- Joined
- Feb 27, 2008
Hey guys: I've been having some serious issues with the build in my signature and am wondering if my power supply is just not strong enough to support my recent hard drive upgrade (I had 2 before, added 2 more to create RAID 10)
The problem is: Recently (within the past month or so) while gaming(and only while gaming) occasionally, usually after at least an hour or two and not every time, my computer will just shut off as if I pulled the plug. Upon restarting, the HD array verifies/rebuilds because of the unexpected shut off (this happens if it freezes or gets shut down unexpectedly regardless of the cause).
Looking in the windows system logs, the sole error is that the system experienced an unexpected shut down, literally as if I pulled the plug on the machine. I always monitor my GPU temps in game, and have tried monitoring my CPU temps using rivatuner as well, and they seem to be within normal range.
Things I have tried:
I suspect the problem pretty much has to be either the power supply or the motherboard because of the error I get. Typically Memory errors give some sort of blue screen and video errors do the same or at least freeze the computer. This is a complete low-level cut in power.
I thought the power supply was the most likely culprit but it seems to have checked out with the multimeter (if there is more I should try here, I am open to suggestion). I can't even RMA it because BFG went out of business, so I would have to buy a new one to try it out. Other than the possibility of it being bad, I'm pretty sure it provides enough power to run my components, especially considering the shutoffs didn't start till a few months after I put in the new HDs.
However, I did just used newegg's power supply calculator (how accurate is this thing? http://educations.newegg.com/tool/psucalc/index.html) and it looks like before adding the 2 extra hard drives I was just under 800 watts, and after adding I am in the high 800's (see here ). My power supply is only 800w so if this is accurate then I am definitely over.. Would shutting off under load periodically be a symptom of this?
Sorry for the long post, and I appreciate you guys reading, and I am open to any suggestions, thanks!
The problem is: Recently (within the past month or so) while gaming(and only while gaming) occasionally, usually after at least an hour or two and not every time, my computer will just shut off as if I pulled the plug. Upon restarting, the HD array verifies/rebuilds because of the unexpected shut off (this happens if it freezes or gets shut down unexpectedly regardless of the cause).
Looking in the windows system logs, the sole error is that the system experienced an unexpected shut down, literally as if I pulled the plug on the machine. I always monitor my GPU temps in game, and have tried monitoring my CPU temps using rivatuner as well, and they seem to be within normal range.
Things I have tried:
- taking some of the components out and reseating them, including cables
- monitor internal temperatures/fans
- cleaning out any dust inside the case
- upgrading video drivers/bios/chipset drivers, etc
- just bought a multimeter and tried testing the voltages off of both the 24pin motherboard connector and a loose molex connector during bootup and under load (Furmark + Prime95). They all seemed within reasonable ranges
- visually checking capacitors on the motherboard for leaks
I suspect the problem pretty much has to be either the power supply or the motherboard because of the error I get. Typically Memory errors give some sort of blue screen and video errors do the same or at least freeze the computer. This is a complete low-level cut in power.
I thought the power supply was the most likely culprit but it seems to have checked out with the multimeter (if there is more I should try here, I am open to suggestion). I can't even RMA it because BFG went out of business, so I would have to buy a new one to try it out. Other than the possibility of it being bad, I'm pretty sure it provides enough power to run my components, especially considering the shutoffs didn't start till a few months after I put in the new HDs.
However, I did just used newegg's power supply calculator (how accurate is this thing? http://educations.newegg.com/tool/psucalc/index.html) and it looks like before adding the 2 extra hard drives I was just under 800 watts, and after adding I am in the high 800's (see here ). My power supply is only 800w so if this is accurate then I am definitely over.. Would shutting off under load periodically be a symptom of this?
Sorry for the long post, and I appreciate you guys reading, and I am open to any suggestions, thanks!