If my PSU is too small, what happens?

**Dougw133** · 01-02-2009, 05:51 PM

I have an M2-ATX and have had it for over a year. I recently updated my system.

Specs:

Jetway jnc62k
AMD FX-62 Dual Core 2.8 GHZ
1 Sata 2.5" 7200 RPM HDD
1 OCZ SSD 64MB (sata)
Lilliput 619 7" LCD

Between GPS etc.. I have about 8 USB peripherals.
HD Radio

After the install I notcied the age old lines on my LCD screen. Before the new install the screen was smooth with no problems. It is hooked into the 12v rail of the PSU. Aside from the screen I have noticed my GPS won't get a lock (Brand new BU-353), my steering wheel controls which go into a IR reciver are slow and some of the buttons won't register, and my PCI SB Live with KX drivers has been finikey. So there a re mulitple little issues going on here. Today I installed a 1 Farad Rockford Fosgate capacitor for the PC. I have a seperate 4GA line from the battery for the sound system so that is independant of the PC. I have noticed no change with adding the capacitor.

In the monitor for my voltages the 5V rail fluctuates between 5.00 and 5.04.

The 12V rail is at 12.0 and may go to 12.3

I bought an M4 ATX which was a brick out of the box so I am sending that back.

My question here is can I isolate this to power issue? I want to make sure before I dump money I don't have into an Opus 320W or something. Is what I described above characteristic of low power?

**ShawJohn** · 01-02-2009, 06:23 PM

to small PSU and the pc will not boot, get it wrong in a big way and the PSU will blow.

If it is borderline you will probably find it reboots when under high load.

**dMand** · 01-02-2009, 07:17 PM

while the m2 puts out a maximum of 160 watts, the processor consumes 125 watts at full load. Adding all of those components to the PSU, is a recipe for disaster. Something will eventually blow, or go up in smoke.

Tax the system long enough, the capacitor may help you get there sooner rather than later.

**trader007** · 01-02-2009, 08:21 PM

you should definitely get a low tdp chip in there to replace that desktop hog. i too could use a dual-core play-any-game chip but i run a celeron 35w processor and it suits me more then fine. a hell of a lot better then some itx setup thats for sure

**Haystack** · 01-02-2009, 11:01 PM

I hope this question was a joke

**Dougw133** · 01-03-2009, 02:49 AM

Originally Posted by Haystack

I hope this question was a joke

Wow there champ, I guess I should feel bad or something. No it wasn't a joke. I know i am pushing it. I wondering why the damn thing runs fine but some aspects do not. Just because it's a 125w processor doesn't mean it's consuming that at all times. It actually runs at 0 to 1% when running RR and music. When I was running my Jetway with an integrated 2.0GHZ VIA C7 I still had some similar problems. If yer on here to act like you're god to a bunch of un known forum dwellers then I feel bad for you. If you didn't have any suggestions you should have kept you're smart a^& mouth shut. Thank you to all who considered my question and tried to help. That's what we do here.

**dMand** · 01-03-2009, 03:48 AM

Originally Posted by Dougw133

Wow there champ, I guess I should feel bad or something. No it wasn't a joke. I know i am pushing it. I wondering why the damn thing runs fine but some aspects do not. Just because it's a 125w processor doesn't mean it's consuming that at all times. It actually runs at 0 to 1% when running RR and music. When I was running my Jetway with an integrated 2.0GHZ VIA C7 I still had some similar problems. If yer on here to act like you're god to a bunch of un known forum dwellers then I feel bad for you. If you didn't have any suggestions you should have kept you're smart a^& mouth shut. Thank you to all who considered my question and tried to help. That's what we do here.

if you are thinking of future expansion- upgrade the psu to an Opus 320...you should be fine.

**ShawJohn** · 01-03-2009, 07:47 AM

desktop dual core processing power is just not needed in a car... Get a smaller more efficient mini-itx board, it'll be better for your cars electrics, the battery and alternator, and will also use less fuel. Don't forget in car, electricity is made from burning fuel! More leccy means more $£$, and all it will do is make more heat and noise. Oh and don't forget the space used up too.

**Bugbyte** · 01-03-2009, 08:13 AM

If it is running but the PSU is 'undersized,' it could shorten the life of the PSU. It all depends on exactly how you are overdrawing the supply. You may be using more power on one rail than the PSU is rated for even though the total wattage of the setup is below the max output of the PSU. Have you used one of the power calculators to figure the draw?

In the short run, I'd at least take the screen off of the PSU and connect it to the car itself.

**WuNgUn** · 01-03-2009, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by dmand

if you are thinking of future expansion- upgrade the psu to an opus 320...you should be fine.

^x2

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