Loads of issues with PC; please help!

SpiritSharD

SpiritSharD

SpiritSharD

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Joined
14 May 2012
Posts
18
Hey everyone,

So basically I'm having a lot of issues with my PC recently and I need help determining what the issue is. I'm not amazing with PC's so for all I know these are common problems...

I installed a 5.1 sound card about a week ago to fit into the PCI slot on my motherboard. The first issue I had was that the display would not work at all, however through searching the internet I discovered it was something to do with the BIOS' load priorities and changed it so that my PCI-E slot (my GFX card) was loaded first for use as the display; that said, occasionally the display will not work upon booting up my PC, and I have no idea what the cause is.

Next is my fans. Every now-and-again my PC fans will go into "overdrive" (very loud and very fast) upon booting up my PC. I have no idea why this is as it has never done it before, and it does not stop until I shut down my computer. I cannot determine which fans are making the noise. The chance of the issue happening is noticeably decreased if I place the computer case on the floor, lying down.

The next issue happened this morning; whilst my computer was booting up it randomly shut down. No warning message was given; it just shut down.

All the hardware in my PC is pretty much brand new aside from the PSU that I've had for a year. Temperatures are fine during idle/load. All cables are plugged in correctly. There are no cables getting in the way of fans or other components. The only thing that has "changed" was the installation of the sound card, which I have since removed.


Any ideas? :(
 
Have you disabled on board sound from the bios since you have the new sound card installed? My pc also does the whole quick fan thing but only when I turn it on at start of the day but it is only on for a few seconds. Perhaps you have a fault termp probe or something that is causeing the fans to continue to run?
 
Slade2 said:
Have you disabled on board sound from the bios since you have the new sound card installed? My pc also does the whole quick fan thing but only when I turn it on at start of the day but it is only on for a few seconds. Perhaps you have a fault termp probe or something that is causeing the fans to continue to run?
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I haven't disabled on-board sound because I use that as well. The reason I brought the sound card was because I had brought a 5.1 headset and wanted to have them and my 5.1 speakers plugged in at the same time so I could switch between the two at will.

My PC does that too usually, but now it's constant. I've also noticed that when they don't go really fast/loud, they're actually quieter on start-up than usual and normally "rev-up" two or three times on boot-up, as opposed to when it used to just do it once.

FallshirmjAEger said:
What's your spec? I.e gfx card, cpu, mb, psu etc
Click to expand...

HDP8H67-M
Radeon 6970 @ stock settings
Intel 2500k @ stock settings
720w PSU
Corsair Vengeance DDR3 RAM (4GB x 2)
 
The shutdown on bootup sounds very like a PSU problem. It's possible the other issues are connected as well. Is your PSU a decent brand or is it a no name cheap one?
 
I'll be honest it really does sound like the PSU. If you don't have a spare to try, you could take the 6970 out of the system and use the IGP. This removes the extra power draw by the GPU and you might find the PSU can cope to boot the system in a stable fashion.

Ideally you want to be trying a know working PSU, 500W is ample for a single GPU. If you need any help with suggestions for a branded replacement let us know :)
 
From the sounds of things it could be the PSU not capable enough of powering your GPU. What model is it? A well reliable, branded 500w PSU can power that, but a no namer 720w can't.

Adding the soundcard will add the power consumption. This is probably why it doesn't boot properly, not enough power going to the components.

The loud fan thing might be the GPU complaining it's not getting enough power, mine did that when I forgot to plug in the 6 pin connections.

The crashing could be the PSU not coping anymore and shutting down. Luckily it didn't take any other components out from the sounds of things.
 
Blue160 said:
The shutdown on bootup sounds very like a PSU problem. It's possible the other issues are connected as well. Is your PSU a decent brand or is it a no name cheap one?
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A no name, cheap one. When I first built this PC I had a low budget and was lacking in knowledge about PC hardware, so I skimped on the power supply. With that said it's lasted me well and hasn't caused any issues so far.

Klitschk0 said:
Are all your drivers up-to-date?
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Yup.

honosuseri said:
I'll be honest it really does sound like the PSU. If you don't have a spare to try, you could take the 6970 out of the system and use the IGP. This removes the extra power draw by the GPU and you might find the PSU can cope to boot the system in a stable fashion.

Ideally you want to be trying a know working PSU, 500W is ample for a single GPU. If you need any help with suggestions for a branded replacement let us know :)
Click to expand...

I'm happy to replace the PSU, but my main concern is cost really. Also I think the graphics card has a recommended minimum of 550w. If you could suggest a fairly reliable 700w+ power supply, that would be appreciated. :)
 
It's more than enough, even with crazy overclocks. PSU req calculators usually states higher just incase you do buy a no namer. They just want to cover it so they'll have less chances of being sued...
 
SpiritSharD said:
Thanks for the recommendation; would that be enough to power everything though? The AMD site recommends 550w or greater for the GPU, and then there's all the other components it's got to power as well. :confused:
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That 550W AMD recommend takes into account running the rest of the system. Cheapo PSU's aren't usually up to putting out their rated wattage either, and this is also allowed for, so a good branded 550W will be plenty.
 
YOUR BASKET
1 x Cooler Master Silent Pro Modular 600W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £65.99
1 x OCZ ZT 550W '80 Plus Bronze' Modular Power Supply £63.98
1 x OCZ ZS Series 550W '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply £44.99
Total : £187.56 (includes shipping : £10.50).



Couple of modular units alongside the PSU you have already been spec'd :)

Oh and orcvader is right a good branded 500W would be OK. You don't need 700W unless you are toying with dual carding that GPU in the future, not that your mobo can do this. I personally use the Bequiet L8 630W PSU. I prefer it to the Coolermaster Silent M 600W (which i have used before) but at £80 it's a bit steep, considering I got mine for £60ish from here.
 
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honosuseri said:
The review for the OCZ did say it's not very quiet, having used the coolermaster I can say that it is very quiet. Although I do believe the OCZ PSU has a longer warranty.

Think i'd prefer the CM but atleast you have the options to make your own decision :)
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I was thinking of the CM, but there's no mention of SATA or peripheral connections. This is what I need;

1x Mobo connector.
1x CPU connection.
2x PCI-E 8 pin (the GPU needs a 6-pin, but I have the adaptor)
1x SATA (HDD)
1x peripheral (CD drive)

Excuse my ignorance, but I'm assuming these connectors are universal for power supplies. I've never brought a power supply that didn't have the connections I need (save for the 6 pin), but I just want to make sure before I purchase.
 
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