My PC shuts down when playing games

[Salsalol]

Hello, i'm new to these forums and i'm having a really annoying issue thats been ongoing for a bit over a year now and i cant seem to figure out the issue, anytime that i play games slightly graphically intensive, my pc will shut down (Not restart) it can range from anywhere from 5-10 minutes to a few hours but it always eventually crashes

The spec's for my rig are:

OS:Windows Xp HE SP3
CPU:Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600, 2.4ghz
Mobo: Asus p5n32-e SLI, with BIOS Version 1503
Ram: 2x 2gb Mushkin DDR2
GPU: Geforce 8800 GTS 640 MB w/ Latest Nvidia drivers (91.07
PSU: NZXT. 850 Watt

My idle temps are about 42c/44c/36c/37c for cpu, and about 52 c for the gpu, under load
85c

I've tried cleaning it out completely so there is no dust, i have 3 fans, one on the front of the CPU, one on the proccessor and then the psu fan, smaller fans nothing special

If you need any further details on my specs or anything else please feel free to ask.

With my limited knowledge of computers, i havent been able to figure out why this is happening all i know is if i can get this issue resolved i'd be a very happy man, thank you for reading.

[floop12444]

Hi and welcome to TSF,
That 85c temperature on full load is high, is it for the CPU or the GPU?
I think the high temperature is automatically shutting down your PC to stop it from damaging the components.

[dai]

NZXT psu's are classed as generic low efficiency output

which equates it out to around 575-600w

[Salsalol]

Originally Posted by floop12444

Hi and welcome to TSF,
That 85c temperature on full load is high, is it for the CPU or the GPU?
I think the high temperature is automatically shutting down your PC to stop it from damaging the components.

That was my GPU

[Salsalol]

Originally Posted by dai

NZXT psu's are classed as generic low efficiency output

which equates it out to around 575-600w

Very interesting, would that be enough to run a SATA Raptor 10,000 RPM HD 140 gb's, and a 300 gb basic 7200 rpm HD ontop of the prementioned parts?

I know very little about voltage, but this is some very interesting info, i did not know that.

Could you recommend me a PSU that would be up for that job for sure?

Thanks

[Phædrus2401]

It should be up to the task of powering your computer, plus a few hard drives (hard drives only take ~10-15W each). I don't get the feeling it's the problem here, I agree with Floop that it's more likely an overheating issue. But next time you build/buy a computer get a quality power supply. Ones we've found to be excellent:

Corsair
SeaSonic
Channel Well Technology
PC Power and Cooling
CoolerMaster Real Power Pro (NOT eXtreme Power)
Thermaltake Toughpower (NOT Pure Power)

For your computer a ~650W unit from one of those brands would be ample.

[Salsalol]

Originally Posted by Phædrus2401

It should be up to the task of powering your computer, plus a few hard drives (hard drives only take ~10-15W each). I don't get the feeling it's the problem here, I agree with Floop that it's more likely an overheating issue. But next time you build/buy a computer get a quality power supply. Ones we've found to be excellent:

Corsair
SeaSonic
Channel Well Technology
PC Power and Cooling
CoolerMaster Real Power Pro (NOT eXtreme Power)
Thermaltake Toughpower (NOT Pure Power)

For your computer a ~650W unit from one of those brands would be ample.

Well, i've ran several burn/stress tests on my pc and even the most hardcore of them put me at 85c GPU on FULL Load and never once has it shut my pc down

[RockmasteR]

I'm really interested to know your CPU temps under load, it could be the problem of the shutting down, also the PSU could be the issue as well, having a low quality PSU with that video card is a real danger for your PC
you need at least a 650 W quality PSU like Corsair

[Salsalol]

Originally Posted by RockmasteR

I'm really interested to know your CPU temps under load, it could be the problem of the shutting down, also the PSU could be the issue as well, having a low quality PSU with that video card is a real danger for your PC
you need at least a 650 W quality PSU like Corsair

Under full load it gets to about 66-70c tops thats with prime95

Now my exact PSU is http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16817116004R, can you once again confirm that, that is indeed not enough to power my rig?

Thanks for all the replies guys.

[dai]

it should be enough to power your current rig but may not cater for any upgrade
it will dgrade faster than a quality unit

NZXT was built for the o/clockers to their specs you would have thought they would have done a better job of it