Question: PC Power Fluctuations - Is a Surge Protector Helpful?
Question: PC Power Fluctuations - Is a Surge Protector Helpful?
Hello everyone! I have a curious inquiry I’d like to check.
About two years ago, when I first purchased my gaming PC, I encountered a problem that’s hard to remember exactly. It seemed to be related to replacing my surge protector. After trying different solutions and finally removing the old one, everything resolved.
I then upgraded to a more costly surge protector from Best Buy (Rocketfish) that fits directly into the outlet. So far, everything is functioning well.
Recently, I changed the surge protector again to another Rocketfish model, but switched to a floor-style rectangular surge protector. It powers my gaming PC, Macbook Pro, Dell work laptop, Nintendo Switch, speakers, monitor, and phone charger.
While using the PC afterward, I observed that core temperatures and fan speeds were constantly changing—ranging from 43°C to 68°C in just a few seconds. The fans would speed up dramatically before slowing down again. CPU load varied between 2% and 16%.
After restarting, I connected it directly to the wall using the nearby outlet, which still had all devices plugged in. Once back online, my CPU temperature dropped noticeably to around 7°C cooler, and fluctuations and load became very minimal.
Could it be that a surge protector isn’t delivering enough power or is affecting how the electricity reaches my system? Is there something specific I should investigate? I’m only using one outlet now.
Thank you for any advice you might have!
Could the problem stem from an insufficient or improperly restricted power supply, or the method of power delivery? If the concern remains constant upon adding the surge protector, it indicates the surge protector itself is the source of the issue.
When buying a surge protector, it's important to consider specific standards and requirements to ensure safety and effectiveness.