Andrew Mitchell
Posted 5 years, 10 months ago
Joined: 12 years, 5 months ago
I have recently upgraded to a 19" Samsung LCD and have adjusted my settings in HL2 and related games to 1280 x 1024. After a few moments at the recommended settings my UPS' warning beep comes on. Have replace UPS to no avail. It seems that the system is drawing too much power but I dont know the weak link in the system. Any ideas? TA
Win XP Pro
Athlon 3800X2 Dual Core Skt 939 CPU
Foxconn NF4SK8AA
2 Gb (4 x 512Mb)Rambo DDR PC3200 Ram
2 x Innovision GF6600GT 256 Mb Graphics Cards in SLI Config.
Antec Performance II Case
Thermaltake Pure Power 680APD Power Supply
APC Back-UPS CS350 UPS
System ran fine on 17" CRT at 1024 x 768 and 1152 x 864
Many Thanks
Gordon Drennan
Posted 5 years, 10 months ago
Joined: 12 years, 5 months ago
Re: Half Life 2 - 1280 x 1024 Power Issues
You changed something. Then, immediately, a problem occurred. So just at a guess I'd say the problem was caused by what you changed.
And no, I wouldn't have thought that cranking up the display resolution would have much effect on power draw, but if you were right on the limit before it must have pushed it over it.
You've got a PC with a 680W PSU being fed from a US that's rated as only capable of supplying 350W. Either one is a lot bigger than you need, or the other is too small. And judging by the spec of your PC its pretty obvious which it is. 350W isn't enough. In fact parts like that usually allow a tolerance of some percentage over their rated capacity. So you're probably drawing something over 400W.
The obvious way to test would be to wind the display resolution back to a lower setting and see if the beeping stopped.
Chris Burrage
Posted 5 years, 10 months ago
Joined: 12 years, 5 months ago
Re: Half Life 2 - 1280 x 1024 Power Issues
PC too much power? I don't think so. The UPS is a 210 watt job. A plaything. Your power supply is a 350w. Need I say more?
Chris B
Andrew Mitchell
Posted 5 years, 10 months ago
Joined: 12 years, 5 months ago
Re: Half Life 2 - 1280 x 1024 Power Issues
Thanks All,
I probably should have guessed this. Although i thought the sytem drew power through the ups not from the ups except when there is a power failure.
Anyhow, I plugged the system into direct power and not a problem so I am going to fess up for a larger UPS, is there a simple way that i can ascertain how much power the system is drawing and as such purchase the appropriate UPS.
My next option might be the following:
APC Back-UPS CS, 650VA/400W, Input 230V/Output 230V, Interface Port DB-9 RS-232, USB
OK?
Thanks
Chris Burrage
Posted 5 years, 10 months ago
Joined: 12 years, 5 months ago
Re: Half Life 2 - 1280 x 1024 Power Issues
Calculator here -
http://journeysystems.com/power_supply_calculator.php
however, do you need a UPS? A surge protector is generally adequate for home use. Does it really matter if it dies when the power fails?
Chris B
San Mai
Posted 5 years, 10 months ago
Joined: 12 years, 5 months ago
Re: Half Life 2 - 1280 x 1024 Power Issues
You PC will draw all power via the UPS therefore the UPS must be sized to handle the total power requirement including the monitor if the monitor gets the power via the auxillary outlet in the back of your PC power supply. At the maximum power output of 680 watts your power supply would require a power input of approximately 1120 watt (based on a claimed 60% efficiency of the power supply unit) this power must be supplied by the UPS. Your current UPS has only a claimed output of 210 watts (Output Power Capacity: 350 VA, 210 Watts) this is nowhere near the power requirement of your rig. You should either upgrade to a 1200 watt class UPS - to give you some spare capacity or else connect directly to the mains power outlet !
mais
Daniel
Posted 5 years, 10 months ago
Joined: 12 years, 5 months ago
Re: Half Life 2 - 1280 x 1024 Power Issues
Andrew,
I have an AMD64 X2 4200+ with 2 x 6600GT's and i'm using 2 x 17inch lcd's and i play games at 1280x1024.
the UPS i use is an APC Smart UPS SC 620
i haven't had any problems with it.
The UPS you're using is definitely too small. I have one of those too, but I only use it for my web server.
Also, try to minimize the number of things you have connected to the UPS. Have just the essential components connected to it.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Daniel
Andrew Mitchell
Posted 5 years, 10 months ago
Joined: 12 years, 5 months ago
Re: Half Life 2 - 1280 x 1024 Power Issues
Thanks for all the input.
I now have an APC Back-UPS CS650 and all is well. I am running my system, my monitor and a server of this unit and I am having no dramas.
HL2, NFSMW and others are running at 1280 x 1024 and all recommenede settings and no glitches.
Once again thanks all
Daniel
Posted 5 years, 10 months ago
Joined: 12 years, 5 months ago
Re: Half Life 2 - 1280 x 1024 Power Issues
I just need to comment on this. The idea of running a UPS is so that you get a few minutes to quit all applications and shut down the system properly in the event of a power failure.
You mentioned you have 2 computers connected to the 1 UPS. I really recommend you test your configuration to make sure your UPS will handle the current load you have going through it.
Simple test. switch off the wall power outlet and see how long your systems can run on battery power. I get a good 10-15 minutes on the 620 unit hooked up to my main system (AMDX2 4200+) and a good 20-25 minutes on the small 350 hooked up to my web server (dual P3 500Mhz).
If you can't get more than a couple of minutes, chances are you won't be able to switch off your systems in the event of a power failure which would defeat the purpose of having a UPS in the first place.
