hello all - please help!

I have a brand new system, I have given this 29 days of troubleshooting, and it is my last day before I have to apply for an RMA on my 30day newegg.com return policy for a couple products I purchased... My system will post, boot into windows --- running vista x64 ultimate SP1 and windows xp SP2/32bit in dual boot setup --- once in windows I can run ANY application, video, etc without problem, for days on end == but as soon as I load up a game [and that is _the_ main reason I built this box], my system SHUTS down, out of nowhere! No slow down, no warning, just *boom* power off!!$@#
I am an old-school troubleshooter, and know my **** pretty well, but this has me stumped! someone please help a fellow out =)

....the problem is OS independant, RAM independant, _probably not heat related_, just plain has me perplexed....

Games I can start up ANYTIME, and the problem occurs [actually every game I've tried so far];
Call of Duty 4 - direct X 10 and DX9
Crysis [64bit and 32bit] - direct X 10 and DX9
Gears of War - direct X 10 and DX9
Bioshock - direct X 10 and DX9

- I've ran different OSs, same problem [vista x64 ultimate, now SP1 and windows xp SP2/32bit]
- I've swapped between, in and out trying each single stick, to using all 4, 4x1G sticks of ram [CORSAIR 1Gx2 TWIN2x2049-6400 R, and KINGSTON 1Gx2 KVR800D2N5K2/2G]
- tried every one of my 4x PCI-E 6pin connectors connecting one at a time to my video card --- the power supply is 650watt hec zephyr SLI/crossfire supported, I figured 4x+12V rails @ 17A/each should be fine for a single 8800 GTS 512MB??
- tried adding 5 more case fans, positioning them and repositioning them, to just currently putting the motherboard/video/ram and all outside of the case, exposed to the cold air in my basement [62degree room temp], on an anti-static sheet and foam, so to be sure its not a grounding issue in the case or something...
- uninstalled/reinstalled all different versions of drivers nvidia, and "tweaked" others - currently running stock nvidia 169.44 on vista x64 ultimate downloaded from evga's site, and the current nvidia drivers for XP from evga's site
- reinstalled OS multiple times, currently on a fresh minimal installs of both OSs [installed indepently first, now dual booting]
- tried OC'n, stock, everything in between = ASUS overclock speed/FSB/voltage settings... I've read you need to specify voltage config for Vcore/HT/NB/SB/DIMMs with this motherboard and processor, I've tried this using all stock settings from manufactures' specifications, as well as starting from incrementing voltage in steps of .05 increments where applicable
- specified memory timings, and tried AUTO
- disabled all unnecessary things in BIOS to try and strip it down, and tried defaults, and custom settings....
- making sure all fan settings are set to performance, then disabled -- many differnt combos!
:: yes, I crank up the nvidia 8800 onboard fan to 100% via ntune every time I boot
:: CPU fan is _huge_ arctic cooling freezer 7 pro, and seems to do a good job
:: again the whole machine is outside the case, exposed to the air, so it says nice n cool, with a couple fans pointed at it...
- no add-on cards are in the system other then video card, everything else is onboard, or just ram+DVD and hard drive
- I've enabled and checked all "event/error/application" logs vista x64 has default, tried using the tool "everest" and enabled logging every 1 second, playing a game, while pulling EVERYTHING, also speedfan and nvidia monitor has event logging, whcih isn't telling me anything either... I am open to trying any other program that may help me diagnose/isolate the issue

I'm not sure what to think, is it the power supply, video card, motherboard, CPU, or ram??? somebody please help ='(

is there anything out there that I could use to test the power supply itself, and see at what point it shuts off?? it just seems like it would have to be power, heat, or motherboard/cpu related but heat just doesn't seem to be the answer - I boot up and idle around motherboard temp @ 23C, CPU @ ~20-26C, video card @ ~22-26C and I seem to top out at = motherboard @ 25C, CPU @ ~24-30C, video card @ ~28-33C --- this isn't too hot is it?

