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New Computer Stability Issues

T

Tomasulo

Junior Member
I just bought some new computer parts and my current system looks something like:

Intel P4 2.4C
ASUS P4P800 Deluxe
2x256 Kingmax PC3200 DDR RAM
ASUS Gf4 Ti4200
WD Raptor 36 GB SATA
WD Caviar SE 80 GB ATA133(or is it ATA100?)
CD-Rom
SB Audigy 1 Platinum
350 Watt Enermax PSU

I've done a clean install of WinXP SP1 and I am currently using the latest video and sound card drivers.
However my system seems unstable when I'm running games - my system either reboots itself randomly or it locks up completely and requires a hard reset. I am currently running at stock speeds and default voltages, so I'm thinking it could possibly be a weak power supply. Can anyone provide any additional feedback on this issue?

One other thing, is it normal for the hardware monitor to report the motherboard's temperature consistently lower than my CPU temperature? I'm running with the case open, so my idle CPU temp is around 33 Celcius, but my board is reported at 38 C. Under load, they are both around 40-42C.

Any help would be appreciated,
Thanks
 
What's the cooling like on your video card, it sounds like it's overheating. If you get a system freeze with the game frozen on screen but otherwise the system appears to be (sort of) working, then it's definitely the card. Random reboots in games can also be the card. See how hot it is when you get a reboot or hang, touch the back of it if need be but be careful.

I wouldn't be too worried about you motherboard temperature, cpus have far better cooling on them so in ideal conditions they can run quite cool. Seeing as your motherboard temp never rises much I wouldn't be too worried at all.

 
The cooling on my Gf4 is the stock Asus heatsink/fan that came with it...the fan is probably no larger than those motherboard chipset cooling fans, and the heatsink is only slightly larger. Now that you've mentioned it, I touched the backside of the graphics card after a game session, and it does feel quite hot. Not burning hot, but I'd say maybe in the 50-60 degree range? Does that mean the actual chip is running a lot warmer than what I feel on the backside? (I'm just guessing here, but from the "feel" of it, I think its a little warmer than my hard drives, and from what they say on the review sites, HD temps are around 40-50 degrees)

At any rate, I'll try to be more observant on the temperatures on my video card. Replacing/upgrading a video card fan is definately cheaper than buying a new power supply! 😉

Thanks for the help
 
Most cards get quite hot while gaming, although yours does seem way to hot, if it's the actual PCB board that feels that hot(and yes the actual chip will be far hotter). Try blowing air into your case with a deskfan if you have one and see if that helps. If cooling your video card doesn't help, then we'll have to look at something else.
 
If my memory serves me well, I believe it is an Inwin S500. I am only temporarily using this until I get my new case so as of right now, I have the main side of the case exposed/open, with my PSU unit sitting on the desk directly beside it. I do have an extra vantec 80mm stealth case fan mounted at the back of the case, but since the case panel is exposed, it isn't doing too much.

Now that I think about it, the actual CPU heatsink has a lot of "breathing room" since the PSU is not in its usual spot...maybe this could be factor in my lower temperature readings?

I hope my description is adequate/making sense, I can elaborate further if necessary.
 
Running things as you are, there is not much air moving around the ram and it generates more heat when playing games. Is there any "breathing room" around the vid card? Is the slot below it empty?
 
im not sure if this might apply to you, but try setting vram caching ON in the mobo settings if it isnt already... i had a similar problem, and doing this seemed to fix things. though im running an AMD system with a radeon, im not sure what the p4 bios say, but if there is an option for that, try turning it on.... see what that gives you.
 
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