Unstable Computer - Unknown Cause

M1KEY · 10-11-2009, 10:12 AM

I built my first PC around 6 months ago but it's started to play up

. Programs randomly stop reponding (including the file browser), and everything runs slowly. I thought that this was a software problem so I reinstalled windows (twice), and also tried linux, but the problems percisted

.

I then thought that it might be a proplem with the processor so I ran a torture test on it, i'm not 100% sure that I ran it correctly but there didn't seem to be any problems.

I also thought that it might be overheating so I did some heavy compressing then immpediately repooted and checked the temps in the bios (motherboard temp 40C cpu about 55C) this also seems OK

.

Now I have no idea what to do, help would be much appreciated,
(specs follow)

CPU: Amd athlon x2 7750 Black edition

Memory: 4gb Corsair dominator xms2 ddr2 pc6400

Case: Coolermaster Centurion 542

Cooling: Front and Back 120mm fans side 80mm fan, coolermaster cpu cooler

Optical drive: pioneer dvr-216

Motherboard: Asus m2n-e

PSU: xilence 460w psu <I fear that this may be the problem

Thanks in advance for all your help

**Tyree** · 10-11-2009, 10:17 AM

Those CPU & Mobo temps are acceptable but pretty high.
My first suspicion is the PSU. What graphics card are you using?

M1KEY · 10-11-2009, 10:53 AM

graphics card is gainwards bliss 8800gt,
Thanks for the reply

**Tyree** · 10-11-2009, 11:21 AM

The 8800GT requires a minimum 400W so my best suggestion would be to replace the xilence 460w (not good quality) with a Seasonic or Corsair unit.
Newegg has the CORSAIR 650TX 650W on special for $90.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005

M1KEY · 10-11-2009, 11:54 AM

Unfortunately im in the UK so I can only dream about prices like that, but ill try to find a similar branded psu

**Tyree** · 10-11-2009, 11:58 AM

Seasonic and Corsair are quality units. I believe Corsair are pretty readily available there.

Phædrus2401 · 10-11-2009, 01:59 PM

Corsair
SeaSonic
PC Power and Cooling
Thermaltake ToughPower
CoolerMaster Real Power Pro

Those are the brands we recommend. The Corsair TX650W is an excellent unit, far better than the Xilence (which are garbage).

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/135514

10-11-2009, 10:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
M1KEY Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP SP3	Unstable Computer - Unknown Cause I built my first PC around 6 months ago but it's started to play up. Programs randomly stop reponding (including the file browser), and everything runs slowly. I thought that this was a software problem so I reinstalled windows (twice), and also tried linux, but the problems percisted. I then thought that it might be a proplem with the processor so I ran a torture test on it, i'm not 100% sure that I ran it correctly but there didn't seem to be any problems. I also thought that it might be overheating so I did some heavy compressing then immpediately repooted and checked the temps in the bios (motherboard temp 40C cpu about 55C) this also seems OK. Now I have no idea what to do, help would be much appreciated, (specs follow) CPU: Amd athlon x2 7750 Black edition Memory: 4gb Corsair dominator xms2 ddr2 pc6400 Case: Coolermaster Centurion 542 Cooling: Front and Back 120mm fans side 80mm fan, coolermaster cpu cooler Optical drive: pioneer dvr-216 Motherboard: Asus m2n-e PSU: xilence 460w psu <I fear that this may be the problem Thanks in advance for all your help

10-11-2009, 10:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,621 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Unstable Computer - Unknown Cause Those CPU & Mobo temps are acceptable but pretty high. My first suspicion is the PSU. What graphics card are you using? __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-11-2009, 10:53 AM	#3 (permalink)
M1KEY Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP SP3	Re: Unstable Computer - Unknown Cause graphics card is gainwards bliss 8800gt, Thanks for the reply Last edited by M1KEY; 10-11-2009 at 10:57 AM.

10-11-2009, 11:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,621 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Unstable Computer - Unknown Cause The 8800GT requires a minimum 400W so my best suggestion would be to replace the xilence 460w (not good quality) with a Seasonic or Corsair unit. Newegg has the CORSAIR 650TX 650W on special for $90. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139005 __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-11-2009, 11:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
M1KEY Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 3 OS: Windows XP SP3	Re: Unstable Computer - Unknown Cause Unfortunately im in the UK so I can only dream about prices like that, but ill try to find a similar branded psu

10-11-2009, 11:58 AM	#6 (permalink)
Tyree Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 5,621 OS: XP Pro-7RC-Mandriva My System	Re: Unstable Computer - Unknown Cause Seasonic and Corsair are quality units. I believe Corsair are pretty readily available there. __________________ Posting your PC specs will help us to help you quicker and more efficiently.

10-11-2009, 01:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,817 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Unstable Computer - Unknown Cause Corsair SeaSonic PC Power and Cooling Thermaltake ToughPower CoolerMaster Real Power Pro Those are the brands we recommend. The Corsair TX650W is an excellent unit, far better than the Xilence (which are garbage). http://www.ebuyer.com/product/135514 __________________ 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.