;;for reference i have some files uploaded that may give ya an idea what I am dealing with here;;
nvidia ntune system information output
cpu-z html output (OC'd to 3.0GHz)
example Everest log that captures the power down issue [last entry]
another example Everest log capture with power down issue [last entry]
SpeedFan log capture during power down issue
another SpeedFan log capture during power down issue

;;my PC build as of 2/20/2008 ;;
ASUS P5N-D nForce 750i SLI Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz CPU
CORSAIR XMS2 2x1GB DDR2 800MHz - TWIN2X2048-6400 (1 came DOA)
Kingston 2x1GB DDR2 800MHz PC6400 - KVR800D2N5K2/2G
EVGA GeForce 8800GTS (G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 Video Card
hec Zephyr 650 ATX12V 650W Power Supply
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Computer Case
Western Digital Caviar SE SATA2 WD800AAJS Hard Drive
SAMSUNG 20X DVD±RW w/LightScribe SATA Model SH-S203N
1x - Antec 120mm TriCool Blue case fan
3x - Antec 80mm Ball Bearing case fans

Probably the power supply? you seemed to have troubleshooted it very well and if it was a software glitch , a clean install might have solved the problem..... I know if the power connectors aren't connected or the video card isn't seated properly the thing just heats up like a toaster!!! so when you do use the GPU that would make sense for it to crash...



If you can borrow a friends PC, take out your video card and power supply and test them on his rig.....


Then you can obviousily narrow down the choices alot from there?


Then maybe use his power supply and video card on your rig and see what it does!!! .......


Just a suggestion... good luck!

I agree with above. Try out a different PSU if you got it, if you don't that can handle your system, double the PSU's up and run two at once. Try running the GPU in a different system. If you had to RMA something blindsided, I'd hit both of them with one, but I would definitely prefer to only get rid of the broken thing.

I would return it.

Have you proven there is not a bad memory slot on the motherboard?
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak [...] stic.shtml
http://hcidesign.com/memtest/

Perhaps you can change the start up and recovery to show you the "blue screen of death" and its error messages.

It definitely sounds like a power problem. If you've double checked that you've securely connected the 24 pin and 4 pin connectors to the motherboard and the 6 pin connector to the video card then I'd definitely take a close look at that PSU. You should have enough power to run with no problem. I'm not a huge fan of multiple 12v rails but the PSU seems adequate for your system. I'd try to swap out the PSU and test. If it's still failing after that I suppose it could possibly be the video card but I'd troubleshoot the PSU first.

Definitely sounds like power. Do you have the option of combining 2 of the rails to power the card?

Test your PSU by borrowing a friends unit, or buy one and return it if its not the problem.
Is it possible this could be related to your DVD RW doing something as it begins to read the game disks?

Agree with other posters - this _might_ just be memory - try removing all but one mem modules, test, swap for a different modules, test etc. If the problem persists it almost has to be due to the current drain from your card going into 3D causing the PSU to brown out.
Try ATITOOL to stress your graphics - if that causes a shutdown too it is pointing more and more at the PSU

Ive tried everything with my memory modules, individually, and in all different combinations - it just isn't the memory, or the voltage to the memory causing the issue, Ive tried everythhing I can think of. Unfortunately I don't have someone I can just ask to try and use thier power supply, and I dont have an extra one, or even have $80+ to plop down to just "test" out a new one... I really think it could be the power supply, causing the system to shut down... I like the idea of stressing the system to see if it is the power, I will try that and see what I come up with, unless someone else can give me another suggestion on how to test out my power supply --- I will probably try to just get an RMA today for the power supply...

you are pretty much answering youself in a way as you have tested everything.
as many others say, since your system runs fine, except for when under load, it makes sense that it is your power supply . i see your problem though, as the mobo may just have bad connectors/wires or whatever, so the parts dont get enough power, causing them to shut down. but this is unlikely as your gpu has its own powerline. your mobo is probably good just because it boots fine. this is a long shot and kind of stupid, but what temp did you set your bios to shut down the computer at? a friend once put it on 40 by accident....
trying to stress the system without playing games can't hurt, but you are running out of time...
kind of stupid waiting 29 days before addressing the problem on a forum or with tech help though...
rma it while you dont have to go through the manufacturer

ya I shoulda posted on a forum sooner, I troubleshot the issue with friends, and people at work, and finally came here to ask [I actually didn't notice the time had gone by so quickly] ... I figured I am just gonna RMA the PSU, video card and RAM and see what happens from there. I tried to use the ntune tool and ati tool to test stability, results were no problems found, computer stayed stable... it just seems to be power or video related in my mind...

