System not enough power error.

[feelingshorter]

im running on a BFG 6600gt, amd 3000+, chaintech VNF4 Ultra, OCZ modstream 450.

Twice while i was playing BF2 i get an nvidia warning saying that my video card performance has been toned down to prevent hardware damage because it was not getting enough power. Then every time i try to go into a BF2 server it would freeze my game. Then when i get out of it, my internet connection would not go. It would just freeze and stay frozen. But when i go to my 2nd computer its still working so i know its not the router or modem. On my computer tho after BF2 freeze and i use Alt Ctrl Del to exit it, i cannot log onto aim or even go to google. Whats happening?!?! Anyone else get this problem? Im on a wireless network with dlink modem and router. Im out of money building my system and would be pissed if i have to sell my PSU and buy a new one but could the nvidia power warning be messing up my wireless adapter?

I knew i should of gotten a better PSU, but i chose looks over performance....

 

[Valkerie]

check your BIOS settings and correct anything that may appear to be wrong

I'd upgrade my PSU if I were you, even if software is preventing you from performing certain tasks, the hardware may be getting damaged in the process.

 

[feelingshorter]

Yea that would seem like an easy solution but i have no more money, selling this PSU on these forums would kill me as the shipping of a heavy box. BTW my bios says my 12v is running at 11.74, with 3 at 3.11 and 5 at 4.99. Im thinking thats bad. Is there a way to downclock my GPU? Or maby its my raptor. 74 giger raptors has two power connectors, do i plug them both in? (i did as installing windows xp without both plugged in gets an error). Does anyone know how much power a raptor uses more than an average hard drive? I'd rather sell my raptor than my PSU.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Do not plug both connector in the the raptors! It can damage them, choose one or the other

And yes you need a better PS.

 

[ViRGE]

AFAIK, the OCZ Modstream 450 is a perfectly fine PSU; I'm not sure why you're having problems when it should be more than enough for your specific system. It may very well be that your power supply isn't underpowered, it's just on its way out.

 

[bob4432]

contact ocz, that p/s should be more than enough power, maybe it is going out like ViRGE said. no you don't need a "better" p/s for what you are doing. look at the rig in my sig, i am not sure how much the 6600gt takes over the 9800pro i have but i don't have any problems whatsoever and your cpu (although on a different rail) doesn't take any power compared to a p4 2.8c

 

[Ike0069]

Yea, that PSU should provide you plenty of power. I agree you should contact OCZ about a possible RMA.
I run a 3800+/6800 GT on my 380W Antec with no isues.

 

[furballi]

Should run fine with that 450 watter. Note that the output of the PSU will drop off rapidly with a rise in operating temperature. The CPU cooling fan can only run so fast. It drawing hot air from inside the case. If the case temp is at least 45C, then the PSU temp can easily exceed 55 to 60C. At 60C, the PSU may only deliver 250 to 300 watts.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: feelingshorter
Is there a way to downclock my GPU?

you could use Coolbits2 to underclock your card, although that isn't the best solution. That psu should be more than enough for your system. I'm with the others on the rma.

 

[dguy6789]

Check your 5V and 12V rails with a multimeter. NEVER EVER NEVER EVER NEVER EVER trust what a bios says about your voltages. There have been plenty of times when the difference is greater than .30 with a multimeter test and the bios.

That said, your psu(if functioning correctly) would easilly handle a system like yours. Make sure your psu is running cool enough. Play BF2 with the side of your case off and see if this fixes the problem.

 

[0roo0roo]

lol yea i've had bios readings of voltages way off the scale. boggled my mind. things like 12v at 6v ...stable system cheap mb

 

[fuzzynavel]

our 6600GT doesn't have a molex connector on it does it????

If not have you somehow adjusted your AGP voltage?

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: furballi
Should run fine with that 450 watter. Note that the output of the PSU will drop off rapidly with a rise in operating temperature. The CPU cooling fan can only run so fast. It drawing hot air from inside the case. If the case temp is at least 45C, then the PSU temp can easily exceed 55 to 60C. At 60C, the PSU may only deliver 250 to 300 watts.

45(113F) inside the case??? damn that is one hot case and would hope the op case is not that hot...