dies on 3D mode (PSU problem?)

[snipe3d]

This is about the 3rd time in 6 months this has started happening. Im assuming for now that it is the power supply.

I own a coolmax 400w (CX-400B), powering:
epox 8rda3+
XP3200+ (stock volt, clock)
9800pro (stock volt, clock)
512mb corsair valu select ddr400 (2.76 volts)
2 7200 rpm hdds
1 dvdrom drive



i dont see any reason why this should be happening, other then the psu apparently sucks the big one. every time i try to load up a game (even the intro videos) the computer just goes silent. the power led on the front of the case stays on, and wont go off unless i flip the switch on the back of the psu for a few seconds. My analysis has been that when the graphics card tries to fire up in to 3D mode it draws that extra power from the power supply, and the power supply cant supply it and just cuts off.

can anyone give me a better idea on what might be going on? confirm what im looking at?


ive been waiting to get payed to get a blue storm, and just want some extra confirmation that the power supply truly is the problem, and i wont have to deal with it any more with a new psu.

[dsio]

Is it possible for you to use a process of elimination to identify the problem? If you have a spare PSU, even if its a low wattage one, try it and see if the problem is the same. Run a memory testing program to test if your memory is working correctly. Swap in a cheap 3D card and see if you still have issues.

Thats the best way to do it. As for your problem, it could be the PSU, it could be a number of things, but you need to eliminate parts. The worst thing is replacing a PSU only to find you have a bung 3D card. The PSU staying on thing sounds a little odd. Did you try holding the power button in for 5-10 seconds to turn it off? Or did you just press the button?

[Ranger56]

i think ur right. cuz if it was a driver or hardware problem u would get a blue screen with some codes. try this PSU, its 600watts. its 80 bucks but then u get a 40 dollar mail and rebate. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...7&Sku=ULT31312 or u can go for this 500watt one if u want the wires to be organized. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...2&Sku=ULT31558

[dsio]

If the video card or memory was at fault, or if there was any serious hardware problem, you would not get any blue screen, just a cold hang. Only really driver issues or minor hardware problems cause BSODs. I still think its worth checking everything before spending the money.

[snipe3d]

well i mean it leaves no error messages in the windows log, and i have run memory tests before. i was planning on buying a new power supply anyway this summer to go with the new case i plan on getting as well, so im probably just going to go get the supply, and hope it fixes the problems.


as for the light staying on, the system just turns off without warning, and the little led stays on. i try pushing the power button to turn it back on, but nothing happens. i have to flip the switch off on the back of the supply, and within about 3 seconds it turns off. i am then able to flip it back on and power up normally.

[devilmyarse]

Hmmm interesting, my computer did that earlier when i tried to take the side panel off but i have a HSF exhaust system and i think i nudged the cpu by accident and the surge in heat caused it to trip the emergency cut off. Don't think that's related though! I'd go with the process of elimination, always works!

[Seperah]

a Few things come to mind...first off your card

9800pro 256mg cards have had major cooling issues. I have a friend with one and he has a 120mm fan blowing onto the card to just keep it at acceptable temperatures. Make sure your card is being properly cooled and ventilated.

Second. ATI cards are widely pricky about having a decent PSU.
Boot up your machine and do this.... let it sit idle for about 10-25 minutes just on the desktop and make sure your screen saver doesnt come up (provided you have one) Download ATI tool and install it, then have it monitor you GPU temps and have them displayed on the menu. After you've done that, start up something rather 3d intensive like you do. I'm guessing either driver coruption(get Omega's ) or overheating on your card...OR your PSU simply cant take the wattage demand.

Lastly, even though im sure you may have check it...just make sure you CPU is not overheating as well =)

Good luck

P.S... Get a Quality PSU...PC&P, Vantec, Thermaltake, Zippy etc... personally I've had my best stability and highest Oc's with my thermaltake 480watt pure power.

[snipe3d]

Originally Posted by Seperah

a Few things come to mind...first off your card

9800pro 256mg cards have had major cooling issues. I have a friend with one and he has a 120mm fan blowing onto the card to just keep it at acceptable temperatures. Make sure your card is being properly cooled and ventilated.

Second. ATI cards are widely pricky about having a decent PSU.
Boot up your machine and do this.... let it sit idle for about 10-25 minutes just on the desktop and make sure your screen saver doesnt come up (provided you have one) Download ATI tool and install it, then have it monitor you GPU temps and have them displayed on the menu. After you've done that, start up something rather 3d intensive like you do. I'm guessing either driver coruption(get Omega's ) or overheating on your card...OR your PSU simply cant take the wattage demand.

Lastly, even though im sure you may have check it...just make sure you CPU is not overheating as well =)

Good luck

P.S... Get a Quality PSU...PC&P, Vantec, Thermaltake, Zippy etc... personally I've had my best stability and highest Oc's with my thermaltake 480watt pure power.

i installed ATI tool, but the temperature monitoring appears to not be an option.

its a Sapphire 9800 pro 128mb, using omega 2.5.90's

also, i highly doubt its a heat issue, because im only able to run about 2-4 seconds of anything 3d before it shuts off.

[snipe3d]

well, i ordered the blue storm today, ill have it midweek next week. hopefully it will solve my problems, and if not, newegg always has the 7 day return policy.

[cloasters]

Originally Posted by snipe3d

well, i ordered the blue storm today, ill have it midweek next week. hopefully it will solve my problems, and if not, newegg always has the 7 day return policy.

I love those 7-day return policies. Sometimes this means 7-days after it left their store. Gotta be very quick to test the component they send you.

[snipe3d]

well im pretty sure i eliminated the heat issue as a problem causer.

i did a good few hours 100% CPU stress and MBM5 read it not going higher then 55*C the whole time (however innacurate MBM may be), and I was not able to run more then 1 second of 3dmark 2001se. I dont think the graphics card could possibly heat up to a dangerous temp in less then 1 second, and then proceed to somehow kill the power.

[cadaveca]

It's your PSU. either the 12v or the 5v rail is overloaded. ATI cards draw power from both rails, and really like high 5v rails. Could be the 12v rail from the fan spinning up, it could be a short in the video card.


this is all of course assuming that the pc shuts down and the fans stop as well. is the fans still run, it's something else.

[snipe3d]

Originally Posted by cadaveca

It's your PSU. either the 12v or the 5v rail is overloaded. ATI cards draw power from both rails, and really like high 5v rails. Could be the 12v rail from the fan spinning up, it could be a short in the video card.


this is all of course assuming that the pc shuts down and the fans stop as well. is the fans still run, it's something else.

correct. everything stops.

[snipe3d]

UPDATE:

Got the AX500 installed, and everything works perfectly again, no more crashing.


Never buy a coolmax power supply.

[robbie]

Glad you got it sorted, now.... have you checked out our folding section?

[snipe3d]

Originally Posted by robbie

Glad you got it sorted, now.... have you checked out our folding section?

im trying to keep my room temperature BELOW 90* this summer, so ill have it off whenever im not around...
maybe this winter