PC reboot issue

Silver2495 · 2 Jan 2009 at 11:19

I have recently upgraded the processor and graphics card in my PC (which also neccessitated a change in case) and it's now developed an issue. Under heavy load the PC will trip out and re-boot. The only things which have changed are the processor and graphics card (full spec listed below). I initially thought cooling might be the issue, but cheking the BIOS after a reboot showed the processor and system temps running at around 40 degrees. I'm inclined to think it's a graphics card issue.

Grand Theft Auto IV is a good example. With the graphics settings at a high, but perfectly playable, level the PC will reboot after 5 minutes or so. Turn these settings down a few notches and its fine. 3DMark 06 trips it out in pretty much the same place (after it has gone through the CPU tests fine).

Current set up:
Intel Q6600 processor
Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3 motherboard
4GB Corsair XMS RAM
BFG Nvidia GTX 260 OCX graphics card
Onboard sound
750w PSU
Coolermaster HAF 932 case
Windows XP Pro SP3

All advice welcomed!

Silver2495 · 2 Jan 2009 at 15:37

Okay, I ran 3DMark again with GPU-Z running. It failed in the same place (about 40 seconds into the third graphics test; Canyon Flight) and rebooted. Temperatures upon reboot (or in the case of the GPU, just before reboot):

CPU: 27 degrees
System: 29 degrees
GPU: 41 degrees

So, I think I can rule out overheating...

Silver2495 · 2 Jan 2009 at 15:59

UKDTweak said:
Anything in the event logs?
Other than that, do you have another PSU to try, it may be failing under load.

Nothing in the event logs...

Big.Wayne said:
Is that a branded PSU, make, age etc

I've questioned the PSU (in my head), but wanted other opinions... It's an Atrix 600T 720w. It's a few years old but has performed faultlessly thus far.

Silver2495 · 2 Jan 2009 at 16:04

The GPU-Z temperature was the last recorded (set it to 'log to file') before it rebooted.

Silver2495 · 3 Jan 2009 at 19:27

Big.Wayne said:
Can you download and run a 10 loop maximum stress test using IntelBurnTest v1.6.

If the PSU is flakey it will have problems running that test, if it passes then run it again at the same time as any 3D app.

Once youve done that the way forward should become clearer!

It passed the IntelBurn test okay, but I'm not sure what running it with a 3D app will prove since we already know it crashes with 3DMark?