How to test specific parts for power failure?

[bubbleawsome]

I'm crappy at titles.

I'm wondering if there is any way to test to see if it is my GPU's power circuits failing or my PSU, or a combination of both.
This is more a question of desperation, as I have a feeling they are both dying but I can't replace both.
GPU is an R9 280x and the PSU is a Rosewill HIVE 550w.

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

something like this may help
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LED-PSU-P...830?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4ae6d5cb6e

 

[erocker]

Different parts help. If that's not available I'd probably just buy a good PSU. But, you can get out the multi-meter and a couple of cheater leads, a pinout of your connections and check your voltages.

 

[dorsetknob]

Is it Possible for you to Borrow a suitable PSU of equal or higher output to test your system.???
That way you can confirm/eliminate your Psu before you move on to the graphics card .

 

[bubbleawsome]

I have no doubles. As for the PSU tester I was more worried about the wattage as it only seems to crash when the GPU draws a certain amount of power. I think the current situation is the PSU is killing every GPU I put in the machine. I've had 4 die now, but I've just warrantied the GPU because PSUs are too expensive.

Any recommended rather cheap PSUs in the 650w+ range. I know the EVGA 750w G2 isn't cheap but the 10y warranty looks nice.

EDIT: Sorry @dorsetknob you ninja'd my post. No one else I know builds PCs. Only other computers in the house are a 2010 iMac and an old pentium VIIV dell.

 

[erocker]

I've had 4 die now

Please take that PSU out of your computer now.

 

[bubbleawsome]

Please take that PSU out of your computer now.

I'm working on it.
To be fair, one I took to 1300Mhz and then had a 280x that's been "refurbished" 3 times.
But yeah, I need a new one.Is the EVGA really the best of the best? People have been hyping the G2 series like it is PSU-Jesus come back to save us all.

 

[R-T-B]

bubbleawesome, you missed my PSU firesale by like 1 month... poor soul. I could've had you a Rosewill FORTRESS Platinum 750W for like $45...

 

[Bill_Bright]

You did not specify the brand or version of your R9 280X but note the specs for the PowerColor R9 280X 3Gb has a recommended minimum of 750W! I think that is very (perhaps too) conservative and note the specs for the Gigabyte GV-R928XOC-3GD is 600W. But that still more than your Rosewill. So with that, and the fact you said you've had 4 die, I agree with erocker and you need to pull that Rosewill now.

The Antec Edge Series 650W and the XFX XTR Series 650W are two 650W supplies that scored very well in recent TPU reviews.

 

[MrGenius]

Watts don't mean squat. His PSU has a 41.25A +12V rail, and is 80+ Bronze, continuous 550W(100% duty cycle). Not that it couldn't still be failing. But that "should" be "enough" for a 280X...in theory. Probably not if you're going to OC the living daylights out of it though. I run mine with 52A, just to play it extra safe for that very reason.


Anyways, hook a volt meter up to the +12V(yellow wire) and run kombustor or something that will fully load the GPU. If it starts dropping to ~11.5V or below, you're running seriously low on amps, and will likely start having issues(if you're not already). Ideally, it should never drop below ~11.7V.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Watts don't mean squat.

Sure they do! But you are right in that current on the +12V rail is really what it boils down to (for those with a basic understanding of Ohm's Law) and with 495W on that single +12V rail (41.25 x 12) I agree, that "should" be enough. But considering he seems to be heavily overclocking his i5 (assuming the rest of his System Specs are correct), and with 4 sticks of RAM, 3 drives, two monitors, and who knows how many fans, even a properly working 550W supply will be taxed when pushed.

But for those just looking for a replacement PSU and don't understand, or care to understand the current requirements, following the suggested minimums by your hardware makers is a start.

 

[bubbleawsome]

I'll try using a voltmeter that I have somewhere. The i5 is at 1.265v and I have 5 fans. If the software readings are near right the CPU is drawing about 92w and the RAM might draw up to 11w.
The specific trigger right now is taking the 280x and upping it's power limit to anything above stock. Anything from +1% to +20% makes it crash on load.