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[Halindir]

Halindir's new computer, its magnificent in every way. Except for the XFX GeForce GT520 2gb graphics card I bought - because I have no knowledge in computer hardware.
And the dreaded game freezes.

No matter what setting I set my games to, they freeze, with not option to tab out, or ctrl+alt+del. I have to reboot, every time it happens.

They do seem to run smoothly at mid/high settings though, until they freeze

When the freeze occurs the game music stops, and the ambient sounds continue. Until i press alt+tab or ctrl+alt+del - which doesn't do anything.
If I wait long enough, the computer will reboot, after freezing.

My specs (of which i know of)
ASUS MZN-E SLI
AMD Athlon 64 x2 Dual Core 6000+
4GB RAM
XFX GeForce GT520 2GB

The freezes happen wether the computer is completely cool, or slightly warm (like the forehead when you've got the olde common cold)
All fans are spinning
And no dust

I tried taking all the RAM-sticks out, and using only one at a time. The pc booted normaly, on all of them

Im pretty desperate here. And I don't really want to fiddle with the hardware except if its really necessary - testing the RAM felt like handling plutonium :C

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[The Fifth Horseman]

I tried taking all the RAM-sticks out, and using only one at a time. The pc booted normaly, on all of them

That the PC boots does not confirm that the RAM modules are 100%. Get Ultimate Boot CD or Hirens' Boot CD, boot your machine with it and run Memtest to test your RAM properly.

Im pretty desperate here. And I don't really want to fiddle with the hardware except if its really necessary - testing the RAM felt like handling plutonium :C

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Are you sure your power supply can handle that system on maximum load? The description sounds rather similar to my experience with failing PSUs.

[Halindir]

Originally Posted by The Fifth Horseman

That the PC boots does not confirm that the RAM modules are 100%. Get Ultimate Boot CD or Hirens' Boot CD, boot your machine with it and run Memtest to test your RAM properly.

I've already run Memtest, with no errors. But i'll look into Ultimate Boot CD/Hirens' Boot CD

Originally Posted by The Fifth Horseman

Are you sure your power supply can handle that system on maximum load? The description sounds rather similar to my experience with failing PSUs.

My PSU has/is 250Watt. I don't know how much the different components in the pc use.

[dosraider]

Originally Posted by Halindir

My PSU has/is 250Watt. I don't know how much the different components in the pc use.

First: 250W is really low.( Djees, many P3 had a 250W PSU -or even more ... - just saying)
Second: not only the wattage is important, but also how much amp the PSU is able to deliver on each voltage line , a short voltage drop on one of the supply lines is enough to behave as you describe.

For a 50/60€ you can get a 450/500W PSU.
Get it.

[Halindir]

Originally Posted by dosraider

First: 250W is really low.( Djees, many P3 had a 250W PSU -or even more ... - just saying)
Second: not only the wattage is important, but also how much amp the PSU is able to deliver on each voltage line , a short voltage drop on one of the supply lines is enough to behave as you describe.

For a 50/60€ you can get a 450/500W PSU.
Get it.

I've been looking at an Inter-Tech EPS-650W Ultra Silent..its pretty cheap.

[The Fifth Horseman]

Originally Posted by Halindir

My PSU has/is 250Watt. I don't know how much the different components in the pc use.

250 W is positively too low for the kind of build you describe.
A computer's power supply unit MUST be picked out with taking into account the sum total of each component's peak power consumption - and you should add a 20% to 25% overhead, because PSUs can't sustain a 100% load for extended time periods (and as they wear down with age and use, the max output only goes down).

Faulty power supply can cause damage to your machine's components.

First of all, if the computer is new and within warranty, you should return it immediately and demand a 100% trouble-free replacement, no questions asked.

It sounds like he built the thing himself?

[Halindir]

Originally Posted by The Fifth Horseman

250 W is positively too low for the kind of build you describe.
A computer's power supply unit MUST be picked out with taking into account the sum total of each component's peak power consumption - and you should add a 20% to 25% overhead, because PSUs can't sustain a 100% load for extended time periods (and as they wear down with age and use, the max output only goes down).

Faulty power supply can cause damage to your machine's components.
It sounds like he built the thing himself?

..So I shouldn't really be using this pc at all, until I get a new PSU, or just stay away from games until then?

My PSU has 250Watt, 12V and 19A. And GT520 recommends a minimum of 300Watt, 12v and 22A

[Japo]

Voltage isn't minimal or maximal, but right or not. As long as there's a standard (e.g. PCIe) you're good. The question is if the supply keeps it stable enough at that level. Then power and amperage are directly related.

I'm not sure, if there's any risk in using an undersized power supply. I think if anything could get damaged, it would be the supply. Don't take my word on this.

[The Fifth Horseman]

It's safer to not touch the machine until the PSU is replaced.

[Eagle of Fire]

The way your computer freeze and reboot all by itself lead me to think that this is a overheating problem. I know of no other problem which can reboot the computer on its own after freezing.

Since it doesn't seem to be your problem though, I'd look driver side for problems. Since it only happen when you play games there ought to be something which put an undue strain on a part of your system when you play games... So I'd start with the graphic card. You have a GeForce so I'd start by looking for and installing Omega Drivers for GeForce and see if it solve your problem. Most of their "up to date" drivers really suck, this could help a lot.