Desk Lamp flickers when using PC

[KNP54]

I rencently upgraded with GPU from a Asus 1080 strix to an EVGA 2080 Super (the one with 2 fans) and I noticed that while gaming my desk lamp is now flickering a lot. It wasn't doing that with the 1080 strix.

Is my PSU now too weak?

 

Here are my specs:

i7 8086k running at 4.9GHz all cores

NZXT Kraken X52 cooler

EVGA 2080 Super (1815MHz Boost clock)

Asrock Fatal1ty z370 Gaming-ITX/AC

2 sticks of 16GB each G.Skill F4-3200C16-16GVK

1TB 970 EVO m.2

512GB 850 EVO sata

512GB 840 EVO sata

10TB Seagate Ironwolf sata

Corsair SF600 Platinum PSU

Loque Ghost S1 Case

 

My PC is plugged in a CyberPower UPS (CP1500PFCLCD) + 2 Monitors + Bell 3000 router + a 13 port USB hub, on the battery backup side of the UPS.

The desk lamp and a pair old Logitech speakers (2.1) are plugged in the surge only side of the UPS.

The UPS monitoring software is reporting 468W load when in Ardenweald in World of Warcraft.

 

Should I replace my SF600 with the SF700 version?

[Guest]

It's not the PSU.

 

PSUs work like this:  They take AC and convert it to DC.  They only provide as much DC as the load requires and, therefore, only uses as much AC as required.

 

If the PSU was "too weak" it wouldn't be able to deliver enough DC and shut down.  If the PSU would need so much power that it would cause your lights to dim or flicker, then it would shut down because there wouldn't be enough power to power the system.

 

What if you were to NOT have the lamp plugged into the UPS?

 

I know it's only on the surge side, but it's still on the same circuit within the UPS.  Line Interactive UPS are completely passive until they are on battery power.  The only time the two are NOT on the same circuit is when there is no power and you're running on battery.

 

Another possibility is noise introduced into the line by the graphics card.  Can't say I've tested for this on a 2080, but the EVGA 3090 FTW and the 3090 FE introduce so much noise back into the PSU that it causes some PSUs to shut down, even if the PSU isn't being overloaded.

 

[KNP54]

I plugged the desk lamp directly to the wall instead of the UPS. It still flickers, but it is less noticeable. Although the lamp is still on the same 15A circuit.

I still wonder if the PC is doing more than 600W spikes from the PSU.....

 

[KNP54]

The lamp flicker especially when I click the optimize button on the adventure table in world of warcraft... What the button does is simulate a bunch adventurer combinations so it's a CPU intensive task. When raiding, the lamp goes crazy especially when fighting against Sir Denathrius.

 

[KNP54]

Oh one thing I forgot to mention, the GPU was used for mining before ending up in my PC. But I doubt it's the GPU's fault.

 

[Guest]

57 minutes ago, KNP54 said:

 But I doubt it's the GPU's fault.

 

Why?

 

1 hour ago, KNP54 said:

I still wonder if the PC is doing more than 600W spikes from the PSU.....

 

That's not how it works.

 

[KNP54]

I entered my system specs on pcpartpicker website and with the strix 1080, the power estimate is 399W.

With the evga 2080s, it's 469W. Remember that my CPU is overclocked.

I checked also on the EVGA website and the recommended power supply for this GPU is 650W.

So I'm going to order the Corsair SF750 and see how it goes.

 

I'll report back when the new PSU is installed!

[KNP54]

I received my new PSU, installed it, and the lamp flickering seems to have stopped! The real test will be in a raid tomorrow evening.

 

[Guest]

On 3/13/2021 at 2:14 PM, KNP54 said:

I entered my system specs on pcpartpicker website and with the strix 1080, the power estimate is 399W.

 

Sounds about right.

 

On 3/13/2021 at 2:14 PM, KNP54 said:

I checked also on the EVGA website and the recommended power supply for this GPU is 650W.

 

No.  The recommendation for the entire system, worse case scenario, is 650W.

 

[artuc]

What is the lamp/bulb as well ?

 

 

[akio123008]

On 3/13/2021 at 9:30 PM, KNP54 said:

I plugged the desk lamp directly to the wall instead of the UPS. It still flickers, but it is less noticeable.

A lamp that flickers is one that isn't getting the correct voltage, meaning the voltage drops every time it dims.

 

A voltage drop large enough to cause a lamp to flicker would only occur at a current well over 10A or about 1.2kW in a 120V system, or 2.4kW in a 240V system, if the wiring is proper. I have a welding transformer that can ever so slightly dim the lights upon switch-on, and that draws about 14A of surge current at 240V, to give you an idea of how much power it takes to dim lights on a proper house wiring system.

 

Your computer isn't drawing anywhere near that amount, which could mean that there's something horribly wrong with the wiring (very high resistance) causing a significant voltage drop at only a few amps (600W max).

