Seasonic FOCUS PLUS PSUs Encounter GPU Compatibility Issues

[crazyeyesreaper]

It has been confirmed by Seasonic that their FOCUS PLUS power supplies are experiencing potential conflict with a select number of graphics cards. In regards to NVIDIA, the compatibility issue is currently limited to the ASUS GeForce GTX 970 STRIX. In limited instances, this particular graphics card can encounter a black screen under heavy load. Testing by Seasonic has determined that the issue is caused by higher than normal ripple when the GPU is heavily stressed. They also determined that solving the problem simply required using modified PCIe cables that feature enhanced shielding.

When it comes to AMD GPUs things are a bit more problematic. Both of AMD's Vega 56 and Vega 64 series of graphics cards with serial numbers before January 2018, can experience system shutdowns when paired with a FOCUS PLUS power supply. The issue is caused by higher than normal peak current being emitted by these graphics cards when under heavy load. This results in the power supply's internal protection safety being triggered. Considering Seasonic's popularity the fact these power supplies are encountering problems is likely going to be a hit to their brand image. At least they are stepping up to the plate having admitted to the problem while also investigating the root causes. They are also encouraging anyone that is encountering issues to contact them for assistance.


View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[natr0n]

The gpus are going out of spec basically.

 

[Rahnak]

Now that is concerning. Gotta choose my next GPU carefully.

 

[rtwjunkie]

Hmm, is there a source article? Interested in if it is all Focuses, or specific batch numbers, or wattages.

I just bought a Focus 850PX Platinum, so it would be good to know.

 

[dirtyferret]

This issue has been all over the Jonny guru forums for over a year. Seasonic was sending out adapters to 970 owners...

Hmm, is there a source article? Interested in if it is all Focuses, or specific batch numbers, or wattages.

I just bought a Focus 850PX Platinum, so it would be good to know.

According to the Jonny guru forums, it was mostly the 550w seasonic focus/plus. The PX platinum did not have the issue

 

[Rahnak]

This issue has been all over the Jonny guru forums for over a year. Seasonic was sending out adapters to 970 owners...


According to the Jonny guru forums, it was mostly the 550w seasonic focus/plus. The PX platinum did not have the issue

So higher wattages, like 750W, are fine?

 

[dirtyferret]

So higher wattages, like 750W, are fine?

I didn't see any issues about the 750w unit. I have a 650w focus plus and have had zero issues with the gtx 1060. If I recall, it was mostly people with the Asus gtx 970 and focus 550w unit.

Edit: here is one of the threads with replies by the seasonic rep. Seems to cover a larger spectrum of seasonic PSU them I originally believed.


http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14869

 

[dj-electric]

This isn't the first time SeaSonic have those type of issues. I vaguely remember something with S12\M12 series and some motherboards.

 

[coonbro]

kinda to what said above why would I build a nice gaming rig that I would want full load stable power and use anything less then a high build quality 650w at the min. to start with ? maybe a office light game rig a 550w or less [opinion]

 

[Sabishii Hito]

This isn't the first time SeaSonic have those type of issues. I vaguely remember something with S12\M12 series and some motherboards.

Also PSUs from other brands based on Seasonic designs. I remember having an EVGA board that absolutely refused to boot when connected to an AX860.

 

[Rahnak]

I didn't see any issues about the 750w unit. I have a 650w focus plus and have had zero issues with the gtx 1060. If I recall, it was mostly people with the Asus gtx 970 and focus 550w unit.

Edit: here is one of the threads with replies by the seasonic rep. Seems to cover a larger spectrum of seasonic PSU them I originally believed.


http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14869

It seems that way. Luckily I haven't had any issues with my RX 480 either. Just need to do a little extra research when the time comes to upgrade again.

 

[rtwjunkie]

I didn't see any issues about the 750w unit. I have a 650w focus plus and have had zero issues with the gtx 1060. If I recall, it was mostly people with the Asus gtx 970 and focus 550w unit.

Edit: here is one of the threads with replies by the seasonic rep. Seems to cover a larger spectrum of seasonic PSU them I originally believed.


http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14869

Well crap. That’s what i just bought. I guess I will wait till this weekend when I can devote some time to installing it and seeing if it works or not.

 

[TheGuruStud]

It's a cheapo budget model, right (not cost but components)? What do you expect when loading it up? I just replaced an 850W decent rosewill with 1000 superflower, b/c it could no longer handle vega 64. You can't load em up anywhere close to peak if you want stability/longevity. Also, peak power draw for a split second, not worthless average is what matters.

Buy better units. The minimum I use for a system like that is 620W (funnily enough, the actual cheap seasonics for 45 bucks work great lol).

 

[rtwjunkie]

It's a cheapo budget model, right (not cost but components)? What do you expect when loading it up? I just replaced an 850W decent rosewill with 1000 superflower, b/c it could no longer handle vega 64. You can't load em up anywhere close to peak if you want stability/longevity. Also, peak power draw for a split second, not worthless average is what matters.

Buy better units. The minimum I use for a system like that is 620W (funnily enough, the actual cheap seasonics for 45 bucks work great lol).

The 850PX Platinum I just bought is certainly not a budget much deal.

 

[TheGuruStud]

The 850PX Platinum I just bought is certainly not a budget much deal.

