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My comp is has been having some strange behavior the last few months and I think I know what the problem is but am not sure. This is gonna be a long one and I apologize in advance for that.
First off I'm running:
C2D e6550 @ 2.9Ghz stock voltage
eVGA 680i SLI mobo
6GB of Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800
GTX 260 core 216 (previously PNY 8800GT SLI)
Creative X-Fi XtremeGamer
Seasonic e12+ 650w PSU
1x Western Digital Caviar 200GB SataII(OS)
1x Maxtor 160gb SataII
1x Maxtor 500GB SataII
2x Western Digital Caviar Black 640gb SataII
1x Seagate 1TB SataII
2x 16x DVD-RW IDE Drives
Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit (previously Vista Ultimate 32 bit)
The problem is at totally random times (not even in game) the comp will:
1) freeze for 3-4 minutes then come back
2) freeze for 3-4 minutes at a time then come back for a split second and repeat endlessly until rebooted
3) Windows Explorer stops responding either for a few minutes or until reboot and sometimes that freeze will result in a BSOD.
Also, sometimes during reboot the comp will be stuck on the bios screen due to the hard drives not detecting. And the only way to fix that is to physically go into the case, unplug then replug the SATA cables from either the mobo or the drive. (HIGHLY ANNOYING)
These problems were present on my last copy of Vista 32 bit also so I'm pretty sure Windows isnt the problem.
In my attempt to solve the problem:
I've reinstalled windows a few times both with Vista and Seven.
Purchased a new WD 200gb thinking it may have been a bad OS drive.
Returned all bios, CPU and memory clocks back to stock.
I thought it could have been my CPU and memory drawing too much power from being overclocked but even on stock clocks the problem exists. I also reseated the CPU 2-3 times.
I thought maybe the 8800GT SLI was using too much power but I picked up a GTX 260 3 days ago and the problem still exists and from what I've read in reviews the 260 uses less power than 2 8800GTs.
System temps are all very stable.
So I believe the problem stems from my PSU being insufficient. When I bought it in 2006 it was listed as SLI Certified for my (then) 7900GT SLI. But of course those draw less power. The only thing about the problem potentially being the PSU is these problems arent happening under load, they happen when just browsing the net and folders on drive. However if it is the PSU I am more than willing to return the 260 and put the money towards a new PSU. A second/third/fourth opinion would be greatly appreciate.
First off I'm running:
C2D e6550 @ 2.9Ghz stock voltage
eVGA 680i SLI mobo
6GB of Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800
GTX 260 core 216 (previously PNY 8800GT SLI)
Creative X-Fi XtremeGamer
Seasonic e12+ 650w PSU
1x Western Digital Caviar 200GB SataII(OS)
1x Maxtor 160gb SataII
1x Maxtor 500GB SataII
2x Western Digital Caviar Black 640gb SataII
1x Seagate 1TB SataII
2x 16x DVD-RW IDE Drives
Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit (previously Vista Ultimate 32 bit)
The problem is at totally random times (not even in game) the comp will:
1) freeze for 3-4 minutes then come back
2) freeze for 3-4 minutes at a time then come back for a split second and repeat endlessly until rebooted
3) Windows Explorer stops responding either for a few minutes or until reboot and sometimes that freeze will result in a BSOD.
Also, sometimes during reboot the comp will be stuck on the bios screen due to the hard drives not detecting. And the only way to fix that is to physically go into the case, unplug then replug the SATA cables from either the mobo or the drive. (HIGHLY ANNOYING)
These problems were present on my last copy of Vista 32 bit also so I'm pretty sure Windows isnt the problem.
In my attempt to solve the problem:
I've reinstalled windows a few times both with Vista and Seven.
Purchased a new WD 200gb thinking it may have been a bad OS drive.
Returned all bios, CPU and memory clocks back to stock.
I thought it could have been my CPU and memory drawing too much power from being overclocked but even on stock clocks the problem exists. I also reseated the CPU 2-3 times.
I thought maybe the 8800GT SLI was using too much power but I picked up a GTX 260 3 days ago and the problem still exists and from what I've read in reviews the 260 uses less power than 2 8800GTs.
System temps are all very stable.
So I believe the problem stems from my PSU being insufficient. When I bought it in 2006 it was listed as SLI Certified for my (then) 7900GT SLI. But of course those draw less power. The only thing about the problem potentially being the PSU is these problems arent happening under load, they happen when just browsing the net and folders on drive. However if it is the PSU I am more than willing to return the 260 and put the money towards a new PSU. A second/third/fourth opinion would be greatly appreciate.
