Question for the Hardware Gurus

Niber · 08-10-2009, 07:07 AM

My desktop randomly powers off with no real predictable frequency sometimes going a day, 5 hours, or 10 minutes between shutdowns.

First assumption, ole reliable overheating. Second, faulty power supply.. am I missing anything? I downloaded SpeedFan to check temperatures and I'm seeing CPU ~63C GPU ~78C but I'm not sure how accurate the sensors are because the core sensors are reporting different temperatures entirely.

Any ideas? It's a C2D and a 8800 GTX, I'm probably going to order a new case/ps/cpu fan because the current water cooling unit makes me uncomfortable. I'm praying its not a short in the motherboard that's only about 6 months old.

Prugor · 08-10-2009, 07:46 AM

Take off the waterblocks for the CPU/GPU, clean them with coffee filters and alcohol and reapply Arctic Silver or Ceramic, whichever one you prefer. Let sit with speedfan running and watch temps on idle. Run Prime95 and watch temps on load. If you don't shut down, that was the problem. Alot of motherboards, if not all motherboards, have a built in set of rules that when a CPU hits a certain temp, it also shuts down in attempt to prevent physical damage to the CPU or other parts of the motherboard.

If it shuts down again, its either the Motherboard or PSU.

Also, get a flashlight and do a spot check of the motherboard, around the voltage area. Check the capaciters as well. If any of them are blown or there are black marks on the PCB, return the board and get a new one.

Question.

Any strange beeps?
Does it boot sometimes and never enter windows?
What big events have you done with this computer, install any new hardware?
Has this problem been ongoing since you installed this new Motherboard?

Petgroup · 08-10-2009, 08:50 AM

I'd go with the power supply theory.

Gaige · 08-10-2009, 09:31 AM

Ya, what power supply is it.

Nurta · 08-10-2009, 10:03 AM

PSU is my thought as well and it's the easiest to change/check rather than the water cooling stuff. I'm a fan of keeping things simple.

Lamil · 08-10-2009, 11:24 AM

its only the pc right? I know at one point it was my outlet fucking with me with the slighest bumps of my power cable.

not likely, but just saying make sure.

Niber · 08-10-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gage

Ya, what power supply is it.

650w Tough Power

Niber · 08-10-2009, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prugor

Question.

Any strange beeps?
Does it boot sometimes and never enter windows?
What big events have you done with this computer, install any new hardware?
Has this problem been ongoing since you installed this new Motherboard?

No strange beeps.
No new hardware.
The problem is only probably 2 weeks old so I doubt it is directly related to a bad motherboard. The only real difference in normal operation in that I've played WoW more frequently (opposed to EQ2).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lamil

its only the pc right? I know at one point it was my outlet fucking with me with the slighest bumps of my power cable.

not likely, but just saying make sure.

Only the tower but I'll check the cords.

Prugor · 08-10-2009, 05:26 PM

If there are no physical problems with the motherboard.

start unplugging shit from the PSU. If you have extra HDDs and the DVDrom, unplug those and see if you still randomly reboot.

Phrozen · 08-10-2009, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Niber

I've played WoW more frequently

It's your computer's way of telling you to stop playing such a faggot game!