What happens when the amperage isn't enough?

[jesus]

My friend's PSU died a couple weeks ago and he got a new one. After he put the new one in, he said all his games started lagging. Like FPS dips into the single digits within seconds of each other, making it unplayable. On all games, too. Old ones and new ones. He even said programs overall have started to lag.

I didn't see how this could have been the PSU so I had him defrag, run a virus scan, check for abnormal CPU usage, GPU/CPU underclock(and overclock), abnormal memory usage, but everything was fine.

It's a generic 500W with two +12Vrails, one at 16A and the other at 18A, apparently.

So if his computer isn't getting enough amperage, then what happens?

Specs are core2duo E6420 2.1ghz, 2GB of RAM, 250GB HDD, windows vista ultimate, 8800GTS 320mb.

[=98=]

Re: What happens when the amperage isn't enough?

Usually the computer either slows right down or shuts off completely.

[AlecJ32]

Re: What happens when the amperage isn't enough?

If your power supply isn't up to snuff, you usually get instability, crashes, very odd artifacts and graphical errors. Stuff like that.

[Busby, Paul (Bicci)]

Re: What happens when the amperage isn't enough?

he sure that those rails are correct? more likely too be +12 18a and -12 16a.

Reinstalling graphics drivers might be an idea.

[megawhompertoo]

Re: What happens when the amperage isn't enough?

It's a generic 500W with two +12Vrails, one at 16A and the other at 18A, apparently.

So if his computer isn't getting enough amperage, then what happens?

Specs are core2duo E6420 2.1ghz, 2GB of RAM, 250GB HDD, windows vista ultimate, 8800GTS 320mb.

Likely, they aren't rated for the full 18a + 16a, because that's 216+192=408W - whatever the difference in efficiency is, and there'd hardly be any amps left for the +3.3 and +5v lines (not that they need a terribly large amount). I wouldn't really expect a crappy PSU to cause lag; an overly taxed (or just crappy) PSU is more likely to heat up badly, cause system restarts, fail to protect against overvolting components, etc.

Having said all that, systems like yours are only going to pull ~200-250W, unless you start getting crazy with the overclocking. PSU to blame for lag? Maybe, but I doubt it.

What you can do for an answer is to go to Worst Buy or Circuit Schity, buy ("borrow") a decent PSU and see if that solves the problem. If it does, then you just take that one back to the store and then order one online (i.e. Newegg if you're in the states).

[AllFoamNoBeer]

Re: What happens when the amperage isn't enough?

From a physics perspective:

Power = Voltage x Current

If you aren't getting or supplying enough current, the amount of power you get is reduced, unless you live in a country that can provide dual voltage, like in Thailand where appliances will draw either 220V or 110V, varying the current.

If your voltage is fixed, and you can't achieve the current needed to provide a certain power, your computer and it's subordinate parts are royally ****ed.

[jesus]

Re: What happens when the amperage isn't enough?

Likely, they aren't rated for the full 18a + 16a, because that's 216+192=408W - whatever the difference in efficiency is, and there'd hardly be any amps left for the +3.3 and +5v lines (not that they need a terribly large amount). I wouldn't really expect a crappy PSU to cause lag; an overly taxed (or just crappy) PSU is more likely to heat up badly, cause system restarts, fail to protect against overvolting components, etc.

Having said all that, systems like yours are only going to pull ~200-250W, unless you start getting crazy with the overclocking. PSU to blame for lag? Maybe, but I doubt it.

What you can do for an answer is to go to Worst Buy or Circuit Schity, buy ("borrow") a decent PSU and see if that solves the problem. If it does, then you just take that one back to the store and then order one online (i.e. Newegg if you're in the states).

Our best buy is much different from the one in the states. Over here you have 3 power supplies to choose from, and they're brands that I haven't heard of. I've tried finding information about them online but there's nothing. Not even on the manufacturer's website. The PSU my friend has (the one I'm talking about) is actually from best buy.

So he's getting a new one from a local computer store with an actual brand name on it.

[Busby, Paul (Bicci)]

Re: What happens when the amperage isn't enough?

i wud advise him to get one online and be patient.

Corsair/silverstone/tagen/seasonic are good buys. there are a few more but these are the ones hat instantly spring to mind