a CPU heatsink shorting on the mobo causing a system freeze up? Ever since I installed my new Ultima 90, I have gotten random freeze ups. Doesn't occur during any specific program/game, just randomly (happens internet browsing and gaming). The new cooler DID NOT came with washers to put between the bracket and the board. Could this be causing something to short out and freeze the system? Currently running the Ultima 90 on a C2D e 6400 on a p5n32 sli se deluxe.

Thenks in advance for any help.

Sounds more like an overheating problem. Google for and download Speedfan to see what your temps are running at. A short is a longshot, highly unlikely.

CPU is definitely running cool enough. Speedfan is showing 23C on both cores at while web browsing and I don't see it climbing too high playing an old Battlefield game. GPU on the other hand is at 41C while surfing. Could that be the cause? GPU is a EVGA 7900gtx

Could depend on the board and sink. I noticed that if I installed the CM Gemini II as directed on a 939SLI32, it tended to smush some small surface-mount parts under the spacing washers.

This never happened until I installed the new cooler and gpu. Both were installed at the same time. Could it possibly be the psu doesnt supply enough amps to the gpu? The psu is a Zion 600w. Newegg.com - XION PowerReal XON-600F14T-201 ATX12V 600W Power Supply 100 ~ 120Vac/200 ~ 240Vac - Retail. The 7600gs card I was running in SLI didn't have power connectors and the 7900gtx does. Could I be overdrawing on the psu?

I had a similar experience when I tried to replace a mobo chipset heatsink, I put the old one back and the problems went away.

I currently have no explanation for what I observed.

you might be run a check to see how much your drawing theres a download here on pc apex for it:

http://forums.pcapex.com/category1.ht%20ml

Here's what i bring up to bat on this situation.

Im with BigAkita on the heatsink shorting out the board. If it was shorted out you would be having more issues than just random freezing.

This looks like a hardware issue and i would run a full diagnostics on everything to validate the hardware is working like it should.

Cpu and gpu temps are good so overheating is out of the question.

I would run diags on the memory, hard drive, and keep an eye on your psu voltages.

Quote: Originally Posted by injuneer1 This never happened until I installed the new cooler and gpu. Both were installed at the same time. Could it possibly be the psu doesnt supply enough amps to the gpu? The psu is a Zion 600w. Newegg.com - XION PowerReal XON-600F14T-201 ATX12V 600W Power Supply 100 ~ 120Vac/200 ~ 240Vac - Retail. The 7600gs card I was running in SLI didn't have power connectors and the 7900gtx does. Could I be overdrawing on the psu?

Are you running two GTXs in SLI, or just one?

Also, your PSU provides 22amp on one of your 12v rails, which just meets the minimum requirement. If you're running SLI, you need 32amp ...

I don't know from Xion as a PSU maker, but you may be having issues providing power to your card.

Rockin'Male has the right of it: test your mem and HD ... if those check out, pull the GTX and put the GS back in and see if you experience that same problem. The SLI reqs for power are 28amps on the +12v rail though, so not sure how well you were performing there.

For future reference, read this: Power Supply Myths Exposed! and specifically look at Myth #8.

-godling

Just a dash of the obvious.. try re-seating your memory, and video card, and make sure nothing else is powered from the gpu rail. Make sure the heatsink mounts are evenly tensioned, and try putting something non-conductive under the mounts.

Quote: Originally Posted by Seyeklopz Just a dash of the obvious.. try re-seating your memory, and video card, and make sure nothing else is powered from the gpu rail. Make sure the heatsink mounts are evenly tensioned, and try putting something non-conductive under the mounts.

There you go, talking sense again ...

Reminds me of a time I had put a memory upgrade into my office PC (back when I worked for a small firm without an IT department). I put in the memory, and the RAM didn't register when I turned on the PC. I called the tech support for the computer maker and complained. The guy asked me to open the PC and re-seat all the RAM. I told the guy, "I've been in the computer business for years, I know how to install a dimm." But opened the case anyway. When I pressed on the RAM, I heard that distinctive *click* you get when it really does seat properly ... then I went about the embarrassing business of apollogizing to the gent on the phone and thanking him for his assistance.



-godling

Quote: Originally Posted by godling There you go, talking sense again ... Reminds me of a time I had put a memory upgrade into my office PC (back when I worked for a small firm without an IT department). I put in the memory, and the RAM didn't register when I turned on the PC. I called the tech support for the computer maker and complained. The guy asked me to open the PC and re-seat all the RAM. I told the guy, "I've been in the computer business for years, I know how to install a dimm." But opened the case anyway. When I pressed on the RAM, I heard that distinctive *click* you get when it really does seat properly ... then I went about the embarrassing business of apollogizing to the gent on the phone and thanking him for his assistance. -godling

Been there done that......
I had my encounter as well. Shortly after receiving my dell certification. I replaced a bad system board at a customer site. Powered the unit up and it wouldnt even post. At this point im thinking the board was obf. Without trying to reseat anything, i contact support and they helped to troubleshoot. Turns out, after i reseated the memory the unit came right up. DOH!

