Overheating computer even when idle

I'd love some advice as to what might be happening with my computer. Awhile ago it started where if I was playing CoH for an hour or so, the computer would overheat and shut off. The computer was technically still powered, but it sort of stalled. The display disappeared and all that, and I had to hold the power button to turn it off.

Then, it started doing it with other games. At first I suspected it was CoH's fault, a memory leak or something but it happens with any intensive program now. And it happens a lot quicker generally. It's gotten to the point where I need to have an external fan blowing on my computer when I'm gaming. Now, it's getting really bad and while idle, temperatures gauged by EVGA Precision are at 78 degrees C for GPU 1 and 66 degree C for GPU 2. Also in EVGA Precision, I have both internal fans boosted to 100%. This is obviously not good.

The power supply, which is barely a year old, is what I notice is getting hottest. My concern is that I had similar issues about two years ago with mostly the same components, and changing the power supply seemed to fix it for about... 6 months. Now I want to be sure something else isn't killing my power supplies while I'm pouring money into power supplies.

Can anyone help me with this? dxdiag attached.

Thanks so much.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8d7xw815z3ot62t/DxDiag.txt

For the more tech-minded in our forums community, they'll want you to run CoH Helper and post the results here.

My first thought is, how often do you blow the dust out of your system? Fans and heat sinks will get clogged, in some environments you'll have to blow them out at least once a month if not more often.

My second thought, your video card is dying. My laptop did the same thing, though it's graphics started glitching before it finally melted, mostly due to poor design by HP.

What is the brand and rating on your power supply?

All power supplies are NOT created equal.

And as Red Valkyrja pointed out, DXDiag isn't as helpful as CoH Helper as that also gives us things that DXDiag doesn't.

A HiJackThis report would be helpful as well.

Thanks! My power supply is a Delta Electronics DPS-650 PB, Max 650 Watts. Is that enough info?

Hijack This:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 6:08:57 PM, on 8/11/2012
Platform: Windows 7 SP1 (WinNT 6.00.3505)
MSIE: Unable to get Internet Explorer version!
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Program Files (x86)\TomTom HOME 2\TomTomHOMERunner.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Hobbyist Software\VLC Streamer\VLC Streamer Configuration.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Internet Services\ubd.exe
C:\Users\Brandon\AppData\Roaming\Dropbox\bin\Dropb ox.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Apple Application Support\distnoted.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\TightVNC\tvnserver.exe
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\Ctxfihlp.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\ASUS Ai Charger\AiChargerAP.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech Gaming Software\plugins\LCDAppletsMono-8.01.067\Applets\x86\LCDMedia.exe
C:\Windows\SysWOW64\CTXFISPI.EXE
C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe
C:\Users\Brandon\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Appli cation\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Brandon\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Appli cation\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Brandon\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Appli cation\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Brandon\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Appli cation\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Brandon\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Appli cation\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Brandon\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Appli cation\chrome.exe
S:\Steam Programs\Steam.exe
C:\Users\Brandon\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Appli cation\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Last.fm\LastFM.exe
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\SyncServer.exe
C:\Users\Brandon\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Appli cation\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Brandon\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Appli cation\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Brandon\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Appli cation\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Brandon\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Appli cation\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Brandon\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Appli cation\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Brandon\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Appli cation\chrome.exe
C:\Users\Brandon\Downloads\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Windows Live ID Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [tvncontrol] "C:\Program Files (x86)\TightVNC\tvnserver.exe" -controlservice -slave
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CloneCDTray] "C:\Program Files (x86)\SlySoft\CloneCD\CloneCDTray.exe" /s
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AppleSyncNotifier] C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleSyncNotifier.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTxfiHlp] CTXFIHLP.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ASUS Ai Charger] C:\Program Files (x86)\ASUS\ASUS Ai Charger\AiChargerAP.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [amd_dc_opt] C:\Program Files (x86)\AMD\Dual-Core Optimizer\amd_dc_opt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [APSDaemon] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Apple Application Support\APSDaemon.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files (x86)\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Google Update] "C:\Users\Brandon\AppData\Local\Google\Update\Goog leUpdate.exe" /c
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [DAEMON Tools Lite] "C:\Program Files (x86)\DAEMON Tools Lite\DTLite.exe" -autorun
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [TomTomHOME.exe] "C:\Program Files (x86)\TomTom HOME 2\TomTomHOMERunner.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Hobbyist Software VLC Streamer] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Hobbyist Software\VLC Streamer\VLC Streamer Configuration.exe" /startup
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MobileDocuments] C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Internet Services\ubd.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [uTorrent] "C:\Program Files (x86)\uTorrent\uTorrent.exe" /MINIMIZED
O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [FlashPlayerUpdate] C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash\NPSWF32_FlashUt il.exe -p
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-2759794868-146938064-347139401-1005\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'UpdatusUser')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-21-2759794868-146938064-347139401-1005\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'UpdatusUser')
O4 - Startup: Dropbox.lnk = Brandon\AppData\Roaming\Dropbox\bin\Dropbox.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search && Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll
O16 - DPF: {1E54D648-B804-468d-BC78-4AFFED8E262F} (System Requirements Lab) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/Driver...reqlab_nvd.cab
O16 - DPF: {74DBCB52-F298-4110-951D-AD2FF67BC8AB} (NVIDIA Smart Scan) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/Driver...aSmartScan.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/ge...nt/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {D4B68B83-8710-488B-A692-D74B50BA558E} (Creative Software AutoUpdate Support Package) - http://ccfiles.creative.com/Web/soft...3/CTPIDPDE.cab
O16 - DPF: {F6ACF75C-C32C-447B-9BEF-46B766368D29} (Creative Software AutoUpdate Support Package) - http://ccfiles.creative.com/Web/soft...5113/CTPID.cab
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: Creative ALchemy AL6 Licensing Service - Creative Labs - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Creative Labs Shared\Service\AL6Licensing.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Audio Engine Licensing Service - Creative Labs - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Creative Labs Shared\Service\CTAELicensing.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Audio Service (CTAudSvcService) - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\Program Files (x86)\Creative\Shared Files\CTAudSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Dragon Age: Origins - Content Updater (DAUpdaterSvc) - Unknown owner - f:\steam programs\steamapps\common\dragon age origins\bin_ship\DAUpdaterSvc.Service.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\efssvc.dll,-100 (EFS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (nvsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Update Service Daemon (nvUpdatusService) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\NVIDIA Corporation\NVIDIA Updatus\daemonu.exe
O23 - Service: PnkBstrA - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\PnkBstrA.exe
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: SBSD Security Center Service (SBSDWSCService) - Safer Networking Ltd. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDWinSec.exe
O23 - Service: SlingAgentService - Sling Media Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Sling Media\SlingAgent\SlingAgentService.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\sppsvc.exe,-101 (sppsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\sppsvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: TomTomHOMEService - TomTom - C:\Program Files (x86)\TomTom HOME 2\TomTomHOMEService.exe
O23 - Service: TightVNC Server (tvnserver) - GlavSoft LLC. - C:\Program Files (x86)\TightVNC\tvnserver.exe
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vaultsvc.dll,-1003 (VaultSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Wat\WatUX.exe,-601 (WatAdminSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\Wat\WatAdminSvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\wbengine.exe,-104 (wbengine) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbengine.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: @%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)

