PSU Bad? Lockups ATI x800XTPE 350w

ServerKing

[H]ard|Gawd
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Mar 11, 2005
Messages
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I recently replaced the PSU I had which was a 250 for a 350 which solved random lockups in windows. Now I just started to play some FPS games again like Prey, CS, DOD and my system locksup after about 1hr of gameplay. Can someone help me figure out the problem?

Shuttle EQ8001 Unit
AMD64 754 Clawhammer 3700+
2gig Ram
ATI x800 XT PE
80gig HD SATA
External USB DVD-ROM
Mouse/Keyboad USB
350watt noname PSU

My volt readings with Speedfan:

+3.3V = 1.92
+5v = 5.05
+12v = 11.31
VCOREA = 1.90
VCOREB = 1.94
-12V = .47
-5v = 1.59
+5VSB = 5.46
VBAT = 0.00
VcoreA = 1.50
VcoreB = 1.51
+3.3v = 3.31

I heard underclocking the AGP to 4x could help. I havent tried that yet. Fast writes are OFF. If anyone has suggestions much would be appreciated.
 
I played DOD for 2hrs straight with no lockups with AGP set @ 4x. Anyone know why that would make a diff?
 
If the lockups are only happening after an extended period of gaming, I would suspect heat buildup is the problem. Try opening your computer and blowing a fan into it while gaming. If that doesn't help, then I would next suspect one of your fans or heatsinks is either clogged with dust or making poor contact with the surface of the chip (CPU, video card, or chipset).

After that, I would look in the PSU's direction.
 
It cant be a heat build up it is only at 53c when it crashes. Hell my roomates 7800GT runs at 62c with no issues? Why would 4x agp make a diff? Is it the less power draw? And are the levs I gave for my PSU good/bad/fine?
 
ServerKing said:
It cant be a heat build up it is only at 53c when it crashes. Hell my roomates 7800GT runs at 62c with no issues? Why would 4x agp make a diff? Is it the less power draw? And are the levs I gave for my PSU good/bad/fine?
If the 4x agp setting is causing the video card to run slower, that would cause less heat output. Also, keep in mind that it could be your CPU or chipset that is overheating.

Your voltages are ok, but they can't be trusted unfortunately. Software programs like speedfan are notorious for reporting incorrect values. If you want to be accurate you will need a voltmeter.
 
can you post more specifics about the PSU, if it is a bad name one then it may not be able to supply enough good power. Try to game with all the optical drives and fans unplugged and the graphics card on its own rail, that should help you figure it out.

What brand and model of psu?
 
jebo_4jc said:
If the 4x agp setting is causing the video card to run slower, that would cause less heat output. Also, keep in mind that it could be your CPU or chipset that is overheating.
To my knowledge, there really isn't any performance difference between AGP 4x and 8x, so I can't imagine it impacting the heat output of the card.

If the shutdowns are truly a result of heat or PSU failure then the lockups are most likely intermittent (so you probably just got lucky when it ran for a few hours without locking up).
 
I know this cant be a heat issue I have nothing else in this shuttle unit. Not even a cdrom for airflow. Plus before I got this card my 6600GT ran perfectly fine over clocked on a lower 250watt power supply LoL. I just dont get it.
 
Is there any demo of a can I can currently loop to see what happens too keep it going all night too see what happens? I have dod source, cs source, and prey only.
 
Thanks for the suggestion I just ran 3Dmark06 Demo looped for 9hrs straight with agp 4x and it never locked up.
 
OP: I am sending this to videocards because while not a real winner of a PSU it doesn't seem to be the issue ATM (though you would be wise to invest in a new one as well).
 
aznx said:

mmmm....I'm sure you meant this. it's a dollar cheaper, got the giant 120mm fan, and has lots of amps to spare.

that 12v looks to be in terrible shape, though I'd only suggest trusting those software readings when you can back them up with a multimeter.

Running AGP 4x shouldn't bottleneck you, as there is a negligible performance difference going between 4x and 8x. If it solves your issue, that could be it, but with summer temperatures rising and your PSU getting warmer, it's very possible that it isn't putting out even the measly 10amps.
 
Well, I just ran 3dMark06 2hrs on demo loop mode with agp 8x came back and saw my comp did lock up. Now is this a PSU problem or a video card issue?
 