My thoughts too. I agree with the more-power-needed-for-the-games bit. You could also try a different video card. I would bet on the PSU, but I would want to rule out the video card too... just to make sure.

excellent suggestions by all! big thank-you to newegg, I'm RMA'n memory [1 was DOA, but have to replace both @ same time], the video card and PSU. I am going with replacements for RAM and video card, but requesting refund on the PSU -- I am going to replace the hec Zypher 650W PSU for this instead = OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W Power Supply, reviews are mostly, on,the, good, side - it sounds like well-built PSU, I was very hesitant in the first place to buy the hec PSU, but we shall see if it was the source of the trouble...

I will post a follow up! If any one has a solution before I ship this back, I'd be happy to keep everything without sending in for replacement =)

peace

Well, well - after several days of reviewing just about anything talking about power supplies, and anything that seemed to resemble a similar issue I am having, I've come to my own conclusion the _hec zyphr 650W Power Supply_ is the failure. I can run a friend's ATI X1950 on my box without issue [same PSU] running any game, but as SOON as I put the EVGA 8800 GTS 512MB in, it runs fine until I play ANY game again...

Then I read this = http://www.pcpower.com/technology/myths/

Specifically;

Unfortunately I cannot use my 8800 video card in any one else's box that I know, so as to MAKE sure it's not the video card... but I think the video card is fine, I am still going to replace it though, _just to be sure_ since I already have to ship my RAM, and power supply... i.e. I will be out of a computer anyways, might as well be SURE.

Overall though, I have learned ALOT about power supplies, and I figured that if ANYONE is in the market for the same thing, or is having a similar issue, I'd suggest visiting the following sites to make a decision about which power supply to buy [[other then the obvious, ever-relevant, Toms Hardware joint]];

http://www.jonnyguru.com/
http://www.silentpcreview.com/section10.html
http://enthusiast.hardocp.com/revi [...] lhc3QsLCw=
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/page/power
http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/for [...] s-reviews/
http://www.techaddicts.net/reviews.html
http://www.legitreviews.com/articles/power_supply/
http://hardwarelogic.com/news/136/

I hope I didn't leave anyone out... Those sites have helped me understand power supplies on a whole new level =)

I posted up above I was thinking about getting the OCZ StrealXStream, but that was before I found out about buy.com !! buy.com has FREE SHIPPING on MANY good power supplies, and what's more amazing is they have this deal with google checkout, that first time you buy something from google checkout, you get $10.00 off!

Just posting this here, because others may find themselves in my shoes somewhere down the road... Here seems to be the BEST power supplies you can get for $75-$105 @ buy.com, and elsewhere ;


* Corsair HX620W Power Supply = modular PSU, 3x +12V rails @ 18A with combined rating of 50A, active PFC, 120mm fan, 105ºC rated industrial grade capacitors and Gold Plated connectors, efficiency between 82.9% to 88.0% at 115 V, 5year manufacturer warranty!


* BFG 800W Power Supply = 2x 80mm fans, active PFC, 4x +12V rails @ 20A, capacitors rated at 85º C, active PFC, efficiency measured between 77% and 85.3% @ 115 V, the "Limited Edition" version offers 4x PCI-e 6pin connectors, LIFETIME manufacturer warranty!


* Corsair TX750W Power Supply = 140 mm fan, all PCI-e cables use 6/8pin connectors, ONE single +12V rail @ 60A! efficiency is between 78.8% and 84.3% @ 115 V, 5yea