Stubborn PC

[repairit]

Ok, I have a custom gaming rig in the shop a power issue. Running EVGA x58 SLI with i7 proc. Also running 2 SLI linked EVGA video cards (not going back into that machine right now unless neccessary.... mad at it ), an XFI PCI sound card as well as 3-6Gb Ram in a triple channel config. Also running a Raid0 on 2 drives with a non raid 3rd drive connected as well.

The power turns off randomly. Sometimes I can stay up for a minute or 2, most of the time, its less than 30 seconds. I have torn down the machine to just the board, drives and ram with a known working pci-e video adapter and still having issues. I have tested the power unit and it checks out. I also replaced the MB with a brand new RMA that was sent over and still doing the same thing. Checked CPU during switch and seems to be in tact. I have checked the BIOS after a drop in power and temps seem to be within spec.

Anyone got any ideas? I'm ready to punt this thing out the window!

 

[vdub12]

I would try a different power supply.

What brand motherboard?

 

[repairit]

Running EVGA x58 SLI with i7 proc.

I think I may pickup a spare power supply tomorrow, just to try out.

 

[SmR13]

I would say its the power supply. Try to swap it out with a known good one.

 

[Psychoticus]

I would have to agree with the above posts but i would be checking the minimum power output required for you graphics cards and make sure that your power supply meets it. I know a lot of decent cards these days require 550watts so i would be going for a 1000watt PSU, you can hook up a known working PSU but if it doesnt make the requirements then there's no point.

 

[repairit]

I got nothing that big laying around. The current unit in the machine is a 1000w PSU. I tested it on a standard PSU tester and all of the plugs came out ok, but I will pick up another PSU tomorrow and let you guys know how it goes.

 

[emsbronco]

I got nothing that big laying around. The current unit in the machine is a 1000w PSU. I tested it on a standard PSU tester and all of the plugs came out ok, but I will pick up another PSU tomorrow and let you guys know how it goes.

The problem with standard PSU testers is that it does not test under load. I have seen several PSUs that have passed a standard PSU tester fail under load.

If the motherboard has a voltage meter in the BIOS, you can look there to see if there is any change under load and/or just before it shuts itself down.

 

[vdub12]

I think I may pickup a spare power supply tomorrow, just to try out.

When did EVGA start making motherboards?

Second question why would someone build a high end system with a generic board. Thats like putting an FIC in it. Do you have another board you can use to test everything on? ASUS maybe?

 

[repairit]

Lol, yeah, was a bit surprised myself. I already took the components and tested them in my bench machine individually and they checked out alright. The problem is I don't have a spare board to run all of the components or the i7 CPU in to test so I'm working things seperate as much as I can. Hopefully the PSU works out. On the up note, replacing the board let me test and fix a Raid0 issue that I had on the old board. I'm over this machine.

 

[vdub12]

Lol, yeah, was a bit surprised myself. I already took the components and tested them in my bench machine individually and they checked out alright. The problem is I don't have a spare board to run all of the components or the i7 CPU in to test so I'm working things seperate as much as I can. Hopefully the PSU works out. On the up note, replacing the board let me test and fix a Raid0 issue that I had on the old board. I'm over this machine.

Well my moneys on the PS on mobo. If the PS does not work out I would try and source a better mobo for it and hopefully that will solve it.

I see this all the time and I think its kind of funny. Customer spends a zillion dollars on a high end system just to put a cheap generic motherboard from Fry's in it. But hey those guys keep us in business don't they, lol.

 

[xxsilk109xx]

When did EVGA start making motherboards?

Second question why would someone build a high end system with a generic board. Thats like putting an FIC in it. Do you have another board you can use to test everything on? ASUS maybe?

Actually that EVGA board is a nice board. Gets great reviews on tigerdirect and the :classified: model is sweet.

 

[vdub12]

Actually that EVGA board is a nice board. Gets great reviews on tigerdirect and the :classified: model is sweet.

lol, tigerdirect, My point exactly. I bet Fry's sells the hell out of them to.

 

[repairit]

Update: New PSU, same old problem. I can sit in BIOS forever but the minute I try and go past it, power shuts down sporadically.

 

[repairit]

Nother Update: I was poking through the BIOS and found the settings for the power button. It was set to 1 push off. I set it to 4 seconds and so far so good. Checked the pins and they seem intact. I guess a short on the switch itself? I hate chasing my tail only to find something completely different and mentally painful. Guess I know how my dogs feel when they finally catch their tail and wonder why it hurts.