ServerKing said:
Well, I just ran 3dMark06 2hrs on demo loop mode with agp 8x came back and saw my comp did lock up. Now is this a PSU problem or a video card issue?

were you monitoring your vid cards load temps?

Without using a multimeter to measure your PSUs voltages, that 12V is definitely low. I wouldn't be surprised if the summer heat is putting enough pressure on your PSU to drop output.
 
the temps were fine on the card. this cannot be a ventilation issue because the card wasnt even at full crank fan speed during the 3dmark06 test. even at 4x or 8x the card only spiked a few times too cool down. not like it was on full blast all the time which would mean the card was running really hot which is wasnt. i dont have a clue what to check next the bios shows the 12v rail way above the numbers i posted from speedfan so which one is right? i guess this is what i get for getting a ati card :-(
 
ServerKing said:
the bios shows the 12v rail way above the numbers i posted from speedfan so which one is right?
Again.
me said:
Your voltages are ok, but they can't be trusted unfortunately. Software programs like speedfan are notorious for reporting incorrect values. If you want to be accurate you will need a voltmeter.
 
Maybe a motherboard problem? Are all the drivers updated? It could be de AGP mini driver...or something like it....what is your chipset?
 
quadnad said:
mmmm....I'm sure you meant this. it's a dollar cheaper, got the giant 120mm fan, and has lots of amps to spare.

that 12v looks to be in terrible shape, though I'd only suggest trusting those software readings when you can back them up with a multimeter.

Running AGP 4x shouldn't bottleneck you, as there is a negligible performance difference going between 4x and 8x. If it solves your issue, that could be it, but with summer temperatures rising and your PSU getting warmer, it's very possible that it isn't putting out even the measly 10amps.

ah when i searched, it didn't come up. =P stupid newegg search. :p
 
I probably will get a multimeter. But I am going to use ati tools to record my temps and stuff and reproduce a crash and see what happens. I will report back once results are in.
 
ATI Tools Results

Here are the results right when the system locked and when I rebooted back to normal.

19.07.2006 12:09:31 GPU: 74.13, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:33 GPU: 74.75, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:35 GPU: 74.38, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:37 GPU: 74.50, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:39 GPU: 74.63, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:41 GPU: 74.88, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:43 GPU: 74.75, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:45 GPU: 74.88, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:47 GPU: 74.75, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:49 GPU: 74.75, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:51 GPU: 74.88, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:53 GPU: 74.75, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:55 GPU: 75.13, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:57 GPU: 75.00, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:59 GPU: 74.13, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:16:54 GPU: 54.38, Env: 56.00
19.07.2006 12:16:56 GPU: 54.13, Env: 56.00
19.07.2006 12:16:58 GPU: 53.88, Env: 55.00
19.07.2006 12:17:00 GPU: 54.00, Env: 55.00
19.07.2006 12:17:02 GPU: 53.88, Env: 55.00
 
ServerKing said:
ATI Tools Results

Here are the results right when the system locked and when I rebooted back to normal.

19.07.2006 12:09:31 GPU: 74.13, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:33 GPU: 74.75, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:35 GPU: 74.38, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:37 GPU: 74.50, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:39 GPU: 74.63, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:41 GPU: 74.88, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:43 GPU: 74.75, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:45 GPU: 74.88, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:47 GPU: 74.75, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:49 GPU: 74.75, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:51 GPU: 74.88, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:53 GPU: 74.75, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:55 GPU: 75.13, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:57 GPU: 75.00, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:09:59 GPU: 74.13, Env: 63.00
19.07.2006 12:16:54 GPU: 54.38, Env: 56.00
19.07.2006 12:16:56 GPU: 54.13, Env: 56.00
19.07.2006 12:16:58 GPU: 53.88, Env: 55.00
19.07.2006 12:17:00 GPU: 54.00, Env: 55.00
19.07.2006 12:17:02 GPU: 53.88, Env: 55.00
Any CPU temp readings>?
 
ServerKing said:
ati tools doesnt have that feature unless i dont know about it.

is your computer stable running prime95 and rthdribl together for 12hrs?

monitor cpu temps either with the programs available for your motherboard, this program, or something like everest.
 
I will have to try that unsure if I will be able to get results tomorrow since working some OT but will report back once I try.
 
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