Hi all,

I bought a new computer at the beginning of this year. Since that time, I encounter a recurring problem which is very annoying, and I try everything I find to solve it, without any results.

Here is my current hardware:
Motherboard : Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe
Processor : Athlon 64 X 4600+
Rad : Thermalright XP-90 Ultra + fan
RAM : 2 X Twin (512 Mb X 2) XMS Corsair DDR PC3200
Case : Antec P180 + 4 X 12mm fans
Power supply : Antec NeoHE 550W
Graphic Card : GeForce 7950 GX2
Sound card : Soundblaster XTreme Music
HDD : 2 IDE Maxtor Disk, 1 WD Raptor 36GB, 1 SATA Maxtor Diamond Max 10.
Mouse : Razer Copperhead
Keyboard : Logitech MX700
Screen : Acer 2416Ws 24"
OS : Windows 2000 and Windows XP

When I'm playing a recent game, with graphic parameters set to the highest and usually in huge resolution (1920X1200 or 16000X1000), my computer simply shutdown without any warning, randomly, after a various duration.
I made a lot of tests, change my graphic card (I had a 7800 GTX before), my motherboard (I had an Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe before), my processor (I had a Athlon X2 3800+ before) and it still happens. I tried a lot of softwares to monitor the problem (Asus Probe, Speedfan, Everest home, nVidia interface to check GC temperature, ...) to check all my hardware parameters, without anything abnormal.

I also formated everything, reinstalled windows XP (I had Windows 2000 before), check for malware, for virus and for hijack (Using Nod32, AVG, Panda online, Spybot, AdAware, Ewido, Windows Defender, Hijackthis, ...) without any success.

I returned my computer to my reseller, who tested it a complete afternoon with 3D Marks 05 without any failure.

I'm really hopeless as I cannot find any solution to my problem. I could post an everest report later (When I'll be at home) if someone as use of it...

I really hope somone could help me...

Thanks,

Stephane

Usually when a computer simply shuts down for no apparent reason its because something is overheating. Are you sure that everything is running at a safe temperature while your playing the game? If your checking the temperature of everything after the shut down occurs, your not getting a true reading of the temperature because everything has had a moment to cool off. Also check to make sure there's no dust caked up on the cpu fan or gc fan, as this will slow them down and cause them to not cool properly.

Thanks for your quick answer.

I've already cleaned up my computer's fans many time, but even when totally cleared of dust, it happens. I also tried to put all the fans at top speed without any change...

Regarding overheating, I've tried to play in windowed mode, with Everest monitor running on the side. I also tried with Asus Probe and NVidia temperature check interface, without any significant increase of t°.

For information, GPU doesn't pass the 70°c (Staying mainly in 60-65°c) and CPU/Chipset stay around 40-45°c and HDD less than 40°c.

I'm wondering if it's not a power supply problem, as the shutdown is really brutal (As if I unplugged the power cable, for example...even if I don't! )...I'm wondering if games that require high ressources from the computer doesn't cause an instability and that the power supply shutdown to avoid overpower...

Is there any way to check this (Voltage problem? What are the "normal value" for a power supply like mine?) ?

I forgot to mention I have an UPS but I'm not sure it'll help...

Any other ideas?

Thanks...

What is the wattage of the power suppy your using? It could be that the power supply isn't powerful enough. For what your doing I'd suggest no less than 400 watts. Anything less is likely to be too weak. Do you have another power supply you could test? Also, do younotice any odd noises or smells coming from your power supply?

No strange noise nor smells...

Here is my Power supply : Antec NeoHE 550W.

I could test with the power supply of my wife's computer, an Antec NeoHE 430 W...if she agree!

I appreciate your answers, as I really dig up the net to find a solution...

If its alright with your wife I would definitley suggest doing that. If that does not solve the problem, then at leastwe've eliminated one possibility.

I'll give it a try tomorrow's evening (Today's evening already full ) and keep you informed.

FWIW - you can get a power supply tester for about $10 at most electronics stores (I just got one at CompUSA for $11.99 + tax).

I found the time to switch the power supply today, and everything seems to work fine. After maybe one or two hours, the PC simply shutdown again, as I was playing Lego Starwars in 1600X1200 with my oldest child.

So I presume it's not the power supply, neither the mainboard, nor the processor nor the graphic card...what else remains?

I've a hard time to understand why the PC shutdown this way...

Any other idea?

Thanks,

Stephane.

Obviously something is causing the heat in your processor or RAM to exceed its safe limits, whether it is the game using too much in the way of resources, etc.

Download Everest V1.51 or some other ap that will give you temps and fan speeds ald look at what is happening until the computer shuts down.

Everest V1.51 in the utilities section of Oldversion.com

Also run a RAM test, preferably overnight.

RAM tests

http://www.simmtester.com/page/products/doc/download.asp
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp
http://www.memtest.org/
http://www.memtest86.com/

Well I just rechecked everything, ram is fine, no problem.

But it seems that my CPU is overheating too much, going as high as 80 ° celsius (But without shuting down)

I didn't get any shutdown in 2 hours but I find this overheating very strange.

