Help with a decent PSU..

[fairm010]

I bought a PC a while ago and have made a few changes to it over time. Its got:

 

AMD A4-330 w/ GlacialTech Igloo 5620

4Gb RAM (Should be 8Gb but one off my DIMMS is dead!)

nVidia Ge-Force210 Graphics card

2 x 1Tb HDD's

1 x DVD Drive

4 x Case fans all with blue LED's

1 x blue cold cathode tube

1 x 300W PSU

 

The PC boots and runs with no problems (Bar the fact that one of my DIMM sockets is duff!) but was wondering if my PC is underpowered in your opinion? Its been troubling my as ive been upgrading it but never paid it any attention!

 

As ever thanks Edugeekers!

 

Matt

[3s-gtech]

If the PSU is good quality (a branded one like Antec, Cooler Master, Corsair etc etc) 300W is absolutely fine for that - I doubt your max draw exceeds 150W. However, if it's a cheapy one (such as is included with many cases) it may be worth getting a new one. You'll know if it's causing problems though - system crashes and hangs, instability and high-pitched whine from the PSU are all indicators.

[fairm010]

If the PSU is good quality (a branded one like Antec, Cooler Master, Corsair etc etc) 300W is absolutely fine for that - I doubt your max draw exceeds 150W. However, if it's a cheapy one (such as is included with many cases) it may be worth getting a new one. You'll know if it's causing problems though - system crashes and hangs, instability and high-pitched whine from the PSU are all indicators.

 

It came with the original PC, a ZooStorm one. Ive had an awful amount of issues lately, particuarly with crashes. I may replace it with a more trusted brand!

 

Any ideas what can be done about the faulty DIMM socket? I upgraded to Windows 8, hated it and downgraded back to 7. Since then it said 8Gb installed (4Gb useable). I replaced the RAM (Luckily it was only 2 weeks old.) and still does it. The PC will not boot with the RAM in the faulty socket but does with the non faulty. Its frustrating having 8Gb but only using 4. Any ideas?

[fairm010]

What do you think of this? Antec VP 350W PSU | Ebuyer.com

[dhicks]

What do you think of this? Antec VP 350W PSU | Ebuyer.com

 

I've not had any problem with Antec power supplies I've bought in the past, and as an added bonus some of them come in ridiculously high-end cardboard boxes that you can re-use for Christmas.

[fairm010]

I shall be purchasing this then!

[flyinghaggis]

It came with the original PC, a ZooStorm one. Ive had an awful amount of issues lately, particuarly with crashes. I may replace it with a more trusted brand!

 

If the PC is proving unstable and you've got a dead DIMM slot it strikes me to be more likely a faulty motherboard rather the power supply causing problems? As far as I know the only cure for a dead DIMM slot is a new motherboard!

 

I guess in order to track down the stability issues I'd leave the PC running a memory diagnostic test (like the one from Microsoft) outside windows to eliminate your OS install as the cause of the problems? If it still crashes/reboots you know it's hardware related and from your description I'd be very suspicious of the motherboard if at least one component on it is already faulty?

Edited December 2, 2012 by flyinghaggis

[Arthur]

ZooStorm typically use very cheap PSUs in their PCs...

 

kitguru.net/desktop-pc/henry-butt/zoostorm-pc-review-with-amd-vision-a6-3500-apu/3/

[3s-gtech]

I have had luck with faulty DIMM sockets with just cleaning them out with an air-duster, and making sure that the RAM is properly seated afterwards. Can you test the socket with your working stick of RAM? You should be able to isolate the fault.

 

Antec PSUs are good - we went through a bad batch here of 300W ones that came with their cases several years ago, but I think it was a limited number (five or six). I've had plenty more recently that have been excellent.

[fairm010]

ZooStorm typically use very cheap PSUs in their PCs...

 

kitguru.net/desktop-pc/henry-butt/zoostorm-pc-review-with-amd-vision-a6-3500-apu/3/

 

Ive heard that, but for £150 for a decent PC I couldnt say no!

[fairm010]

I have had luck with faulty DIMM sockets with just cleaning them out with an air-duster, and making sure that the RAM is properly seated afterwards. Can you test the socket with your working stick of RAM? You should be able to isolate the fault.

 

Antec PSUs are good - we went through a bad batch here of 300W ones that came with their cases several years ago, but I think it was a limited number (five or six). I've had plenty more recently that have been excellent.

 

Ill try cleaning out the dimm slots when I get home. I'll keep you posted. If not a new mobo of the same type is £40 so I can stretch to that if need be!

[JohnWilliamsGomez]

I would recommend an Antec PSU.