So I got this brand new rig with these specs.

Phenom II x3 720BE 2.8 GHz
MSI KA-790GX (sucky board, but nvm that)
WD 640GB
Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4890
2x 2GB Corsair gaming ram(it costs the same as KVR that time)

I OCed my phenom II to 3.2 GHz at 1.3125 volts. I start doing full load tests, no crashes. Then I start increasing my HD 4890 volt to 1.4v and OC that as well. I start another full load test, it crashes and I had to wait a few minutes before I can start my pc back (typical psu overheating symptom). I can also crash the system by sending in 1.4 volts to my phenom II at 3.5 GHz btw(despite being stable).

Should I send this PSU back to RMA, or try an open-air system first to see whether my airflow sucks or not? Anyone has experience? I need to make a few comparisons. Sigh, I wish the fan would rev higher lol.

UPDATE: Tested the PSU open-air. Nada, system shuts down and I have to wait a minute before I can start the PC again at full load oc still. I'm not even close to the full potential of my chip arghh!

EDIT: A reminder, the psu is silverstone strider st56F

This post has been edited by blindbox: Apr 27 2009, 01:48 PM

Exactly, it's already a better PSU. The problem isn't overload. It's overheat.

Nope. No problems at stock. Problem comes when the PSU is pushed.

I'll post my results tomorrow, I'll do an open-air test, with fresh air for the PSU. If it still overheats, I think I'll RMA it. One to one exchange... I'll see what the shop allows, thanks for the tips.

Seems like nobody here has the same experience as mine.


EDIT: Well, one to one exchange is not possible after more than a week(it's now 8 days, sucks).

This post has been edited by blindbox: Apr 26 2009, 10:10 PM

How did I know it's overheat? I thought it's stated. Anyway, the main symptom is I can't start the computer after it crashes.

Oh and, regarding PSUs, I'm pretty sure that even my PSU is overspecced for my rig.

I tried an open air system(basically I just put the PSU outside), it doesn't work either, it still crashes. That settles it I guess, I'm rmaing it this thursday(now I'm actually thankful I have exam in two weeks LOL).

Plus, do notice I was stable when I OC the CPU to 3.2 GHz only. Then the computer crashes when I start OCing the graphic card as well(crashes during the full load test).

Same thing when I OC CPU to the max, it caused crashes as well. The motherboard chipset reached 70 C at max OC, but that's not the problem, as it reaches 70 C only at max OC. When I did 3.2 GHz, it didn't reach that high.

I've singled out every single OCed component, all stable. It's just that when I simultaneously overclock all of em or did it too much in one that it crashes. I'm confident that it is 100% stable.

By crashes, I mean the computer suddenly switches off completely, and won't start until the PSU cools down. This is a typical symptom of PSU overheat. I know, as I have experience in this happening

That solves it, I don't see anyone having a problem with st56f other than me, hence a faulty unit. I'm RMAing this thursday. I'll wait for a while before I close this thread.

They're meant to operate at 50 C. When I touch it in open air, it's pretty cool. So I bet one of the components aren't properly attached to the heatsink or something. I'm not going to risk my warranty especially when I don't know much about PSUs.


If you guys want to know, my symptoms are DEFINITELY not one of an overload. It's an overheat.


Plus, my PSU is doing 9.52V on +12V according to everest. I haven't checked it using a multimeter though(trying to find one in my house.. I'm pretty sure it's somewhere...)


@TristanX: Did you experience the same problem as mine when you once held your st56F?

This post has been edited by blindbox: Apr 27 2009, 10:22 AM

Yes the fan works... lol you had to ask? The fan does move slow, though it's meant to be that slow.

Obviously it doesn't . It shuts off and I have to wait a few minutes to start it again.

Idk, I'll ask for an RMA anyway. I would've opted for Corsair VX550W if I could, but stock wasn't available.

Btw, didn't I mention it was pretty cold on an open-air setup, to answer herojack41's question? One of the components must have been not mounted properly, is my guess.

Well, on to my calculations. A rail has 240W(20A x 12v). The processor takes 95W, the graphic card takes 75W(pci-e 1.x specs). That's 170W. The board itself takes 30W. Bear in mind that all of this calculation is an overestimation. Now see, I have 40 watts extra. I doubt overclocking is going to make any effect.

Hey now, I have an idea, thanks. I might as well try those molex to 6-pins given. I still have time to test stuff out. Well, time to split the rails. I'll report again tomorrow(gimme a break, lol).


Anyone has my PSU and does overclocking to such a point? I need user experience here. It's more valuable than theories.



This post has been edited by blindbox: Apr 27 2009, 06:21 PM

You can try if you want but, if you make the PSU fan to stop working, the pc will shut down on load and you'll have to wait a few minutes before you can start the pc again . Anyway, I'll confirm the rail issue first anyway. Time to read the manual to know which wire goes to which rail.

This post has been edited by blindbox: Apr 27 2009, 08:37 PM