Stability problems

[jelifah]

So 2 weeks ago my 6 month old power supply, that came bundled with the Antec Sonata, simply stopped working. I used the computer at night, and 12 hours later the computer wouldn't turn on. So I talk with Antec Support and get an RMA.

The power supply they give me is the new SmartPower 2.0, 350 Watt, Power Supply and I'm having stability issues on random occassions.

But the error is always the same:
Blue Screen - Problem detected
Machine_Check_Exception

and the following error code:
STOP: 0x0000009C (0x00000004, 0x80545FF0, 0xB20000000, 0x00070F0F).

That error code is always the same. The system on my sig is the system using this power supply. Why would it have run stable for 6 months, and now start having problems?

I've got the Hard Drive, and BFG 6800 plugged in to one of the 12V rails, and the other plugged into the DVD drive, and Floppy.

Thoughts?

Is 350 enough for this system? It worked before for 6 months with no changes, why wouldn't it be enough now?

 

[PurdueRy]

You could probably use some more power as you have recognized. I would go with a 420 quality brand.

 

[jelifah]

My only thought is why the system would run fine with just a 350 Watt power supply and NOW have these messages?

 

[Markfw]

The Sonata PSU is a truepower 380, not a 350. Since you are OC'ing that 350 is probably not enough. Ask them to send you the correct PSU.

 

[jelifah]

No error since Monday, after updating my mobo BIOS from F5 to F6 and installed newer audio drivers.

Could these updates have resolved a problem that didn't exist on a previous power supply?

Should I still RMA this power supply? If I do RMA, would you sell the replacement and get a higher watt PSU?

Based on my calculations I am not even pushing 300 Watts! Unless my 2.1 speaker system which is plugged into the wall, is somehow drawing power from the power supply. I envision adding 1 hard drive in the future, but no other additions in the long term.

Note to respondees:
After updating the BIOS I didn't reset the overclock hoping for stability

markfw, you are correct the current Sonata comes with a 380 but the one I bought came with a 350.