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Computer shutting down, GPU getting too hot?

M

Manick2005

n00b
Joined
Feb 19, 2009
Messages
36
This morning I tried to play a couple of different RTS games and experienced sudden unexpected automatic shutdowns. No errors, nothing, and I literally did nothing to my computer between now and last night, and was playing them fine back then. But after the fourth shutdown my computer did perform a CHKDSK upon startup. I checked my HD's using HDtunepro and they were healthy. I then ran Furmark, and the first time I ran it, the temperature went up to 72c and then it shut down again within a just few seconds. I ran it a second time, and it lasted the whole time I ran it (about 3 mins) and it got up to 87c, and no shutdown. It also said my GPU load was up to 99%, and my FPS was only 8 at 1680x1050. That sounds pretty bad. Is there likely something wrong with my graphics card?

Now suddenly while I am typing this edit, I am seeing very strange flickers of artifacts, stretching across the entire screen, appear on my secondary monitor. It seems to be responding to me typing... This is very strange.
 
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we need system specs or the name of the card in question..

check all your system temps as well, not just the gpu. 72C crash sounds like the exact same problem i have my with 8800GT's after upgrading to the 290.53 drivers. both my cards refuse to go over 72C with those drivers but the 290.36 drivers both cards will sit at 80C+ without a single issue.

as far as the last edit goes, it sounds like the card is kicking the bucket.
 
Yeah sorry about that, slipped my mind.

Chassis: Antec p180 Mini Gunmetal
Motherboard: Nvidia nForce 650i Ultra
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad @ 2.4GHz (Q6600)
RAM: CORSAIR Dual-channel DDR3 1333MHz 4GB (2 X 2GB) / (XMS3)
GFX: XFX HD Raedon 5870
PSU: OCZ GameXStream 700w
OS: Windows 7 Professional (64bit)
HD1: Internal Western Digital 750GB (WD7501AALS)
HD2: Internal Western Digital 620GB (WD6401AALS)
HD3: External AcomData PureDrive 500 GB (PHD500USE-72)
HD4: External Western Digital MyBook 320GB (WDH1Q3200N)
HD5: External/Mini SimpleTech 250GB (FS-U25)

Is it likely that my card has been running too hot all this time, therefore shortening its own lifespan while I was gaming? I've only had it for 2 years, and when I got it, it was a high end card. I never really considered it before but I tried using my manual fan speed to lower my temperature while running the test and it obviously kept it way down. What temperature should I be keeping my next card under?
 
first step

disable automatic restarts after BSOD

second step

post up stop error
 
^ then you might got some PSU issues as the thermal protection is most likely kicking in and killing the PSU. PC components have a tendancy to just plain lock up when they get too hot and the system freezes. Artifacting can occur if your card is not getting the right power inputs
 
I was actually having trouble starting up my PC earlier. It would turn itself off less than a second after I hit the on switch, and I had to attempt to turn it on like ten times before it finally stayed on. But when I switched my graphics card out for a low end card that had no power plugs for it, it was still having trouble turning on, BUT my games didn't immediately turn off my PC.

Also, I noticed too that the fan directed at my power supply no longer works, but my power supply isn't hot at all, so I didn't really think that was worth mentioning. It's actually cold to the touch.
 
It most definitely sounds like you're exceeding your PSU's capabilities. If you haven't added anything new recently, there are a couple of possible explanations.

1. You stated that one of the fans isn't working. A seized fan will pull a very high voltage as the fan tries to spin. I suspect this is the most likely culprit - disconnect that fan and things might just start working again.

2. You may have been close to the edge before, and as your PSU has aged it's become slightly less efficient and you've now pushed it over the edge. The difficulty starting up is a major symptom of being very close to the limit. Basically, when starting up, all hard drives and fans spin up (using much more power than when in use) and various other have a startup surge, leading to the highest non-gaming power draw.

3. Unlikely, but some other component (esp. hard drive) might be starting to seize. My sister had a machine that started to spontaneously reboot. With a second (crappier) PSU it wouldn't boot at all. Turns out the problem was that it was sitting on a concrete floor, and concrete dust had got into the hard drive mechanism and was causing it to seize. Eventually the HD seized completely, which is when I was finally able to diagnose it.

4. Some component may just be faulty. This is the hardest to diagnose, but is also the least likely as you'd probably be getting BSODs rather than spontaneous reboots.
 
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