New build reboot issues

GICarey · 27 Dec 2006 at 11:00

Hi Folks,

New system build by a friend, is having a few "issues" which I'm hoping you might be able to help with?

Spec is:

ABit AB9-Pro
Core 2 Duo E6600 CPU
1gb of OCZ "Spec Ops" Memory
8800 GTS PCI-E Card

Segate SATA Hdd

PSU is a brand I dont recognise (or, therefore, recall) 500 or 600w jobbie.

WinXP build went fine, no major issues (swapped HDD to a different chipsets SATA connector as the Intel one wasnt starting the HDD spinning fast enough after a restart to actually enable the machine to boot! Fortunately, the AB9 runs 3 SATA chipsets, so this wasn't a big deal)

However, from time to time he gets "random restarts", often followed by the system beeping (fans running, etc, but no software restart till a power cycle), and now and again BSoDs "page fault in non paged area" seeming to be the most common.

So, I went along, checked the memory timings in the BIOS matched what the RAM was rated for, and played with the uGuru tool a little. Upping each of the voltages by 1 "notch" (not masses, gently does it & all, plus I've been away from the OC scene a bit too long to really know what voltages are safe on the board/CPU/RAM combo).

This seemed to help, with him able to run through some 3dmark tests a few times, and spend a few hours playing the new Medieval Total War for hours on end.

However, he's just picked up the new Rainbow Six game, and tells me he's seeing the restart/BSoD issue again.

So, I'm here looking for help / advice.

My gut feel is it's power related? But I'm happy to be wrong.

Should the PSU he has be up to the job? Voltages on the 12v and 5v lines looked slightly low (11.9x and 4.9x) but not tragically so? But, obviously, this is before it's dishing out masses of power to the video card. Is there anything I can use to log the voltages to a file during the playing of a game?

i've just sent him the prime95 stress test to check the cpu/ram side of things. Anything else I should have him try?

Cheers,

Gav

j00ni · 27 Dec 2006 at 11:35

I'd go with you on the psu being the most likely culprit. Have seen similar issues a few times and 99 times out of 100 it's the psu.

What are the bios beeps like, as that can give a better clue.

Before shelling out on a new psu it would be worth using memtest to rule out RAM issues, and check the cpu temps - though problems with either should be picked up by prime95, but it's always worth double checking

Trigger · 27 Dec 2006 at 15:08

I'd bet on PSU as well- can you get the make and model of the PSU as well as the amps on each rail?, most importantly the +12V rail

Nomisf · 27 Dec 2006 at 15:47

I agree , most likley PSU , but check the system temperatures as well just to be safe.

Rgds,
Nomisf

GICarey · 28 Dec 2006 at 08:24

ello chaps,

temps are fine.

i'll get the PSU details later today and post them for you to review.

Turns out, however, that the uGuru voltage changes I made had reverted to "default". Putting them back to the settings I put in has returned him to near normal usage again (stable 95% of the time or so).

Seems odd that default voltaes aren't enough to keep it running stable tho? I guess could still be a PSU issue there?

Gav.

GICarey · 11 Jan 2007 at 10:14

OK, so not enitrely "later today", he's finally fished out the PSU specs for me, which are as follows:

Brand: Magma
Model: ATX600W
Input Voltage: 230V, 3A
Output Voltages:
+3.3v: 28A
+5v: 38A
+12v: 17A
-12v: 0.?A (he took a pic of the label and this bit isn't readable!)
-5v: 0.5A

Other info..
XX +5v N +3.3v (if that means anything?)
Total OP 282W (erm, does this mean it's not actually a 600W PSU?)
XX +5Vsb=2.0A XX

mishima · 11 Jan 2007 at 11:09

Non branded PSU's aren't a lot of the time do not accurately rate their power supplies to deliver their full rated power all of the time.

You might be paying for a 600W PSU but sometimes you can actually be getting the performance of a 400W PSU.

GICarey · 11 Jan 2007 at 23:27

OK, so assuming the PSU is at fault (seems likely, as it can only dish out ~ 200w on the 12v rail, which is less than the 8800gts can demand under load, before we take into account the rest of the system) i'm after suggestions as a decent PSU for him to buy.

My estimations are:

Video Card - 250w
CPU - 65w
Memory - 30w
Mobo - 30w
HDD - 30w
2x DVDRom (one RW) - 50w
Totalling 455w

So I'm looking for something around 455w, and able to supply that kind of power out of the 12v line (so a combined 38A or more on the 12v rails?)

He's willing to spend money, but would prefer not to go over the top for no good reason.

Thanks for your recommendations!

Gav.