Computer Hanging, Is PSU the culprit?

reflexsa · 05-14-2008, 01:32 AM

Hi all,

I'm not exactly sure what is wrong with my PC so I decided posting here would be a good start.

My computer hangs at very random times. Sometimes just in windows when I am browsing or using word, and also happens in Warcraft 3. Both of which are not very intense applications. The system freezes with no warning, if playing music or a game the sound will loop for a second then stop.

These hangs happen approximately once a day and nothing is shown in the event viewer.

This is what I have done:

Run Memtest for almost 14Hours, no errors.
Swapped ram for new ram. Still hanging
Stressed CPU with 2 copies of Prime95 for 12 hours. No errors
Stressed GFX card using Crysis Benchmark for 6 hours. No hanging or errors.

Im pretty much out of ideas except my psu. The only thing that bothers me is that it doesnt hang any faster while doing demanding activities. Also my friend was running a similar system to me with 2x8800gts on this power supply.

Here are my specs:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ (not overclocked)
MSI K9N Ultra
2x1GB Apacer DDR2 800
MSI 8800gt OC
1x250GB Seagate
1x160GB Hitachi
1X120GB Seagate
420W Supply with 18A on 12V rail
3x120mm Case fans

Thanks for any help in advance!

**manic** · 05-14-2008, 03:06 AM

Your friend is flirting with disaster., way under powered.
As for you, you are under powered as well. And the first thing I
would do is replace that psu with a quality unit. 600watt plus
range. The psu may or may not be the issue, but that is where I
would start. Need more amps on the 12volt rail. If my memory is
right I think its 26 for pci e cards.

Tumbleweed36 · 05-14-2008, 03:25 AM

I agree with my teammate manic. You need a power supply in the 650 watt range for that video card. Take a look at Corsair, Thermaltake "toughpower" series, PC Power & Cooling, OCZ, Seasonic, or Silverstone. You can't go wrong with any of these supplies, but don't fall in to that trap of buying an off brand because it is cheaper priced.

reflexsa · 05-14-2008, 04:30 AM

Thanks guys, I will look into that. Perhaps I can lend one from a friend just too test. Put his PC out of action for a week of so :). I suppose it will also be a good investment for future computers if I buy decent

05-14-2008, 01:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
reflexsa Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 9 OS: Windows XP SP2	Computer Hanging, Is PSU the culprit? Hi all, I'm not exactly sure what is wrong with my PC so I decided posting here would be a good start. My computer hangs at very random times. Sometimes just in windows when I am browsing or using word, and also happens in Warcraft 3. Both of which are not very intense applications. The system freezes with no warning, if playing music or a game the sound will loop for a second then stop. These hangs happen approximately once a day and nothing is shown in the event viewer. This is what I have done: Run Memtest for almost 14Hours, no errors. Swapped ram for new ram. Still hanging Stressed CPU with 2 copies of Prime95 for 12 hours. No errors Stressed GFX card using Crysis Benchmark for 6 hours. No hanging or errors. Im pretty much out of ideas except my psu. The only thing that bothers me is that it doesnt hang any faster while doing demanding activities. Also my friend was running a similar system to me with 2x8800gts on this power supply. Here are my specs: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ (not overclocked) MSI K9N Ultra 2x1GB Apacer DDR2 800 MSI 8800gt OC 1x250GB Seagate 1x160GB Hitachi 1X120GB Seagate 420W Supply with 18A on 12V rail 3x120mm Case fans Thanks for any help in advance!

05-14-2008, 03:06 AM	#2 (permalink)
manic Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 2,749 OS: xp	Re: Computer Hanging, Is PSU the culprit? Your friend is flirting with disaster., way under powered. As for you, you are under powered as well. And the first thing I would do is replace that psu with a quality unit. 600watt plus range. The psu may or may not be the issue, but that is where I would start. Need more amps on the 12volt rail. If my memory is right I think its 26 for pci e cards. __________________

05-14-2008, 03:25 AM	#3 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 12,816 OS: XP Professional	Re: Computer Hanging, Is PSU the culprit? I agree with my teammate manic. You need a power supply in the 650 watt range for that video card. Take a look at Corsair, Thermaltake "toughpower" series, PC Power & Cooling, OCZ, Seasonic, or Silverstone. You can't go wrong with any of these supplies, but don't fall in to that trap of buying an off brand because it is cheaper priced. __________________ ----------

05-14-2008, 04:30 AM	#4 (permalink)
reflexsa Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 9 OS: Windows XP SP2	Re: Computer Hanging, Is PSU the culprit? Thanks guys, I will look into that. Perhaps I can lend one from a friend just too test. Put his PC out of action for a week of so :). I suppose it will also be a good investment for future computers if I buy decent