Random reboots when system idle / low load

RobH

RobH

RobH

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Joined
9 May 2005
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Nottingham
* SOLVED *

Just put my system into a SFF case, apart from the PSU the only other thing that's changed is the motherboard. I am using an Asus P5N7A-VM with an Intel Core 2 Dup E6600 and 4GB RAM.

The system randomly reboots when it's under low load or idle, it's happened under Windows 7, Windows 7 Safe Mode and Ubuntu 9.04. I am able to play something like UT3 on max settings without any problems, the system will not reboot. Likewise I have run the most stressful CPU torture test in Prime95 for hours without a problem.

This makes me think it's not a heat or power problem as it copes fine under load, any idea how I can go about solving this problem?
 
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I had the exact problem with Windows 7 as well, I think I installed the updates (the automatic ones) and it fixed it.

Although this thing getting reset in Ubuntu sounds weird, have you tried running XP or Vista and see if the problem persists?
 
Fixed the problem, the northbridge chipset which contains an GeForce 9300 and is only passivly cooled was hitting 96 degrees! I enabled the GPU in the BIOS, I say enabled, it's built into the chipset so even ehen disabled it uses the same amount of power. Once enabled I was able to use GPU-Z to read the temperature, I watched it creep up to 96 and then reboot, same every time.

It turns out that putting stress on the system such as Prime95 or UT3 actually makes the CPU fan spin up which in turn increases the cooling on the chipset. It seems the low-profile cooler is actually doing more harm and I have space for a stock cooler anyway. With the CPU manually rigged to run at full speed via the BIOS the chipset is sitting at a somewhat cooler 75 degrees (it's not going to be cool with the GeForce 9300 in it).
 
Ohh thats interesting. Wouldn't of thought it would still make heat even when disabled! :S is it worth putting on a northbridge heatsink with a fan? That way you won't have to have your CPU fan spinning really quickly.
Also whats your case airflow like? That will definatly help you
 
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