--
End of file - 12000 bytes

COH Helper:

---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.2.0.2---

DxDiag gathered at August 11, 2012 18:10 (-04:00)
Operating System: Windows 7 Enterprise 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.120503-2030)
System Manufacturer: LENOVO
System Model: 6483CTO
BIOS: Lenovo ThinkCentre BIOS Ver 2WKT47.0
Central Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 4096MB
.Net Memory Report: 1420MB out of 4093MB available
Page File: 4641MB (4544MB currently in use)
C Drive: (G.SKILL FALCON 64GB SSD ATA Device) 7237MB out of 60954MB (11%) free
E Drive: (Maxtor 7Y250M0 ATA Device) 61934MB out of 131059MB (47%) free
F Drive: (WDC WD5000AAKS-00YGA0 ATA Device) 53523MB out of 476938MB (11%) free
G Drive: (Maxtor 7Y250M0 ATA Device) 21974MB out of 108305MB (20%) free
S Drive: (WDC WD10EARS-00Z5B1 ATA Device) 99455MB out of 953739MB (10%) free
I Drive: (ROH XIRGLARK1MJS SCSI CdRom Device) zero-size drive
D Drive: (SONY DVD RW DRU-840A USB Device) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\Windows
DirectX: DirectX 11
DirectX Diag version: 6.01.7601.17514 (64-bit version)

Display Notes: No problems found.
Sound Notes: No problems found.

No problems found.

No problems found.

No problems found.
Input Notes: No problems found.

Monitor:
Monitor's Max Resolution: (blank)
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / GeForce 9800 GT
Video Memory: 2286 MB
Driver Version: 8.17.12.9573
Driver Date: 2/9/2012 10:43:00 PM
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: Speakers (4- High Definition Audio Device)
Driver File: HdAudio.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7601.17514
Driver Date: 11/20/2010 6:44:23 AM

Sound Device Description: Digital Audio (S/PDIF) (4- High Definition Audio Device)
Driver File: HdAudio.sys
Driver Version: 6.01.7601.17514
Driver Date: 11/20/2010 6:44:23 AM

Sound Device Description: SPDIF Out (3- Creative SB X-Fi)
Driver File: ctaud2k.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.1376
Driver Date: 5/5/2010 6:37:06 PM

Sound Device Description: Speakers (3- Creative SB X-Fi)
Driver File: ctaud2k.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.1376
Driver Date: 5/5/2010 6:37:06 PM


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: LENOVO
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: LENOVO
Motherboard Version: NONE
BIOS Manufacturer: LENOVO
BIOS Name: Lenovo ThinkCentre BIOS Ver 2WKT47.0
BIOS Version: LENOVO - 60400d0
BIOS Release: 20090908000000.000000+000


Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 1360x768
3D Resolution: 1360x768 (Not using renderscale)
Full Screen: Yes
Maximized: No
Screen Position: 0, 0
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Vertical Sync Enabled: No


