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Originally posted by Jani:
Hey
I wisited links you posted and seem to be quite a noob when it comes to PSUīs. If I understand correctly what it says in mine is 300W and 13A on 12V. I have no idea If it enough for my Athlon 2600+ and craphics card. It also have 2 HDīs and DVD`s to supply.
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You are on the verge of overload meltdown. You need at least 16A to adequately power an Athlon (18A is the current reccomended) Add in a smallish 300w capacity, then add the HDDs and optical drives you are taxing your system! Now, add in a super hot, super hungry video card, and you have achieved pixelation shutdown. Your PSU is the culprit. It will not do you any better with an equal nvidia card, again power shortage.
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The reason Iīm worried with the temperature is that the cooling system around the craphics card is too hot to touch with a bare hand. Supposed overheating system problem should be solved when I get my new cooler. What I didnīt realise to check in advance is the coolers power demand=/
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Temps are high because your PSU is working at and above it's rating to keep up with power demand. The Addition of the graphics card has overloaded your PSU, and that as well increases temp, along with the card; a. being underpowered, does not have enough power supplied to operate it's internal cooling fan. b. without adequate case cooling is overheating as well. A GPU will be hot, way hot, too the point you should not try to touch it. A CPU on the other hand should not fry an egg!
The label on my PSU reads:
+5V: 38A*
-5V: 0.5A
+12V: 22A*
-12V: 1.0A
+3.3V: 30A*
+5V SB: 2A
* +5V, +3.3V & +12V maximum output 460 Watts max.
You may not need or want all of that. What you do want however is; Enough wattage to provide power, enough Amperage to allow sub-conponents to operate, and a spare amount left over for really hot days.
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Does those numbers above seem something to work with? And if necessary; is it safe to change the PSU on your own? It has quite a large safety sticker on it (which ofcourse just makes me really really want to open it).
Jani
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You are short, way short on amperage on the 12V rail. Again Athlon needs at least 16A preferably 18A to run. Check the docs with your graphics card, it may also give you an Amp rating. A quick search only revealed that the 9800 Pro needs at least 300 w with 75w going to it alone. If you re-read the link from Toms about picking a PSU. You will learn that PSU advertisement vs reality are not exactly the same. Therefore, from a start point drop 25% from the advertised number. Then deduct 10% for reserve power, then deduct 15% if room temperture is over IIRC 82* F. So, you are looking at being 35Watts short, with two HDDs, and AMD 2600, 1 DVD, Basic memory, and the ATI card. Your main heat is comming from the PSU. Replace now, if not you can destroy hardware by insuffiecent power and or overheating.
What is meant by cooling is case cooling. How many intake fans do you have? How many exhaust?
I can't get the link for theory of air flow to cooperate, so: Two in down low, One out up top, reverse PSU fans.
The PSU is a complete LRU (line replacable unit), you only disconnect the power leads, the power cables, the 4 mounting screws and install new one in opposite order. Do not (EVER) open a PSU unless you A) really are an electrician and understand how voltage is stored in capacitors. B) you have a wish to learn the effects of stored electrical energy on the human body. It really won't bite you, if you handle the outside, and do not open the box.
Reversing the fans is a overclocking trick and is not normally needed for normal use.
The ATI 9800 Pro is a very hungry card, as is any of the same capabilities from that other company. Get the PSU upgraded, and then we can check on case cooling before we look into other areas.