System reboots during games

When I play relatively demanding games my system reboots itself! In particular, C&C3 and Rainbow 6: Vegas!  I play PES6 and CIV4 fine.

What the hell is wrong with my system? Is it the temperature of my GPU or CPU that does this?

After reboot, I checked the temps with PC Wizard and it shows my GPU around 62c and CPU around 45-50c. Is this normal?

My system:

HEC Winpower 550w
7900GS
2GB Geil 800mhz
P4 3.0 Prescott
320GB Sata | 80GB Sata | 20GB IDE
ECS Mobo (el Cheapo)

My Case has got 1 12cm exhaust and 3 8cm circulating the air. I've got an Asus VR Guard on my cpu.

SOS!  Appreciate any help!

Cheers! 

Thanks for the reply. 

I ran 3DMark 06 less than 5 days ago and everything was fine.
I just got the PSU and I'd hate to think its the problem. Is it that the PSU isnt giving enough power at high stress levels?

Cheers. 

Thanks for the reply.

I ran 3DMark 06 less than 5 days ago and everything was fine.
I just got the PSU and I'd hate to think its the problem. Is it that the PSU isnt giving enough power at high stress levels?

Cheers.

Saddam_Hussain

That's what it sounsd like if it's not overheating.

My machine was doing the same thing. It turned out that the heat sink had come loose (damn push & twist). I fastened it on tight and it solved the problem.

Also, try turning automatic updates off if you haven't already. 

[QUOTE="Saddam_Hussain"]

Thanks for the reply.

I ran 3DMark 06 less than 5 days ago and everything was fine.
I just got the PSU and I'd hate to think its the problem. Is it that the PSU isnt giving enough power at high stress levels?

Cheers.

RayvinAzn

That's what it sounsd like if it's not overheating.

Cool.

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My machine was doing the same thing. It turned out that the heat sink had come loose (damn push & twist). I fastened it on tight and it solved the problem.

Also, try turning automatic updates off if you haven't already. 

Boba_Fett_3710

I have that feeling its heat but the CPU temp doesnt appear to be abnormal. Perhaps the GPU? Is 60c normal?

Cheers! 

I have that feeling its heat but the CPU temp doesnt appear to be abnormal. Perhaps the GPU? Is 60c normal?

Cheers!

Saddam_Hussain

After reboot, I checked the temps with PC Wizard and it shows my GPU around 62c and CPU around 45-50c. Is this normal?

Saddam_Hussain

Hmmm...this is 62C idle?  That sounds pretty damn high for a 7900GS...

I've got a 7800GT, and it idles around 35-40C.  Goes up to 65C-70C under load.  In which case, at 62C idle it wouldn't surprise me if your GPU is overheating, but I'm not certain of standard temperature ranges for a 7900GS.

BUT, that being said, are you experiencing any sort of artifacting while gaming?  Weird lines on the screen, textures flashing, that sort of thing?  That's usually the first indication that your GPU is having issues, and you will usually experience that before the system gives up entirely.

The only other possibility I can think of is faulty RAM.  Bad RAM can do all sorts of weird and unexpected things.  If you've got more than one stick in your machine, try swapping out sticks one at a time and see if it makes any difference.

Good luck!

[QUOTE="Saddam_Hussain"]

I have that feeling its heat but the CPU temp doesnt appear to be abnormal. Perhaps the GPU? Is 60c normal?

Cheers!

RayvinAzn

60c at idle is pretty warm - but nothing to get worried about. What you really want to check for are GPU load temps - what are they while running 3DMark06?

All right, I'll check that. Thanks. 

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My 8800 GTX is always 60C+ at IDLE, I'm pretty sure that's normal.

Your PC could be restarting for a number of reasons.

A) Your PSU is busted, damaged or improperly configured.

B) One or more fans are busted and therefore a large amount of heat is being generated causing certain parts in your computer to malfunction due to stress.

C) You have bad airflow in your case and your room temperature isn't helping by sucking in warm air therefore see B).

That's all I got so far.K_r_a_u_s_e_r

A. Could be. But how do you differentiate busted PSU from improperly configured? And How do I isolate the PSU as the problem?

B. This sounds plausible as my case hasnt got the best airflow. In fact, there's just one exhaust and no intake :D The 80cm fans just circulate the air! Im looking to getting a new case within the next couple of weeks.

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[QUOTE="Saddam_Hussain"]

After reboot, I checked the temps with PC Wizard and it shows my GPU around 62c and CPU around 45-50c. Is this normal?

CMJR

Hmmm...this is 62C idle?  That sounds pretty damn high for a 7900GS...

I've got a 7800GT, and it idles around 35-40C.  Goes up to 65C-70C under load.  In which case, at 62C idle it wouldn't surprise me if your GPU is overheating, but I'm not certain of standard temperature ranges for a 7900GS.

BUT, that being said, are you experiencing any sort of artifacting while gaming?  Weird lines on the screen, textures flashing, that sort of thing?  That's usually the first indication that your GPU is having issues, and you will usually experience that before the system gives up entirely.

The only other possibility I can think of is faulty RAM.  Bad RAM can do all sorts of weird and unexpected things.  If you've got more than one stick in your machine, try swapping out sticks one at a time and see if it makes any difference.

Good luck!

I dont experience any deterioration in gameplay or otherwise.  I got 2 1GB sticks and I'll try what you suggested.

Thanks.

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If you are suspecting it's the RAM, download memtest86+ and burn the iso or a floppy if you still have one and check your RAM. You can find it here: http://www.memtest.org/Goodfella_no4

Thanks. I'll check that out as well. 

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BTW, I played C&C for an hour and I didnt get any rebooting. I tried R6:Vegas and no issues. 

Im leaning toward heat as the cause.

I will update the thread. 

Many thanks for all your efforts.

Cheers. 

A GPU can easily take over 90°C so I doubt that's the problem. If temperature is the issue you should experience random reboots and the longer you play, the more likely it will happen since the temperature will continue to rise. If the PSU is the issue you should only notice reboots after you are putting a lot of strain on the GPU. Of course, you can't be 100% certain since putting a lot of strain with also increase the temp.

Go to control panel /system /

advance tab,

startup and recovey "settings" button

uncheck "automatically restart" in system failure

This is probably due to bad drivers, (video&mobo)