PSU problem? GPX problem?

JoshQC · 02-24-2009, 08:28 PM

Hi guys,

This problem has been a real annoyance for me. I don't know as much as most of you probably do but I can't figure out where I'm going wrong here.

I built a desktop about a year ago to loan to someone, and I just got it back. She told me that every now and then the computer would simply turn off. No shut down, no error, no bleeping - just a total power off like someone pulled the plug. Weirdly, after you turn the unit back on Windows boots as per normal there's none of that disk checker program when you normally just pull the plug.

I can't seem to get it to do this unless I play a game. I tried loading Flight Sim 9 and it'll last between 2 and 7 minutes before the aforementioned happens.

I've downloaded as many drivers for both the mobo and GPX as I can possibly find.

I've taken the PSU plugs from everything on the mobo, dusted and reconnected.

I've removed the GPX to check it was inserted correctly.

Some people tell me it's a graphics card problem whereas others seem to say it's a PSU issue.

Here are the PC specs, any suggestions will be greatly appreciated:

Nvidia 6600GT 128MB PCI-E
ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe Motherboard
1.5 gig RAM
Processor
Model : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3700+
Speed : 2.21GHz
Windows XP pro SP2
350w PSU

I can't think of other system specs you might need, let me know if there's anything else.

Thanks,

Josh

**grimx133** · 02-24-2009, 08:54 PM

Shutdowns that happen like someone pulled the plug are usually caused by heat or power. Check in the bios for the temperatures and the actual voltages for the +3.3, +5, and +12 volt values.

I'd say 350 is a tad lean for any video card, it would have enough for onboard graphics, but that's about it. What's the make and model of the psu, also the output in amps, for the above mentioned voltage rails?

JoshQC · 02-24-2009, 09:08 PM

Thanks foryour reply.

How would I find out the temperatures and actual voltages for the rails? (Sorry, you've gone over my head there)

The PSU is a Colours-IT according to the sticker and the output amps are 14, 28 and 18 respectively.

**grimx133** · 02-25-2009, 01:17 AM

Go into the bios by hitting the delete key when the asus splash screen comes up. Once you are in the bios (or setup) navigate to the power menu and in there you'll find Hardware Monitor.
Section 4.5.5 of the pdf manual.
http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/...32-SLI_Dlx.pdf

18 amps on the +12 volt rail is not enough for any pci-e system. The minimum recommended is 26 amps, and the newer high end video cards need more. For a 6600GT you should have at least a 500 watt quality supply, preferrable 550+ watts. Something like this one - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005 That's the 650tx, unbelievable deal on that right now at newegg, 5 bucks less (after rebate- $75) than the 550 model. And the 650 will power any card up to the 9800GTX, so it'll last you a while, and will be something to carry on to a new machine if needed.

JoshQC · 02-25-2009, 06:03 AM

I see, thanks.

So anything over 550 will do? A friend just overed me a 700w psu for next to nothing - is that worth a go?

Also, can we be absolutely sure this isn't a gpx problem and solely lies within the realm of the psu?

**grimx133** · 02-25-2009, 06:59 AM

Only way to tell for sure is to test it with another psu, or try your card in another computer. Either way, the current psu just doesn't have the amps to run your system. Odds are that a better power supply will be fine, but there's always a chance that the card could have been damaged by a weak supply trying to put out more power than it's capable of producing, unstable power can damage pretty much everything in a system. Give the 700 watt a go. As long as it's a working psu, load up a game and see if it still cuts out. Should be fine, it was only cutting out when the demand for power went up, not when doing non-intensive things.

JoshQC · 02-25-2009, 07:01 AM

Thank you very much for all your help, grimx133.

No doubt you'll hear from me if it doesn't work. lol

JoshQC · 02-28-2009, 12:59 PM

ARGH! I just bought both a new GPX and PSU (a 660w with a 30A output on the 12v rail) and I'm having exactly the same problem.

Weirdly, I can now play the game for about 15 minutes before the system does what it was doing before.

Any ideas?

**wrench97** · 02-28-2009, 02:31 PM

Did you ever check the temps in the bios?

JoshQC · 02-28-2009, 03:25 PM

Just took a look:

CPU temp: 64C
MB temp: 44C

**wrench97** · 02-28-2009, 03:35 PM

CPU temp is too hot should be at least 30c cooler, have you tried cleaning it with a can of compressed air?

If that does not help then redo the thermal paste between the CPU and the heat sink.
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_s...structions.htm

JoshQC · 02-28-2009, 04:03 PM

I think I may have fixed it:

I removed the heatsink and fan, cleaned the fan and then realised the heatsink was clogged (I mean really clogged, the dust was almost solid!) so removing that seemed to be an obvious action to take.

Looked at the CPU just now and is running at 32C.

Thank you for your help, wrench97.

