-----Original Message-----
Date:    Sun, 27 Aug 2006 08:58:38 -0400
From:    hws2 <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: pc powers off unexpectidly

my new pc(i built ) is now powering itself off intermittently, also graph=
ics card semms to be culprit, what now

help

howard
------------------------------

A few more system specs would help.

1. If you are sure it's the graphics card, heat and/or power requirements
could be an issue. Does the card have it's own power connector or is it
powered through the slot? (is it an AGP or PCI Express card?) you can get up
to 75 watts through the slot with a PCI-X board, any more needed by the card
would have to be supplied directly from the PSU. Some of the higher end AGP
cards need their own power supply as well. If the card has a fan is it
working?
2. Do you have adequate ventilation inside the case?
3. A flaky PSU with a power hungry card (most of the higher end cards need a
lot of watts) could be the reason. What type of PSU is it and what is it
rated at?
4. Make sure that you have good contact between the heatsink and the CPU as
well. Check to see that there is proper seating and you don't have too much
thermal paste. A lot of heatsink manufacturers include a "thermal pad" for
use. There are opposing camps on whether or not you should keep it (AMD vs.
Intel) but I prefer knowing that my heatsink is in good contact (as close as
'direct' as possible) with a nice layer of Artic Silver (or equivalent)
5. Make sure the fan for the CPU is working properly.
6. Make sure the PSU fan is working.
7. With a PSU, you need to find out what the total draw on it is. Everything
in the case needs power and although every component won't all be working at
the same time, you need to calculate the requirements of all the components
and add a little. See if your PSU is adequate. There are several ways but
try this website (http://www.zippy.com.tw/P_Budget.asp?lv_rfnbr=2) to see if
yours is adequate.

These are just starting points. There could be other places to look, but
heat or a PSU shortcoming could be the reason. HTH




Chris Ryan

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