nVidia 9800 gtx+ and power supply question

Jeremythoff · 01-28-2009, 04:07 PM

Hey all,

I have a quick question. This is the first comp I've built w/o the help of my brother, and I've been running into a problem. The symptoms are bsod and freezes after very moderate cpu usage. Also I am running speed fan and the cpu temperature seems to fluctuate from 41C to 52C while either idle or very low usage. Usually around 52C or so is when I will get a freeze or a bsod. I've tried lots of different things including changing to high performance thermal paste, memory tests, fresh install, removing memory, new cpu, new chipset and graphics card drivers, direct x, ect. I'll post my specs below.

OS: XP
MB: Asus M3A79-T Deluxe (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131339)
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000 3.1GHz Duel-Core (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103272)
Graphics Card: Evga 512 GeForce 9800 gtx+ (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130339)
Power: Raidmax Rx 850W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817152034)
Memory: Kingston 1GB x4 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134487)
Case: Thermaltake Armor+MX w/ 3 fans (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133062)

Maybe I am wrong because of my lack of knowledge about computers, but I'm pretty sure I should be able to run more than a few programs without it freezing. Doing more research, I saw on the side of my graphics card it said, 450 watt or greater power supply with a minimum of 24 amps on the +12 volt rail. I looked at my power supply and it says all 12 volt rails are 20 amps.

Currently I have a 2 x 6 pin pci-express cable plugged into the graphics card. My question is this: does the graphics card need more power than this? Does it get power from anywhere else? Would I need to buy a power supply that has more than 20 amps on the 12 volt rail? Or is there another way to hook this up in order to get the required 24 amps to my graphics card.

Sorry I know this is long, but I've spent well over 20 hours working on this with no help, and I am getting pretty frustrated. Any comments, suggestions, or anything would help. Thank you in advance.

-Jeremy

Tumbleweed36 · 01-28-2009, 04:43 PM

First of all, check your temps and voltages in the bios when you first boot up. Those temps and voltages would normally be the most accurate. If they are as hot as reported, they are too warm and that might be the issue that is causing the shut downs.

Tell us about your case fans, where are they located, which direction are they blowing? That is very important.

For the thermal paste, I hope you are using Artic Silver 5 because that is normally the best. In addition, I hope you followed the instructions clearly by cleaning off the old paste and applying it exactly like is described here: Applying Artic Silver Thermal Paste

Please also make sure the legs on your CPU/Heatsink are snapped clear in. Some times a leg won't be clear in and can cause symptoms like this.

A power supply of that size should pull this easily. I do need to mention the Raidmax is not a very good power supply, but it should pull this under normal usage if it is functioning properly.

Jeremythoff · 01-29-2009, 08:14 PM

First off, thank you for the response. It is much appreciated.

The temperature in my bios when I boot up is extremely warm, about 43C/109F. I did not look at my voltage, I'll check that in a little bit and respond back.

The fans in my case. One is located on the side of the case. It is a large fan that pulls air in. There is also one located on the back of the computer that pushes air out. A fan located by the hard drive. Then a fan on the power supply, on the processor, and video card.

As for thermal paste, I am going to pick up some new stuff, probably the Artic Silver 5 and apply like you said. I'll post back in a few days with the update.

The legs are firmly put in. I made sure that was on tight and snapped into place.

Also I am going to buy a new/better fan for my processor. Also this may be important to know. To see if it was a temperature issue, I setup my computer by my window for some cold air. The temperature was at 28C and the computer froze again. So this may not only be a temperature issue. Any ideas?

Thanks again for the help.

-Jeremy

01-28-2009, 04:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jeremythoff Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2 OS: xp	nVidia 9800 gtx+ and power supply question Hey all, I have a quick question. This is the first comp I've built w/o the help of my brother, and I've been running into a problem. The symptoms are bsod and freezes after very moderate cpu usage. Also I am running speed fan and the cpu temperature seems to fluctuate from 41C to 52C while either idle or very low usage. Usually around 52C or so is when I will get a freeze or a bsod. I've tried lots of different things including changing to high performance thermal paste, memory tests, fresh install, removing memory, new cpu, new chipset and graphics card drivers, direct x, ect. I'll post my specs below. OS: XP MB: Asus M3A79-T Deluxe (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131339) CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000 3.1GHz Duel-Core (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103272) Graphics Card: Evga 512 GeForce 9800 gtx+ (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130339) Power: Raidmax Rx 850W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817152034) Memory: Kingston 1GB x4 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134487) Case: Thermaltake Armor+MX w/ 3 fans (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133062) Maybe I am wrong because of my lack of knowledge about computers, but I'm pretty sure I should be able to run more than a few programs without it freezing. Doing more research, I saw on the side of my graphics card it said, 450 watt or greater power supply with a minimum of 24 amps on the +12 volt rail. I looked at my power supply and it says all 12 volt rails are 20 amps. Currently I have a 2 x 6 pin pci-express cable plugged into the graphics card. My question is this: does the graphics card need more power than this? Does it get power from anywhere else? Would I need to buy a power supply that has more than 20 amps on the 12 volt rail? Or is there another way to hook this up in order to get the required 24 amps to my graphics card. Sorry I know this is long, but I've spent well over 20 hours working on this with no help, and I am getting pretty frustrated. Any comments, suggestions, or anything would help. Thank you in advance. -Jeremy Last edited by Jeremythoff; 01-28-2009 at 04:09 PM.

01-28-2009, 04:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,697 OS: XP Professional	Re: nVidia 9800 gtx+ and power supply question First of all, check your temps and voltages in the bios when you first boot up. Those temps and voltages would normally be the most accurate. If they are as hot as reported, they are too warm and that might be the issue that is causing the shut downs. Tell us about your case fans, where are they located, which direction are they blowing? That is very important. For the thermal paste, I hope you are using Artic Silver 5 because that is normally the best. In addition, I hope you followed the instructions clearly by cleaning off the old paste and applying it exactly like is described here: Applying Artic Silver Thermal Paste Please also make sure the legs on your CPU/Heatsink are snapped clear in. Some times a leg won't be clear in and can cause symptoms like this. A power supply of that size should pull this easily. I do need to mention the Raidmax is not a very good power supply, but it should pull this under normal usage if it is functioning properly. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

01-29-2009, 08:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jeremythoff Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 2 OS: xp	Re: nVidia 9800 gtx+ and power supply question First off, thank you for the response. It is much appreciated. The temperature in my bios when I boot up is extremely warm, about 43C/109F. I did not look at my voltage, I'll check that in a little bit and respond back. The fans in my case. One is located on the side of the case. It is a large fan that pulls air in. There is also one located on the back of the computer that pushes air out. A fan located by the hard drive. Then a fan on the power supply, on the processor, and video card. As for thermal paste, I am going to pick up some new stuff, probably the Artic Silver 5 and apply like you said. I'll post back in a few days with the update. The legs are firmly put in. I made sure that was on tight and snapped into place. Also I am going to buy a new/better fan for my processor. Also this may be important to know. To see if it was a temperature issue, I setup my computer by my window for some cold air. The temperature was at 28C and the computer froze again. So this may not only be a temperature issue. Any ideas? Thanks again for the help. -Jeremy Last edited by Jeremythoff; 01-29-2009 at 08:32 PM.