The Official PC building thread -3rd Edition

I think I bought the wrong PSU for my needs. I bought the CMPSU-550VX Corsair, And it might have been wiser to buy a MORE powerful PSU, just to have MORE proper molex, Sata connections. I'm finding that more than one Hard drive, does not like to have a Molex to Sata converter. Why that is I don't know. The first time it happened, I eliminated the problematic connector. Problem solved. Or so I thought...
Today I've encountered a Network issue, to which I blame the HDD in question. I was transferring a VERY large BD file, and just over half way through an error occurred. I shrugged it off and tried again. This time it succeeded. At the time, I figured I either Saturated the network speed(hardly a viable excuse), causing the error, or that the HDD dropped out for an instance. Just now, I noticed that speedfan picked up on another HDD sensor. One It should have noticed quite some time ago. Now I'm REALLY leaning toward a drive connection.

I get the feeling, that had I bought a more powerful PSU, I could have avoided these troubles. THIS is why people buy MORE than they need! To avoid problems like these LOL! Overkill? What's that LOL!

 

I'm trying to remember... isn't there 6 SATA connections with that PSU?? If not then the single Molex to SATA "extensions" should work nicely.... sorry it's not going your way buddy.

 

I have 8 sata devices...

Sam suggested that Velociraptor and its power hungry nature, might prefer a more solid connection. I gave it one. The velociraptor has not had a problem since that day. But now, What I call X:\ Drive, may be having an issue. This weekend, I'm gonna make EVERYTHING proper. I'm not gonna leave one molecule unturned LOL! I need to eliminate the PSU as being the problem. This is the first Single 12V rail PSU I've bought in a while. I sure hope the fact that it is SINGLE 12V rail, is not the problem.

 

Maw: If those temperatures are so low, why do you think it's an overheat causing the shutdown? It could be the PSU you realise...
Omega: Most drives are fine with molex to S-ATA adapters, while I wouldn't recommend using one on a velociraptor, you shouldn't have any issues with any other drives. Have you checked that your S-ATA data cables aren't the cause of the issues?
The PSU being single rail actually makes it less likely that the PSU's an issue, not more.

 

Thanks sam, unfortunately replacing the PSU didn't change anything
I assume it's overheating because in the bios the system temp, which I'm assuming is the MB temp, reads 36C (my rig idles at 29C and maxes at 35C right now, and it generates a lot more heat). While I prefer the MB temp to not go over 40C, I don't really know what's considered too hot or where the safety shut off point is so I am just guess at the problem.

I did notice that when it does make it to the windows loading screen, (the one with the glowing windows logo) right before it crashes it looks like every other pixel was removed and a few green patches show up. Makes me want to try a dedicated gpu but even if it works then I still wouldn't know if the problem is the CPU or the MB (using the i3 530 IGP capabilities for this system) :\

 

The safety shutdown point is usually 90ºC or so, you're nowhere near it. If you're getting corruption in the integrated graphics it could be a faulty board.

 

woah, 90C for the MB (not the cpu)? Way higher then I expected. Thanks for advice sam.

 

It is typically 90C for the CPU. I see NB overheats so rarely that I don't know what the limit is for them, but suffice to say it will be at least 70, almost certainly higher.

 

Clearly I don't know much about PSU's then, if that's a fact! LOL!

I've been using the Sata connections for a while now. The only change I've made is rerouting the Sata Power connections.
What I plan on doing now, is Giving the optical drives the Molex to sata conversions. And making Damn sure they're secure, and proper. It's all gonna have to wait til sunday though. I'm leaving for the big city tomorrow night. Sunday, MAJOR changes will ensue LOL! Too many things to mention. Will post pics about the secondaries Physical alterations

 

Sam,
Rick has an Athlon 6000+ on an ECS MB, and it was getting as high as 94C before it shut down. That's right at about 200F! He re-did the thermal paste on the CPU cooler, and it's now about 63C at idle. I think either his CPU cooler isn't adequate, or his case cooling sucks! I would bet on it being poor case airflow! At least he's no longer running in the 90s! LOL!!

