I recently rebuilt almost my entire computer, with a new 256mb Gforce, 2 gigs of ram, an AMD 64 3000+ processor, a 480 watt PSU and a new mobo to support it all. Everytime I start to play WoW my computer turns off shortly after. I assumed it was my power supply being only 480w, but a local computer repair guy told me otherwise. I'm clueless as to what could be the source of my problem. Should a 480 watt psu be able to support all that?
202814
I'm assuming it's because the thing is over heating and automatically shuts itself down.  Try installing a water cooling system, that should reduce the core temp quite a bit.   You could also try putting it in a well ventilated area.  One more option, occasionally dust will build up around a heat sink and generate heat causing the computer to THINK it's overheating leading it to shut down.  A 480 watt power supply should be enough to keep it powered.  Your CPU could be over heating, a liquid cooling system or a CPU fan that you put on the mother board over the CPU would take care of that.  \n\nI have an Alienware laptop, which is considerably different than a desktop, but occasionally while playing games if it's not on a hard surface heat will build up under the computer and it'll shut itself off (but only during games and other laborious tasks).  I've also had the dust issue happen and had to clean out the vents and one of the heat sinks.  After that everything worked fine. \n\nIf the hard drives going out you should get the blue screen of death not a shut down, and usually hardware errors will get you a blue screen if it's an issue with a piece of hardware.  \n\nMake sure you have to correct drivers if you put in a new graphics card, you can download them from the maker's website, just to be on the safe side.\n\nGood luck!  That game rocks!
534239
yea this has happened to me before i think it has to do with your power supply, is this an older PC?  Pretty sure its the power supply shorting out a Lil and making it think its restarting
164578
I would start by changing out the power box. Open the computer and smell the power box to see if it smells burned. You can purchase a new one for under $50.00. When you have a surge, with or without a protector, your power supply will go first. If it doesn't not want to boot up, this means there is insufficient power to allow the computer to boot.\n\nYou can change this out yourself, with the help of some Internet instructions and about a 30 minutes of time. Good Luck!\n\nCheck the video graphics card also. You can test this by placing in another computer and see if you get the same results.\n\n* Well, the fans will work but the power supply will not be able to handle the entire computer. The power supply is weak or damaged, but not totally fried.
85471
Its better leave your computer ON.\nWhen you turn ON your computer, the PC uses the double of power. If you leave it ON, you may use half of power, but try to leave it ON with some Energy Rescue Resources, like "Suspend System".\n\nJuan. Bs As, Argentina.
676057
There are many probable causes:\n\n!. Yes, the power supply may be the problem,  the power connectors from the supply to the motherboard may have loosened a bit or damaged.  A poor connection between the headers and the plug may burn the header connectors over time. I have experienced it before.  An irregular supply between the wires may cause system hangup (under or overvoltage supplies, remember, digital circuits need 5V or 12V with a 12% tolerance).  Frequent cooling down produces what we call "thermal runaway", when a component frequently heats and cools down, connectors become "loose" and continuity or contacts slowly separate resulting in poor contact.\n\n2.  CMOS SETUP.  You may have dead backup cells on the motherboard resulting in corrupted settings.  You may need to replace the CMOS backup cell.  \n\n3. Check for proper mating or connection between the signal cable and the video card connector.\n\n4.  Check your video card and have it tested to another good PC.  This may also be the culprit.\n\n5. Did you test your monitor to another PC again?
655559
You could probably overclock it to 2.2GHZ\n\nEither way if you try and overclock it too high, it will just shut down the computer due to getting too hot, just don't overdo it.\n\nIf you recently upgraded just  your processor. This could be the problem.
80807
It could be your power supply, if so the follow the link below to order a new one.  You can order a 400 watt power supply for  $22.99 from tigerdirect.  Power supples are really easy to switch out, just don't unplug anything til you have the new one screwed into the back and change them out one at a time if you aren't real comfortable with doing it.\n\nBut I would open up the case to see if there are any obvious problems first.