I have a Thermaltake XP-90 Ultra with a fan on it above the processor, which should cool down it. I also have 2 chassis fans next to the processor.

The motherboard goes as high as 55 ° celsius.

There is thermal paste between cpu and the thermaltake ventirad...

What else can I do to cool it down?

Thanks,

S.
PS : Everest doesn't notice specific t° increase but Speedfan does...

I know this is obvious but it the fan on the processor blowing it the correct direction? It may be upside down.

I didn't put everything together, it was the reseller who do it. However, I have the strange impression that it was not mounted correctly.

Is there anymore who now exactly how di I have to put the fans in an Antec P180?

Thanks,

S.

The tower comes with:
Cooling System:
- 1 rear (standard) 120mm TriCool™ Fan with 3-speed switch control
- 1 top (standard) 120mm TriCool™ Fan
- 1 lower chamber (standard) 120mm TriCool™ Fan
- 1 front (optional - may have)) 120mm fan
- 1 middle (optional - may have) 120mm fan to cool graphics cards
- Upper drive cage can be used as a duct to provide fresh air to graphics cards
http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=81800

If you have connections on the MB for the optional fans they may help.
(really nice tower by the way)

Here is the owners manual for it:
http://www.antec.com/pdf/manuals/P180v1.1_Manual_EN.pdf

Cooling System
The Tricool™ fan:
The P180 includes three installed 120mm Tricool™ fans. Tricool™ fans have a three-speed switch that lets you choose between quiet, standard or maximum cooling. We set the default fan speed to “Low” for the upper and rear120mm fans. (See specifications below.) Note: The minimum voltage to start the fan is 5V. We recommend our users to set the fan speed to High if you choose to connect the fan to a fan control device or to the Fan-Only connector found on some Antec power supplies. A fan-controlled-device regulates the fan speed by varying the voltage to the fan. The voltage may start as low as 4.5V to 5V. Connecting a Tricool™ set on Medium or Low to a fan-control device may result in the fan not being able to start. The already lowered voltage from the fan control device will be further reduced by the Tricool™ circuitry below 5V.
The Top and Rear Exhaust Tricool™ Fans

We recommend leaving these two fans at the default Low speed setting as these fans sit right next to your CPU and can effectively exhaust heat from your chassis.

If you choose to overclock or install a very hot CPU you can increase the fan speed to achieve better cooling.

These two fans are mounted so that the air is blowing out of the case. The top fan comes with a spoiler to mount on the top of the case.

The Lower Chamber Tricool™ Fan
This is a special high throughput 120mm fan. Because of its design this fan can move more air than standard 120mm fans at the same speed (RPM). This fan is placed in the middle of the lower chamber, which act likes a wind tunnel when the side panels are closed. Note: we recommend setting the speed to Medium or Low.
The default fan setting is “Medium”.

I posted part of the assembly instructions.
Read the manual to make sure it was assembled properly.

http://www.antec.com/pdf/manuals/P180v1.1_Manual_EN.pdf


The Washable Air Filter
There are two filters located behind the front grilles. From time to time it will be
necessary to wash the installed air filters. Not washing the air filters will result in higher system temperatures and possible operational stability problems. We recommend checking the air filters at least once a month initially. This frequency may change depending on system usage (users whose systems run 24/7 will likely have to check/wash more often than those who don’t use their systems every day) and environmental conditions.

Try raising the fan speeds, make sure the case is assembled properly and the filters are clean.

If the case is assembled properly and increasing the fan speeds do not do sufficiently you may want to add the aditional fans as shown.

Just checked, everything is fine on that part...

About the ventirad XP90 Ultra from thermal take, where should the fan be located? Blowing in direction of the top fan or blowing to the other direction? (up or down)

I didn't understand well this sentence : "We recommend leaving these two fans at the default Low speed setting as these fans sit right next to your CPU and can effectively exhaust heat from your chassis.=> Does that means that it's better to keep them at low speed?

Anyway, except the ventirad fan, everything seems ok.

Last 3 hours, the processor goes up to 65-70° and the MB to 45-50° when playing and testing, but no more...

Thanks again for your help.

Is this what you have?

http://www.thermalright.com/a_page/main_product_xp90.htm

Not this one, but rather this one:

http://www.overclockercafe.com/Reviews/coo...ra90/index.html

With this fan :

http://www.coolink-europe.com/main.php?sho...1&cat_set=1

The fan blows to the top fan of the P180 case.

What are the temps at when you start the computer and it has been idling for a bit?

The temps for the motherboard and the CPU are way too high. Are you overclocking? That'll increase your temps enormously!

Take the side off the case and see if that helps the temps. The fan on top of the XP-90 should blow into the XP-90.

No overclocking, I prefer a stable PC than an overclocked one...But anyway, I get strange t°.

The starting t° for the MB is around : 38-40° and increases to 45-46° with activity, then didn't go down, even when it has been idling a while.

the starting t° for the CPU is 40-45° and increases to 50-55° when it has been idling for a while, and depending on the application, rise to 60-65° or explodes up to 85-90 (Then shutdown) sometimes...