It definately made me feel like a doomas.....

As the saying goes you live and learn.

Quote: Originally Posted by godling Are you running two GTXs in SLI, or just one? Also, your PSU provides 22amp on one of your 12v rails, which just meets the minimum requirement. If you're running SLI, you need 32amp ... I don't know from Xion as a PSU maker, but you may be having issues providing power to your card. Rockin'Male has the right of it: test your mem and HD ... if those check out, pull the GTX and put the GS back in and see if you experience that same problem. The SLI reqs for power are 28amps on the +12v rail though, so not sure how well you were performing there. For future reference, read this: Power Supply Myths Exposed! and specifically look at Myth #8. -godling

I'm only running a single card. Played BF1942 for about 3-4 hours last night and the problem did't occur, whereas it happened 4 times the night before after about 20 minutes of play each time.

I read the myths and Ive been saving up for a better psu. Problem is just so intermittent that it is hard to diagnose. Thanks for the help so far.

Would this be a good psu to replace the Xion with?

Newegg.com - PC Power & Cooling Silencer 610 EPS12V EPS12V 610W Continuous @ 40°C Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, cUL, CE, CB, TUV - Retail

Edit Disregard.. does not meet your needs.


I'd get this.. good deal.. and has 2 6pin and 2 8pin pcie connectors. 4 19amp 12v rails.

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-750-ACAA-A1 ATX12V / EPS12V 750W Power Supply 115/230 V Nemko, TUV, cUL, CE, BSMI, FCC, CCC - Retail

$149.99

($109.99 after $40.00 Mail-In Rebate)

Free 3 Business Day Shipping

Output Capacity 750 Watts Continuous
Max. Output Capacity 900 Watts

Quote: Originally Posted by Seyeklopz I'd get this.. good deal.. and has 2 6pin and 2 8pin pcie connectors. 4 19amp 12v rails. Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-750-ACAA-A1 ATX12V / EPS12V 750W Power Supply 115/230 V Nemko, TUV, cUL, CE, BSMI, FCC, CCC - Retail

Well, if his problem is a lack of amperage on the +12v lines, then that unit might not help him ... it's only runnning 19 amps on the +12v line.

My personal suggestion would be to go with the PC Power & Cooling unit he linked in the message above. But I'm not running a 8800 rig ... Seyeklopz might be, and might have more relevant info.

-godling

Keep in mind that all this information we're providing you is based on speculation -- we aren't there, and if you can't definitely isolate the problem it might not be getting caused by the PSU. Have you tried installing the new graphics card in another machine and testing it there? I'd hate to see you drop $120+ and not have a fix.

-godling

Hmm, sorry for the bad advice.. go with the PCP&C model.

7900gt Requirements
Minimum of a 450 Watt power supply.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 22 Amp Amps.)
Minimum 550 Watt for SLI mode system.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 34 Amp Amps.)
An available 6 pin PCI-E power connector (hard drive power dongle to PCI-E 6 pin adapter included with card) Requirements
Minimum of a 450 Watt power supply.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 22 Amp Amps.)
Minimum 550 Watt for SLI mode system.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 34 Amp Amps.)
An available 6 pin PCI-E power connector (hard drive power dongle to PCI-E 6 pin adapter included with card)



Had me worried about my Coolermaster 850watt and my 8800gtx oc2. It as 5x 18amp 12v rails, and my gpu needs minimum 32amp, but it has 2 6pin connectors. Whew, no problem, 36 amps combined.

I think I'll be in trouble when i want to add another gpu. System will have C2D6850, 4x 2GB dimms, 2 WD 36GB raptors, 3 seagate 250GB, dvdrw+-dl and eventually 2 bfg 8800gtx oc2. I going to be ok with that psu?

Quote: Originally Posted by godling Well, if his problem is a lack of amperage on the +12v lines, then that unit might not help him ... it's only runnning 19 amps on the +12v line. My personal suggestion would be to go with the PC Power & Cooling unit he linked in the message above. But I'm not running a 8800 rig ... Seyeklopz might be, and might have more relevant info. -godling

Quote: Originally Posted by godling Keep in mind that all this information we're providing you is based on speculation -- we aren't there, and if you can't definitely isolate the problem it might not be getting caused by the PSU. Have you tried installing the new graphics card in another machine and testing it there? I'd hate to see you drop $120+ and not have a fix. -godling

I'm definitely goning to try putiing spacers under the heatsink mount first and eliminate that all together.

i would say memory is the issue

if it was power, when running games or movies, it would always happen.


run this:
Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool