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Question

Surges with a Corsair HX 850

Oct 15, 2013 8:45AM PDT

Hello everyone!
This is my first post, always have loved the cnet.com website for its reviews and news, had no idea this forum existed.
Let me clarify that English is not my main language and if you guys don't understand something, please let me know.

I come here today to ask for your help.
A couple of days ago, my computer started rebooting for no aparent reason. It would just shutdown and turn on after a few seconds. I thought that I had some problem with my VGA, since its driver stopped working a few times, thought it was because of the Beta driver or something.
Took me some time to realize that if there was something wrong with the VGA, the computer would not just turn off, I would see some error, its screen would turn black, shutter or something like that.
But the symptom is that my computer just completely stops, coolers, lights, everything. I confirmed that it was a power problem when the post decided (some hundreds of reebotings after) to show me an error message saying that Asus surge protection (or something like that) had shutdown the computer for protection.

Now, I know that Corsair's PSUs are of extreme quality, that is why I bought it on the first place, and that is why I am so surprised.
I don't want to like, just get a new PSU, what do you guys think I should do? I mean, I'm assuming it is a PSU problem, once the problem magically started, nothing has changed on my setup. The rest of the devices don't seem to have the "surge", once my monitors, modems and lights stay "normal". What more could it be besides my PSU?

It happens normally when I try to do something more demanding, like playing a game or streaming or something like that. It has happened with me just tipping on skype. I'm like hopping it won't happen now and make me lose all my text LOL

Sorry for the long post, I just wanted to get all my thoughts out there.... all my thoughts on the table? You get it, right?

My specs
- Intel Core i7 3770k @ 4.6Ghz
- Corsair H100i
- GeForce GTX 670 Gigabyte OC
- 16gb Corsair 1600mhz cl9
- Asus P8z77-V Deluxe
- SSD OCZ Vertex 4 120gb
- 2 x HD 2tb Seagate 7200rpm
- Corsair HX 850
- Avermedia Live Gamer HD C985

Also, I'm running my CPU without overclock, without hyperthreading, without "Turbo Mode", on power saving mode, and I still have the problem.

Thanks in advance!
-KireD

Discussion is locked

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Clarification Request
"Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge 3.5GHz (3.9GHz Turbo)"
Oct 15, 2013 8:55AM PDT

Anyone that overclocks accepts the problem you noted. It was over clocked so all bets are off if the CPU is still any good. You can also simplify the machine by ejecting the sound card (you can research complaints such as
https://v1.xsplit.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16895 )

If that doesn't help, drop back to a simple single rusty HDD.
Bob

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Reply
Oct 15, 2013 9:15AM PDT

Thank you for your answer!

I'm totally sure the CPU is fine, I'm aware of the consequences of overclocking and I'm sure it is working 100% working. I think it has something to do with the amount of power the GPU is using, or trying to.

You mean disconnect the capture card?

Thanks again.
-KireD

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Yes. Drop devices until it works.
Oct 15, 2013 9:40AM PDT
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Answer
Thought about a good UPS ?
Oct 15, 2013 11:17AM PDT

What are the CPU temps ?

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I have a 1000w UPS
Oct 15, 2013 11:36AM PDT

Thanks for your answer.

My CPU temps are:

Overclocked: 35c - 65c
Stock: 35c - 45c

I really don't think the CPU is the issue.
I really appreciate the answer, though.

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Time to drop the UPS too.
Oct 15, 2013 11:38AM PDT

Reduce till it works.

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I understand the thought behing it.
Oct 15, 2013 11:53AM PDT

I understand, but it is so hard to actually know if "it works", because sometimes I can like play 15min of some game and just then it will fail.
Running CPU benchmarks won't make it fail.
So I'm not really sure. It is hard to test. It isn't consistent.
Why would this start to happen?
Going to test without the UPS.

Thanks for the answer.
-KireD

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It can start to happen for far too many reasons.
Oct 15, 2013 8:57PM PDT

From hardware to drivers to bugs in the apps. One member went for dozens of posts then finally they blurted out something about Black Ops and Anti-aliasing which found others reporting issues. It wasn't the hardware at all but a setting in some game they had changed.
Bob

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(NT) How about the GPU temps ?
Oct 16, 2013 10:30AM PDT
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(NT) GPU temps: 35c - 55c
Oct 16, 2013 1:50PM PDT
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(NT) Bummer....what are the PSU voltages ??
Oct 17, 2013 10:17AM PDT
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Answer
Problem solved.
Oct 19, 2013 6:36AM PDT

Ok guys, thank you all who answered.

After trying on another power outlet, with another power cable, without my UPS and with my Windows restored from a point before the problem started, I was certain the problem was on the hardware.

As a last try before sending the PSU to warranty, I checked if all cables were firm and tight and, APPARENTLY, that solved my problem. One of the cables that powered my GPU was a little lose on the PSU's end.

That was 2 days ago, haven't had the problem since, one would assume that the problem is solved, right?

Thanks again to all that tried to help and answered =)
-KireD

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Hey good to hear and Thanks for the feedback. Without it,
Oct 19, 2013 10:35AM PDT

no one one knows all the items checked or the final outcome.

Suggestions without feedback/results/outomes defeats the purpose of the forum.

VAPCMD