OK.. Well.. I have been facing a peculiar problem that started recently. My system keeps shutting down. Yes.. It just reboots. I was thinking it was my sound card or driver or something... because.. whenever I change the sound, like when I increase the throttle or I simply increase the volume in my sound system. The system shuts down abruptly.I can recreate this problem. I have to go into FS9..and fly with low volume it seems to be doing good..when I increase the sound real loud.. it reboots.This started happening since I added the nVidia 8800GTX Card.I am thinking..that this could be due to not enough PSU juice.This is my config.1. ASUS P5W DH deluxe MB2. Core 2 Duo E6600 OCed to 3.4 (vCore 1.35)3. 2 Gig Corsair RAM vDimm 2.14. Hard Disk: 2 X 7200RPM 250Gig + 2 X 10,000 RPM Raptors = 4 HDs.5. nVidia 8800GTS (2 X 6Pins 12V each)6. Audigy 2 Z Sound Card7. USB (5) PCI Card8. 1 DVD R+WDrive9. Floppy Disk10. 80mm Fans X 411. non stock Copper Cooler with Fan.12. A whole bunch of USB Devices connected (various CH products (Yoke, Pedals, Throttle) + Go Flights etc.13. 2.1 SpeakersAll this is powered with a 530Watt Enermax PSUI used this http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine to calculate my power requirements.It comes with a recommendation of around 550Watts. with my CPU utilization at 55% (which is what it is when I run my Fsim). But when I increase the CPU utilization to 90%, the PSU requirements jumps to 671Watts.So that 550Watts recommendation seems to be barely on the edge for my configuratoon. so.. Could this be my problem?Any ideas?Manny

Almost for certain. The power draw of the new cards is still a little uncertain, as benchmarks don't generally last for long enough to really test the power supply. I did read somewhere that `next generation` computers are probably going to need a 700w stable supply. Reading your posts I think I now understand why. All those devices all need power, and four hard drives AND an 8800 is almost always going to push past 530watts. And if any of those USB devices get their power from the board too, you're looking at trouble when you push the system with a resource-killer like FS.Allcott

Dang..I'd be willing to bet your too borderline on the Power Supply also...Sorry..I have heard this is a pretty nice psu..I havn't reserched it!! Just hear say:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16817811009Another that looks pretty kewl...Again..I havn't reserched it:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16817194008The one I'm using with no issues thusfar:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16817703007The PCP&C 1kw is long!! Just a tad over 9"...Looks like the Entermax is long also?? Just be aware and check to see if it will fit your case!! he he...Mine is tight...I knew this in advance and was prepared to modify if necc...I didn't have to as it turned out...I just moved the DVD drive to the lowest slot...Sorry to hear of your problems...The OC is also adding to the power requirements...Not sure if you factored that in??Have Fun!!

So Chuck..I notice that you have built yourself yet another PC. :)How much have your OCed to? BTW.. how is this one? OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply 100 - 240 V - Retailhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16817341002Those 1000W PSU's, not sure if it would fit my Liam Li' 65B Case. Remember, it has a fan on the top part the case. Not sure..how long these PSUs are and if they would fit. I am not sure, why they don't mention the dimensions of these PSUs. and also the Case vendors, They don't mention the max size of the PSUs that would fit their case. Hmmmmm...Who are the reputable guys for PSUs..the ones whose number really are what they say in their boxes? I know Enermax is good. Antec closely follows Enermax. OCX is knows for their memory and yet they are a reliable name for memory. who are the others? Manny

I was wondering about those 1000W PSU's fitting in. Don't they all have to comply with the ATX standard but use up any spare space as well. In other words: Aren't they designed to fit any ATX case. Advice needed.There is a review of PSU's in one of my PC mags - either Personal Computer World or PC Pro - can't lay my hands on it at the momentbut it is quite recent. It is amazing how many were non compliant with the ATX standard because they could not maintain the output voltages to comply with that standard, even those from reputable suppliers. One blew up and and to be replaced. The only range that I can remember for certain that did comply was Enermax so that is where I am going next time.I'll try and find the article.

