Pc Shutting Down?

A

alkit

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Hi,

Just finished building my HTPC with the following specs:
Asus G41M motherboard
Celeron E3400
Samsung 2tb hard drive
Sapphire Radeon HD 5450
Proline mini-atx case with 250W PSU

Did a test run on it tonight - watched "Pirates of the Caribbean 3" in HD (mkv file).

It played very well for the 1st hour, and then the computer just shut down. I then tried to turn it on again, but the computer wouldn't power up.
I then disconnected the mains for minutes, plugged it back in, and was operational again. But 30 minutes later, same problem. Eventually after it happened 3 times (ya, POTC is nearly a 3 hr movie), I had to go back to my WD Live player and watch from there.

Temps acc to Bios right after reboot are around 45 degrees MB and 40 degrees CPU. When opening the case, the southbridge and radeon card are boiling hot, the PSU and northbridge feel warm, and the CPU heatsink is very cool.

Based on the above, can anyone advise what to start testing first to try locate the problem?

Thanks
 
Have you tested the graphics card in another machine?

Reinstall the graphics card in the motherboard and test both together outside the case to eliminate the possibility of a short circuit from an extra mounting post etc. or a badly seated card.
 
Yip, I don't think that PSU can handle all that....

I'd say a minimum of 400w are required, could maybe get away with 350w if it's a good make.
 
Run like HWMonitor (which you'll have to download) to monitor your system temperatures.

If your South-Bridge & graphics card is getting way too hot, then you'll either need to get a better case or just install a few fans to push air over those 2 components.
 
Pada said:
Run like HWMonitor (which you'll have to download) to monitor your system temperatures.

If your South-Bridge & graphics card is getting way too hot, then you'll either need to get a better case or just install a few fans to push air over those 2 components.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the responses.

A 400w case is not required. The HD5450 uses 22W on full load. It is a VERY efficient card and is therefore recommended for an HTPC. With a Celeron and that card, I believe 250W will be more than capable of running the system. http://www.extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine confirms this.

I did remove the graphics card and re-install it. It seems to have sorted the problem of random shut downs, but I ran that HWMonitor (as suggested by Pada), and was shocked to see my HD5450 reaching 87 degrees (and 75 on IDLE). According to reviews online, this card should only get up to 55 degress, and that's on full load (37 on IDLE). (This temp was measures with the side panel off the computer box, so plenty airflow)

It definitely seems like something is odd with my graphics card. I have emailed Sapphire to see if my temps normal, else if not, I'll have return the card for a new one...
 
Actually it seems that this card needs some additional cooling if the ventilation in the case is not ideal. It seems that you might need to install a suitable fan. I did see some small 40X40X10 12V fans at Esquire (~R29) but there might be better options online from Zaps, Rebeltech etc. from DeepCool, XGR, Jetway if there are any empty slots etc. Take a look at the Newegg customer reviews for some other ideas ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102877
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/graphics/display/radeon-hd5670-hd5570-hd5450_5.html
 
Last edited:
alkit said:
Thanks for the responses.

A 400w case is not required. The HD5450 uses 22W on full load. It is a VERY efficient card and is therefore recommended for an HTPC. With a Celeron and that card, I believe 250W will be more than capable of running the system. http://www.extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine confirms this.

I did remove the graphics card and re-install it. It seems to have sorted the problem of random shut downs, but I ran that HWMonitor (as suggested by Pada), and was shocked to see my HD5450 reaching 87 degrees (and 75 on IDLE). According to reviews online, this card should only get up to 55 degress, and that's on full load (37 on IDLE). (This temp was measures with the side panel off the computer box, so plenty airflow)

It definitely seems like something is odd with my graphics card. I have emailed Sapphire to see if my temps normal, else if not, I'll have return the card for a new one...
Click to expand...

Remember, a cheap brand PSU like Proline will never deliver the advertised watts.

Gfx card temps seem fine but do get some better cooling.
 
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