New PC Graphics - Overheating?

Hi,

My new PC is almost up and running (finally - after the mobo and CPU being replaced by Novatech!). I had problems with the cheapo PSU it came with - it worked for only 15 mins and then stopped. I replaced that with another cheapo one which is working now (400W). The specs are:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ @ 3.0GHz
2GB (2 x 1GB) Corsair DDR2 6400
MSI K9N SLi
XpertVision 8600GT 256MB DDR3
200GB Maxtor SATA HDD (2 years old - from old PC)

XP is installed now with all the drivers and stuff, however, the graphics are dodgy - it loads Tomb Raider to the menu, then crashes, and when I ran the nVidia system stability the graphics got progressivley worse until I got a BSOD (first one in ages!!).

I'd guess the problem is either the power supply not being good enough (in which case I'm willing to order another decent(ish) one - upto about £40). I also think that the card could be overheating. The fan on it is running, there is also a fan on the back of the case and the CPU, and all other temperatures seem fine (maybe a little high with the CPU at 46 degrees C). There is a little plug on the Graphics card that isn't connected to anything, and I have nothing that fits. I'm not sure what it does, but I suppose it could be more power? I've attached a picture.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks, Thomas

 

do you have a program that could tell you the temperature of the video card?

 

No I'd already thought of that... The card went back, and in the meantime I bought another identical one (which works perfectly). When the first one comes back I'll run them in SLi.

Thanks, Thomas

 

The plug on the back of the graphics card houses a 4 pin plug which supplies power straight from the PSU. If there isn't an avaliable connector coming from the psu, and you didnt get one with your GPU then u can order 1 from any good PC retailer/online.
Normally video cards need a constant power supply straight from the PSU, otherwise you end up with an overheating, under-performing mess.

As for the GPU you bought, you should have saved your money and bought a decent aftermarket PSU, cheap PSU's are cheap for a reason (and no its not because they are cheerful, it's cause there crap).

You should be looking at getting a trusted brand anywhere above and including a 450W PSU. OCZ, Hiper, Corsair.......to name a few.

The CPU temp doesn't seem to be a problem, though you may wanna look at AC freezer 7 as a good aftermarket cooler ( cools the RAM at the same time).
This is purely optional unless of course you choose to go down the overclocking route.

 

No I don't think it's a power plug on the card - it's only 2 pins, and there are no other available plugs on the card. I bought a Thermaltake 470W T2R (or TR2 - can't remember) PSU - it wasn't expensive, but it does the trick and it seems to be holding up ok.

Thanks, Thomas