Computer Overheating - any ideas

**ShadesWolf** · 06-12-2006, 20:35

Its quite warm in the UK at the moment and I seem to be having quite a few problems with my PC and overheating.

This is my problem, I have just purchased a new AGP 512MB graphics card and installed it into my PC, it takes up two power supply adaptors. So I have had to unplug my second DVD drive and my floppy drive to get it to run.

What I am finding is the card is working great and the graphics are far better than I could ever expected.

HOWEVER, my PC fan(s) are constantantly coming on and for a split second my machine freezes. On every fourth or fifth time AOL freezes as the fan starts up and I lose my connection.

Any ideas, is this due to the extra power being needed by my machine, or is my motherboard overheating, or is it just that its very hot.

Currently I have taken my PC off the floors, opened the side up and have a large fan blowing cold air onto the inside in an attempt to keep it cool.

Any suggestions would be a help !!!!

**LeftEyeNine** · 06-12-2006, 20:59

Opening the case prevent the vacuum effect of the fans and hence the internal aerodynamics, probably giving out no difference or making the overheating worse. However you said that there is a large fan in front of it, that makes sense.

Since you'll not be giving up that powerhouse graphics card, the overheating is a constant issue for you already. And so you need a specialized new case with bigger fans and better design for airflow. You said that it is your GFX card that is overheating, then I can't make sure if you can add/replace a fan inside that will substantially cool down the GFX card's heat -that's why I recommended you to get a new case.

However if it is your CPU overheating, you can make cooldown improvements by replacing your regular CPU fan with a Thermaltake, Zalman or any other special, branded CPU fan.

**ShadesWolf** · 06-12-2006, 21:08

Originally Posted by LeftEyeNine

Opening the case prevent the vacuum effect of the fans and hence the internal aerodynamics, probably giving out no difference or making the overheating worse. However you said that there is a large fan in front of it, that makes sense.

Since you'll not be giving up that powerhouse graphics card, the overheating is a constant issue for you already. And so you need a specialized new case with bigger fans and better design for airflow. You said that it is your GFX card that is overheating, then I can't make sure if you can add/replace a fan inside that will substantially cool down the GFX card's heat -that's why I recommended you to get a new case.

However if it is your CPU overheating, you can make cooldown improvements by replacing your regular CPU fan with a Thermaltake, Zalman or any other special, branded CPU fan.

Thanks for the help.

I had considered getting a larger fan to see if that would help. You are right I have no intention of getting rid of the new Graphics card.

But so far, since I put the LARGE fan blowing cold air into the case it hasnt crashed once. So maybe it is a new fan that I need.

The system requirements on the graphics card say

A minimum 400W system power supply.

What would happen if I upgraded my power supply to a larger beast. Would that help ?

**drone** · 06-12-2006, 21:02

So your internal fans are not running all the time? Can you change this so they are always on? With the large draw for the new video card, I wonder if they are glitching your power supply when they get turned on. What are your PSU specs?

**ShadesWolf** · 06-12-2006, 21:09

Originally Posted by drone

So your internal fans are not running all the time? Can you change this so they are always on? With the large draw for the new video card, I wonder if they are glitching your power supply when they get turned on. What are your PSU specs?

whats PSU specs ?

**drone** · 06-12-2006, 22:12

Originally Posted by ShadesWolf

whats PSU specs ?

Power supply specs, which came up in your response to LEN. The quality of the power supply is often overlooked, but can be the root of many problems. If your supply rating is too low, or the manufacturer of dubious quality, I would recommend an upgrade.

**Boohugh** · 06-12-2006, 22:19

The main PSU (power supply unit) figure you want is its overall output (i.e. 400W). If you look inside your case at the PSU, the label will tell you its output somewhere on it.

To me it sounds like your PSU basically can't pump out enough juice to run your new graphics card and fans at the same time, so your fans stop working, causing the PC to overheat and crash. This weather obviously doesn't help matters, but I'm concerned you have an underlying problem that is just being exacerbated by the weather. If your PSU is less than 400W, I'd seriously consider getting a new one.

Edit: Looks like drone beat me to it

**LeftEyeNine** · 06-12-2006, 22:33

If a new PSU is needed, ShadesWolf, watch out for the ones with "true power". The regular ones pretending to be 400W generally do not reach that level of power.

**ShadesWolf** · 06-13-2006, 05:50

Originally Posted by LeftEyeNine

If a new PSU is needed, ShadesWolf, watch out for the ones with "true power". The regular ones pretending to be 400W generally do not reach that level of power.

Thanks guys, On my way home from work tonight I will pop to the shops and get a new power supply.