nVidia Sentinel reports 6600GT card is "lacking power"

[vm]

Since a few months ago, whenever I boot into Windows, I get an nvidia window reporting that the "Nvidia Sentinel is reporting your graphics card is not receiving enough power and lowered the performance of the card" etc..

The problems are these:

- I never had this problem before using the same setup (note that nothing is overclocked):

amd 3000+
dfi nf4 ultra
OCZ Powerstream 420w
maxtor 300gb sata
dvdrw
MSI gf6600GT (using latest WQHL and nforce drivers)
1gb corsair value ram

About at the same time this problem occured for the first time, I believe my fan was also damaged, someone hit the case by mistake and it fell on the side. I *just* noticed the fan issue yesterday. The fan was dislodged and the base of it was all black. I hadn't been playing games for all this time. I just got a new Hsf today and everything works fine.

I am wondering if the problem is not because my fan plug on my vid card is not being used?

Is there a way i can fix this issue? I doubt it's actual lack of power since I ran a heavier setup than this before and my PSU was handling it fine. And my card doesn't have an extra 4 or 6 pin connector for the PSU.


here is a screenshot that shows 2 diff. timings for the card:

Image

Using the display settings in windows the clock timings tab shows 500mhz/1000mhz.

So 3 diff. programs are showing 2 diff. timings for my card, which to trust? And if the clocking was NOT lowered by the Sentinel, then why is it still showing? :/


thanks for any help.

 

[theMan]

the card has 2 timings, 300mhz for 2d a nd 500mhz for 3d.

what are the rail readings for the psu?

 

[vm]

not sure how to check but..

the green lights are on on the pSU (?)

 

[montag451]

Think he means what are the voltages on the wires.
Try Motherboard monitor (download) to give you a rough idea.

 

[theMan]

or you could use the dfi monitoring program that came with the mobo.