[Stealth]

This makes no sense.

Since i put my new computer together about 2 weeks ago it's acted strange.  It's got a more-than-powerful-enough power supply, and it's sharing a 40amp circuit with only one other computer, so i know it's not power it needs, but for some reason, it'll just die... i'll start up half-life 2, start playing,and then suddenly the computer will just lose power, and i'll have to press the power button again.  what's more weird, is i plugged it into an outlet at work, opened HL2:Lost Coast, went to Options --> Video, and changed the resolution.  before i even clicked "ok", the computer died.  this happened twice in a row.  at home it doesn't do that, but it DOES still lose power for no apparent reason.  i've monitored the video card, and it stays cool (usually around 52 or 53 degrees, but during 'intense' gaming it may go up to 65 or so... which is still very cool for a GTX).

I'm out of ideas.  it's got to be either the video card or motherboard.  i've changed power supplies with one i had laying around, but same problem.  weird thing is sometimes it'll go 2 or 3 days before giving me a shutoff... other times it'll be twice in a row.  i don't have my second 7800 GTX anymore, and i don't have another motherboard to 'test' either... 

i'm hoping someone has some practical advice based on experience they can help me out with.  Specs:

-- Opteron 148
-- thermaltake 680w power supply
-- 2 GB Corsair XMS3500LL
-- ASUS A8N32-SLI motherboard
-- 300 GB SATA drive

processor and video card are extremely well cooled, so i know cooling's not the problem.  i'm thinking it's something to do with the video card, but still... it's scaring me.

[Wanderer]

Check the motherboards power cables/wires i had very odd heating problem about a year ago thanks to a half-detached cable.

[Prophet]

I agree...
I'm afraid it's very much possible that either the video card or motherboard might have something wrong in them...

[Stealth]

all power cables are completely inserted, etc. and remember this happened on another power supply too :-/  during the windows setup even it would die a couple of times.

[CP5670]

That actually sounds exactly like a power supply problem. The TT 680w has three weaker 12v rails instead of a single strong one, so make sure you have split the load across the rails evenly.

[edit] never mind, just saw your other post; the only thing I can think of is to recheck all the connections, and maybe try a new motherboard if that doesn't work. Make sure it's also not something like a flaky power switch on the case. I had a somewhat similar issue several years ago due to that.

[Stealth]

yeah but what's weird is that it seems like it's only when i do certain things that it happens.  sometimes it just does it on its own, but quite often it'll be when i change resolution, etc.

but i'll disconnect the power switch on the case... i guess it wouldn't hurt if only to troubleshoot   i'll just start my computer with a screwdriver for the next day or two

guess i'm going to have to try a new motherboard *SIGH!!!!!*****

[Stealth]

oh. and with my 7800 gtx the words on the screen are slightly blurred.  i switch to my other computer, and they're fine.

[Stealth]

hmmmm this can't be right :-/

http://www.f1f3.com/computer/memoryerrors.JPG

[Stealth]

wow, CPU is running at 69 degrees after a 30 minute memory test.  celcius.

[Dark RevenantX]

Mabey the blur is due to your monitor.  Mine will make characters that have two little light beams hitting it, but the third doesn't even fire at it.  The result is a falsely colored thin character.  Also, my monitor seems to be making this high-pitched noise at 1240 by 1060 and up for some reason.  Now I need more ram, a new video card, a new back fan, AND a new monitor!

Anyone know of any good & cheap CRTs?

Edit: get a bigger CPU fan

[Janos]

build more burrows

[Dark RevenantX]

I hate that message.

 

[Stealth]

Mabey the blur is due to your monitor. Mine will make characters that have two little light beams hitting it, but the third doesn't even fire at it. The result is a falsely colored thin character. Also, my monitor seems to be making this high-pitched noise at 1240 by 1060 and up for some reason. Now I need more ram, a new video card, a new back fan, AND a new monitor!

Anyone know of any good & cheap CRTs?

Edit: get a bigger CPU fan

My monitor is perfect.  if i switch over to this computer (my primary), there isn't a problem.

also, i know it's not my CPU fan:


must be the IHS that's removed.  it's supposed to have the ability to really help cool the processor, but maybe the heat sink isn't on it correctly. hmmmm

[Stealth]

build more burrows

btw. i could 0wn you at WC3

Actually, we should get a group together to play it one day

[CP5670]

must be the IHS that's removed.  it's supposed to have the ability to really help cool the processor, but maybe the heat sink isn't on it correctly. hmmmm

If that Zalman 9500 is a clip-on heatsink like the Thermalright ones then it definitely won't work with an unlidded processor, but if it's held in place by screws then it should be okay. Is the surface of that cooler smooth?

Anyone know of any good & cheap CRTs?

There recently used to be a guy on ebay selling lots of used Sony FW900s for $300, which were amazing deals. Don't know if he still has any left though.

[Stealth]

If that Zalman 9500 is a clip-on heatsink like the Thermalright ones then it definitely won't work with an unlidded processor, but if it's held in place by screws then it should be okay. Is the surface of that cooler smooth?

it's the regular socket 939 fan mount:  the two screws on a plate on the motherboard.  and on the back of the motherboard there's a brace for it.  it's definately on there tight, no doubt about that, and yeah, the surface is smooth

also... that's the monitor i'm going to get... the one you mentioned.  you can get them for around $300 on ebay