Computer keeps shutting down

[FREEZrBURN]

HELLO,
I'm pretty new to this community, but when I recently put together my first PC, I read up on stuff here to get some info.

When I first put it together, It had everything but the x800xt PE (check my sig for specs) I was using a GeForce 4 mx440. Every 20 minutes or so it would shut down due to overheating, after some wire arrangement and some ARCTIC 5, that problem was fixed. I recently (a couple weeks ago) got my x800xt PE and installed it. I ran farcry, and within the first 5 minutes, it shut down. I thought the computer may be overheating again, but when I checked my bios, it said CPU temp: 55 Celcius. Ruling out overheating, because my computer only shuts down when playing games, I've come to the conclusion that my power supply just may not be strong enough. Its 500 watts but I'm thinking with the 2 harddrives and the videocard, it just can't take it. Could I be wrong? What may be a better solution before I dish out $200 for a 600 watt?

Sorry if I seem like a lil ah heck, but this is my first real computer building experience and my knowledge is not as vast as most of you. Thanks for all your help!


EDIT: It also shuts down on doom3 and when I run 3dmark.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: FREEZrBURN
HELLO,
I'm pretty new to this community, but when I recently put together my first PC, I read up on stuff here to get some info.

When I first put it together, It had everything but the x800xt PE (check my sig for specs) I was using a GeForce 4 mx440. Every 20 minutes or so it would shut down due to overheating, after some wire arrangement and some ARCTIC 5, that problem was fixed. I recently (a couple weeks ago) got my x800xt PE and installed it. I ran farcry, and within the first 5 minutes, it shut down. I thought the computer may be overheating again, but when I checked my bios, it said CPU temp: 55 Celcius. Ruling out overheating, because my computer only shuts down when playing games, I've come to the conclusion that my power supply just may not be strong enough. Its 500 watts but I'm thinking with the 2 harddrives and the videocard, it just can't take it. Could I be wrong? What may be a better solution before I dish out $200 for a 600 watt?

Sorry if I seem like a lil ah heck, but this is my first real computer building experience and my knowledge is not as vast as most of you. Thanks for all your help!


EDIT: It also shuts down on doom3 and when I run 3dmark.

Any bluescreens? Turn off autoreboot - Right-click my computer/properties/advanced/startup&recovery/uncheck autoreboot.

I have a 250W PS powering 6 HDDs, a Compaq AMD 3000XP+ system, RAID card, modem, and more. I suggest you don't get caught up in the power supply race.

What does the System event log say?

 

[mechBgon]

Start by giving us your full specs, including the brand and model of the power supply. The brand is relevant because there's a lot of poser brands that are junk.

Also, if it's an AthlonXP-based system, confirm that your heatsink is oriented the correct direction and not 180° reversed: see here for photos.

 

[FREEZrBURN]

WOW, you guys cannot imagine how happy I am right now. Turns out the issue was the heatsink was on the wrong way. I ran 3dmark and recieved a score of 11505. I don't know what a good score would be, but right now I am just so happy its fixed. So thanks mechBgon and dclive for your help You saved me 200 bucks!

BTW: that was no fun at all, reading my mobo manual on how everything goes back together. Well, its 12:am and I have to be up for school tomorrow so G'Night!

 

[mechBgon]

excellent Enjoy your new rig!