syre

K, last power supply died so I am using an older one for now til I can get a new one. Nothing downloaded/installed recently.

Everything has been working fine for a couple weeks on the old one but I restarted my computer and now some sounds are coming out distorted.

For example...

Playing a game, sound effects sound normal, but game music is distorted like there is a blown speaker (not the speakers, its internal... 2 sound outputs and both are screwy with different speakers).

Gameplay is slightly off. Sometimes a skip in animation every couple seconds. Only off thing is if there is music playing on a load screen the music will slow down and speed up as information is loading but the load time is as normal as before the issue.

Other than in games, the startup sound when Windows loads has the same "bad speaker" distortion, otherwise everything else runs smooth and normal.

Is this a power supply problem? If so, should I stop powering up my comp. until I get a new one?

Tumbleweed36

It is really difficult to evaluate this situation unless we know the specs of your computer and the power supply specs. List brand name and wattage for your power supply. Low power can and may cause so many symptoms that it is impossible to tell untill we have more info.

Might also want to download and run Speedfan so we can see what is happening in there. No guarantees, but that will tell us about temperatures and voltages which might prove helpful to give us some clues.

syre

AMD Athlon 64 2800+
Asus A8V VIA K8T800Pro MB
ATI Radeon X700
Onboard audio
1 GB Dual-Channel DDR400 (2 512 cards)
120 GB Western Digital HD (5400 or 7200 rpm im not sure)
Amtec 450W PS

And just let me know what you need from speedfan

Tumbleweed36

We need the voltages and the temperatures for now.

syre

At 6% CPU Usage...

Vcore: 1.40V
+12V: 11.19
3.3V: 3.28V
Vcc: 4.93V
Vin2: 0.00V
5Vsb: 4.91V
Vbat: 0.00V

Temp1: 22C
2: 38C
3: 17C
Temp: 127C
Temp: 127C
HD0: 33C
Core: 36C

The two "Temp" tempuratures are a little hot but im not sure what those are. Everything else is normal/below normal.

speedster123

appears to be a weak supply
Power Supply Information and Selection

syre

So power supplies can cause drag like that then?

So is it safe to use this PC still or should I cut it out until I replace the PS?

Tumbleweed36

Try to check your bios voltages and temps and see what it says. They are usually pretty darn accurate.

Then download and run SensorviewPro so we get a total picture of those temps and voltages. Again, for the temps, run them at-rest and under-stress.

Please note: Some times sensors are not correct, so that is why we are double checking those.

Tumbleweed36

I didn't see your post before I sent this one along. Try the tests I have suggested and if it is the same, I would suggest a couple other models of power supply for you to get. That Antec 450 has had some problems through the years. Have had to replace several of those in the past couple of years.

syre

NP, like I said, just waiting to get a new one. Burned out one froze on the motherboard startup screen, this one loaded windows and kept working so I kept it in here. I just want to make sure its not something serious.

Heat Test
(I removed that 127C value, didn't change at all so I figure its a sensor ghost of some sort.)

SpeedFan/Sensors View

System
CPU: 42C
MB: 22C

0% CPU
CPU: 38C/38C
SYS: 22C/22C
AUX: 16C/16C
HD0: 35C/35C

100% (10 min game time)
CPU: 45C/44C
SYS: 22C/22C
AUX: 20C/20C
HD0: 33C/33C

PSU
System
VCORE: 1.44V
3.3V: 3.28V
5V: 4.99V
12V: 11.78V

SpeedFan/Sensors View
VCORE: 1.44V/1.44V
+12V: 11.25V/11.3V
-12V: NA/6.07V
3.3V: 3.28V/3.28V
Vcc: 4.93V/NA
Vin2: 0.00V/NA
5Vsb: 4.88V/4.91V
Vbat: 0.00V/NA
+Vbat: NA/1.15

Tumbleweed36

I frankly think you need to get that power supply replaced. Please consider either a 500 to 550 watt when you buy. Great supplies are Antec Earthwatts, Antec Trio models, Antec Neo HE models, Silverstone, PC Power & Cooling, Seasonic, Thermaltake "toughpower" series. Don't misunderstand, a 450 likely will pull it fine, but you need to always consider some "head" room for expansion. That would be my suggestion.

We can not guarantee that this will fix the "sound" problem, but only time will tell. BTW, these programs are pretty accurate most of the time, but the ONLY way you can tell exactly about the power output of a power supply is go to a local Radio Shack and buy a meter and test it that way.

Or, you could to to a bestbuy or Staples, purchase a good power supply and try it...if it doesn't help, then take it back and only pay a small restocking fee.