Questions, halp, and whatnot.

[The_Gamdol]

So I got back from Guam early this month, and after finally getting a place to stay, and finally moving furniture in, I started to setup my desktop. The first thing that happens when I try to put on power is a high pitched beep that would last for 5 seconds, then stop for 3, then repeat that until I shut it off again. I disconnect all my SATA stuff, and just plug in the main harddrive. It starts up this time. I get it loaded up (after figuring out which CD drive messed it up), and try to play League of Legends. About 5 minutes into the game (if that), the computer just shuts off. No BSOD, no nothing. I try again, with the fan on my graphics card set to high. Same issue. I re-install Windows 7 (after the most infuriating help phone call ever, ever), same issue. I pull out the SSD I got for Christmas before I went to Guam, and install that instead of the main HD. I install Windows 7 on it. Same problem.

At this point I figured it was my graphics card overheating during gameplay, since last year I was having a lot of issues with it not keeping itself cool. The fan wouldn't go up in speed unless I manually set it high, and towards the end before I went to Guam I couldn't have two semi-high intensity graphics things going on on opposite monitors without it BSODing. I ordered a new graphics card, the nVidia GTX 480. Kill two birds with one stone I figure, old problem and new. Three days later (today), the card comes in. I take the time to make sure everything is hooked up right, do a lot of cable management I should have done a long time ago, etc.

I fire up LoL. Shutdown. Sad face. At this point, I can only think of two possibles.

1) Leagues is somehow fucked and randomly shuts itself down whenever it wants to fuck me over in a game the hardest. Fortunately my laptop works it fine so I can relog in instantly, but it's still shitty to not be able to game on my desktop currently.
2) My CPU is overheating a shitting the bed on me.

Anyone got any ideas based on what I've done so far, and the problem that's happening? I just want my computer to work like it should

I have the money right now that I could buy a new CPU if I had to. I don't know if it could be the fan or the CPU itself. If I could do anything to narrow down the possibilities let me know. I'd even let Willie remote control me again to see if he could find anything.

Halp

[Uneven Pavement]

I'm not so sure you need a new CPU.  To me it sounds like your power supply can't really support your new video card.  Do you know what kind of power your CPU can handle and how much your GPU needs?

Even if the numbers are right.  I would still point to the power supply as the problem.  If possible, steal one out of another computer and use it and see if it works.  If it does buy a new one, if not, then you can start looking at other hardware.

Also... cheaper is not better when it comes to powersupplys.  If you find a 1000w PS for $40 you might think its an awesome deal... but you will find yourself in the same situation in 4 months.   

[The_Gamdol]

I just had a crash again without even playing a game, pulled up my BIOS and looked at PC Health Status. The CPU temp is sitting at 250 degrees and rising, and just crashed again while I was typing this while still in the BIOS. The CPU fan was going at 2400rpm, but the temp wouldn't go down.

Do I own a nice new water boiler?

[MetalMusicMan]

250º is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too hot, yikes.  Maybe your CPU heatsink is off balance, or your thermal paste isn't applied correctly?

[The_Gamdol]

I don't even know what you just said.

Where can I get some thermal paste and how do I does it.

Actually, just what kind of places would carry it, I'm sure google has pretty pictures I can follow to victory once I have it.

[Uneven Pavement]

Best buy has it I believe but its like $15. 

I'm not sure that's your problem though.  Even w/o thermal paste your CPU shouldn't get that hot. 

Definitely sounds like you've found the problem though.

[The_Gamdol]

So is that a yes, CPU is fucking up?

Sorry, this is one of those topics I do need spelled out to me

Also, any suggestions for a CPU (assuming that's what you mean). I could probably spend about 300-400 easily, a little more if it's a good upgrade over the prior level.

[MetalMusicMan]

It could easily be the thermal paste or heat sink causing the problem.  If the heatsink isn't seated properly/is cracked, or the thermal paste is gone / not well applied, that could easily cause your CPU to get that hot.  That could definitely be the issue.

Of course, it could also be that the CPU itself is failing/has a microscopic crack.  If I were you, I'd reseat the heatsink / check it for cracks and also make sure your thermal paste is applied before I spent the money for a new CPU.

[spidey]

does the voltage switch deal on the back of your power supply need to be switched? just a thought since I have no clue what they use in Guam.

edit: should be 115v in the states on my psu.

[The_Gamdol]

I'm in the states again.

I'll get some thermal paste, and try to reseat my heatsink. The fastners on it are weird, I'm not 100% sure I'm attaching it right, but it seems steady on there.

[Uneven Pavement]

It should be completely firm on there... like you could lift the whole motherboard from the heatsink without anything so much as jiggling... (don't actually do that thought)

[The_Gamdol]

I don't want to press to hard and damage the motherboard or something >.>

[The_Gamdol]

I got a temp monitor, and started up LoL to see how it jumped.

All the cores went from about 60 degrees C to over 90 C in about 45 seonds (if that)


60degrees C seems a little hot for 0% load, agreed?

[spidey]

I'm in the states again.

I'll get some thermal paste, and try to reseat my heatsink. The fastners on it are weird, I'm not 100% sure I'm attaching it right, but it seems steady on there.

just thought you might of had to switch it for your time spent in Guam if so you would need to switch it back.

[The_Gamdol]

Ah, I left my desktop in storage while I was in Guam, it's way too big to take on a plane easily.