I've got a strange problem, which I'm pretty sure is PSU related, but I'd just like a few more opinions. When I turn on my PC, it posts fine, goes on to load windows perfectly, although I get no video. None what so ever. However, if I turn the PC off, then back on again, it does the same thing, but when I do it again, it works fine. Windows is stable, I can use the PC for days on end without any problems. Although, sometimes when I play a game, after about 15 minutes the display will go into standby, the sound will keep going for about 30 seconds then the machine will reboot. Once I get back into windows I get a message from the nVidia drivers saying that there is inadequate power going to the graphics card. The card has a red LED on it to tell me when its getting power, and this is off. Before the machine rebooted, it was on. The card worked perfectly fine in another system before I bought it, and I've been having this problem since day one. I do have a replacement on the way from Hiper (A HPU-4K580 Modular thing) so I guess I'll see what happens when I use that. I might install a vnc server and check the voltages. I've also got a multimeter so I'll check the voltages going to the graphics card when it boots and I have no video. Spec: Hiper HPU4M480 PSU (480w) Asus A8n32-SLI Deluxe AMD Athlon 64 x2 3800 @ 3ghz BFG 6800GT OC 256MB PCIe 1gb DDR Seagate Barracuda 250gb SATA II 16mb Cache I also had the same problem before I upgraded to the A8N32 and the x2 processor, although the booting without video problem has gotten a lot worse since I upgraded to an x2, which also makes me think that its the power supply. Any help would be great Also, another (not really a problem) problem I've got is that one core of my x2 is a lot cooler than the other, ie core 0 is usually at 43c and the other is at 35c, I've reseated the heatsink and reapplied the thermal compound. Not something I'm that bothered about though really.
I'm not sure what you mean? It's got the standard PCIE connector which is (and always has been) connected to the PCIE power connector coming from the PSU if thats what you mean.
I Had an old Packard Bell along time ago that did almost the same thing. Reflashing it's BIOS fixed the problem.
The symptoms you describe are typical of an iffy (not underpowered) PSU. 480W is more than enough for the system you described. see http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp to get a pretty accurate need of wattage. And as the site says, look at other specs too, like Ampage, SC Protection, Effiecency. Try updateing /re-flashing the BIOS (as wsurrittesuggests), but my guess is the problem will stay unit the PSU is changed. I've also seen similar issues from faulty Motherboars (lets hope not).
Yep, that pretty much confirms my theory. Kinda funny how before I got the x2 the fan in the psu never became audible, now it runs at full wack all the time!
Just a quick note - that extremePSU calculator is crap: It says my system (sig) needs a 640W PSU to run, when it works happily with a 480 watter (and at probably <75% load too, it's quiet as a mouse, which it isn't supposed to be at >75% load).
Well I just popped my specs into it and it told me I needed at least 299w, which sounds about right to me (Nvidia state that a 6800gt requires at least a 300w PSU). Although there are many many other things you have to take into consideration when speccing up a PSU for your hardware, and the calculator doesn't take these things into consideration. My motherboard has an 8-phase power circuit which apparently draws a lot more current (but provides a more stable current) than standard 4-phase power circuits so I may actually be maxing the power supply out, although I don't think so. However, as I said, I've got a replacement on the way (Should be here today actually..) which is a 580w Modular thing, so we'll see if that sorts it out. Thinking back actually, before I got the troublesome power supply, I was running a generic 350w power supply, and the system worked flawlessly (Although this is with an A8N-Sli Deluxe and a 3000+ Venice).
I just ran you spec through wuick and it came up 426W. 100% CPU and 85%TDP. (i also included, both water pumps, 2 10K HDDs, A NIC, 2 Other PCI cars, a sound card, your overclocked CPU, 2 120MM fans, 3 80mm fans, 2 usb devices, 2 sticks of ram, 2 DVD-RW drives and 2 pump relays). Perhaps you ran an old version, or one elsewhere?!? The calculator normally gives the same kinda readout as penning the figures... Indeed, hence the calc is a rought guide... Lets hope the new PSU fixes thing for you, before some heads implode!
Yeah.. Its not really doing my head in yet because I don't play many games because I've only got 1gb of ram (Got 4gb on order) but as soon as I have more, I'll be gaming a lot more, so I want to sort this out!
since using 4 * 1GB stick on a variety of boards (including many asus boards) casues headaches. if using 4 * 1GB, i'd suggest a 64bit OS as well. Read me post in http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=135788 Its a bit garbled, and not nessicrly 100% but the jist is there.
Ah, Well I've done some research and my board should work fine with 4GB of ram. I plan to go 64bit vista anyway so there shouldn't be any problem software wise (That is why we went 64bit in the first place, ya?).
on page 2-12 of your manual (or heading 2.4.2). "IF you installed four 1GB memory modules, the system may detect less than 3GB of total memory because of address space allocation for other critical functions. This limitation applies to Windows XP 32-bit version operating system since it does not support PAE (Physical Address Extension) mode." PAE was added with service pack 2, so in this instance you should be fine But yes, 64bit is the way forward. And to those saying "why do we need 64 bit" i say, didn't you ask that about 32bit, and 16bit... get with progression Ladies and gentlemen!
