random reboots

[Plainlazy2]

My computer started rebooting randomly not too long ago.
It only reboots when the gpu is plugged in and sometimes it'll run fine even under heavy load and others it'll reboot on the internet browser or just idling

my gpu is a nvidia gtx460 brand new from feb 2011 and it's been running fine until recently

My question is do you think it's my PSU causing he problems or the GPU??

the PSU was brand new in jan 2011

i wana figure it out as i bought a system from overclockers and upgraded the graphics card after (also bought from them) so for an RMA they would have to return my entire system to inspect the PSU,
or return just the GPU to inspect that, but if they don't find any fault, they'll charge me £10 per item.

And because i bought the system then upgraded the GPU, they won't test it as a system (when the random reboots occur)


Ideas??

the entire system is:
i3 540 3.07 @ 4.2 (oc'd by overclockers) - watercooled h50
600w corsair PSU - bought jan 2011
asus P7h55-m mother board
Creative SB X-FI soundcard
Nvidia gtx 460 1gb
4gb ddr3 corsair RAM

 

[Plec]

It only reboots when the gpu is plugged in

Does this mean that you've tested for extended periods with another card with no ill effects?

What was the original card that was shipped with the system? (If it was an ATI did you run driver sweep?)

As a preliminary troubleshooting method i would check all your connections (reseating all of then ideally), includung your memory. Also, check that the MB is fitted securley?

I would also update to the latest GPU driver or roll back - depending on your version.

I don't think temps are an issue - but it would be handy to have the CPU, GPU and system temps - idle and load.

If you don't get any joy with the above i would check that you have an OcUK profile saved in your BIOS - and if you have - i would reset the BIOS and load optimised defaults. I would then manually input the memory's voltage/frequency and timings and then run the system at stock - so you can rule out an unstable clock when combined with the 460.

If it proves to be stable at stock - you may need to fine tune your clock with the 460 installed. I would then use the OcUK Customer Support Forum for advice on this to cover your warranty...

 

[Plainlazy2]

I don't have another card to test wit the system. i wish i did as that would probably rule out the PSU

originally it came with an nvidia gts450 but upgraded t the gtx460
cpu temps are 30 deg c idle/58 deg c under load
gpu temps are 30 deg c idle/67 deg c under load

updated drivers for gpu - still random reboots. removed and refitted gpu and totally removed all drivers and started fresh, immediately rebooted without cause (after manual reboot) when fresh drivers were installed but then sits stable after a few random reboots for anything i throw at it including msi kombustor gpu test

reset the bios settings before as i thought the problem was related to the cpu and overclock before, until i removed the graphics card and the reboots stopped

 

[Plec]

originally it came with an nvidia gts450 but upgraded t the gtx460
cpu temps are 30 deg c idle/58 deg c under load
gpu temps are 30 deg c idle/67 deg c under load

Temps are fine - as you seem fully aware.

Ii wish i did as that would probably rule out the PSU

If you want to help rule out the PSU and if you haven't got a spare PSU to hand you could do a basic PSU test - below are links to Huddy's site which has a step by step guide on how to test your PSU using a volt/multimeter:

'Use a multimeter to check your PSU' and one to 'How to check if your PSU is faulty'

The process is easier than it sounds and although it's not a definitive test it can rule out fundemental issues.

>snip<

As you've already alluded to in your last post the ideal would be to test a another gfx card - do you have a friend/family member that would be willing to let you test their card in your rig?

 

[Plainlazy2]

As you've already alluded to in your last post the ideal would be to test a another gfx card - do you have a friend/family member that would be willing to let you test their card in your rig?

haha i tried a friend but he didn't seem keen taking his precious rig apart. i personally love tinkering around lol

i'll deffinitely give that PSU test a go

The processor is fine as i ran prime95 for 10 hours straight lol

EDIT: I've done the tests and my psu seems very stable.
I was mainly worrying that the gpu was drawing too much power from the PSU but i should be pretty safe with a 600W runnning the system i have i would have thought

which would mean the problem was an intermitant fault with the gfx card. I'm just praying it happens to the tech when they try and install it and run tests, otherwise it'll cost me a tenner and i'll still have a rig that reboots lol


and i forgot to mention, thanks sooo much for helping me out

 

[Plec]

haha i tried a friend but he didn't seem keen taking his precious rig apart.

Tell him to stop being so precious about a chunck of PCB and help a friend out

His computer will be none the wiser (as long as he doesn't turn it on) – and it will help clarify your problem; it will certainly help reduce some of the ambiguity even if the card were to work in your system.

I was mainly worrying that the gpu was drawing too much power from the PSU but i should be pretty safe with a 600W runnning the system i have i would have thought

Yes, you PSU will happily run that setup if it’s functioning normally.

However, have you got any PCI Express 6-Pin to 4-Pin Power Adaptors as the problem may be localised to the PSU's PCI-E power lead/s. You could rule this out with an adapter - i've had system issues in the past due to flakey power leads.

which would mean the problem was an intermitant fault with the gfx card. I'm just praying it happens to the tech when they try and install it and run tests, otherwise it'll cost me a tenner and i'll still have a rig that reboots lol

I know what you mean as the problem is a little ambiguous – and unfortunately the lack of a spare gfx card stalls the troubleshooting process somewhat.

and i forgot to mention, thanks sooo much for helping me out

Not a problem - and good luck with trying to guilt your friend into helping you out.

Additional: I’ve just looked up the spec of your MB – have you made sure that the onboard gfx is disabled (I realise it probably does this automatically – but some MBs have an option to ignore onboard devices altogether.)

 

[Cleeecooo]

If it's that issue with incompatible gfx cards with some mobos, then I would RMA the whole system to save yourself paying £22 for a NFF

 

[hyperst]

reset the bios settings before as i thought the problem was related to the cpu and overclock before, until i removed the graphics card and the reboots stopped

Did you check the memory is getting the correct voltage after your bios reset, also what is the memory voltage set to and have you set the timings, have you ran memtest?

 

[Plainlazy2]

yeah i've run mem tests, i've tried running it on overclockers profile and factory defaults so it's not a settin in the bios

Yeah i've tried disabling te onboard graphics card before =(

My PSU has 2 PCI 6 pin connectors that go straight into the gfx card. I tested every pin of those last night with the volt meter to check each yellow cable was putting out 12v to each black cable

I've been running that msi gtx 460 cyclone with that mother board for 3 and a half months with no compatibility issue