 

I doubt your new PSU will actually solve the problem, and you need that wiring checked regardless.

[KNP54]

4 hours ago, artuc said:

What is the lamp/bulb as well ?

 

 

It looks exactly like this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-80s-Postmodern-Cantilever-Bankers-Desk-Halogen-Lamp-Sonneman-Kovacs-Era-/114155983368

 

[Guest]

2 hours ago, KNP54 said:

It looks exactly like this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-80s-Postmodern-Cantilever-Bankers-Desk-Halogen-Lamp-Sonneman-Kovacs-Era-/114155983368

 

So it's halogen?

 

Did it flicker during your "raid"  last night?

 

[-rascal-]

2 hours ago, KNP54 said:

It looks exactly like this one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-80s-Postmodern-Cantilever-Bankers-Desk-Halogen-Lamp-Sonneman-Kovacs-Era-/114155983368

 

 

16 minutes ago, jonnyGURU said:

So it's halogen?

 

Did it flicker during your "raid"  last night?

 

 

I think the sudden spike in power draw is throwing the circuit supplying that part of the house off a little.

This is assuming the room where OP's PC is located in is sharing the same circuit / breaker with another room, or something.

[akio123008]

2 hours ago, -rascal- said:

I think the sudden spike in power draw is throwing the circuit supplying that part of the house off a little.

This is assuming the room where OP's PC is located in is sharing the same circuit / breaker with another room, or something.

And as I've mentioned, if your 600W gaming PC is capable of that, there's something seriously wrong with your wiring.

[KNP54]

2 hours ago, jonnyGURU said:

So it's halogen?

 

Did it flicker during your "raid"  last night?

 

The raid is scheduled for tonight... I'll know for sure in a few hours, but right now thing are looking good with the new PSU.

[-rascal-]

2 hours ago, akio123008 said:

And as I've mentioned, if your 600W gaming PC is capable of that, there's something seriously wrong with your wiring.

 

True, and will also depend on how that part of the house is wired to said 15A circuit breaker, and what is currently connected.

A 15A breaker is rated at about 1800W, for us running on 120V AC.

 

OP may have a 600W PC, but then his/her sibling in the neighboring room has another 600W PC, plus say a 150W TV.

Total peak would be 1350W.

Assuming OP is not using his PC, sibling is already using 750W, I *could* see the sudden extra 600W load will dim the light for a slip second. 

Split second dim, until the transformer or load-line calibration kicks in to compensate the V_DROOP.

 

 

[akio123008]

32 minutes ago, -rascal- said:

Assuming OP is not using his PC, sibling is already using 750W, I *could* see the sudden extra 600W load will dim the light for a slip second. 

Split second dim, until the transformer or load-line calibration kicks in to compensate the V_DROOP.

Perhaps.

 

Regardless I'd suggest the OP makes sure the wiring in his house is proper, because a high resistance could indicate some dodgy connection, and dodgy connections are usually what lead to fire.

 

 

 

[Guest]

If the desk lamp is in fact a halogen... think about it.... those things use a lot of power!  I think the one OP linked is 150W.

[akio123008]

10 hours ago, jonnyGURU said:

think about it.... those things use a lot of power!  I think the one OP linked is 150W.

150W seems like an awful lot to me for a desk light, even for an inefficient halogen one. I suspect the holder could be rated 150W max but I'd be surprised if anyone has a 150W bulb in there for desk use. 

 

Also at this point I'm curious how the raid went.

[freeagent]

20 minutes ago, akio123008 said:

150W seems like an awful lot to me for a desk light, even for an inefficient halogen one. I suspect the holder could be rated 150W max but I'd be surprised if anyone has a 150W bulb in there for desk use. 

 

 

It might seem that way to you, but they are real.

 

NOMA 150W 118mm Quartz Halogen Lamp Canadian Tire

[akio123008]

21 minutes ago, freeagent said:

but they are real.

I didn't say they don't exist. I said that you don't put one of those on your desk.

[freeagent]

1 minute ago, akio123008 said:

I didn't say they don't exist. I said that you don't put one of those on your desk.

Why not? Its not that bad. There is usually a shade on it, not like in those old cop movies where they shine it in your face to get you to answer the question..

[akio123008]

Just now, freeagent said:

 There is usually a shade on it, not like in those old cop movies where they shine it in your face to get you to answer the question..

Fair enough. I can see how some people may do it, but I think it's quite unusual. Most halogen desk lamps I see online are 50W or less.

 

2400lm is bright as hell. The reflection on the table would be bad enough to hurt your eyes. 

[freeagent]

15 minutes ago, akio123008 said:

Fair enough. I can see how some people may do it, but I think it's quite unusual. Most halogen desk lamps I see online are 50W or less.

 

2400lm is bright as hell. The reflection on the table would be bad enough to hurt your eyes. 

To be fair.. I'm sure that particular one that I linked to would be good for a floor lamp rather than a desk lamp..