need some opinions: Cpu heat or Power shortage?

[DJD]

Hi.
This is a bit long, but please bear with me. :o

Im experiencing total system shutdowns when playing games (3dmark caused the same thing too). Shutdown would occur randomly, sometimes within 5 mins, sometimes after an hour or more.

After reading some other threads in the forum describing similar problems I'm now left with two suspicions: Cpu overheating or an over-taxed Power supply.
From the previous answers. the overheating seems the more likely case too me, especially as PC probe reports high CPU heat-levels. (pc probe shows heat levels around 60-65° C until all the background processes are started. then it drops to an idle temp around 45° C

However

I tried removing one of the graphics cards and then the system seemed to run fine. No shutdowns even after hours of playing, thus I suspected a power supply issue. But it seems to me that 680W should be more than enough even with the additional load of cooldrives and other units (unless its a PS quality issue) :rolleyes:

The system config is the following:
MB: asus p5nd2-sli
CPU: intel p4 640 3.2Ghz. (using the fan/HS package that came with the cpu)
Graphics: 2x XFX 6800GT PCIE (forceware 81.98)
HHD: 2x Samsung spinpoint 200GB (with 2 Cooler master Cooldrive 6)
Power: Thermaltake Purepower 680W
OS: WinXP prof. sp2 (fully updated)

I'd like some second opinions before I spend any money on new parts...

[Puter Padowan]

However

I tried removing one of the graphics cards and then the system seemed to run fine. No shutdowns even after hours of playing, thus I suspected a power supply issue. But it seems to me that 680W should be more than enough even with the additional load of cooldrives and other units (unless its a PS quality issue) :rolleyes:



Hi DJD. Since you said you removed one of your graphics cards, it does sound like overheating to me. This is because if it were a power issue, removing a graphics card would not stop your system from shutting off randomly.

When a power supply is on the fritz, some of the symptoms are random shutdowns, blue screens, lockups and things like that. It would continue to happen even after pulling out another part.

Now I could be wrong... but based on what you said, that's what it sounds like to me...overheating. Make sure all your fans are running properly. Make sure the fans on your vid cards are running as well. Make sure the air vent is properly connected so the hot air is being sent out of the machine and not just floating around inside.

These are just simple things I would recommend to check. I'm sure one of the site genius' will come on shortly to give a more in debt explanation...heh

I'm just trying to give back what I have gotten from here as far as knowledge and the help goes. Hope it helps. Good luck.

[jlreich]

Welcome to the http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif forums.

The PSU should be fine I would think. 680W and Themaltake is a decent brand. Although if I got the right model (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153021) it only has 15A and each +12 rail. That could be a little low for all you have on your system. Wait and see what Saphalline has to say about that.

Couple things you could do in the meanwhile. Your temps are above normal. Try loading something intensive that you can still watch the temps in PC Probe. Or if PC Probe has logging capabilities, then set it to log the temps and run a game, then check the logged temps to see just how far they are going under full load.

Experiment a little more with taking out components to see if the problem goes away with less power strain. You need to do it more than once and put the system under strain longer to confirm that is helps or not.

EDIT - Puter Padowan was faster than me. :p

[saphalline]

It could be an overtaxed PSU, but I also tend to think it's overheating. Explain your case's cooling scheme, and give a link to pictures of your case if possible (either from an online store or your own personal pics).

[DJD]

Thanks for the quick replies.

The case got 2x 120mm fans installed (fixed rpm, no controller). air intake on the side and exaust in the rear.

brand of the case is NZXT nemesis
(http://www.nzxt.com/NemesisPreview.php)

as for the power supply.
http://www.thermaltake.com/2005/purepower/w0049/w0049.htm
I heard there were some problems with one earlier model but i think this is the new one.

included a home-made image (hope it makes sense) :p of the fan locations. in relation to CPU and Graphics cards

in case the picture is unreadable:
Green square = side fan.
Red arrows = air flow.
Dark blue = Graphics cards.
Bright blue = CPU.

[saphalline]

Actually, vid card fans blow onto the heatsink, not away, but that's a minor correction. ;)

Well, that case has a front fan spot for another 120mm fan. And since fans are cheaper than a new PSU, and since it's better to have more air going into your case than out, I would suggest adding a fan in front. Not only will it cool your hard drives, but it may just clear up this problem.