Overheating Problem?

[ChaOConnor]

Greetings!

I'm currently running an MSI 845E-Max2 mb, P4 2.2 and a Matrox Parhelia.

Whenever I try running an intensive app (read here as game), my app drops me to the desktop. No error, just wham... desktop. I just rebuilt my machine from the ground up, installing only the neccessary software to eliminate that as a possibility.

I put SpeedFan on and have noticed a big jump in temps and I think that's the reason why it's crashing.

So...

1. Does anyone have any advice or has attempted to cool the parhelia?
2. Same question but for your PC in general?
3. Any ideas?

Thanks!

Cha

[Gohan]

I'm cooling my Parhelia passiv with the Zalman HP80A. Maybe you Powersupply isn't strong enough?

[ChaOConnor]

350? Should be enough, right?

[K6-III]

Perhaps the heatsink isn't making too good a contact with the GPU.

You may want to remove the heatsink and throw some thermal paste in between...

[P5ycho]

350 was enough of you bought it 2 years ago, there are lots of crappy powersupplies out there these days that claim to be 350 but when tested crap out at 250W max, or just literally burn up taking the rest of the hardware with it.

[ChaOConnor]

Hmm...

Did the thermal paste thing a few days ago. Dropped the temp a few degrees, but it still crashes.

The power supply is new, came w/ the case. It "appears" to be good, but how do I test it? Or where do I get a "Good" power supply?

Thanks!

[Wombat]

What do the voltage readings from the motherboard look like?

Don't modify your Parhelia. If it does turn out to be a bad card, Matrox will easily replace it for you if you haven't voided the warranty.

Oh, damn, too late.

[ChaOConnor]

Didn't do the thermal paste on the vid card, so I'm cool there.

I'll have to look at the mb, but what about testing the actual powersupply unit?

Thanks!

[Wombat]

The MB should have basic voltage monitoring. If you get the computer running under a load, and the voltage readings droop, it suggests a weak PSU.

[ChaOConnor]

Okay, dumb question. How can I monitor the voltage? In the Bios? Is there an app?

Thanks!

[Wombat]

http://mbm.livewiredev.com/

[ChaOConnor]

Unfortunately that site is down, don't know when it will be up. All the mirrors for the program eventually point to that site. Anyone know where I could get it or something similiar? Thanks again for all your help!

[KeiFront]

Originally posted by ChaOConnor
Unfortunately that site is down, don't know when it will be up. All the mirrors for the program eventually point to that site. Anyone know where I could get it or something similiar? Thanks again for all your help!

Mirror from Alex Vankaam himself: (but I would still check it for viruses you never know )

http://www.chello.nl/~a.vankaam/mbm/download/MBM5220.EXE

[WyWyWyWy]

Alternatively, you can replace that crappy fan with a better 50mm fan, as done by MURCers including me. Doesn't void your warranty as long as you put the original fan back on before you RMA...

[Lim]

Originally posted by Gohan
I'm cooling my Parhelia passiv with the Zalman HP80A. Maybe you Powersupply isn't strong enough?

Hi Gohan,

Have you overclock your P. My GPU heatsink is same as you. I find my P is very unstable for speed over 220mhz while playing C & C Generals with full graphic detail.