Physics Quality: High
Maximum Particles: 50000
Max Particle Fill? 10.000
Physics Card Enabled: No


Anti-aliasing: Off
Anisotropic Filtering: None
Texture LOD Bias: Smooth
Water Effects: High quality
Bloom: 1.000 (turned on)
Depth of Field Enabled: No
Desaturation Effects (Sepia) Enabled: Yes
Shader Detail: High


World Texture Level: Very High
Character Texture Level: Very High
World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 2.000
Entity Detail Level: 2.000
Shadows Enabled: No
Shadow Mode: Unknown (3)
Shadow Map Shader: High quality
Environmental Reflections: High quality
Advanced Occlusion Settings: No
Ambient Occlusion: Ultra
Occlusion Strength: Strong with color bleeding
Blur: Trilateral
Ambient Resolution: Quality


Gamma Correction: 0.804
Geometry Buffers (VBOs) Enabled: Yes
Suppression of FX When Camera Close Enabled: Yes
Close Suppression Range: 3.000
Show Advertisements: Yes

Audio Mode: Compatiblity
3D Audio: No
FX Sound Volume: 0.052
Music Sound Volume: 0.058

Show Advanced Graphics Options: Yes
Overall Graphics Quality: 0.000
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: 758337 bytes/second
Current Game Version: 1950.201102230015.1
Installation Directory: G:\Program Files\City of Heroes\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
No modifications found

Was about to comment about the PSU, but that is just the standard model that goes into Lenovo thinkstaions. (Delta lists it under 1U)

I would start by cleaning it out and running it while open to make sure all of the fans are spinning up. Its possible that one of them has died and needs to be replaced.

My two inf is that the powersupply may not be sufficient for what Sounds like two (?) video cards. You mentioned two temperatures so it sounds like you're talking about running SLI or the like.

I about flipped off the bed when I read Windows Enterprise edition! I even forgot they made that. It makes me wonder if that machine is a desktop or a server, especially after seeing all the internal drives. I did notice that your OS drive is too full. You should find a way to pad that closer to 20% capacity because windows likes room and will behave badly otherwise.

From what I can find out, it's a PSU favored by Lenovo Thinkstation PCs (oh look, that's what he has). Three 12 volt rails, 18A each but a combined 12 volt rating of only 39ish amps (475 watts). So older design as newer high wattage PSUs can provide 12 volt wattage very close to the rated total wattage as they use the 12 volt supply to generate the 5 and 3.3 volts.

Due to it's generic nature, there isn't a review of it at the usual sites.

It seems like it would be plenty of power to push a single 9800GT (105 watts max) and a Q6600 (also 105 watts max) unless the PSU is going.

I'm wondering if all those drives are being sqeezed into one drive cage - 2 optical, 1 ssd and 2 (I think) physical (3 partitions) HDs.

If so it could be that the drives are overheating especially if there is a lack of case fans.

Also if they are all drawing power from the same power rail as the processor or GPU it may be they are adding sufficient additional drain to overload that rail.

First thing to check though is that ALL fans - CPU, GPU, PSU and case are operating and free of dust. Also that cables are tied back so there is a clear airflow across the case - either front to back or back to front - you don't want the fans fighting each other either.

I had a similar issue awhile back. Turned out to be a malfunctioning CPU fan.

THANK YOU all for the help. You guys who routinely patrol this tech board are seriously lifesavers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Father Xmas It seems like it would be plenty of power to push a single 9800GT (105 watts max) and a Q6600 (also 105 watts max) unless the PSU is going.

Just to be clear, I do have TWO 9800s. Is that going to be pushing it past its limits?

I'll see what I can do about tying back cables to clear airflow. I noted the stuff about hard drives and will definitely see what I can do about clearing them up on space, but I will note that when the computer's getting hot, all of the drives (that are in one large cage together, plenty of space between) are staying very cool. The one thing I notice being especially hot is the PSU itself. I'm hoping that's what I can peg for replacement.

But are you pushing 3D out on both of them at the same time? This game doesn't really use multiple video cards all that well, if at all. Still now you are starting to get into an iffy range with 300 watts worse case between the video cards and CPU Vs 475 watts capacity, since I'm not counting other 12 volt users like drives, motherboard and some case fans.

Also as PSUs age, they can't quite hit their maximums anymore so the question is how much of a buffer do you need, and frankly there's no objective rule of thumb that I've seen, only person rules like +50-100% of CPU+GPU max or CPU+GPU max + X watts.

Delta makes their fair share of PSUs, mostly known for Server PSUs. However, they do make PSUs for resellers such as Antec's Earthwatts 380D, 430D and 500D models.

Dang, forgot to check this. Sadly the pages are actually pictures so you can't simply search for which manufacturer is behind which models via the browser.

Yes, the ever so confusing world of OEMs.

Even if you do know who made the thing, without a test on rather expensive equipment and disassembly its hard to really judge how good it really is since most of the OEMs are BTO and will use the parts specified in the design.

Handy chart. It could certainly help eliminate a few choices.