Computer Crashes

[TFM]

Here's my rig...
P4 3.0c
SY-P4I865PE Plus Dragon 2 Mobo
1 GB PC3200 Geil Value Dual Channel (2x512)
BBATI 9800Pro 256mb
WD 160 GB 7200 IDE HD
Generic case
Generic 400W PSU
2 front fans (intake added by me)
1 side fan over the CPU area (exhaust added by me)
1 back fan (exhaust added by me)
Everything is stock with no OC'ing

Here's my problem...
When playing games (it has only started since Christmas when i re-installed CoD on my computer to play networked games with family here at the house), the computer will suddenly just quit - and it won't shut down, it will just quit with the power light still on - but nothing's working at all. When i feel of the case, the case doesn't seem overly hot (sometimes not hot at all, sometimes it does feel warm but not too bad). I have to manually shut off the comp (holding in power button 5 secs) to get it to where i can turn it back on.

After doing some reading, it seems that my problem is the video card, but i just find that hard to believe b/c every time i run RivaTuner with my games going, it logs my card temps right around 60-62 which shouldn't be a problem at all. As well, i'm not getting any artifacting at all. But i'm beginning to get worried b/c i have a new vid card on the way (X850XT) and i'm scared of what might happen with it if it IS too hot in there. It's done this while playing CoD multi-layer (every time, have to run it in safe mode to play it), CoD2 and Civ4 (not nearly as frequently as with CoD multiplayer).

My initial thought is that it is a heat issue somewhere - either CPU or video. Any suggestions or thougths? Perhaps some way to cool things even more short of buying anything new (wife would kill me if i suggested buying anything else after the X850XT).

Thanks guys!

 

[zagood]

Check your other temps. Use something like SpeedFan to monitor your CPU and chipset temps while you're playing, it records like RivaTuner. Also note your voltages, it charts them as well.

-z

 

[Wentelteefje]

I'd say you need a new power supply... Especially when you are going to install a X850XT within a short time... Prolly it fluctuates too much... How come it's practically only COD Multi, that I don't know... What are the Amps on your PSU...?

A Fortron AX450-PN ($ 49.99 at NewEgg) will do great...

EDIT: Normally it could be heat related as well, but your case seems pretty well-ventilated...

 

[unprecedented]

I would get some petrol, pour it all over the computer, stand back, probaly 2m back (to advoid hair burning) and throw a lit match onto it. If your comp still works it should have learnt its lesson and won't crash again

 

[Wentelteefje]

Originally posted by: unprecedented
I would get some petrol, pour it all over the computer, stand back, probaly 2m back (to advoid hair burning) and throw a lit match onto it. If your comp still works it should have learnt its lesson and won't crash again

Seems right to me...

 

[TFM]

Originally posted by: zagood
Check your other temps. Use something like SpeedFan to monitor your CPU and chipset temps while you're playing, it records like RivaTuner. Also note your voltages, it charts them as well.

-z

K - i downloaded Speedfan and i'm kinda worried. Even after reading everything on there, i'm still not sure what is exactly controlling my CPU (though i am scared it's the high one), but here's what i am getting, perhaps you could help?

Temp1: 34-36
Temp2: 75-77
Temp3: All over the place, min:-14 max: 96 mean: 26.5
HD0: 29-31
Temp1: 77

In configure, the chip for the first three is IT8712F, Bus = ISA, Address = $290
The last temp chip is ACPI, Bus = ISA, Adress = $0

Any idea what this means? Is the Temp3 my CPU and it's getting very hot which is why my computer periodically just shuts down?

Thanks

 

[Jotho]

When you say your computer quits, do you mean that the monitor goes black and all else seems ok except there's no video signal? If that is the case, I would definitely suspect the PSU (especially since seeing you're using a generic brand). I experienced very similar issues while playing AOE3 and like yourself, suspected the video card at first. After a few weeks, symptoms started worsening and at certain points the computer would begin randomly shutting down.

Moral: See if you can borrow a capable PSU to see if all's well.

 

[Wentelteefje]

Originally posted by: TFM

Originally posted by: zagood
Check your other temps. Use something like SpeedFan to monitor your CPU and chipset temps while you're playing, it records like RivaTuner. Also note your voltages, it charts them as well.

-z

K - i downloaded Speedfan and i'm kinda worried. Even after reading everything on there, i'm still not sure what is exactly controlling my CPU (though i am scared it's the high one), but here's what i am getting, perhaps you could help?

Temp1: 34-36
Temp2: 75-77
Temp3: All over the place, min:-14 max: 96 mean: 26.5
HD0: 29-31
Temp1: 77

In configure, the chip for the first three is IT8712F, Bus = ISA, Address = $290
The last temp chip is ACPI, Bus = ISA, Adress = $0

Any idea what this means? Is the Temp3 my CPU and it's getting very hot which is why my computer periodically just shuts down?

Thanks

So that's another reason NOT to trust such a program... Those readings don't make sense at all, because they're switched as well... Try MBM 5 (it's better than SpeedFan), and compare temps... Otherwise, go into your BIOS and check temps there...

I'd really consider a new PSU... If it blows it can take everything with it (and that's going to cost you a lot more than the $ 50 for the PSU)... The Fortron AX450-PN really is very good...

 

[TFM]

K - downloaded MBM 5 and am getting basically the same results

1 reads 34 corresponding to both Speedfan and Smartguardian (assuming CPU since that roughly corresponds with temp in bios as well)
1 reads 75 corresponding to both Speedfan and Smartguardian (assuming PWMIC since that's what's read in Smartguardian and makes sense from what i've read...kinda high though)
1 reads all over the place - though it does not direcly correspond to the numbers that match between Speedfan and Smartguardian...but the numbers run just as weird

Not sure where this leaves me...but i might start looking to pick up a new PSU just to see if it makes any differences.

Thanks!

 

[TFM]

Not sure why teh double post - sorry

 

[TFM]

Think i'm going to pick up Antec TP-II 480 Blue ATX 12V.

I know it's a little more expensive (though reasonable AR), i would just like to buy it locally so that in case it's NOT the problem, then i can return it and get my money back. This one's just as good as the Fortron mentioned isn't it?