Under powered?

SpankyOC · 24 Oct 2010 at 10:28

Hi gang,

I recently updraded my CPU from a E6600 to a Q9550 and since then I have been experiencing PC freezes and crashes when gaming. I used the Extreme Power Supply site (http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp) to see if my current PSU was up to it and appraently it is but I'd like your expert opinion please.
Here's whats under the bonnet (all stock clocks, will OC when she's stable):
Q9550 CPU
1x ATI HD4870 1Gb GPU
MSI X48c mobo (2x 120 case fans)
2x Corsair CM3X2G1333C9 DDR3 RAM
Noctua CPU heat sink
2x WD2500KS SATA HDD (RAID 0)
1x SATA CD/DVD burner
OCZ 600w (OCZGSX600) PSU
Tsunami Dream case
USB ports in roof of case (standard fitting)

I have noticed the CPU idle temps to be a little high for my liking too, around 40 degrees celcius but varies approx 5 degrees over the 4 cores (up to 60 degrees under load) but @ stock clocks im not too fussed about that at the moment. Will re-do the arctic silver5 and might lap the heat sink, for now I'm just monitoring it.
GPU temps weren't getting too hot so I don't think it's a heat issue. I feared I may have damaged the graphics card when I swapped over the CPU. My friend is testing the GPU in his rig but suggested it might be insufficient power.
Matters did improve slighly when I set manual CPU volts to 1.25 and the RAM volts to 1.63v but the problem hasn't gone away.
What are your thoughts and feelings? Any help would be appreciated.

95thrifles · 24 Oct 2010 at 10:33

Your PSU should be fine, as are the temps, dont worry about the 4 degree split either, thats normal, its possible for some reason the board isnt setting your voltages correctly, check on side of RAM or website what its rated for and manually set it at that, and if problems persist slowly raise your CPU voltage til you get stable
You shouldnt really be having issues, does the board need a BIOS update maybe? I wouldnt of thought so but you could try this anyway

sturmtruppe · 24 Oct 2010 at 10:40

I had something similar happen to me. Did you reinstall windows after upgrading? If not, is task manager picking up the 4 cores (performance tab)?

SpankyOC · 24 Oct 2010 at 11:00

Hi thanks for the prompt replies.

I have updated the BIOS and it didn't appear to help matters. I have Prime95 tested the CPU/RAM (blend test) for about an hour, not long I know but I was hoping it would show any cracks with them. At base settings I wouldn't imagine this to fail.

I haven't reinstalled Windows and the Processor shows up fine in Device Manager. I have tried numerous graphics card drivers but no change. I was thinking of redoing the chipset drivers. A reinstall of Windows was on my list of things to do but it doesn't quite make sence to me.

pastymuncher · 24 Oct 2010 at 13:15

Have you cleared the cmos since putting the new cpu in? It's always a good idea to do this, especially as you have updated the bios as well. You should not need to reinstall windows for a cpu change. I certainly never have needed to do this.

Your psu has more than enough wattage. The rig in my siggy pulls a max of 332w at the wall when running Linx and Fur stability test at the same time. Both my cpu and gpu are heavily clocked and overvolted.

SpankyOC · 24 Oct 2010 at 18:43

Yeah CMOS was cleared even before the BIOS upgrade. The rig was overclocked with the E6600 so it would have ran like a dog had I not cleared it

My friend has bench tested the GPU in his rig and it seems fine so I've ruled out that being duff.

Your right regarding the Windows re-install, it really shouldn't be required. I actually restore server OS to disimilar hardware (e.g. HP to Dell and visa-versa) and other than driver changes they run fine. Worst case would be a repair of Windows but only when things go really t1t5 up.

I will pop it back in later and see if it wants to play ball with me. It's a bit wierd though. Will re-seat the CPU too, I think 38-43 degrees idle is too hot for a system thats not overclocked. Maybe with a standard fan but not with the Noctua?