Josh

**wrench97** · 02-28-2009, 04:52 PM

Yep that will do it:)

02-24-2009, 08:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
JoshQC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 10 OS: Vista Home Premuim	PSU problem? GPX problem? Hi guys, This problem has been a real annoyance for me. I don't know as much as most of you probably do but I can't figure out where I'm going wrong here. I built a desktop about a year ago to loan to someone, and I just got it back. She told me that every now and then the computer would simply turn off. No shut down, no error, no bleeping - just a total power off like someone pulled the plug. Weirdly, after you turn the unit back on Windows boots as per normal there's none of that disk checker program when you normally just pull the plug. I can't seem to get it to do this unless I play a game. I tried loading Flight Sim 9 and it'll last between 2 and 7 minutes before the aforementioned happens. I've downloaded as many drivers for both the mobo and GPX as I can possibly find. I've taken the PSU plugs from everything on the mobo, dusted and reconnected. I've removed the GPX to check it was inserted correctly. Some people tell me it's a graphics card problem whereas others seem to say it's a PSU issue. Here are the PC specs, any suggestions will be greatly appreciated: Nvidia 6600GT 128MB PCI-E ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe Motherboard 1.5 gig RAM Processor Model : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3700+ Speed : 2.21GHz Windows XP pro SP2 350w PSU I can't think of other system specs you might need, let me know if there's anything else. Thanks, Josh Last edited by JoshQC; 02-24-2009 at 08:29 PM.

02-24-2009, 08:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,133 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: PSU problem? GPX problem? Shutdowns that happen like someone pulled the plug are usually caused by heat or power. Check in the bios for the temperatures and the actual voltages for the +3.3, +5, and +12 volt values. I'd say 350 is a tad lean for any video card, it would have enough for onboard graphics, but that's about it. What's the make and model of the psu, also the output in amps, for the above mentioned voltage rails? __________________

02-24-2009, 09:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
JoshQC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 10 OS: Vista Home Premuim	Re: PSU problem? GPX problem? Thanks foryour reply. How would I find out the temperatures and actual voltages for the rails? (Sorry, you've gone over my head there) The PSU is a Colours-IT according to the sticker and the output amps are 14, 28 and 18 respectively.

02-25-2009, 01:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,133 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: PSU problem? GPX problem? Go into the bios by hitting the delete key when the asus splash screen comes up. Once you are in the bios (or setup) navigate to the power menu and in there you'll find Hardware Monitor. Section 4.5.5 of the pdf manual. http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/...32-SLI_Dlx.pdf 18 amps on the +12 volt rail is not enough for any pci-e system. The minimum recommended is 26 amps, and the newer high end video cards need more. For a 6600GT you should have at least a 500 watt quality supply, preferrable 550+ watts. Something like this one - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005 That's the 650tx, unbelievable deal on that right now at newegg, 5 bucks less (after rebate- $75) than the 550 model. And the 650 will power any card up to the 9800GTX, so it'll last you a while, and will be something to carry on to a new machine if needed. __________________

02-25-2009, 06:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
JoshQC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 10 OS: Vista Home Premuim	Re: PSU problem? GPX problem? I see, thanks. So anything over 550 will do? A friend just overed me a 700w psu for next to nothing - is that worth a go? Also, can we be absolutely sure this isn't a gpx problem and solely lies within the realm of the psu?

02-25-2009, 06:59 AM	#6 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,133 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: PSU problem? GPX problem? Only way to tell for sure is to test it with another psu, or try your card in another computer. Either way, the current psu just doesn't have the amps to run your system. Odds are that a better power supply will be fine, but there's always a chance that the card could have been damaged by a weak supply trying to put out more power than it's capable of producing, unstable power can damage pretty much everything in a system. Give the 700 watt a go. As long as it's a working psu, load up a game and see if it still cuts out. Should be fine, it was only cutting out when the demand for power went up, not when doing non-intensive things. __________________

02-25-2009, 07:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
JoshQC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 10 OS: Vista Home Premuim	Re: PSU problem? GPX problem? Thank you very much for all your help, grimx133. No doubt you'll hear from me if it doesn't work. lol

02-28-2009, 12:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
JoshQC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 10 OS: Vista Home Premuim	Re: PSU problem? GPX problem? ARGH! I just bought both a new GPX and PSU (a 660w with a 30A output on the 12v rail) and I'm having exactly the same problem. Weirdly, I can now play the game for about 15 minutes before the system does what it was doing before. Any ideas?

02-28-2009, 02:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,440 OS: Win7	Re: PSU problem? GPX problem? Did you ever check the temps in the bios? __________________ Power Supply and Selection

02-28-2009, 03:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
JoshQC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 10 OS: Vista Home Premuim	Re: PSU problem? GPX problem? Just took a look: CPU temp: 64C MB temp: 44C

02-28-2009, 03:35 PM	#11 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,440 OS: Win7	Re: PSU problem? GPX problem? CPU temp is too hot should be at least 30c cooler, have you tried cleaning it with a can of compressed air? If that does not help then redo the thermal paste between the CPU and the heat sink. http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_s...structions.htm __________________ Power Supply and Selection

02-28-2009, 04:03 PM	#12 (permalink)
JoshQC Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 10 OS: Vista Home Premuim	Re: PSU problem? GPX problem? I think I may have fixed it: I removed the heatsink and fan, cleaned the fan and then realised the heatsink was clogged (I mean really clogged, the dust was almost solid!) so removing that seemed to be an obvious action to take. Looked at the CPU just now and is running at 32C. Thank you for your help, wrench97. Josh

02-28-2009, 04:52 PM	#13 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,440 OS: Win7	Re: PSU problem? GPX problem? Yep that will do it:) __________________ Power Supply and Selection