My PC locks up

[imported_Scorn]

I have an AMD 64 3500+ socket 939 processor, with the default fan, and it runs at around 45 on the desktop. When playing games, it used to lock up at around 58 degrees C (understandably so), but now it seems to lock up at around 51 degrees, and it happens all the time. All sound stops, the screen just stays as it was displaying the current application, or desktop, or whatever was there. Is it doing this at cooler temperatures because of CPU damage? My other theory is that my system is under powered.

I have a 500W power supply running a Galaxy GeForce 6800 128Mb, a DVD drive, a CD-RW Drive, a 80Gb Sata harddrive, 512MB or memory, and AMD 64 3500+ and an Abit AV8 3rd Eye.

I think it is either a power supply problem, or a CPU overheat problem. Could anybody shed some light on this situation?

 

[amdskip]

$10 its a cheap power supply that came with your case. Those temps are kinda high too.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

Even 58 C is not hot enough to cause it to lockup. Modern AMD CPUs easily run as high as 65 C (Although I hate to see a CPU running hooter than 60 C).

I doubt CPU heat is your problem, although if you have poor airflow I'd suspect your video card is overheating.

If it only locks up while playing games I'd suspect it's the vid card overheating. You overclocking it? If so, put it back to normal.

Leave the cover off the side of the computer and see if that helps (you might want to get a small desk fan and aim it at the video card). If that seems to help it's definately a heat issue. You may need to improve airflow in the case. Adding an intake fan to the front of the case may be all it takes.

As AMDSkip mentioned, CPU is a very likely candidate. People tend to cut corners on the PSU, but this is something you need to spend big bucks on. Cheap PSU = poor voltage regulation. Modern mobos are VERY fussy about voltage regulation.

I highly recommend Antec True power PSUs. I buy nothing else for myself and my clients now.

Have you run a memory tester like MEMTEST86?

Anything change recently? Add any new hardware?

You running the latest mobo, video and sound drivers?

If the fan on your video card running at full speed? Don't just check to see ifi it's spinning - it might be spinning slower than normal, or sticking sometimes (#1 cause of lockup whiel 3D gaming). If the video card fan making any noise?

 

[imported_Scorn]

I have a Galaxy GeForce 6800. The cooler on it looks pretty meaty, but how would I change it. I have a Viper XG Case w/ 500W psu, which may definately be the prob. I was gonna test with and old Geforce 4 MX to see if that solves it.