs to explode for it to kill the cards, running them with bad power will certainly damage them.

It seems you are not in Pretoria, else I could help you out with testing, have a few PSUs here that could run your setup no problem.
 
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i find it strange as i purchased it from prophecy, and it was dam expensive at that time, and they only recently stopped selling them. Who knows, maybe it is the psu, im hoping not as that means i will have to fork out more cash:(
 
I think your problem is most likely that you've only plugged in the 4-pin CPU power connector and not used an 4-pin CPU to 8-pin CPU converter cable.

To be honest, your PSU is utterly crap! It's in the same class as the Gigabyte Odin 585, if not even worse.

Your PSU will most definitely not be able to power 2x HD 5770's, where as a Corsair CX500 should be able to handle it just fine, but I'd rather recommend a slightly bigger PSU like the Coolermaster GX550.

I can't find any information regarding your PSU, except for those couple of pictures at SystemShock and the CPU power connector info at Take2.
My guess is that the 2nd +12V rail (rated at 17A) is used for the graphics cards AND for other system peripherals such as hard drives, so it would be dodgy to even run a GTX460 1GB along with 1 hard drive and a few fans from it!
 
At pada, that is correct, I have not used a 4 to 8 pin converter for the cpu, could that be the issue.
 
snail: it could be the issue, but I certainly can't guarantee that it would work if you get a 4-pin to 8-pin converter and if you remove one HD 5770 that it will work.

Try to borrow someone's PSU if you can find someone who has a decent one...
 
these guys still sell the power supply i have,

http://www.essentialit.co.za/psu/powersupplies.htm

Omega MEGAPOWER 600W ATX

MODULAR CABLING ATX V2.0 POWER SUPPLY UNIT WITH 2 X 80MM COOLING FANS , S-ATA CONNECTORS , PCI-E 6-PIN CONNECTORS , 20+4 PINS , DUAL RAILS +12V OUTPUT . ATX 2.0 STANDARD , PFC , AUTO FAN SPEED CONTROL , OVER LOAD PROTECTION , OVER VOLTAGE PROTECTION , SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTION , RETAIL PACKAGE

R715
 
snail said:
these guys still sell the power supply i have,

http://www.essentialit.co.za/psu/powersupplies.htm

Omega MEGAPOWER 600W ATX

MODULAR CABLING ATX V2.0 POWER SUPPLY UNIT WITH 2 X 80MM COOLING FANS , S-ATA CONNECTORS , PCI-E 6-PIN CONNECTORS , 20+4 PINS , DUAL RAILS +12V OUTPUT . ATX 2.0 STANDARD , PFC , AUTO FAN SPEED CONTROL , OVER LOAD PROTECTION , OVER VOLTAGE PROTECTION , SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTION , RETAIL PACKAGE

R715
Click to expand...

Many sites don't remove products from their list. Email them and ask about a quote. If Prophecy removed it I can almost guarantee you it isn't sold anymore. I buy online enough to know the behavior.

Personally, if I were in your position I'd get a PSU from Corsair, Enermax, Seasonic or any Cooler Master PSU, reviewed by any of these websites, that passed their respective tests.

Check those web-sites anyway for reviews when you buy PSUs, but I've been into hardware for a very long time and I can tell you now from experience that I've never had an Enermax fail on me (still have one from around 2000). Same for Seasonic, still running one from back in the day. Recently I've started buying Cooler Master (Silent Pro, own a 500w and 600w one) and I'm thoroughly impressed but they are only worth the price for those seeking low noise computing, otherwise totally overpriced. Corsair I recommend because they are, for the most part, just re-badged Seasonic PSUs and my friend and a few PCs I've setup recently run them without any problems so far.
 
Pada said:
snail: it could be the issue, but I certainly can't guarantee that it would work if you get a 4-pin to 8-pin converter and if you remove one HD 5770 that it will work.

Try to borrow someone's PSU if you can find someone who has a decent one...
Click to expand...

Read this thread, http://www.overclock.net/intel-cpus/483677-differences-between-4pin-8pin-12v-cpu.html. it seems that the 4 pin connector could be the issue by the sounds of things, what do you guys think? i will of course try and find another psu to try. can i purchase a 4 pin to molex connector and connect it to the other 4 pins on the board?
 
Well considering the price difference I don't see why you shouldn't try. Just keep in mind that even if it runs, you should keep an eye on the PSU. Especially how hot it gets. Like I said, these cheapo, PSUs usually don't have overload or thermal protection so the unit will keep going until the point it explodes or catches fire.

If you touch the PSU casing and it's too hot to hold your hand on it, there is a serious problem.
 
snail: it could be that the 4-pin to 8-pin adapter will fix your problem, but you would still have to buy a new PSU if you want to run 2x HD 5770 in CF!

If you have the time and think that it is worth it to spend R40 on an adapter that might not even fix the issue, then go for it :)

IMO, I think it's not worth it to waste your time with that PSU, unless you just want to address that single shutdown issue.
 
That shutdown issue is the only problem I currently have, if I can sort that out then I'm happy. The psu comes with all the features, ie: overvoltage, undervoltage, short circuit protection etc etc etc.
 
Haha, that is what my ThermalTake said. Anyway good luck man ;)
 
thanks for all the input guys, i will let you know when i get it running smoothly, but for now i have to find a place that sells that cable
 
That is a very good power supply, but it's a lot bigger than you would need. That PSU would allow you to run like an i7 950 with 2x GTX 580's!

For your setup you won't need anything more than the Coolermaster GX550.
 
This should be more than adequate:

http://www.landmarkpc.co.za/store/c...0w-80plus-certified-energy-saving-p-2210.html
Review: http://www.hardocp.com/article/2007/12/04/corsair_vx550w_vs_hx520w/8

I can vouch for that store btw. and other will tell you the same, just check shipping tho, might be that prophecy works out cheaper because of shipping. When I checked Landmark was the cheapest followed by Sybaritic.

If you want to spend that R1200 on a PSU then go ahead and get the 750w PSU, although it is intended more for 4xGPU setups than 2xGPU.

EDIT: hehe, Pada beat me to it.

Things like this is why I'm skeptical about getting Cooler Master: http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/11/22/cooler_master_gx_650w_power_supply_review/9
I've only ever bought their Silent Pro which gets top reviews everywhere but their lower end units, blegh. That (the link) is the conclusion of the review of the GX650 btw. but usually PSUs with the same designation are designed the same. Don't think getting a GX550 would be the best idea.
 
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Gnome, thanks for that info on the GX series! I've done some more digging now and it seems that the GX series isn't as good as I've always anticipated. At least they won't explode when you try to draw their rated power :)

I haven't been able to find much on the Antec HCG-520 (High Current Gamer 520W) PSU, but the review of the HCG-750 seems pretty good: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Antec-High-Current-Gamer-750-W-Power-Supply-Review/1141/10
Rebeltech is selling it for an amazing price of R720! See here.
Unfortunately I don't know if it has a single/dual/quad rail design, and due to this I can't recommend it for dual HD 5770 setup.

There are 2 more excellent PSU's that you should consider for entry level gaming PSU's:
Seasonic S12II 520W for R747 - See review
Silverstone Strider 500W for R626 - See review.
Unfortunately both of these PSU's have a dual rail design (apparently the Seasonic one doesn't), so yet again I can't recommend it for 2x HD 5770 setup.

So ya, that VX550 with its single rail design is definitely a winner and it got extraordinary good reviews!
 
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