Unstable system, please help.

[DougFrippon]

So I have different problems, witch all happen when CPU is under heavy load.
1. Game crashes with some weird popup that tells what seems to be memory errors. (happens in CS, World of Warcraft)
2. The game I am playing just close back to desktops by itself (happens in almost everything, in particular Half-Life2, about each 20mins close like that!)
3. Worse of all.. Random reboots, I am just playing my game, and *poof* reboot, or even sometimes I left my computer idle, screensavers starts (high load on cpu screensaver) and computers reboots itself.

I haven't formated and started a fresh window since almost a year.. so next weekend I'll try that, but I have the feeling it won't help.

My crashes started happenning a lot more since I installed my 6800GT card, I think I may be low on voltages, this is why I have taken a voltage log with mothermonitor, while playing CS, until the game gets error #1 at 10:09:45 PM. Here it is

CPU under heaviest load will reach 47degrees, witch I think ain't that bad.
System specs:
Windows XP Pro SP1
2500+
512ram
333mhz bus

 

[Rike]

What's your PSU wattage and maker? Mobo chipset and maker? 512X1 MB Ram or 256x2?

47 C for an XP CPU is just a tad warm but shouldn't cause a reboot.

 

[Rike]

Just looked at your charts . . .

Your 3.3 V and 5.0 rails are too low if your charts are correct. How old is that PSU?

 

[Dethfrumbelo]

Originally posted by: Rike
Just looked at your charts . . .

Your 3.3 V and 5.0 rails are too low if your charts are correct. How old is that PSU?

You could try pulling all your cards except the 6800GT, run, then see what happens. But that looks pretty bad. It's probably time for a new PSU.

 

[stevty2889]

I would definatly be suspect of your PSU, and a weak or dying PSU, will definatly cause the problems you are describing. You should also run Memtest since you are getting memory errors, but I am more worried about your PSU.

 

[DougFrippon]

I got a 2 years old 400w Antec PSU, witch I paid a good price

 

[Zinn2b]

THE video card you have requires a 480 watt amp 6800 GT correct DIDNt your card come with a spec sheet

 

[nortexoid]

huh? the video card does not draw 480watts!

you could be looking at a shoddy PSU or memory. if u're using more than a single mem module, try taking one out and doing some tests. if the problem persists, swap the modules and keep the other one out. run tests again. if it persists, i would try swapping PSUs.

i've had similar problems caused by faulty memory. i've also had a faulty PSU, but the thing just entirely failed, so...

 

[Thoreau]

2nd on the PSU *not* needing to be 480 watts for that card. The PSU 'requirements' that were put out by NVIDIA were simply a case of CYA on their part.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: Zinn2b
THE video card you have requires a 480 watt amp 6800 GT correct DIDNt your card come with a spec sheet

MAX Power requirements for the ULTRA are ~112watts IIRC.

*sigh* ZINN:

STFU TROLL

 

[stevty2889]

You DO NOT need a 480w psu for a 6800gt, I am running on a 350w enermax, with my 6800gt OC'd to ultra speeds, and my 2.8e overclocked to 3.5, completely stable. The reason we are suspect of your PSU, is because it can cause those exact problems, and if the readings are correct, your 3v rail is way low. The 6800GT is more power hungry, so if things got worse after installing it, it's likely your PSU is dying.

 

[DougFrippon]

hmm, now I think I found my problem. My mobo bios has memory settings, Normal, Fast, Faster, Turbo.

The "fast" pre-set was enabling "Continuous DRAM Request", not sure what it does.. Anyway I set it up back to "normal" now, and system didn't crash yet.

Does anyone know why I can't use these settings? My 512 stick, is good samsung ram.. I think.. ohwell.
http://www.pcstats.com/article...icleid=1211&page=4 [first image on top]

 

[Rike]

Did that fix your 3.3V and 5V rails?

 

[DougFrippon]

Originally posted by: Rike
Did that fix your 3.3V and 5V rails?

no, voltages are the same, but I feel maybe motherboard monitor, doesn't read those voltage 100% accurate

 

[Rike]

I think your right. With the numbers you posted, you really shouldn't be able to run all. Here's hoping your rig stays stable.:beer:

 

[Interitus]

I second the MBM readings being whacky. If you were really drawing 1.58v for your +3.3 you'd be lucky if the system even booted. On top of that your -12 and -5 readings are just crap.

and Zinn...

If you seriously believe you need a 480w PSU to run a 6800 then you're single handedly keeping PSU manufacturers running around the office laughing.