Russ

 

Hmm just got my hands on some legacy parts. A S939 3000+ Venice with a working mATX MSI R480 board with SATA and PCI-e. And a 160GB SATA HDD and 2GB of RAM and a 7600GS.... hmm possibilities. Considering a micro ATX build. Maybe the core of a lightweight HTPC rig. The 7600GS is full 1080p DXVA capable so I'm wondering how this rig would do for watching BD rips. Would be using XP Pro of course.

 

This isn't too bad of a price
WD Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 3.5" Hard Drive 115.00
120.00 at Newegg
http://livehotdeals.com/wd-caviar-black-wd1002faex-1tb-3-5-hard-drive_69979/compare-prices

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...3r-_-Hard+Drives-_-Western+Digital-_-22136533
FREE SHIPPING

 

omegaman7: This is a prety good deal, ground service free shipping
OCZ OCZ700GXSSLI-B game xtreme ATX 12v v2.2 / eps 12v 700w nvidia sli certified ul fcc power supply-Recertified
Don't really know what Recertified means
If it means it was broke and they fixed it, then it should be a better unit. Due to the fact they had to Physically repair it, which is usually a loose or disconnected wire due to faulty soldering etc etc etc

Technical Information:

# Type: ATX12V
# Maximum Power: 700W
# Fans: 120mm fan x 1
# PFC: Active
# Main Connector: 24-Pin
# Dual +12V: Yes
# SLI Support: Yes
# Over Voltage Protection: YES
# Input Voltage: 100 - 240V
# Input Frequency Range: 50/60Hz
# Input Current:
10A @ 115V
5A @ 230V
# Output:
+3.3@36A
+5V@30A
+12V1@18A
+12V2@18A
-12V@0.8A
-5@0.5A
+5VSB@3.0A
# Connectors:
1 x 24-pin ATX
1 x 4-pin/8-pin CPU
2 x PCI-Express
6 x 4-pin peripheral
2 x 4-pin floppy
6 x SATA

 

HEARS The link
http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch_v3.asp?px=MP&scriteria=AA75715

 

Thanks for the suggestion Rick. I currently have a 700W OCZ. Similar to the one you posted.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341002
It has served me well. It became questionable during an overclock, otherwise its solid. Its now living the easy life, in my secondary. The only load it experiences now, is an overclocked Phenom II 940. The 8600GT is hardly worth noting, in comparison to what the supply is capable of. Don't laugh sam

I've had PSU's, that couldn't deliver stable power. I tested it with a 12V light. The light ever so slightly flickered. It was unstable enough to prevent a Mobo from firing.

Since the Veloci is now stable, PSU stability shouldn't be a question. Since everything feeds off of a single 12V rail. If that Rail were bad, everything would foul up

 

I should be inheriting a 900Mhz P3 (complete system) later next week....not sure what to do with it lol. Probably just put in a corner until I have enough to make a small cluster.

 

LOL! I may have one of those laying around(Pentium 3 that is). I have 2 systems from that era. Haven't even looked at them yet. It's discouraging even thinking about it. Basically, they're stored for the time being. Until I have the space to play

 

Russ: Bad case airflow can't account for temperatures like that. I can turn all of the fans completely off in most of my PCs and not get temperatures like that.
Jeff: The 7600GT was DXVA compatible? I had no idea, not even the X1900XT is, nvidia were very early to the game there.
Rick: The site layout may have changed, but there's still an edit button!
WD1002FAEX prices are coming down, but the $20 premium over the WD1001FALS really doesn't seem worth it.
I take the opposite view on recertified units, typically if it went wrong once, it can do so again. That plus the fact that OCZ units are far from the best out there, makes it an 'avoid' in my eyes.
For that $60, you can get a brand new StealthXStream 600W (after rebate) which is a much better unit to start with, let alone the fact it hasn't had to be repaired.

 

i thought dxva was win7/vista feature?

 

No, it works in XP too, you just have to use a different output renderer with the player, is all.
Reading up, DXVA was indeed added with the Geforce 7, but ATI didn't implement it until the HD2 series. Intel's IGPs actually have DXVA too (though I am sceptical they'd be any better than a CPU) as of the G45 and GMA4500.