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PC shuts down when launching games

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detpower   09-30-2009 at 11:29:44 PM

Hi all,

I have come across a weird problem that seems stump me, I have had the same setup in my sig for about 3 years now and had no issues until recently. It started while playing Fallout 3 and has continued to get worse...it now does it with any graphic related program. If i try to run auto tune for my ati card it will shut down, if i try to launch 3d mark it will shut down...

I have monitored all the temps and all are in normal ranges cpu stays around 50c under load...gpu doesnt go any higher than 60c under load...chipset is at 40c ect... i am leaning twards the psu but im not sure, does anyone have any ideas?

Athalon 64 X2 5600 AM2
Asus M2N-E
4 gig Corsair DHX XMS2 DDR2 6400
ATI
HD 3870
500w antec smartpower PSU
300GB HD
XP 32bit


Message edited by detpower on 09-30-2009 at 11:32:00 PM
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ulysses35   10-01-2009 at 01:46:39 AM

Sounds like it could be a failing PSU - Antec ones are normally pretty reliable.

Im guessing the Graphics card is PCI-E ? have you checked the extra power connector ? if possible swap it for another lead from your PSU.

Reply to ulysses35
detpower   10-01-2009 at 02:37:16 AM

Thanks for the reply,

Yes it is PCI-E......I did try what you suggested and i still have the same issues... Any other ideas? Would a faulty GPU Cause this?... from what i can tell nothing is over heating.

Reply to detpower
godbrother   10-01-2009 at 04:31:54 AM

If it was a faulty GPU, the system shouldn't shut down straight away. As ulysses35 says, its most probbally the PSU that is past its time and needs to be replaced, it seems when it needs to juice the GPU for anything, it will not power it correctly, or overpower it perhaps and overload which will result in a shutdown.

But all the symptoms point towards the PSU.

You can get a cheap OCZ 600W PSU for around $40.

------------------------------ CPU: Pentium 4 641 - 3.2Ghz - Hyper Threading - 2MB Cache - 800Mhz FSB - 65nm
RAM: 2GB DDR2 Dell 800Mhz
GPU: 8600GTS 256MB GDDR3
HDD: 160GB Maxtor Sata II 7,200RPM
Reply to godbrother
detpower   10-01-2009 at 06:28:06 AM

Well i guess i will go for a new psu then...thanks for the help guys.

Reply to detpower
cafuddled   10-01-2009 at 10:32:51 AM

I'm interested to see if that works, let us all know how you get on.

------------------------------ "Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence."
 Reply to cafuddled
detpower   10-03-2009 at 01:17:07 AM

Update,

For those with the same problems...i ended up replacing my psu and it solved the problem...it no longer crashes or shuts down...so if your pc temps are within spec it will most likely be the psu.

Thanks to all for the help.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to detpower
godbrother   10-06-2009 at 04:00:49 PM

detpower wrote :

Update,

For those with the same problems...i ended up replacing my psu and it solved the problem...it no longer crashes or shuts down...so if your pc temps are within spec it will most likely be the psu.

Thanks to all for the help.



;) Yup, I thought so. So what type of games are you into anyways?

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ CPU: Pentium 4 641 - 3.2Ghz - Hyper Threading - 2MB Cache - 800Mhz FSB - 65nm
RAM: 2GB DDR2 Dell 800Mhz
GPU: 8600GTS 256MB GDDR3
HDD: 160GB Maxtor Sata II 7,200RPM
Reply to godbrother
detpower   10-10-2009 at 07:50:43 PM

godbrother wrote :

;) Yup, I thought so. So what type of games are you into anyways?

FPS, RPGs ,SIm Racing and flying...probably everything lol.

Reply to detpower
godbrother   10-11-2009 at 08:53:29 PM

*** ing hate them. I love FPS's, Racing, Sports, Flying etc.

------------------------------ CPU: Pentium 4 641 - 3.2Ghz - Hyper Threading - 2MB Cache - 800Mhz FSB - 65nm
RAM: 2GB DDR2 Dell 800Mhz
GPU: 8600GTS 256MB GDDR3
HDD: 160GB Maxtor Sata II 7,200RPM
Reply to godbrother
justinheir   10-12-2009 at 10:13:24 AM

@ detpower,

Good for you. So it was really PSU issues, took note of that. Congratulations!

Reply to justinheir
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