Removing the side of the case doesn't help, I've already try to do it to reduce the t° increase...

I'll turn down the fan on the XP-90 when I'll be back home (let's say, in 5 hours) and come back here after testing...

However I tried to put the fan on the other side of the XP-90, blowing up through the XP-90 with increase t°...

Very confusing problem...

How fast are your fans spinning? Removing the side of the case could actually make it get hotter, is it on carpeting? It's not better to keep the fans on low, you want them on max, with such a powerful computer, I'm wondering if you should upgrade to a better cooling system... but before that, it does sound like an overheating problem...

http://www.pcguide.com/care/care/gen/cool.htm Read this section in the System Care Guide on
system cooling, and particularly on ventilation and air flow within the case. Consider
taking some of the suggested steps to help you improve the ventilation inside the case if
is not adequate.

Check the fan on the power supply to make sure it is running. This is the primary
cooling mechanism for the PC case and if it is not working, the chances are good that
something within the PC may be running too hot. If the fan has stopped, or if the volume
of air it is moving seems low, http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/comp/power_Fan.htm troubleshoot it there

Carefully touch the system processor, or the heat sink near where it attaches to the
processor. If it feels so hot that you must withdraw your finger immediately, you likely
have a processor cooling problem. Continue here http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/comp/cpu_Heat.htm

Check the following components on the motherboard to see if they are running very hot:
cache chips (or cache/COASt module), voltage regulator heat sink, BIOS chip. If any of
these are running very hot and you are having problems with your motherboard, it may be
bad. The voltage regulator can get very hot when some chips are used, and you may need to
add extra cooling to keep it at operating temperature. The other components on the
motherboard should not get very hot. If you are using a Cyrix 6x86 chip, make sure the
motherboard is approved to use it or problems with overheating of the voltage regulator
may result.

Check the system memory to make sure it is not overheating. It should be warm but not
too hot to the touch. Overheated memory is a symptom of either http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/comp/ram/fail.htm bad memory or motherboard failure http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/comp/mbsys/gen_Failure.htm
Check the hard disks' temperature as well. If they are running very hot then you
may need to take corrective action.

If you are having repeated or continual heating problems within the case, you may want
to consider moving your system into a larger case.

On the link you posted:

"Installation was a breeze and had no incidents related to it. We did notice that the socket's orientation on the end user's mainboard will determine if the fan on the cooler blows toward the rear case exhaust fan or up to the power supply. Either is expectable but 'up' will only work if you have a PSU with a bottom mounted cooling fan and even then you are blowing hot air at your power supply. This isn't a huge ding or ThermalRight but certainly something the end user needs to consider."

Is this defeating the airflow designed into the tower which looks pretty good.

Did the installer alter the case or airflow to fit this into the case?

I just tested everything as mentionned in the guide this week-end, checked everything, and I also enabled Cool 'n' Quiet in the bios. (Not a real solution, as it lessen the speed of the processor clock but everything ° less is good for me!)

With Cool'n'Quiet, the t° is around 37° idle, jumping to 43° when in activity (Staying in desktop and using normal applications, email client, browser and the like)

However, when I'm launching a game, it really depends...Lego Starwars II is very stable, not going more than 45° for the proc and 44° for the motherboard.

However, Guildwars, for example, keep the MB at 45-46° but the proc goes up and up and up...60-65° even more, without doing anything.

My case is outside my desk, with good air flow. I don't have air conditionning system, and I don't plan to install one for my computer only...doesn't get very hot in Belgium!

However, i didn't understand well your answer, Enthousiast. Remember that the PSU is a the bottom of the case, so at the opposite of the processor and it's ventirad.

Here is a small schema of the disposition of my component (Sorry for the poor desing ) :

TOP of case


1 : Top fan blowing out (120mm)
2 : Rear fan blowing out (120mm)
3 : Processor with ventirad (XP-90 Ultra) with fan (3a) blowing down (to the bottom). I've tried with the fan blowing in direction of 1 also.
4 : Copper thermic dissipator of the mohterboard (A8N32-SLI Deluxe)
5 : Graphic card 7950 GX2 With P180 Airduct over it, getting air outside next to the card. (in 0)
6 : Power supply (Antec NeoHE 550)
7 : Fan (120mm)
8 : Fan (120mm)
9 : Fan (120mm)
0 : Airduct exit
10 : Sound card
11 : Wi-fi card

Hope this help...

Which way are fans 7, 8 and 9 blowing - into the case or out?

And did you change the fan speed levels of the fans that could be adjusted?

Where does the air from the graphics card exhaust?

All fans blowing level is at the max (Low, Medium and High option...when I reduce them, the Motherboard t° explodes quickly, the processor t° changes less).

The fans 8, 9 blow inside the case. I have to check for the fan 7. In any case, fan 7 and PSU are isolated, as well as bottom 2 HDD and fan 9.

The graphic card exhaust through the air duct, a plastic box with a hole leading hot air from the GC outside to 0. I have updated the schema to show the approximate position of the airduct.