Power Supply and Geforce FX5900XT

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Teclis2323

Senior member
Dec 27, 2002
307
0
0
Hi guys,

Well, I continue to have problems with my Geforce FX5900XT. Every now and then I get a message from the "NVidia Sentinal" which alerts me that not enough power is getting to my Vid Card.

Here are my drives:

CDRW drive (rarely used)
DVDROM drive (frequently used)
60GB main HDD (always used)
80GB secondary drive (frequently used)
ZIP drive (used sporadically)

then, of course, I have one molex going to the Vid Card itself. Right now my setup is as such:
Molex line 1 = DVDROM, CDRW, 60GB HDD, ZIP drive
Molex line 2 = HSF, Vid Card (80GB HDD when not gaming)

I figured that this would be enough power, but now I'm getting this message even when I'm just playing NeverWinter Nights, which isn't exactly the most demanding game out there.

Do I need a larger power supply, or is there something wrong with my Geforce FX5900XT?

Thank you =)

Jacob
 
Regs

Regs

Lifer
Aug 9, 2002
16,665
21
81
Yes, yes, and yes. ;) Even if it's not a valued brand like Antec, 550 watt PSU could likely run duel 5900XT;s if you really wanted too.
 
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Teclis2323

Senior member
Dec 27, 2002
307
0
0
The PSU is an Aspire. It's one of those ones with the clear blue covers. Don't know why I bought that...

So, Regs...you're saying that something is wrong with my Graphics Card?

Jacob
 
Regs

Regs

Lifer
Aug 9, 2002
16,665
21
81
You could just have a software bug with either the game or the drivers or even windows. A general error that could pop up a random error.
 
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Teclis2323

Senior member
Dec 27, 2002
307
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How would I go about finding this bug? I use Norton System Works 2003, AdAware 6 and Spy Sweeper. Is there any other maintenance software that I should know about?

Oh, and also: I tried re-arranging the molex lines ones so that the secondary HDD was on the same line as the first HDD, but the computer wouldn't identify any of the IDE drives when booting up. It froze right after detecting the dual-channel memory. I didn't change the IDE ribbons, just the molex setup.

:confused:
 
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Sonic587

Golden Member
May 11, 2004
1,146
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The first thing I would look at would be the Aspire. You could be suffering from fluctuating voltages, or low amps on a line. Are you able to try your card in a friend's PC? That would rule out of a lot of stuff right there.
 
Regs

Regs

Lifer
Aug 9, 2002
16,665
21
81
Well do you get this problem with more than this one game? That narrow it or widden your problem.
 
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Teclis2323

Senior member
Dec 27, 2002
307
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Well, it's weird. It comes and goes. Splinter Cell didn't work properly, but Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow worked almost flawlessly. Now NeverWinter has problems sometimes and sometimes it's fine. I haven't even gotten to test whether or not running Morrowind does it or not.
 
Regs

Regs

Lifer
Aug 9, 2002
16,665
21
81
Originally posted by: Sonic587
The first thing I would look at would be the Aspire. You could be suffering from fluctuation voltages, or low amps on a line. Are you able to try your card in a friend's PC?
Click to expand...

Or you can just install a hardware monitor to display your PSU rails. I should of mentioned that early, sorry. Mobo Monitor is one to look for or one made specifically for your motherboard which could be located at your mobo's manufacturing site.
 
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Teclis2323

Senior member
Dec 27, 2002
307
0
0
Sonic587,

Unfortunately I am not able to do so. I don't want to mess anything up with my parents' or my brother's computer, so I can only really test the PSU and card on my own computer. I know it sounds dumb, but I've tried doing stuff like that before and messed things up somehow.

However, now that I'm thinking back: when I first got the Aspire there was a minor, isolated incident where it wouldn't boot up one day. It started clicking whenever I turned it on. It never happened again, so I figured that it was just a fluke.
 
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Sonic587

Golden Member
May 11, 2004
1,146
0
0
Motherboard Monitor 5

EDIT: Didn't start up? Definitely starting to sound like a flakey PSU. I'd suggest thinking about getting a cheap $40 350watt fortron PSU and seeing if that fixes your problems.
 
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Teclis2323

Senior member
Dec 27, 2002
307
0
0
For some reason, MBM isn't working. I downloaded it, but it just brings up a DOS window briefly and then closes.
 
Regs

Regs

Lifer
Aug 9, 2002
16,665
21
81
Get a Antec 430 for less then 90 or 80 bucks. You should since you have top performing parts in your system.
 
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Sonic587

Golden Member
May 11, 2004
1,146
0
0
Originally posted by: Teclis2323
For some reason, MBM isn't working. I downloaded it, but it just brings up a DOS window briefly and then closes.
Click to expand...

Strange...What does the BIOS report. Or how about Sandra? Or speedfan?
 
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caz67

Golden Member
Jan 4, 2004
1,369
0
0
Hi.

I had the same problem with my 5900ultra. I kept getting the sentinel message. I had a cheap PSU, i upgraded to Antec 550W True Power. The card now runs flawlessly without any issues at all.
 
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Teclis2323

Senior member
Dec 27, 2002
307
0
0
Okay, it does it on both Morrowind and NeverWinter.

Perhaps I should upgrade my PSU, though I thought that Aspire was a good company. :(

Update!!!
I am now using my parents' computer due to the fact that the "Nvidia-Based Display Card isn't receiving enough power" even to surf the web.

Looking for some suggestions for quality PSUs, not crappy cheapos.
 
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caz67

Golden Member
Jan 4, 2004
1,369
0
0
Antec, Enermax, PC&Power cooling, Thermaltake.

any of the above.. I use Antec myself.
 
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Acanthus

Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
19,915
2
76
ostif.org
Originally posted by: caz67
Antec, Enermax, PC&Power cooling, Thermaltake.

any of the above.. I use Antec myself.
Click to expand...

I also exclusively use Antec, ive had the best experiences with antec PSUs for reliability and rail stability.
 
StrangerGuy

StrangerGuy

Diamond Member
May 9, 2004
8,443
124
106
Looks like your "550W" PSU is total crap.

As for the new PSU, I prefer Enermax PSUs myself as their +12V rail is very beefy. Other well-known brands like Antec, PPC are perfectly fine too.
 
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Vee

Senior member
Jun 18, 2004
689
0
0
This might be no help at all. But I'm running a MSI FX5900xt, XP3000+ and single 80GB IBM on a 300W PSU. No problems whatsoever. It's a FSP (Sparkle). I think PSU Watts are not entirely equal, but I don't know much about PSUs. I have FSP in all my PCs.
 
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