Hey everybody, as you may or may not know, I've been having some problems with my computer. Mainly my psu and gfx card. So, I've gone through 2 gfx cards, and my psu makes a loud whining noise, I think its coil whine. I rmaed all the problem parts, so i pretty much have half of a new computer coming soon. So this brings me to my question. My pc is in my basement. Its on the same circuit as a refrigerator and my furnace. When either of these click on, it produces a noticeable surge that affects the lights on the room. could this be the cause of failing parts? I've checked the voltage in the computer and it's all normal, even when the alliances are turning on or off. My computer is plugged into a power strip if it matters. I'll try to see if i can find a voltage meter, and I'll monitor the outlet. Also, I have a 500w ups, but my computer uses a tad more than that under full load. if the surges are a problem, should I use this ups, or buy a stronger one? Help is appreciated.
Do you have it just plugged into an outlet? If that is the case definitely get a power strip it has always saved my electronics in bad storms.
I have a power strip, and my house is relatively new (built 18 yrs ago) so the power from the house itself should be straight. I'm just wondering if surges caused by appliances can be strong enough to damage pc components. If it matters, I've had my xbox 360, tv, and stereo plugged into the same power strip for years with no adverse effects.i would imagine that a new, cutting edge gfx card is a bit more sensitive than a seven year old xbox, though.
So you are using the UPS? It could be the PSU itself then.... Have you checked the voltages? Maybe hook up a multimeter and wait for the shit to click on and check if there is an actual surge, and if there is, check if its in the entire strip. (That is, if you are able to; thats what i would do but im an engineering major lol) You have a Corsair PSU if i remember right, right? (probably wrong, I read a lot of shit in this section) Also if your PC uses more than 500w, maybe get a new UPS. I dont have one but i never get surges, real good power by me.
I'm not using the ups, its rated for only 500 Watts and my computer uses slightly more than that under load. I have checked the voltages, they were like 3.34, 5.05, and 12.08 if my memory serves me right. I have xfx, its a rebranded seasonic but I'm getting a corsair. That's exactly what i thought of lol, I'm majoring in mech eng haha.
No shit, me too. fucking weird.... yea xfx, that was my second guess. also those reading arent even bad, did you have a multi connected to check during the "surge" though? is it all the power recepticales and lights in the entire room? Could be over using a single breaker.... Just because its a new house doesnt mean it was wired right, people are lazier now than ever. i know from experience, worked for a couple people and they all did the easier route when it came to wiring specifically.
Those readings were through the bios, i don't have a multimeter right now but i will find one. And yes, my entire basement its on the same circuit. And true that, the dumbass electrician installed all the outlets in the basement upside down, so who knows what else he did wrong.
Honestly if he did that, he was probably a fucking mook and did most of the shit wrong or in a retarded way. Ive seen so much shit in a couple years i wouldnt doubt it. i found a bare live wire in one house, not even wirenuts on it lol. 90% of people just dont give a fuck. Ive had better work from random foreigners we picked up from Home Depot. And i dont trust my bios readings what so ever. My asus programs be giving me random warnings all the time saying my 12v is reading 0.00 volts lol and my 5 is 0v.
Yeah I'll be sure to get a meter. I'm going to test the power from the wall to the strip, do you know if there is a way to test the different rails within the computer individually?
You are definately getting surges. Two heavy motors cycling on and off on the same circuit as your system can't be good.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac7YMUcMjbw]Manually Test a (PSU) Power Supply With a Multimeter by Britec - YouTube[/ame] Too lazy to type right now, this tutorial seems good to me. Also wikipedia should have clear layouts of the plugs so you can find 12v, 5v and 3.3v spots. also dont use a paperclip or what ever he was using to create a load on the PSU, use a isolated piece of wire with stripped ends. I would hook it up, and let one of the things kick on and see what happens and how much its surging. May want to add another circuit and breaker if you have the skill/ability too but if you dont im not sure what else to say. As ICgreen said, you are more than likely getting surges lol. How big determines if it may be the cause of the dead cards.... It could just be bad luck with cards or some unlucky bullshit cause lol
This (quick search respose) tells a little of the issue: What causes lights to dim when the furnace and refrigerator motors come on Although loose connection can cause a problem and you should have all the connections checked, it could also be caused by several other reasons. You distance from and the load on the transformer, the size of you service conductors or lateral, the age and maintenance of your appliances. I have found out that light dimming happens in almost every house but some people are more sensitive to it than others. Usually dimming of lights when an appliance kicks it is caused by a voltage drop of the supply caused by a heavy demand for current when the appliance initially starts. This is usually associated with an appliance that has a motor such as a refrigerator, furnace, washing machine, vacuum cleaner etc. Motors demand about 6 times their steady running current when they first start up and this can be a significant surge of current for maybe a half second or so till the motor has started and is up to speed. This basically momentarily 'overloads' the supply and lowers the voltage available to other devices, thereby causing them to momentarily slow down (if a motor) or dim (if it is a lamp). A good surge protector and use the UPS. Plug any peripherals (monitor, printer, router, etc.) into the surge protector. Plug the system into the UPS, it will be OK.
Its not high enough voltage. And nah, i don't really have anywhere else to put it, as my pc is hooked up to a hdtv, and moving that along with surround sound and other equipment would take too much room.
Could always get a good quality extention cable from another circuit in the house if you have one long enough? At least until you get another UPS
I'm just gonna go ahead and buy this 900 watt ups, hopefully it will be here around when all my other parts arrivearrive. Comes with a 3 year warranty also. Its expensive, but not as much as a new computer Newegg.Com - CyberPower Enterprise GreenPower UPS CP1500AVRT 1500VA 900Watt 4 x 5-15R Battery/Surge Protected 4 x 5-15R Surge Protected Outlets UPS Also, do you think this is a good ups, or should i go for an APC? This one has simulated sine wave, I'm not sure if I should spend the extra dough and get pure sine wave though. Edit: After hours of research, I've come to the conclusion that the ups posted above will be fine.
