Hi all, i have just joined these forums because i'm totally stuck and maybe someone out there can help me
 
First things first this is my machine specs
 
Core Duo 2 E8200
POV 8800GT 512mb
4gig OCZ RAM 6400
Asus P5N-E SLI 650i Socket 775  
2x 120gig Hard Drives
2 1048 x 768 Screens
700watt PSU
 
I have just upgraded the core components on my machine the other day, and all installed no problems at all, windows XP SP2 loaded on no problems as well. However i'm a gamer and have many titles i want to be playing. My old rig ran them all fine, just on crappy settings, so the upgrade was overdue.
 
I've installed all my games and the system is locking up on every game I try, especially Crysis and Supreme Commander! I don't even get very far, Crysis locks up in the ads for NVidia and Intel and SC locks in the pre game movie. I get a buzzing noise from the speakers when this occurs and i have to restart the system from the case.
 
First instinct was to update all possible drivers for sound card, gfx card, and flash my BIOS. All of which were fine. Ran the games again, same problem. I Read somewhere that XP might not cope with that much RAM so dropped to 2 gig, same problem still. Another source suggested i had an inadequate PSU, so i upgraded from 500watt to the one listed above, at extra cost and it's done nothing at all to help.
 
I've read about ...... tune, which i've installed and set my GPU fan at various speeds from 70 - 100% same problem, it idles at 47deg and has only been able to peak at 58deg before another lock up. So i would assume Heat isn't the issue here.
 
Another forum said to turn off any AI overclocking in the BIOS which i did, seemed  
 
PLease can anyone suggest things for me, i was hoping on Monday for a whole week of hardcore gaming and i've had nothing but problems! I've spent alot of money on this so far and am at my witts end!

Could you please provide more information about the Power supply? The wattage is not nearly enough and it's actually a pretty insignificant figure. What we need is Brand, model, and the 12V+ rails rating of your PSU.

Ok i'll get you all the info i have, sorry i've not had to replace a PSU before so bought as high a wattage one as i could afford really
 
Sticker on the side says:
 
+3.3 - 30A
+ 5 - 38A
+12v1 - 22A
+12v2 - 22A
-12V - 0.6A
5vsb - 3A
 
please excuse my ignorance
 
Many thanks

More info, if it's any good to you...
 
Features:  
Support latest Intel ATX 12v and AMD  
24 (20+4 pin  
6 pin power adapter for PCI express  
Support NVidia SLI Technology  
8 (4+4) pin supports two sockes server  
Super Quiet Technology: Smart fan control function  
Over Voltage Protection (OVP)  
Over Power Protection (OPP)  
Short-Circuit Protection (SCP)  
Dual 80mm fan to maximise airflow  
100% Hi-pot, Chroma and Burn-in function  
 
Connectors:
Universal 24pin (20+4pin) Main ATX power
4 pin and 12V power connector x1
4 pin (for HDD, CD-ROM) x6
Floppy connector (4pin) x2
Serial ATA Power connector x1
4 pin Molex to 6 pin PCI-Express Adapter x1
4 pin Molex to 8 (4+4) pin + 12V Power Adapter
Velcro Cable Tie x2

How many cores did you have in the old system? You might need to reinstall XP, a repair install MIGHT work..

last CPU was 2.8HT P4. Did a complete reinstall of everything upon installation of all my new kit.

 
 
Your kidding right?  700w is more than enough.  Though the rest of the statistics are very important.

yeah i thought 700W should be enough after reading people having probs with 400 and 500 and others recommending higher around the 600 - 800 mark

First of all there is no OCZ RAM listed on the QVL for that motherboard which might be part of the problem.
http://www.asus.com/999/download/p [...] 474_10.pdf
 
Second I see a lot of info about your PSU but I don't see brand or model.  As emp said wattage is really not a factor in choosing a PSU.  A good quality 500-600 watt unit will out perform a low quality 700-800 unit.
 

What brand and exact model is this PSU? 700watt would be enough but the rails are what is most important. Plus efficiency rating is important as well. Provide model and brand and we will go from there.

Ok thanks, i shall download and run the memtest now, here's a link to my PSU that i've bought, hope it's ok...
 
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/124927

 
 
<---- RETARD.  
 
I'm such a tard.  emp was saying that the wattage was an insignificant value when determining if your power supply is good to go.  Not that 700w isn't enough...
 
I read his post incorrectly.

Ok thank you, can rule out one thing at least then

The moment I read your desciption I immediatly thought it was your memory.  I see you're using 4 gig, I presume 2x 2GB sticks.  Take 1 stick out and test, then switch.  If you still get errors, try different memory slots on the motherboard.  I'm willing to bet its your memory.

I had a similar problem with my new rig. Very much like your own.
It ended up being the Nvidia network management software.  Uninstall it and then try it again.
 
I don't of course know if you've installed it, but you have the 650I motherboard and it comes standard with the motherboard drivers. So try it.
 
Hope this helps.

Wow thanks i've dropped 3 of the 4 1gig RAM modules and rebooted, Crysis has started first time!! All be it very slowly
 
Is about to load the game now!
 
I'll report back in a bit, i assume if i keep adding the RAM until it crashes i find one that's faulty?

2 Modules in now and is running perfectly, am going for a 3rd.....

Ok that's definitely something to try, i'm up to 4 now and running stable.
 
How would i go about increasing voltages?

You can use Ntune, but it should also be in your MB bios.

Thank you all very much for your help, i'll try those things out over the weekend and will report back here, if that last RAM module is indeed faulty i'll send it back to ebuyer.
 
Thanks again i'm playing Crysis on High GFX, Card is amazing btw!