MSI NX 6800 system shutdowns

Question

Hello all
A few weeks ago I upgraded my system...
A7V880  Mainboard with recently updated BIOS, no ATX2 power connector
AMD Sempron 2800+ CPU
Soundblaster Live!
...with the VGA card you see in the title and a new power supply unit (PSU).
Ever since I am experiencing system shutdown with immediate restart when I run games which have a high demand of VGA power (HL2, Republic Commando...)
I´ve tried several things already.
I tried to update the graphics driver with 71.50 and 71.98 from the MSI or nvidia homepage. Both produce heavily distorted Icons and Artifacts in Win, so I stick to my current 71.22. Drivercleaner was used to no avail.
I opened the case fo better heat dissipation which worked best so far. Before this HL2 wouldn´t even run until after the intro, now I can occasionally play sveral hours before restart. I am running Asus Probe which reads the heat on my CPU and the mainboard. CPU temp never raised beyond 60°C. Fanspeed of the VGA is set to max.
On this board I learned, that power supply might be my problem. I already tried this calculator and it came up with less than 300W for my PSU (although I didn´t know, which kind of CPU to select, since mine wasn´t in the list, so I chose an Athlon with similar speed).
My SPU is a BeQuiet! BQT P4-400S-S1.3
stats are:
+3.3 V       28 A         
+5 V         40 A
+12 V       20 A
-12 V         1 A
-5 V          0.8 A
+5VSB       2.5 A
In several reviews about my VGA I read that it reqired a ´powerful PSU of 350W´ and wasn´t sure how to react so I bought this new one (my old system ran fine with its super cheap 300W noname).
The VGA is connected to a different branch of cables than the rest of the system.
You might note, that these problems are all similar to andrics who has his own thread on this board. I didn´t want to hijack his, so I created my own, I hope this isn´t a problem.
So here I am with a system that runs only reluctantly and the new GTA only two weeks away  . Any suggestions?
thanks in advance

Answer 1

Quote from: Leonatus on 31-May-05, 03:24:18
Hi Sika,
I just completed 2 cruises with vsync=off without any black screen phenomenon so it seems I´m ok here.
Back to my overheat-theory. I borrowed a room fan from a friend and as soon as I´ve got time I´ll test it with my most reliable `system-sut-down´ program Republic Commando.
Wish me luck and thanks for all your help so far
I certainly wish lucky for testing !
I was thinking your problem for a minute and just wondering weather your cpu is running too hot ? A friend of mine had quite similar problems (with AMD processer, lock-up/freeze/restart especially when hot ambient temperature) and he solved it - by removing chassis panel ! I think you should get a program which measures motherbord/CPU-temperatures. One reason for that could be unproperly attached CPU   e.g. too little thermal compound.