Unexpected Reboots?

[DroiD]

First I'm gonna thank Q and the rest of the team for 1.4.

So I built a new rig to replace my old 12 yr old rig.
Everything was fine, steam running okay, RE installed okay etc...
Until when I enter a server (happens in most modern/graphically advanced games)
and it drops dead.

Specs-----
Processor: AMD fx 4170 (4.2 GHz quad core)
RAM: Corsair lo-profile (2x4gb ddr3 1600 MHz)
Board: asrock 970de3 u3s3 (Google the specs I can't be bothered to write em all down)
GPU: nvidia GT 630
HDD is 5 years old PATA western digital
PSU: 500w (bought from local retailer not on amazon like the rest)
OS: Win 7 pirate edit 64 bit sp1 ( tried with old genuine Xp and Ubuntu and still crashes)

I have a temporal fix (i think)which appears to be underclocking the processor to 3.6 ghz but I would like to use it to its full potential. Or maybe it isn't the processor?
Anyways I need a fix and kinda fast, anyone gonna help?

[qreeves]

Try an older version of the NVIDIA driver, they've been unstable as shit lately. The problem is likely originating from somewhere in GPU-land, if that helps you narrow it down any

[DroiD]

And how do I find the most stable version? I don't wanna go way into the past because it may not support my gpu

[Julius]

Uhm.. if it happens with WinXP and Ubuntu also, I would say 99% sure that it isn't a driver issue but something hardware related. Most likely causes:

1. Overloaded power-supply (try a bigger one, a no-name 500Wpeak PSU seems a bit low for the hardware maybe)
2. Damaged RAM modules (download a mem86 boot disk and check it)
3. Faulty mainboard (difficult to check)
4. Overheating (but that usually results in graphical errors and such, not reboots)

[DroiD]

1.Extreme outer vision says recommended wattage is 437 all at peak load and 40 % capacitor aging.
2.Not tested yet
3.Not tested yet ( can't find how to test it)
4.You said it

Now quin... System is slightly more stable with 296 driver version but still crashes.
Thanks for the tips from both.

[tempris]

I had the same issue. I ended up getting a 600w psu and my machine runs great. It always ceased in the same situation as well as you. I'd check that out first.

[Calinou]

PSU: 500w (bought from local retailer not on amazon like the rest)

(insert laughing TF2 scout here)

Get that trash out of your PC and buy a decent PSU. End of story. I'm surprised it even booted.

Oh also, lol, a GT630. Nice rebrand low-end card you have there. Note that the 313/314 drivers should work just fine, but 320.18 kinda sucks.

I had the same issue. I ended up getting a 600w psu and my machine runs great. It always ceased in the same situation as well as you. I'd check that out first.

That will only work if that partcular 600W PSU (which is too big for this PC, but it doesn't harm) is a decent one.

[Evropi]

Dat necromancy.

[Dratz-_C]

DroiD,
I can only echo that i think it is an insufficient power supply. I used an OCZ (PC Power & Cooling) 750 watt powersupply for my parents' computer which is a dual-core AMD Athlon X2 with an AMD HD 4670 graphics card, 4 hard drives and an optical drive. Obviously this was some time ago but it may give you some insight. A power supply builds up its maximum wattage load. Then it returns the balance of power to the electrical socket. When it is done and you turn the power off the power supply returns the unused power to the electrical socket. Due to this return, your electrical utility usage costs should be about the same between a 500 watt and 750 watt model but when it needs more power your computer will work with the 750 watt supply in situations where it wouldn't with the 500 watt model.
Cheers

[Jamestonjes]

my sapphire HD7750 OC runs just fine on the second cheapest psu I could find, thermal take lite 450 watt thealn again I have a Pentium g860, some old and very loud fan,4gig DDR3 1333, and other different parts in my pc

edit: RE only crashes sometimes for me, but AlanWake, UT3,and other games work fine on max, sometimes RE will freeze and I will die its kinda funny XD

Also, I need help, my keyboard will randomly freeze and/or my mouse will act like its seen a cat(in general not just RE)

What's a good free anti virus, not Avira that didn't work on my old laptop, it let in a virus which was so f#cking annoying claiming to be an anti virus that will remove like 20 problems from my PC if I pay, I had to get 3 things to delete it also that other software(the legit ones) noticed ±47 viruses Avira didnt (Malware bytes , hitman pro and something else)

[Dratz-_C]

Jamestonjes,
I will go off topic as briefly as possible: Avast Free Antivirus.
Cheers

[Calinou]

Jamestonjes,
I will go off topic as briefly as possible: Avast Free Antivirus.
Cheers

AVs are useless if you know hot to not click random links on the Internet.

[Jamestonjes]

Off topic, I didn't click on any random (never do) links, I was on a (trusted) online retailer, its where I got my computer parts from..

Thank you Dratz

[Julius]

AVs are snakeoil in general, just be careful what you install and always keep your OS and browser updated. Switching to Linux helps of course

[Jamestonjes]

Yeah but the I can't play most of my games XD, I love linux but I love (some) games more(than linux), maybe someday if Alanwake can still run fine maxed out on wine...

And no I don't just play that game its just an example