Spontaneous shutdown during high activity.

[Hydro619]

Hello there...I've been boggled by this problem for a while...so I thought I'd ask here.

I recently had a problem with my computer shutting down mid-gaming...but only while there's a large amount of graphical activity going on. Before the actual shutdown there is a chirping sound (not a mobo beep) that comes from my case. It starts out barely audible and continues to get louder and louder until shutdown. I've noticed while playing World of Warcraft...if I zoom in on the ground it will usually go away.

After the shutdown...my computer takes about 10 minutes before it will post again. I've checked all of my temps and they are all well within the operating range per part...which leads me to believe that it may be a power problem.

My CPU was overheating in the past (hitting about 80 degrees celcius) which also forces me to consider that there might be CPU damage.


Here are my specs. Let me know if you need more info.

Mobo - MSI P6NGM
CPU - Intel 2.66 core 2 duo
GPU - Nvidia Geforce 7600 GTX (outdated, I know)
4 gigs of DDR2 RAM
650w PSU

[Tiber Septim]

Hi.
What are the specs on your Power supply. Wattage doesn't really mean much.
Make, model, amps on the +12v rail. All that info should be on the sticker on the side of the supply.

Also, when you checked the temps, was that during a game or when the system was idle? Mind telling us what they were?

[dai]

if you have to wait before you can restart it would indicate the problem is heat
run this in the tray so you have realtime cpu temp monitoring

http://www.download.com/Core-Temp/30...-10794077.html

[Hydro619]

Originally Posted by dai

if you have to wait before you can restart it would indicate the problem is heat
run this in the tray so you have realtime cpu temp monitoring

http://www.download.com/Core-Temp/30...-10794077.html

Hovering around 55 while idle and 64 during gaming. I'll check out the specs on the PSU in a couple hours...I'm "working." >.>

Edit - I agree that it does sound like a temperature problem...and I've fully cleaned off my old thermal compound and replaced it with Arctic Silver since these problems have begun; along with replacing my heat sink. I don't know what they symptoms of a power problem would be in the slightest.

Also, thanks so much for the replies already. I've been looking everywhere for advice. This forum is really helpful. Definitely bookmarked for me.

[Hydro619]

Originally Posted by Tiber Septim

Hi.
What are the specs on your Power supply. Wattage doesn't really mean much.
Make, model, amps on the +12v rail. All that info should be on the sticker on the side of the supply.

Also, when you checked the temps, was that during a game or when the system was idle? Mind telling us what they were?

I lied about the original wattage...though it doesn't mean much. Its only 530w

Here's a link to the complete specs of the PSU...I'm sure it will be more thorough than I.

http://www.kingwin.com/product_pages/abt520mm.asp

I just recently had another shutdown...my temps in both cores hovered around 63 degrees.

[dai]

your temperatures need to be just about halved 60c is the max and the cpu is throttling back

it sounds like either you did not apply the paste correctly or one of the holding pins has popped up

redo the paste

http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appi..._dual_wcap.pdf

[Hydro619]

Originally Posted by dai

your temperatures need to be just about halved 60c is the max and the cpu is throttling back

it sounds like either you did not apply the paste correctly or one of the holding pins has popped up

redo the paste

http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appi..._dual_wcap.pdf

Thinking back on it...its quite possible that a pin popped out. I'm terrible at installing heatsinks.

Thanks so much! I'll pop the pins back in tonight!

[Hydro619]

Originally Posted by dai

your temperatures need to be just about halved 60c is the max and the cpu is throttling back

it sounds like either you did not apply the paste correctly or one of the holding pins has popped up

redo the paste

http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appi..._dual_wcap.pdf

Bought a new heat sink...made sure everything was in correctly and reapplied the thermal paste exactly to Arctic Silver's specifications...but I only dropped about 10 degrees in temp. Now hitting around 55 during gaming with spikes up to 59. Is it possible that the CPU is damaged?

Edit - temps back up around 64 =(

[af3]

Did you start out with a stock fan and heatsink, and what new heatsink did you get?

I believe it takes a little while before you notice an improvement.

[Hydro619]

Originally Posted by af3

Did you start out with a stock fan and heatsink, and what new heatsink did you get?

I believe it takes a little while before you notice an improvement.

I just bought the same model heatsink I had in there before (one of the pins broke as I took it out >.<). Here's a link.

http://www.evercool.com.tw/products/pt12.htm

[dai]

replacing i would have gone for the bolt down variety
the pin type are a pain