I was commenting on this 550W baloney. It sounds like any 750/850 models having trouble with low power systems are just defective. Kinda hard to call this a compatibility issue unless the VRMs on the asus cards are behaving very unusual. There's no way in hell ripple will be high on a seasonic unit unless defective. Tripping over current is a red flag, too, unless for some reason the VRMs spike an insane amount for no reason. It makes sense for vegas to cause trouble LOL.

IDK, this is more interesting than I thought after reading the 750W issues.

Side note: I'm kinda surprised stuff like this hasn't been posted with Vegas across many psu manuf, b/c the amp draw is insane. I guess most people rightfully assume the PSU can't handle it and upgrade, though.

 

[rtwjunkie]

I was commenting on this 550W baloney. It sounds like any 750/850 models having trouble with low power systems are just defective.

Ok cool. Thx.

 

[TheGuruStud]

Ok cool. Thx.

Sorry, I'm a little...brutish and polarizing. Didn't read the higher model stuff till I settled down at work.

 

[IceScreamer]

I mean I'll probably never have a GPU that would push the power limit on these PSUs but it's still concerning, and I was seriously considering buying the 550W version.

 

[Solid State Soul ( SSS )]

I mean I'll probably never have a GPU that would push the power limit on these PSUs but it's still concerning, and I was seriously considering buying the 550W version.

EVGA G3 says hello ....

 

[jboydgolfer]

i have 3 of these, and have run a couple 970's on them, never had an issue. glad tho.

It's a cheapo budget model, right

theyre all the same in that series, only the wattage changes. the 550 Focus + gold is no different (other than Wattage) to the 750 Focus + gold.

oddly enough, when i bought my most recent Focus +, the 750W cost less ,than the 650 & 550W. i found it weird, btu didnt complain. these PSU's are spectacular, some of the best ive ever owned... better than my EVGA G2

 

[Solid State Soul ( SSS )]

Well crap. That’s what i just bought. I guess I will wait till this weekend when I can devote some time to installing it and seeing if it works or not.

Do not worry, those issues must be from users oddballs system configurations like using their old PSU cables into their new seasonic one. or plugging cpu and gpu cables into the peripheral connectors... stuff like that. If this was a serious issue then we would have heard about it way back. Yours been a high wattage better efferent platinum unit i wouldn't worry at all

i have 3 of these, and have run a couple 970's on them, never had an issue. glad tho.



theyre all the same in that series, only the wattage changes. the 550 Focus + gold is no different (other than Wattage) to the 750 Focus + gold.

oddly enough, when i bought my most recent Focus +, the 750W cost less ,than the 650 & 550W. i found it weird, btu didnt complain. these PSU's are spectacular, some of the best ive ever owned... better than my EVGA G2

Hi again. Would like to ask in what way they are better than the G2 series ?

Also how is the fan acoustics of your unit ?

 

[Frick]

What do you expect when loading it up? I just replaced an 850W decent rosewill with 1000 superflower, b/c it could no longer handle vega 64. You can't load em up anywhere close to peak if you want stability/longevity.

If any PSU, no matter the make and model, is acting up inside of the warranty (10 years in this case) it is defective, even if you push it 100% the whole time. That's the point of warranties, and the ATX spec. Besides it happens with that GTX970 as well as with Vega.

It's a cheapo budget model, right (not cost but components)?
Buy better units. The minimum I use for a system like that is 620W (funnily enough, the actual cheap seasonics for 45 bucks work great lol).

No, it isn't. And they did. That's the point of Seasonic, isn't it? Being a better unit? In every single PSU related thread the stock answer is always "just by a Sheashonic lul" no matter the specifics of the question.

 

[Solid State Soul ( SSS )]

If any PSU, no matter the make and model, is acting up inside of the warranty (10 years in this case) it is defective, even if you push it 100% the whole time. That's the point of warranties, and the ATX spec. Besides it happens with that GTX970 as well as with Vega.



No, it isn't. And they did. That's the point of Seasonic, isn't it? Being a better unit? In every single PSU related thread the stock answer is always "just by a SheSashonic lul" no matter the specifics of the question.

She-sanic.... gotta go fast

 

[eidairaman1]

Instead of brushing it under the rug they will grant RMAs to users affected. Focus brand might be replaced with X series again, just go back to what works...

 

[TheGuruStud]

If any PSU, no matter the make and model, is acting up inside of the warranty (10 years in this case) it is defective, even if you push it 100% the whole time. That's the point of warranties, and the ATX spec. Besides it happens with that GTX970 as well as with Vega.



No, it isn't. And they did. That's the point of Seasonic, isn't it? Being a better unit? In every single PSU related thread the stock answer is always "just by a Sheashonic lul" no matter the specifics of the question.

You will kill it in short order running at max. It’s not worth the trouble.

I’m going to assume people are running OCed CPUs and then the asus 970 has V bumped. What’s that gonna pull? Almost 400 on the 12V rail everything included? Most low wattage PSUs would be very unhappy. I’m not surprised overcurrent is tripping on the 550s. Ripple is maxing out b/c it’s overloaded. They’re rated wrong or are supremely defective.

Maybe it’s time they go back to normal ratings where 12V rail isn’t listed at 540 watts. That’s pretty scummy. Because, I have to bet that is indeed not the case.

This would never happen on an old unit. I’m running on an old 600W seasonic for all these years without issue. Budget shit doesn’t pay (even if the case is these are all defective).