Custom Desktop Shuts off Unexpectedly

[SumOldGuy]

Searched the best I could on the 'Tex and the 'net before deciding to make this thread. I think I may have my problem narrowed down, but just wanted to know what some of youse guys think:

I built a PC about 5-6 months ago. Specs: Pentium Quad Core/2.66Ghz/3gig RAM/Windows XP/ASUS P5P43TD Mobo/ASUS EN210 video card 512mb RAM(NVIDIA)/Diamond Audio sound card/500w power supply

I am running "Speed Fan" to monitor my temps. Right now, my GPU stays around 124F. The CPU stays within heat range, as well. I checked the normal heat temps, and my CPU never gets above 130F. The MAX is 166F. Under normal load, the Core temps are around 118F-120F. Also, changed the thermal past to Artic Silver 5.

My hard drive is brand new, and not close to capacity. Not sure of spyware or malware, but I do scans every couple of days.

THE ISSUE: When it shuts down, it does it without warning. I changed the setting in XP so that I get a warning, but that doesn't matter. It's like someone just pulls the plug. However, it keeps trying to restart. It gets to BIOS, but even while I'm in the BIOS, it will shut down, and keep trying to reboot. I'll turn the PC completely off and let it sit for 20 minutes, and it will boot and load Windows as if nothing ever happened.

After a few weeks and a lot of research, I am beginning to suspect the power supply (which is brand new). The shop that helped me build this PC is suspect (at best), so there's a chance I may have been sold some used parts. If I return to that store, chances are I may start a riot, because I really hate the place. So, I am just gonna suck it up, and get everything done RIGHT this time with a more reputable shop.

Forgot to mention, I don't use this rig for gaming. Mainly for Music Production, and Video and Image Editting.

[Egilbe]

Sounds like power supply to me, too. Take it back. They probably put some crappy psu in it. Do you have a GPU? What's the make and model of the PSU? What's the amps on the 12volt rail? There should be a sticker on the PSU that states how many amps.

oh, put the temps in Celsius, not that other format, please.

[mm3]

It's the power supply. Get a new one/exchange.

[SumOldGuy]

Sounds like power supply to me, too. Take it back. They probably put some crappy psu in it. Do you have a GPU? What's the make and model of the PSU? What's the amps on the 12volt rail? There should be a sticker on the PSU that states how many amps.

oh, put the temps in Celsius, not that other format, please.

lol Sorry, I'm old. I'll do that.

My GPU is an ASUS EN210 (NVIDIA), with 512mb RAM. The PSU is some generic brand. The amps on the 12v rail are generally 12.14~12.20.

It's the power supply. Get a new one/exchange.

That's what I was beginning to believe. With my setup, should I go up to 750w, or would that be overkill?

[SumOldGuy]

Got some advice from a reputable PC shop (helps that the tech there is a dubber), so i just bought a Thermaltek TR2 600w PSU from Best Buy. Hopefully I'll have it installed before my scheduled appearance on my couch for the 8pm Heat-Bulls game.

[TurboZen]

yes, always suspect power supply first.

Then take the computer down to minimum configuration. No hard drives and optical media. Single DIMM etc.

[SumOldGuy]

yes, always suspect power supply first.

Then take the computer down to minimum configuration. No hard drives and optical media. Single DIMM etc.

Thanks In my old age, I did the opposite. I suspected the Quad Core FIRST. But, something in my gut told me that couldnt be the issue. Glad I didn't overreact on that one.

So far, the voltage on the 12v rails with the new PSU are 12.20~12.30.

[SumOldGuy]

Power supply it was! Thanks guys!

As suggested, I ran 30 minutes worth of "Torture Tests" using Prime95. No errors or warnings.

[BRealistic]

Custom Desktop Shuts off Unexpectedly

You fixed it? Cool. A going bad power supply definitely can cause this issue.

If you hadn't found the problem yet- I was going to suggest changing your expectations.

[Egilbe]

Thanks In my old age, I did the opposite. I suspected the Quad Core FIRST. But, something in my gut told me that couldnt be the issue. Glad I didn't overreact on that one.

So far, the voltage on the 12v rails with the new PSU are 12.20~12.30.

When choosing a power supply, look at the amps supplied by the 12 volt rail, not the volts supplied by the 12 volt rail We know what that is. Some of the shadier power supply companies declare the total watts pulled from the wall, not the usable watts supplied to the computer. What someone, like Antec, calls a 500watt psu that supplies 40 amps, another company may call 750 watts because that's what is being pulled from the wall. ~30% of power is lost and converted to heat, so it shouldn't be counted.

[SumOldGuy]

When choosing a power supply, look at the amps supplied by the 12 volt rail, not the volts supplied by the 12 volt rail We know what that is. Some of the shadier power supply companies declare the total watts pulled from the wall, not the usable watts supplied to the computer. What someone, like Antec, calls a 500watt psu that supplies 40 amps, another company may call 750 watts because that's what is being pulled from the wall. ~30% of power is lost and converted to heat, so it shouldn't be counted.

uh...

I am clueless when it comes to electricity. I think it stems from the 100 or so electrical shockings over my lifetime trying to do electrical stuff I had no business doing. I do know what "positive and negative" are, though. Still learning about grounds...

The young fella at the pc shop that helped me (he's on the 'tex) kinda explained that to me a little bit, though. He put it in old folks terms, though: "uh...whatever the wattage says is not always what you get..."

[SumOldGuy]

You fixed it? Cool. A going bad power supply definitely can cause this issue.

If you hadn't found the problem yet- I was going to suggest changing your expectations.

Honestly, I was thinking of downgrading. But, I forgot I wanted this setup for when I go back to school, and I get my student copy of AutoCAD and Solid Works.

[SumOldGuy]

Just for shizz and grins, here is the make and model of the old PSU:

Cooler Master RS-500-PCAR-A3

DC output: +12v2~18A~360W (Max Power).

This was supposed to be a 500w power supply. Man, it's a good thing I didn't go back to that "store".

[Egilbe]

Just for shizz and grins, here is the make and model of the old PSU:

Cooler Master RS-500-PCAR-A3

DC output: +12v2~18A~360W (Max Power).

This was supposed to be a 500w power supply. Man, it's a good thing I didn't go back to that "store".

It is a 500watt psu. Have to add up the other voltages to the 360watts on the 12v rails. 360+165+15=540watts. Don't fret, you just got a bad psu. It happens.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...anking-Phase-I

[SumOldGuy]

It is a 500watt psu. Have to add up the other voltages to the 360watts on the 12v rails. 360+165+15=540watts. Don't fret, you just got a bad psu. It happens.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...anking-Phase-I

Cool. Thanks. Thank God it's not a "high dollar" item. Once again, though, guys on the 'Tex have come through for me.