Recent build (2-3 months) is Dead

ComedicEntropy · 09-14-2009, 03:53 PM

To begin here is the build.

EVGA nforce 790i Ultra SLI
Intel Core 2 Quad 2.83 GHz...Yorkfield
EVGA GTX 260 Core 216
OCZ GameXstream 700-watt
4 GB Kingston 1333 MHz RAM
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12. 500 GB
Windows Vista Ultra 64-bit
Plextor Optical Drive
Phoenix Award Bios

So I can't pinpoint when this started happening, but it has all occurred in the last week or so. Recently I replaced my CPU heatsink from the stock Intel to Thermaltake V1 and there was a noticeable improvement in temperature reading. I believe this is unrelated to my problem, but it is worth mentioning. Although as previously mentioned, I cannot pinpoint when it happened, the first problem occurred when I was streaming video of the U.S. Open. The screen would freeze requiring me to turn my computer off and on to get it to reboot. This occurred 2 to 3 times, but any other activity did not give the same problem. Later (maybe a day or so), my computer would also freeze while playing Crysis for about an hour or so...(the problem also seemed to get worse (i.e. freeze more frequently) after it had been on for a longer period of time. The post beeps I interpret as 1 long followed by 2 short beeps. After multiple attempts (1 or more), my computer would eventually boot up correctly, only to experience the same problem again. So, I was about to take my desktop to the local computer store, so I decided to clean out any dust using compressed air (I had not turned on the computer earlier that morning). After cleaning, I turned it on and there was no post and no post beeps. However, all of the case fans lit up, and the motherboard lights turned on. What I noticed was that the Video Card fan was no longer spinning. Do I have a bad video card? I am currently using a VGA --> DVI adapter for the video card, but I don't think it is my monitor.

Any advice will be appreciated...

Thanks in advance.

**linderman** · 09-14-2009, 07:01 PM

OCZ 700 watt would make me very skeptical running a 260GTX !

thats a really hungry video card and a mediocre PSU

in your shoes I would start with a Corsair 850-TX from provantage.com >>>>> youre gonna get there sooner or later anyway!

http://www.provantage.com/corsair-cm...x~7CSM900N.htm

then RMA that OCZ back to them..............when you get it back, ebay

**Tyree** · 09-14-2009, 07:42 PM

Several things come to mind.
Intel CPU on a Mobo with Nvidia chips.
DDR3 RAM
Underpowered PSU.
I would also suggest replacing the PSU.

Phædrus2401 · 09-14-2009, 08:30 PM

I wouldn't say it's the PSU for sure, but it's definitely a possibility. OCZ isn't the worst manufacturer out there (they didn't make my **** list), but they are far inferior in quality and reliability to the brands we recommend. That would be the place I'd start, replace the OCZ 700W with a 650-750W unit from Corsair, SeaSonic, or PC Power and Cooling.

**linderman** · 09-15-2009, 06:14 AM

I agree with my colleges; the OCZ is not a bad power supply but IMHO its not a good choice for a high end power crazy video card

I cant say with certainity its your power supply, but I can tell you if not now it will be soon

09-14-2009, 03:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
ComedicEntropy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1 OS: ultra 64 vista sp1	Recent build (2-3 months) is Dead To begin here is the build. EVGA nforce 790i Ultra SLI Intel Core 2 Quad 2.83 GHz...Yorkfield EVGA GTX 260 Core 216 OCZ GameXstream 700-watt 4 GB Kingston 1333 MHz RAM Seagate Barracuda 7200.12. 500 GB Windows Vista Ultra 64-bit Plextor Optical Drive Phoenix Award Bios So I can't pinpoint when this started happening, but it has all occurred in the last week or so. Recently I replaced my CPU heatsink from the stock Intel to Thermaltake V1 and there was a noticeable improvement in temperature reading. I believe this is unrelated to my problem, but it is worth mentioning. Although as previously mentioned, I cannot pinpoint when it happened, the first problem occurred when I was streaming video of the U.S. Open. The screen would freeze requiring me to turn my computer off and on to get it to reboot. This occurred 2 to 3 times, but any other activity did not give the same problem. Later (maybe a day or so), my computer would also freeze while playing Crysis for about an hour or so...(the problem also seemed to get worse (i.e. freeze more frequently) after it had been on for a longer period of time. The post beeps I interpret as 1 long followed by 2 short beeps. After multiple attempts (1 or more), my computer would eventually boot up correctly, only to experience the same problem again. So, I was about to take my desktop to the local computer store, so I decided to clean out any dust using compressed air (I had not turned on the computer earlier that morning). After cleaning, I turned it on and there was no post and no post beeps. However, all of the case fans lit up, and the motherboard lights turned on. What I noticed was that the Video Card fan was no longer spinning. Do I have a bad video card? I am currently using a VGA --> DVI adapter for the video card, but I don't think it is my monitor. Any advice will be appreciated... Thanks in advance.

09-14-2009, 07:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,441 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Recent build (2-3 months) is Dead OCZ 700 watt would make me very skeptical running a 260GTX ! thats a really hungry video card and a mediocre PSU in your shoes I would start with a Corsair 850-TX from provantage.com >>>>> youre gonna get there sooner or later anyway! http://www.provantage.com/corsair-cm...x~7CSM900N.htm then RMA that OCZ back to them..............when you get it back, ebay __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

09-14-2009, 07:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,719 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Recent build (2-3 months) is Dead Several things come to mind. Intel CPU on a Mobo with Nvidia chips. DDR3 RAM Underpowered PSU. I would also suggest replacing the PSU. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

09-14-2009, 08:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,838 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Recent build (2-3 months) is Dead I wouldn't say it's the PSU for sure, but it's definitely a possibility. OCZ isn't the worst manufacturer out there (they didn't make my **** list), but they are far inferior in quality and reliability to the brands we recommend. That would be the place I'd start, replace the OCZ 700W with a 650-750W unit from Corsair, SeaSonic, or PC Power and Cooling. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

09-15-2009, 06:14 AM	#5 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,441 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Recent build (2-3 months) is Dead I agree with my colleges; the OCZ is not a bad power supply but IMHO its not a good choice for a high end power crazy video card I cant say with certainity its your power supply, but I can tell you if not now it will be soon __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial