Computer Randomly Restarts

feifei · 06-30-2008, 10:45 PM

Hi.

Okay, so I have this spiffy computer, but ever since I got it built, it has intermittently crashed on me, whether it be the dreaded bsod, random restart, or such.

These are my specs:

Intel Core 2 Duo e6600 @ 3.0ghz (overclocked)
A-DATA DDR2 800 RAM 4gb 4-4-4-12 (overclocked)
300gb Western Digital 7200rpm HDD Sata 3.0gb/s
evga GeForce 8800GTS (superclocked edition; also overclocked)
Asus P5N-E SLI mobo
550w PSU (Antec)
Antec 900 case w/ all fans on high, and an additional 120mm fan on side panel
Windows XP Professional SP2
I always have the latest drivers.

My random restart and bsod problem has occurred even before I overclocked my system. When running stress tests for each individual component overnight, I get good results (everything seems stable).

However, when I try to run a game, sometimes my computer just seems to freeze (the sound stutters) and my computer restarts. That, or I get a BSOD.

My GPU has never gone above 85C (even on hot days, under load).

My CPU cores have never gone above 58C (even on hot days, under max load)

My computer almost certainly restarts if I'm trying to encode a video (especially with the h264 codec).

I AM able to run games w/o problems for the MOST part... however, random restarts and crashes are far too frequent for my comfort.

Help please? Thank you in advance!

vladimirb · 07-01-2008, 03:37 AM

Hi feifei,
could you post BSODs next time when it happens please?
Also, download SpeedFun here: http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php
Post SpeedFun Results...
You have processor + RAM + graphic card overclocked, it could be overheating problem...
Your Motherboard has nForce 650i SLI chipset, I am curious what temperature will be for it...
Let us know what you did...
Hope this will help you mate...

feifei · 07-01-2008, 05:21 PM

I found out what my problem was... I think. Apparently, the stock voltage for my e6600 is 1.35v, but my mobo had set it to 1.325v!

imagine.... just a few small adjustments to voltage makes all the difference!

However... I just recently found out about the orthos test and started running it. Within a minute, my core temperatures skyrocket in excess of 60C (I've observed 67C constantly after about 15 minutes).

Anything I can do to bring my temps down? I've got an after market thermaltake fan w/ Antec Formula 5 thermal paste. My idle temps are usually around 36C, but it's summertime now, so my idle temps are at 41C.

I've also got an Antec 900 case w/ all fans running on high and an additional 120mm fan on the side panel.

Think a zalman 9500 might solve my problems?

Speedfan results @ idle:

Tumbleweed36 · 07-01-2008, 05:30 PM

I think the Zalman is most likely a better cooler, just as Artic Silver 5 is better thermal paste than you used. However, if you read the chart, your temps are not that bad for a quad core. You are at the point that little tweaks like better thermal paste and a better cooler would bring them even lower. Be sure also to consider round cables to keep from obsturcting air flow and keep that baby clean with a can of compressed air. Those heatsinks get pretty dusty and that raises the temps.

feifei · 07-01-2008, 05:39 PM

I dust on a regular basis and... well, my cables are actually a jumble of heck. I'm fairly darn sure that the cables are restricting air flow.

But it's not a quad core, it's just a lowly discontinued Core 2 Duo e6600.

Idle temps are fine, but when under load (like playing Crysis), my cores get up to around 58C.

Tumbleweed36 · 07-01-2008, 05:55 PM

Actually misunderstood on the quad core, but anyway, those temps are pretty darn good. 58c while playing a game that is streneous is not too high for you. BTW, that is a very good processor you have IMHO.

feifei · 07-01-2008, 06:02 PM

Thank you very much, tumbleweed.

I just hope nothing blows up in my face. As long as that happens, I'm A-Okay!

06-30-2008, 10:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
feifei Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 7 OS: xp sp2	Computer Randomly Restarts Hi. Okay, so I have this spiffy computer, but ever since I got it built, it has intermittently crashed on me, whether it be the dreaded bsod, random restart, or such. These are my specs: Intel Core 2 Duo e6600 @ 3.0ghz (overclocked) A-DATA DDR2 800 RAM 4gb 4-4-4-12 (overclocked) 300gb Western Digital 7200rpm HDD Sata 3.0gb/s evga GeForce 8800GTS (superclocked edition; also overclocked) Asus P5N-E SLI mobo 550w PSU (Antec) Antec 900 case w/ all fans on high, and an additional 120mm fan on side panel Windows XP Professional SP2 I always have the latest drivers. My random restart and bsod problem has occurred even before I overclocked my system. When running stress tests for each individual component overnight, I get good results (everything seems stable). However, when I try to run a game, sometimes my computer just seems to freeze (the sound stutters) and my computer restarts. That, or I get a BSOD. My GPU has never gone above 85C (even on hot days, under load). My CPU cores have never gone above 58C (even on hot days, under max load) My computer almost certainly restarts if I'm trying to encode a video (especially with the h264 codec). I AM able to run games w/o problems for the MOST part... however, random restarts and crashes are far too frequent for my comfort. Help please? Thank you in advance!

07-01-2008, 03:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
vladimirb Hardware Team Tech Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina Posts: 1,466 OS: xp pro sp3, Server 2003 My System	Re: Computer Randomly Restarts Hi feifei, could you post BSODs next time when it happens please? Also, download SpeedFun here: http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php Post SpeedFun Results... You have processor + RAM + graphic card overclocked, it could be overheating problem... Your Motherboard has nForce 650i SLI chipset, I am curious what temperature will be for it... Let us know what you did... Hope this will help you mate... __________________ Realm: Bronze Dragonflight - EU Undead Rogue --- Level 70 --- Spec: Combat Orc Shaman --- Level 70 --- Spec: Elemental Tauren Warrior --- Level 70 --- Spec: Protection Troll Priest --- Level 63 --- Spec: Shadow Last edited by vladimirb : 07-01-2008 at 03:40 AM.

07-01-2008, 05:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
feifei Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 7 OS: xp sp2	Re: Computer Randomly Restarts I found out what my problem was... I think. Apparently, the stock voltage for my e6600 is 1.35v, but my mobo had set it to 1.325v! imagine.... just a few small adjustments to voltage makes all the difference! However... I just recently found out about the orthos test and started running it. Within a minute, my core temperatures skyrocket in excess of 60C (I've observed 67C constantly after about 15 minutes). Anything I can do to bring my temps down? I've got an after market thermaltake fan w/ Antec Formula 5 thermal paste. My idle temps are usually around 36C, but it's summertime now, so my idle temps are at 41C. I've also got an Antec 900 case w/ all fans running on high and an additional 120mm fan on the side panel. Think a zalman 9500 might solve my problems? Speedfan results @ idle: Last edited by feifei : 07-01-2008 at 05:22 PM.

07-01-2008, 05:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 14,184 OS: XP Professional	Re: Computer Randomly Restarts I think the Zalman is most likely a better cooler, just as Artic Silver 5 is better thermal paste than you used. However, if you read the chart, your temps are not that bad for a quad core. You are at the point that little tweaks like better thermal paste and a better cooler would bring them even lower. Be sure also to consider round cables to keep from obsturcting air flow and keep that baby clean with a can of compressed air. Those heatsinks get pretty dusty and that raises the temps. __________________ ----------

07-01-2008, 05:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
feifei Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 7 OS: xp sp2	Re: Computer Randomly Restarts I dust on a regular basis and... well, my cables are actually a jumble of heck. I'm fairly darn sure that the cables are restricting air flow. But it's not a quad core, it's just a lowly discontinued Core 2 Duo e6600. Idle temps are fine, but when under load (like playing Crysis), my cores get up to around 58C.

07-01-2008, 05:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 14,184 OS: XP Professional	Re: Computer Randomly Restarts Actually misunderstood on the quad core, but anyway, those temps are pretty darn good. 58c while playing a game that is streneous is not too high for you. BTW, that is a very good processor you have IMHO. __________________ ----------

07-01-2008, 06:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
feifei Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 7 OS: xp sp2	Re: Computer Randomly Restarts Thank you very much, tumbleweed. I just hope nothing blows up in my face. As long as that happens, I'm A-Okay!