Big problem with Dual Core Upgrade

My complete and detailed system specs are below.

I recently upgraded from an AMD Athlon 64 3000+ 1.8GHz 512KB Winchester CPU to my current AMD Athlon X2 4800+. I have never had any problems with my computer until this upgrade.

However, my computer is crashing all the time now! If I enable Cool'n'Quiet in the bios the computer frequently halts with "Machine Check Exception" and always halts during games. However, with CnQ disabled the computer frequently halts with "Bad Pool Caller" (at any given time, regardless of what I'm doing.)

This is happening all the time now and it is very frustrating! Like I said, I’ve never had problems until this upgrade.

I’m not over clocking, or doing anything unusual (that I’m aware of.)

I’m a bit concerned the power supply isn’t powerful enough to handle this CPU. I can’t seem to find any AMD certifications or recommendations for power supplies. I don’t want to buy anything I don’t absolutely need, and I only have about $100 to spend if I do. However, I really need to get this fixed ASAP.

I also remember in the old days there was a danger of chipping or cracking the core when installing the heatsync. Is that still a problem and should I be concerned that I installed it wrong?

What do you think is wrong with my system, and how can I fix it?

Thanks


OS:
Fresh Install Windows XP Pro SP2, all patches


CPU:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ 2.4GHz 1MB L2/ea.
Stock heatsync (heatpipe version) runs at ~40-45C
Driver:
AMD Processor Driver 1.2.2.2 (actual file version 1.2.2.0)
Windows XP hotfix (files+registry)

Motherboard:
Asus A8V-Deluxe Via K8T800Pro + VT8237 Bios 1017
Driver:
VIA Hyperion Pro 5.07A

Memory:
Corsair VS1GBKIT400 1GB Kit (2x 512MB) DDR400 PC3200 CAS2.5 Value Select Memory Dual Channel Configuration @ 400MHz


Power Supply:
EnerMax Noisetaker 370W EG375P-VE
+3.3V: 27A (89.1w) +5V: 27A (135w) 2x +12V: 18A (216w)/ea.


Video Card:
PNY Verto GeForce 6800GT 256MB GDDR3 AGP 8x idles at ~61c
Driver:
nVidia 81.98

Sound Card:
Creative Labs Sound Blaster 2 ZS
Driver:
Creative Labs 02.08.0004

Wireless Card:
Asus WiFi-G RALink RT2500 PCI
Driver:
RALink 2500 3.1.0.0


Hard Drive:
Maxtor DiamondMax 10 6B300S0 300GB Serial ATA (1.5Gb/s) 7200RPM Hard Drive w/16MB Buffer

DVD-RW:
Pioneer DVR-A08XL Firmware 1.20-B

Floppy Drive:
Standard 1.44MB 3.25"

I have the latest bios and I have tried many combinations of setting the bios to similar settings as before and resetting it to defaults. Neither makes a difference (other than the C&Q setting mentioned above.)

First try raising your Vcore voltage a tenth or two and do the same for for ram. If that doesnt work see if any of your friends also use the same type ram but different manufacture so you can swap out to see if the ram is the problem. I would also check case air flow because your video card is running a pretty high temp at idle. See if the software that came with your video card has a fan speed option. If not download Rivatuner and install it because it has a fan controller built in. A 370 watt power supply is a little light but I would try the other things first before I would replace it.

370w PSU that is a little light - that would be the issue

now thats a good call

Send processor back and get a 3800 X2 Manchester. Overclock to 2.4 GIG. The stock cooler should be fine at this speed. Save money to buy a 7800 GS agp graphcis card.

That PSU is a little on the small end for that setup, especially with that video card. I looked at the power calculators and they recommend at lest 350W for that kind of a setup. If 350W is a minimum, most recommend 100W above that.

Your CPU and GPU are running pretty hot. My 4200+ runs at 40-45 C only under 100% load, otherwise it is about 25-28 C. That's with stock clock/Vcore settings and stock AMD chip-in-a-box heatsink. Some PSUs get flaky under high temperatures and near maximum outputs. Maybe you could try to run your computer with the side off and a large box fan pointed at it and see if that helps. Or borrow a friend's 400-450W+ PSU and see if that works too.

You need a power supply? Check this one out: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817103937 I have the same model except its 50 watts less, handles my system just fine. This should handel yours.

If you plan to spend over 100 bucks on a PSU, I'd recommend looking at this PSU, I remembered MMM advised this one. I think its a good deal.

XG Vortec

Output +3.3V@15A, +5V@40A, +12V@37A, -5V@0.6A, -12V@0.6A, +5VSB@2A

It sounds like this error message is quite bad, I ran a google check on it and it appears there's about 30 different things that can cause this error.

Here is one of the links from the search that might help...

http://www.aoaforums.com/forum/cra [...] aller.html

Wow... it could be the video driver doing that.

Nice find... Pip

Try reinstalling the driver 1st before doing everything.

Edit: errr:

Ummm.. if he switch out cards, wouldn't that force XP to install new drivers? Unless the error is also connect to another hardware error, reinstall of XP may be the best solution. I guess thats where the other 29 other issues could be related to as well.

The problem is -most likely- your KT800, it does not support the 1000MHz that ALL X2s support. Even a bios flash won't increase HTT speeds. But I coul dbe wrong. Go to Asus' or Vias sites and see if KT800 will support the X2.

Well for that particular board, it should handle it. I'm not to sure about the 1000mhz HTT speed.

Funny thing, the bios version is 1013 is listed to be used. Not sure how updated they keep that website up, since the latest non beta is 1017.

These are all the AMD CPU's that board: