8 replies to this topic

[Wyzak]

Hi all. I have had an issue bugging my computer for a while now and realized that this subforum would be a great place to ask about it.

I have two really nice exhaust fans in the front and the back of my computer, but I leave them unplugged most of the time because when running, they seem to make the video framerates stutter and skip. The video card has its own airflow so I can only assume this has something to do with the CPU. The most likely cause is inefficient airflow causing the CPU to heat up, but it could also be the miniscule power draw from the fans causing some weird quirk in the power supply. Has any one else ever seen this? One way I could test it is to run the fans of a battery or a second power supply to see if the same issue arises, but it would take a while to set up.

[Oderint dum Metuant]

Odd little quirk you have there, my first assumption is power draw although minor from 2 fans, may be preventing your PSU giving the GPU sufficient power.
That or one of the fans is blowing warm air at the GPU making it overheat.

But without your Full system specs its kind of hard

Edited by DV^McKenna, 17 March 2012 - 11:44 AM.

[Gremlich Johns]

Yeah, I'm thinking a wimpy PSU cannot handle what you've got for devices. Is it a stock PSU?

[JackDeth]

The more you load a PS towards the limit..the higher the ripple factor.
If in doubt...get a great PS...800W or more.
It will run cooler...and have way less ripple than a 600W running close to wide open.
Jack

[Beaker]

As above, MAY be the PSU. Alternatively flip the front fan around to make it blow air in rather than out. If it's heat related you're better off aiming for a more balanced airflow.

[Vernius Ix]

Time for a new PSU.

[Catamount]

Get a PSU, as for what PSU to get, it's not the wattage that matters, it's the quality.

VERY few gaming machines consume much more than 400W of power. In fact, very few even consume that much. A Core i5 2500k and power-hungry GTX 580 (combined TDP of 375W) wouldn't consume much more than that, even in an artificial stress test (in gaming you wouldn't exceed 400W).


So the bottom line is this: OP, your PSU probably sucks. Don't take that as a disparagement, it's just that most PSUs suck. 95%-98% of the market is crap. We need to know everything that's in your system to make a good recommendation, but more than likely, something like this is more than you need: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817151094


Again though, we really need to know what you're powering (while we're at it, what's the model of your PSU?)

[JackDeth]

You might try to change the routing of the wires going to the fans.
Make sure they are twisted...and as close to the metal chassis as possible.
Maybe they are cross talking into the GPU at higher current levels.
Jack

[Archtus]

Possible ripple, but chuck the airflow direction. Do you have all the fans blowing out? If so, make sure the one in the front pulls in and the one in the back blows out.