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Computer hardware support--flickering monitors

3WC3WC Posts: 1,114
in The Commons

Hopefully I can explain this well enough to give you some ideas and get some help.

I was putting together a fairly complex scene in Daz Studio 4.12.1.118 64 bit. (About 12 characters, but little else, with most legs and unseen body parts hidden). Then I kick on iray preview mode full screen to check it out. It seemed ok for the most part, but then one of my screens blacked out for a few seconds. I thought maybe the gpu was not getting enough power. But everything seemed fine with just straight rendering.

So to investigate further, today I opened up cpu-z hwmonitor and gpu-z to see what was going on while I tried to recreate the problem. Sure enough, the monitor with the iray preview screen went out for a bit, but the power to the gpu seemed fine, temps were ok too. The only thing that looked funny was a TMPIN7 on the motherboard was reading more than 90C on HWmonitor, and GPU-z said that was my cpu temperature (hottest core). Other cpu sensors read much lower temps.

So now I wonder if it is a cpu problem. Incidentally, my current motherboard has an 8 pin cpu power socket, but my old psu only has 4 pin supplying it. Maybe insufficient power for the cpu? I am looking into getting a new psu, but wasn't sure if that would fix this particular problem. My psu is old, though, so probably needs replaced anyway.

Here are my specs:

400 watt psu (OCZ, I think, a company that got bought out by Thermaltake? It is at least 10 yrs old)

MSI bazooka 450M mobo

ryzen 5 3600

EVGA GeForce GTX 1660 6 GB XC GAMING Video Card

Dual monitors, old Dells, one at 1280x1024, the other 1920x1200 (yeah that's the one I was running the preview on)

Comments

  • kenshaw011267kenshaw011267 Posts: 3,805

    If the CPU is hot then too little power isn't the issue.

    A 400 watt PSU is probably too weak for the system though.

    A little checking seems to indicate that sensor is the socket sensor and 90C is warm but not worrying. Get Ryzen Master and monitor the actual cores and don't let all those other sensors worry you unless you are overclocking.

    I'd guess that the monitors are flickering because you're getting just horrific ripple or too little current to the GPU. A 10 year old underpowered PSU could be doing all sorts of things to cause problems.

    But before you start buying new parts make sure all parts are fully seated/connected. Dust everything out and make sure all fans are spinning properly. If the problem persists then I'd consider getting a new PSU.

     

  • Subtropic PixelSubtropic Pixel Posts: 2,388

    I agree with Kenshaw.  If rendering used to work okay with that 400W PSU, then reseat and clean.  And start saving for a more powerful PSU.  Right now.

  • 3WC3WC Posts: 1,114

    I will definitely check dust and seating. But this mobo is only a couple months old, and everything has been working fine up to this point. But not often do I render 12 figures in one scene.

    And as I said, rendering itself worked fine. The only problem was in Iray mode in the aux viewport, which was at fullscreen on the 1920x1200 monitor.

    Here is a screenshot of ryzen master when that was running:

     

    RMreadings.jpg
    1280 x 1024 - 269K
  • kenshaw011267kenshaw011267 Posts: 3,805

    90C is hotter than I like to run but you're running a small mobo so I'm guessing its a small case as well. Those tend to get hot. Your best option there is more airflow if possible or a better cooler.

    If the GPU wasn't overheating then the most likely cause of an image flickering is ruled out. That leaves us with less likely ones. So check that everything is fully connected and then start thinking about a new PSU.

  • Khai-J-BachKhai-J-Bach Posts: 163

    ok. silly question.

     

    you have checked the VGA/DVI/HDMI cables and plugs..? still seated ok and tight? switched cables? (I'm bettiing you have checked all this first, but it's worth asking)

  • 3WC3WC Posts: 1,114

    Thanks for all the suggestions. Yes, I have checked all cables, plugs, reseated DIMM and GPU.

    Maybe I made this sound like a more serious problem than it really is. I only noticed this while in Iray preview mode under heavy load, it never happens during normal use. Nevertheless, I was shopping for a new psu anyway, when prices get to where I like them, I will pick up an EVGA BQ 600, and see if that helps. And maybe I will run my fans at higher RPM.

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