Computer Crash

[nikbear]

I'm modding my puter and getting a new case,while I'm waiting for the new case to arrive I've tested some of my new bits out,namely a new CPU cooler and a GFX card cooler.
They were all fitted correctly and are working fine in the old crappy case(3 fans,2 12cm,1 8cm) Problem is if I go online and stuff its fine,but if I try to play SH3/GWX the game works for 15 to 20 minutes and then freezes and the whole puter shuts off:o:timeout: Not nice:nope: now is this heat related or something more serious:hmmm:
The specs are CPU. AMD Phenom X4 Black series
Ram. 8Gig DDR 800
MB. ASrock K10 N78
GFX CARD. Nvidia 8800 GTX with this fitted http://www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/products/vgacoolers/cl-gfxchilla

850w Delta Power PSU(Soon to be replaced:oops:)
The cooler fitted to the CPU is a ArcticCooler FreezerXtreme Rev2.

I'm hoping this is just a cooling question which the new case should remedy,other than that I'm stumpped:06:
All help and ideas appreciated:salute:

[FIREWALL]

Do's this happen with the side of the case removed ?

[nikbear]

Yes,but it stays on for longer,thats what made me think it was heat related:hmmm:
Another thing I was wondering,when fitting the VGA cooler,I tightened the screws down pretty tight,but not fully for fear of breaking the card itself:timeout:
Do you tighten them till they stop turning:06: Or just enough to be secure:hmmm:

[Arclight]

Well, don't force it too much. I guess a tighter fit means minimal space between chip and sink for better heat transmission, but imho the screws are more for holding the contraption in place.

What's between the sink and chip? Cooling paste; high-grade or basic? One of those preformed thermal pads?

I know with the paste/grease I use, it needs 2 weeks to dry/cure/set/whatever before it reaches optimal performance, but that should only account for a few degrees. :hmmm:

[FIREWALL]

I use Artic Silver. An Idiot on some website said you could substitute toothpaste ( not sure if it was gel or regular) :har:

[CaptainHaplo]

If more air flow (ie open case) means the problem takes longer to manifest - then it is heat related.

Did you use thermal compound on the GPU? If not, your not getting proper heat transfer. If you did and the heatsink is on tight (doenst have to be torqued down) then you should be fine. Make sure you have the fan mounted correctly.

[nikbear]

Arctic Cooling MX2 Thermal paste:03:I spread on a nice thin even layer:06:
I'm just wondering if indeed it is just not enough room in the case and to much heat generated but, what exactly would shut the system down:06:
something has a setting on it which must measure heat inside the case which says "Way to hot,I'm going on strike" but what exactly:hmmm:
The CPU cooler came pre-applied with the same stuff.

[AVGWarhawk]

Those Phenoms run hot. I have the Phenoms X4 9850 and they are hot runners. I would see about the artic silver paste. Everywhere I read that paste is the one to have. If the Phenoms reach a certain temp they will shut you down. See if you can get a cpu temp program that can run while gaming.

[CaptainHaplo]

A CPU or GPU, either one, can go into thermal lock. When they get too hot, they simply stop responding. Your PC "locks", and your powering down.

[Arclight]

Though a GPU is likely to produce artifacts, tears, graphical anomalies. CPU tends to be a sudden hardlock, possibly preceded by error messages from applications as they crash.



I use MX2 as well btw, also got some generic stuff from Thermalright (if they have generic; came with heatsink). :up:

Arctic Silver is nice, but it's conductive. A stray drop can fry your system. :doh:

[nikbear]

hopefully my new case will arrive tommorow,A Thermaltake M5 with 6 fans,hopefully that should be enough to keep it cool:yeah:
Does anybody know of a Temp program I can run while gaming as advised,I don't know of any and it would be nice to check temps just to see if that is the problem:06:

[Arclight]

Core Temp gives you accurate temps on CPU.

GPU-Z gives detailed info on graphics card.

Rivatuner has an extensive suite, but usually needs some configuration to get what you want.

SpeedFan is alright too, but a little vague. Gives you temps but is unclear from what.

[nikbear]

Thanks for the suggestions:salute:

[nikimcbee]

if you put the heat gel stuff on, make sure you don't put too much on or it won't work properly.

[FIREWALL]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMx2lIt5RC4&NR=1 :salute:

[Loud_Silence]

1. Check that the case fans are working and they're creating a good airflow. The basic layout is a fan on the front bottom of the case drawing in cool air, and another fan on the upper back moving out warm air.
2. check that the PSU is not too hot
3. check that the CPU and GPU fans and heatsinks are free of dust
4. make sure your PSU is powerful enough to feed all the components (including hard disk, optical units and fans)