Overclocking problem ?

DavidB · 16 Sep 2007 at 23:24

I know this may look a bit essayish but if you could help id be really greatfull!

Well i was running my E2140 at 3.2ghz when it grey screened in game once..not sure what that means but anyway. When i tried restarting the graphics card would whizz up a few times, the computer restarted a few times too and finally posted. I figured it was just down to a poor overclock (although it had been 8hour tested :confused:

).

So re-set the bios settings to run 3ghz instead, everything ran fine for a week or so, but today it re-set.
Again the computer just seized up (not even in a game this time, just in general music playing) and had to be re-started.

a lot of pressing the power button later the computers up and running again, but ive no idea what this problem is.
So...
1) Why is the graphics cards fan running at 100% for a few seconds on starting up before failing to post?
2)The fact that it eventually re-starts makes me think it may be a temperature issue. When idle the motherboard runs at ~30c but i noticed that once i got into the bios it stated the motherboard temp was ~50c and the CPU at 24c, something not stacking up ?
3) When i run orthos the motherboard temps rise to ~50c again, only a few degrees less than the CPU temperatures is this ok?

Any help would be really appreciated, im a little puzzled :confused:

Motherboards a gigabyte p35 DS3R, Corsair 520w PSU, 8800gts 320mb,crucial ballistix ram, tuniq 120 in a p182.

Teaf · 16 Sep 2007 at 23:39

DavidB said:
When i tried restarting the graphics card would whizz up a few times, the computer restarted a few times too and finally posted.

...

a lot of pressing the power button later the computers up and running again, but ive no idea what this problem is.

...

Corsair 520w PSU

Very tempted to say power supply issue, I've had myself issue with powering up and already seen half a dozen people getting kinda the same problem with not being able to power up. Such as you press the power button, nothing happens, you fiddling around a bit with the power cable or power switch on the back of the psu, then press the power button a few more times and it eventually powers up, seemingly without you fixing anything.

1) Why is the graphics cards fan running at 100% for a few seconds on starting up before failing to post?

Not sure on the 8800's, but when a 2900XT does this it's because one of the PCI-E power lines is either not working or not plugged in, ie. the card is receiving insufficient power. However this may be different with 88's.

2)The fact that it eventually re-starts makes me think it may be a temperature issue. When idle the motherboard runs at ~30c but i noticed that once i got into the bios it stated the motherboard temp was ~50c and the CPU at 24c, something not stacking up ?

The only time a motherboard temperature can be higher than the CPU is when the air around the motherboard is being blocked and you have a "hot pocket" in your system. Generically, CPU's should never be lower than the motherboard temperature because the motherboard temperature is meant to be reading the ambient temperature in the case, and of course the CPU is always hotter. 50c however is not drastically high for the motherboard, but I would look into airflow arrangements in the case.

3) When i run orthos the motherboard temps rise to ~50c again, only a few degrees less than the CPU temperatures is this ok?

Yes.

WJA96 · 17 Sep 2007 at 05:26

8800GTSs that are low on power bleep. Take 100MHz off the overclock and see if it keeps happening.

DavidB · 17 Sep 2007 at 08:14

8800GTSs that are low on power bleep. Take 100MHz off the overclock and see if it keeps happening.

Well originally i took 200mhz off the overclock,it all seemed very stable untill last night. Im guna try run orthos for 12hour+ see if it throws up any issues.

Edit: Just ran orthos for a few minutes and it failed this time :s, i think i must have messed it up by testing on priority 8 instead of 1 ? Anyway, notched up the vcore and am testing again.
Hmm, having said that it may have been caused by the timings re-setting to 5,3,4,17 ? Which priority is best to use ?

Cob · 17 Sep 2007 at 12:31

Which memory do you have? Might be worth running Memtest86+ on it for a couple of hours

DavidB · 17 Sep 2007 at 13:24

Crucial ballistix 5300, ill run mem test after orthos is done, 5hours stable so far.
Im pretty sure the RAM is ok though, as its lasted orthos blend testing too.

Cob · 17 Sep 2007 at 16:10

PC5300 Ballistix and BSOD's on a previously stable system raises alarm bells for me.

If it is the memory, then it's the easiest and quickest to replace anyway.

DavidB · 17 Sep 2007 at 17:37

Well i ran memtest for a good 30minutes and got about 1000 errors, but got to the 100% passed ? Does that mean it passed the full loop ?
Can't find much help, itd be good to have a sticky on memtest in the memory forum.

Anyway, at that point i realised i didn't have a clue what i was looking for and re-started lol

Can memtest be failed due to wrong timings too ? Currently running 750mhz 3,3,3,8 ?
Enlighten my ignorance someone ?

Cob · 17 Sep 2007 at 17:42

Any error means it's failed. It doesn't stop running just because it found an error.

Reset everything to stock, and set the memory to 667mhz 3-3-3-12 2.2v and run Memtest.

If it still fails then it's RMA time.

If it doesn't then you may be stretching it a little too far at 750mhz 3-3-3-8.

DavidB · 17 Sep 2007 at 17:48

I was running memtest86, which is why the multiples. Just downloaded the windows client and it throws up an error instantly.
Tried 750mhz 4,4,4,12 and it re-set the system.

Cob · 17 Sep 2007 at 17:54

Use the Memtest86+ bootable CD.

DavidB · 17 Sep 2007 at 18:20

Can't even post with stock memory settings, using memtest it looks like the first stick is working ok, but the second is dodgy.

Well looks like ill be testing crucials RMA service.

Cob · 17 Sep 2007 at 18:25

Well like I've already said, the Crucial is probably the best thing to find faulty.

Ring Crucial for free on 0800 013 0330 and they'll try to have it back to you within 10 days, often sooner if they have it in stock.

DavidB · 17 Sep 2007 at 18:46

Cheers, youve been a big help, only 1 stick of RAM fails memtest, just tested both individually, so atleast im left with a working computer whilst RMA commences. Only hassel is that im going to uni next weekend, so dont have a clue where to get it sent too lol

Cob · 17 Sep 2007 at 18:52

You'll need to return both sticks if they came as a pair.

If you get your RMA number tonight (they're open to 7.30pm), and can post it off via Special Delivery tomorrow then you have a decent chance of getting it returned before you leave for uni if they have it in stock. Be sure to ask them if it's in stock.

DavidB · 17 Sep 2007 at 19:09

Yup, rang up, there sending me the address to reply to, and theyve reserved me 2 sticks. Sending it next day delivery as soon as my sticks arrive there, good service imo.

Cob · 17 Sep 2007 at 19:14

Yeah it's the reason why we recommend Crucial so much. They've usually got a quicker turnaround than most retailers, especially if its another brand and the retailer needs to send it off to Taiwan or somewhere.