I don't get this. The 8800GTX power requirement is 2 X 6Pin 12V with 30amps min on the rail. But I don't see any PSU's with that 30A. My Enermax has +12V1 18A, +12V2 18A, +12V Total 34A.Is that V1 and V2 (the two 6pin connectors with a combined totak of 34A and hence meets the GTX's requirements? After all it does run fine when I don't OC my CPU.Mannyhttp://www.extremeoverclocking.com/article..._Testing_3.htmlQuote:"Split 12V Rails & SLI:Here's some interesting points to ponder (this is all just my thoughts on the matter). For most PCs split 12V rails is good (for the reasons mentioned above), however with the advent of SLI (dual video cards) 12V power consumption made a noticeable jump. If you consider the peak power consumption from a pair of top-of-the-line video cards can reach 12-16A, that doesn't leave much power (if any) for the rest of the devices on that rail. UL/EN spec says a maximum of 240VA (translates to 20A on each 12V rail, or even more stringent is 18A per ATX12V spec).So what is a power supply company supposed to do (for both short-term and long-term)? The reality is unfortunately the UL/EN safety spec will be in direct conflict with what can be done with respect to a power limit of 240VA per rail. More often than not, a PSU manufacturer will simply join the two rails together on the supply-end to maximize available 12V power.The SLI market is relatively small compared to the entire PC market, take a subset of that number for users that have the top-end video cards, and then divide up that small percentage among all the various PSU makers. The end number that would be roughly each PSU manufacturer's share of the market is extremely small when compared to the mass-market of more "traditional" requirements. So, creating a special power supply just to cater to this nice market really isn't cost-feasible (at this time).Until some new official guidelines are published, and there is a clear direction that both video card & motherboard manufacturers are going to take, I don't think we are going to see any huge change in power supply design. The current route of having a combine 12V rail seems to be the more cost-effective solution than something like a 3rd 12V rail dedicated for video."

"The current route of having a combine 12V rail seems to be the more cost-effective solution than something like a 3rd 12V rail dedicated for video."I've heard of this..Not very familiar with it...I forget the "Name"..But there are guys using another "Device"...A sleek trimmed down version of a power supply dedicated to video...Darn..I wish I could remember the name and the exact concept..Sorry..It's like half the size of a normal power supply and is slaved into the system somehow?? I forget..Here is a pic of my new Baby..You can see the size of the PCP&C 1kw...I basically just let the cable excess rest in the empty drive bays...That's the only reason it works without modification for me...But I can't add any more drives..he he..That's OK..All I need is the one DVD Drive..http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/162227.jpgHope you get your issue's resolved!!Have Fun!!

Hi Chuck.. Nice Gig. Yeah.. I see how you have your PSU there. I think the Liam Li would work with the longer PSUs if I remove the fan thats on top. Not sure.. I would probably run into high temp inside then.BTW.. I am not sure if PSU is the problem with my setup now.This is what I did.1. Removed the 5 slot USB PCI card2. Removed the Audigy Sound card.3. disconnected the power from 2 of the 2500 RPM Disks. So now I have only the pair of Raptors and the 8800 GTX video card. Thats it.And it still wouldn't boot with my initial OCed setup.The only thing I can now try is...to remove the GTX Video card. But I am hesitating..cause then I sould have to removed the driveer for the GTX and install the nvidea 7600GT driver (They are different) and the Win NT may ask me to reregister again. It asked me to register when I put in the 8800 Card. Thats a real bummer.Now I need to find out..if its my MB or the GTX card.MannyFurther Update:I removed the GTX 8800 driver and restarted in generic video mode. and I still could not boot up in my OCed modeSo I removed the GTX800 and replaced it with my old 7600GT Card. This card and my system has been thoroughly checked out before with Prim95 and what not in my OCed mode.And even this would not boot up with my OCed condition.This elimiates the GTX card out of the equation. It is not the GTX card thats causing the problem.So its either my MB or the Enerman PSU has gone bad (Its not that 535Watts of power is not sufficiant to boot my 7600GT card. The question I have is..If I replace my ASUS MB, would I have to reinstall my OS? What if I go into the BIOS and setup my RAID? The only issue I still may have is... If I go into the intel Matrix menu not sure that would reformat my HD. That sucks.. Now I have to go over to calling MS to reinstall their OS and what not.Or I just may order a new PSU just to make sure its my MB. I need a powerful PSU anyway. Oh ..well.Manny

Chuck.I spoke to ASUS tech support. They said, it could be my memory. But I tested that by removing each slab and even swapping the Dimm slots. But that did not change anything.I have downgraded my OC to run at 2.95Gigs and it seems to be stable at this stage.I think..I am going to go ahead and get a new PSU anyway.I am considering the following.1. PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 EPS12V EPS12V 750W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, ULC, CE, CB, RoHS - Retail $209http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E168177030062. OCZ GameXStream OCZ700GXSSLI ATX12V 700W Power Supply 100 - 240 V - Retail - $139http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E168173410023. BFG Tech BFGR1000WPSU ATX 12V 2.2/EPS 12V 2.91 1000W Power Supply 100 - 240 V CE, FCC, TUV, CUL - Retail - $269http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16817702005The size of those are standard. It looks like. Manny

