Possible PSU Issue

[TollhouseFrank]

guys... this is one that is vexing me...

You can look at my profile to see what hardware I have.

Recently, whenever I try to play games, my computer shuts off faster than an illegal gambling house getting raided. I at first thought it was just overheating. So, i took everythign apart, dusted it, reapplied TIM's, the whole works. Runs about 5C cooler, but same problem. Works great in windows. Can play movies and music all day. The moment i turn on a game, i get about 5-10 minutes play time, and then it shuts off hard, no warning.

The next strange thing is it is acting like when the power goes out. The psu just won't 'kick' unless i flip the on/off switch on the back of it 4-5 times. This PSU has been great to me, super steady voltages on all rails since I got it. But I hate not being able to play things like Oblivion and GTA: San Andreas.

IS this a PSU issue? If so, it will be a while till i can afford a new one (financial difficulties right now... i can live without the games if i have to). However, it'd be nice to be able to identify the culprit.

Oh, don't ask about spare's. The other PSU's I have are all 300watt and under... not near enough to power my system... that, and they are in use right now for my Folding Farm anywyas... :santa:

[dicecca112]

for the lazy A64 3200+, 1GB PC3200 Corsair ValueSelect, Geforce6800, KT800, Sound Blaster Audigy 2, Rosewill 430w PSU

still need more info though, OCed CPU or video? How many HDs? Optical Drives?

Powerwise you should be fine, I would think, but I don't trust Rosewill for PSUs. I would say its PSU related, due to the fact, that it is crashing on a load situation, ie during the game. To rule out Video if you can swap it out for another one, and try to game again

[TollhouseFrank]

already tried the swap, no workin'.

I got 2 HD's (both 7200 RPM, 80gb and 160gb), 1 3.5" floppy, 2 Optical Drives (DVD +/-RW, DVD-ROM), 5 case fans (all 80mm)

As for OC, there is none. I only OC for benchmarks, and I only do those very rarely.

[Know Nuttin]

Disconnect a few of the non necessary items, like an optical, a hard drive, a few case fans, to see if that will help lower the power requirements, then test to see if it still shuts down during gaming.

Also, lower the CPU speed/voltage and game. That will also help to lower the power requirements further.

[ScottinIndy]

My wife's computer is very similiar to yours in regard to setup, Long story short, Pretty much same issue's, Also had Rosewill PSU, 450w/22a on 12v rail, Got a 68gt and had instability and crashing, Took out Rosewill PSU, Installed Fortron AX500a, Problems disapperared. While I sure can't guarantee your PSU is the culprit, I sure don't have much confidence in the Rosewill line of PSU's.

[TollhouseFrank]

Already lowered the voltage on my CPU by .05 volts... still the same problems... disconnected stuff... same problems... It sounds like my PSU really is goin' dead.