A7N8X-D random power down ????

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dale Sampson
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Dale Sampson

cpu-2800+
mem-Corsair 2X2565mb-3200
p.s.- antec 300W

overclocked FSB=200 1:1 memory; clk mult=10
Mem - 7,4,4,2
CPU temp runs at 140 F

OS-XP-Pro
System passes Tuff-Test & memtest-86 diags. (multiple passes)

Several time a day, the system powers off (often while sitting idle,
sometimes during use) - no detectable pattern to it. The system literally
acts as if the off button was depressed. If I run it at rated FSB & mult.
it will still do it though much less frequently. Hibernation/suspend are not
enabled.

I have noticed 5+ is running a little low (4.81=4.86). According to Asus
probe, VCore seems to vary a bit too 1.76-1.8.

XP doesn't log any errors (no events, no dump).

I've reseated cards & cables.

I was hoping someone might have some ideas about what I can look at to see
what's going on with this.
I was wondering if perhaps the PS isn't quite keeping up with the load?

Thoughts? Ideas?

Thanks,
 
Dale Sampson said:
cpu-2800+
mem-Corsair 2X2565mb-3200
p.s.- antec 300W

overclocked FSB=200 1:1 memory; clk mult=10
Mem - 7,4,4,2
CPU temp runs at 140 F

OS-XP-Pro
System passes Tuff-Test & memtest-86 diags. (multiple passes)

Several time a day, the system powers off (often while sitting idle,
sometimes during use) - no detectable pattern to it. The system literally
acts as if the off button was depressed. If I run it at rated FSB & mult.
it will still do it though much less frequently. Hibernation/suspend are not
enabled.

I have noticed 5+ is running a little low (4.81=4.86). According to Asus
probe, VCore seems to vary a bit too 1.76-1.8.

XP doesn't log any errors (no events, no dump).

I've reseated cards & cables.

I was hoping someone might have some ideas about what I can look at to see
what's going on with this.
I was wondering if perhaps the PS isn't quite keeping up with the load?

Thoughts? Ideas?
Click to expand...

Power supply. Replace it with a modern, high-output supply. The QTec 550w
are excellent if you're on a budget, otherwise stick to Antec etc.
 
Hi Dale:

Heat/Temp and/or Voltage seem likely culprits. Just the last couple of
months? Are you in the Northern Hemisphere (i.e., its now summer, right?)
by chance?

The cpu is running hot, and the 5.0 rail is getting pretty low. I would
remove and thoroughly clean the heat sink and fan, re-goop with some good
goop, and install motherboard monitor so you can log the temps and voltages.
See if there's a pattern there with the crashes. Depending what you see,
you may want a better cooling system altogether, since you probably built it
in the spring season, and now that the air is hot, you're finding the
cooling insufficient. Happens to the best of us ;)

I would absolutely NOT want my cpu running that hot, personally. Just by
taking the steps above a few weeks back, I dropped almost 15 celsius on
average, and it cost basically nothing :) Also, even if the heat sink
*looks* clean, it might still benefit from a solid cleaning...

Sometimes a lack of power can cause things to run hotter as well, in my
experience. I have a similar load on my system as you, and recently
purchased (and am VERY happy with) an Antec True Power 430. Old one was a
Antec 300W that came with case. My 5.0 rail went from 4.83-4.85 up to
4.95-4.99. Temps went down. Stability went up. You can find it online for
69.99 nowadays. It provides 'discreet channels' of power for each of the
rails (not sure the technical term), and monitors/adjusts the current on
each one independently, depending on needs. Cheaper PSU's (like the
SmartPower series) are not THAT much cheaper, and they are totally inferior
in every way to the TruePower. Later, if you still have voltage issues, you
can even plug in the TrueControl module to this series of PSU (the PSU is,
in fact, the same one as the TrueControl, just without the controller module
and the hefty price tag) and take charge of the voltage supplies yourself
.... way cool!

http://www.blargoc.co.uk/reviews/antectruepower/
http://www.antec-inc.com/pro_powerSupply.html

hth
brett
 
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