Have you ever used memtest?? It's a memory diognostic tool...http://www.memtest86.com/If you google memtest you'll see several different variants...Most are based off this origional...I use the floppy/dos version...I like it...It will let you know if your RAM is bad...On the power supplies you have listed...I'm not really familiar with any one in particular...I think the PCP&C Silencer 750 is pretty new...I have just recently noticed it...One of my local shops has them in stock...I may be wrong about this...But it just "Looked" a little cheezy...I was left kinda disapointed that PCP&C would put their name on a lesser quality oriented unit...In the past their ps were about the most expensive on the market...But you got what you paid for...They have a following in the Hardcore Arena...But..I'm not too sure about this one?? Keep in mind..I MAY be totally wrong!! I havn't reserched it at all!! It may be the best thing since sliced bread?? Some googeling may be in order..No Dual 12v??I like the looks of that BFG unit...Quad SLI is nice...1kw...Dual 12v rails...Looks similar to my OCZ PowerStream 600w which I love...I think it would be worth checking into...The OCZ GameXStream resembles my Seasonic ps..he he...Specs look decent on that one too...I'd have to do some reserch myself...The PS market has changed since I last paid attention..It seems there are allot of High End power supplies coming out latley...I think your gonna do yourself some good with a new ps...I hope that's does it for you...Check out memtest...One other thing you may do...Referr to your mb manuel and follow the procedure to clear cmos...Sometimes..When things get a little flakey...the bios can get a little scrambled...Clearing cmos should help in that instance...Sorry...But you'll have to re-do all of your OC settings ect...You'll loose all that...But that procedure has helped me out in the past...I honestly think your too borderline on the PSU...Not saying that's definatly your problem...But it does stand out as the potential root of the problem..Good Luck...

Hi chuck.Yeah..I have been using that memtest 6.1 for a while now. I ran that last night.. but this morning, the system had rebooted.Same thing with prime95. Its not like Prime95 is throwing out errors like it used to when I was OCing. This simply shuts/powers down and reboots.Anyway,Here is a site that you might be interested.If you look at your power supply. There is RU logo (actually the R is a mirror image and then a U). Below that you would see an E12345 like UL File Number (ex. E12345):. Enter that number in that site. You would get the original Equipment manufacturer. so if OCZ is purchasing and then packing it under its label, you can confirm it here. Engermax for e.g. would be the OEM for its products.http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/templat...E/gfilenbr.htmlManny

All right. I got the new 750WATT PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 EPS12V EPS12V 750W Power Supply and Installed it.And the problem still exist. So its not the PSU. double confirmation.Its not the Video card.Its not the sound card. I tried after removing all the cards.I tried removing each stick of memory as well and tried both slots no change.So I think, its the MB.I can run OC at 2.98G. But I am unable to get my original stable OC speed of 3.3Gigs.Hmmm....Chuck,About cleaning out my BIOS by resetting my CMOS. If I do that...isn;t that almost like replacing my MB. Meaning, I have to reset my intel matrix RAID 0 and hence would wipe out my Hard disk?MannyEdited to add:I upped the vCore from 1.35 to 1.45 and got it to boot at 3.3Ghz (My original OC)... Planning to run stability tests Prime95 and memtest.I see some folks have upped it all the way to 1.57 and higher with Aircool. Isn't this a function of my Core temp to make sure that it doesnt rise above 55degrees? (what is the upper limit?) or does the vCore have a limit even if you can keep it cool?Manny

Hiya Manny.."About cleaning out my BIOS by resetting my CMOS. If I do that...isn;t that almost like replacing my MB. Meaning, I have to reset my intel matrix RAID 0 and hence would wipe out my Hard disk?"I think so?? I don't know your mb well enough to say...I'm sorry...It sounds like you may be on to something with the voltages..."I upped the vCore from 1.35 to 1.45 and got it to boot at 3.3Ghz (My original OC)... Planning to run stability tests Prime95 and memtest.I see some folks have upped it all the way to 1.57 and higher with Aircool. Isn't this a function of my Core temp to make sure that it doesnt rise above 55degrees? (what is the upper limit?) or does the vCore have a limit even if you can keep it cool?"Your a guru over me here too...he heI'm going to do some studying this weekend and learn about OCing the C2D myself...I'll probably take it kinda slow and easy...I would caution you to *Know What Your Doing* reguarding extreme voltage 's...I know in the AMD line-up...1.45 is about as high as you really wanna take an AMD x2...Running too high of voltages is where you can hurt stuff...It may be that the C2D's will take higher voltages?? I don't know...Like I say...I'd wanna *Know What I was Doing*..Hope to hear it all goes well!!

Well... I am looking at the numbers here.http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1075792I currently have the vCore all the way to 1.57v and got it to go 3.5GHz. I really wanted 3.6GHz. It boots up to that. But fails Prime95 test. So I brought it down a notch at 3.51GHz.So basically I went from 1.35v to 1.57v :)Don't know if its worth it. Well.. The Processor costs $280. I have already spent around $3000. So thats 10% thats at risk. I would have to chalk that off as "Live and learn".:(So... I am keeping it at 1.57v for the moment. and running it at 3.5Gig. Ofcourse.. Its not fully tested yet.... but I am testing it. The core temp is around 44degree and MB temp is around that temp while running FSim. But it does get to 60 degree when I run Prime 95 dual ...with affinity on each core. But FSX is not going use both cores at 100% so I think I am ok....for now. :)Its all your fault Chuck. You have now gotten me into this thing so deep. I don't know where I am going to go with this........ :(Manny