126226
Does the post code on the LED actually say "87" or does it say "8.7" with the decimal lit up as well?\n\nIf it's "8.7", then the system is hanging while it's checking the core voltage, not telling you to check it. POST codes tell you the instruction the system is attempting to carry out when it fails.\n\nIf it's "87", then it's hanging as it tries to assign IRQ's to PCI devices.\n\nRegardless, I'd start by ripping out every component other than the basics (CPU, Memory, Video card), as well as re-installing those components to make sure they're all seated properly. See if you can get it to POST at that point. If so, proceed to add individual components one at a time, attempting to POST each time you add another component. I'd also check to make sure your front panel connectors are installed correctly to the header - PWR, HDD Activity, Reset SW, etc.\n\nAs a side note, I've heard about some motherboards having issues specifically related to the main connector of the Power Supply. Is your power supply's main connector 24-pin, 20+4-pin, or 20-pin with a 20-to-24 pin converter? If it's the latter, that could be the problem. Some 24-pin mobos just won't work right with a 20-to-24 pin converter. It could also be a voltage issue with the power supply itself.
476318
if you tower was making a lot of whinning noise before it quit...your power unit/fan puked.  Common item to die when computers aren't cleaned out.\n\nSimple item to replace...just a big box where the power from outlet plugs in the back and inside just a few wires that plug into each item.\n\nCan aways use a meter to see if power is coming through the power box.  Not to mention ensure all connections are good and tight.  Make sure no breaks in any wires or plugs.
630705
i agree it may be the power supply what kind of power supply do you have if you bought a cheep case and used a cheep power supply it could fry every thing its attached to i bought 3 enermax cases they came with a cheep power max not a good enermax and all 3 fry cpus boards and mb fortunatly they were under warrenty and were replaced but the amd 64 doznt heat fast like the xps or the p4-prescottsif you need to replace use an opteron everyone is using that for gamming now go to amds web site my opteron is the fastest on battle.net when i had my 3700 other 2 or three people loaded faster than me now noone does unless im running a virus scan at the same time
25825
If you have already checked the battery, what about the AC adapter cna you run it just on the mains, does it shut down. \n\nIf it doesnt shut down, it just may be that the battery is faulty  or even check the power save/optimisation settings.\n\nIf it does shut down then check the following:\n\nLaptop overheating - make sure none of the vents are blocked/clogged up, when in use.\n\nProcessor Overheating - CPU fan may be faulty, so processor starts to overheat and system shuts down to protect the processor.\n\nGet it checked out by a pro, to be safe.\n\nGood Luck\nBattery Wizard
254313
The 6800 is not a power hog like some cards.\n300w should be enough to meet the requirements for the card,\nhowever if you have several devices being powered ie; dvd Rom, CD burner, multiple HDD's etc. You may want to go to 400w +.\n\nBottom line: It should be OK. even though the official min. wattage is 350w
225462
It looks like the motherboard has an AGP 4X slot.\nA further constraint is imposed by the psu which is 250W at best (in the mini tower configuration).\nThis rules out the nVidia 6600 & 6800 and (I'm guessing - the 7800).\nThe only AGP 4X cards this leaves at my usual source (scan.co.uk) which will drive two monitors have only a single DVI connector plus a D-Sub(analogue) and TV-out.\nThe nVidia 6200 has only a 64bit memory bit rate, so I would recommend an ATI offering - I am unaware of any power problems - but do your own research!  \nGiven the AGP/power limitations - don't expect to get a card than can play the very latest games, even with the eye-candy turned off, but I do know that the 9550 would play both HL2 and Doom3 at 800x600 on my son's AMD2500+. noAA.\nI couldn't find any reference to on-board graphics on the link below, but I did notice that desktop configuration will take only a half-length card (17.65cm)... I don't think that's an issue - it's 15 cm to the back of the AGP slot - faster cards may well be bigger...\nhttp://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=174195\nhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814153008
273597
I think you meant WATTS versus volts. You will need to inspect your power supply for that information.\n You need to check out he following website, for more info on what you will truly need 250W sounds a bit low by today's standards - http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/
367486
60 degrees isn't really that hot for a PSU. However that temperature would suggest that your PSU could do with an upgrade.\nThat temperature will heat up the inside of the PC case and may cause the other components of the PC to run hotter than they should.\nI would consider buying a PSU with a 600w or so power rating. That should run cooler under the stresses that gaming can cause.\nHope this helps.
502372
depending on how new your system is or maybe how old, your power supply might not have enough juice to give it power. this was a problem i had before, i just had to buy a new power supply and that solved it.
311312
If you do not have a 500W or higher PSU, get one. With this configuration, it would be wise to spend money on a decent quality PSU.\n\nI'd recommend a 550W rated with a QUIET fan.