| Author |
Message |
Iron Mentality
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 - 12:30 pm: | |
History of Computer: Cost $3100 a little over 3 years ago.
About a year and half ago our SeaGate ATA-100 60GB 7200RPM hard drive burnt out and was replaced under warranty.
Recently, a new power supply and fan were installed into my Micron PC because the old Power Supply burnt out. This computer originally shipped with Windows ME Edition.
The computer now runs Windows XP Home Edition. Ever since the new Power Supply/Fan were placed into my computer, the computer has been constantly freezing while gaming, typing a paper, or simply browsing the internet.
Specs of Computer:
Case - ATX Mini Tower w/Front USB
Processor - AMD Athlon Thunderbird 1.2 Ghz (200FSB)
Memory - 256MB DDR SDRAM 200Mhz (2DIMMS)
Hard Drive - (Formerly SeaGate HD) now Maxtor 80GB DiamondMaxPlus -- ATA/133 Hard Drive
Controller Card - Integrated ATA-100 Super-I/O Peripheral Controller (PSIPC)
Floppy Drive - 1.44 3.5" Floppy Drive Integrated
CD-ROM Drive 1 - DVD-ROM 12x DVD Read -- 40x CD Read
CD-ROM Drive 2 - 8x4x32 CD-RW Drive
Graphics Card - NVidia 64MB DDR GeForce2 Ultra AGP Card
I read on a post in this forum that an Athlon requires 400 watts of power. I can draw the conclusion this is the main problem. However, also if I plan on upgrading to a Athlon 64-bit chip for higher end gaming and more clock speed, do I need more than 400 watts.
Also, is it cheaper and more time saving to just buy a power supply myself from a local computer store that can meet the needs of my CPU rather than having the same store that installed the wrong part do it again. I will get refunded no matter what by them -- but I want my PC back!
Also, the controller card listed on our receipt was a Integrated ATA-100 Super-I/O Peripheral Controller (PSIPC). Since I now own a ATA/133 Maxtor HD, will this cause any incompatibility or slow down the performance of my new Maxtor Hard Drive? Or was the controller card in the old Seagate HD and is now not an issue for me. (I don't know what a controller card is, or where to find it which is why I ask).
I also don't know what motherboard my PC uses (don't know where to find it, or how to find out).
Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you! |
Iron Mentality
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 - 12:32 pm: | |
I also should add my Sound Card is a Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live Value, I have Surround Sound Speakers with a Subwoofer (Altec Lansing 5.1) and a 19" Trinitron Monitor as well.
I also am a hardcore PC gamer, mostly in RTS games. |
Iron Mentality
| | Posted on Thursday, August 5, 2004 - 5:13 am: | |
Anyone have any advice?!  |
Moderator (Es)
Username: Es
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 5, 2004 - 7:13 am: | |
The power issues with AMD processors is generally overplayed. A good quality 350 watt PSU will outperform a generic 450 watt PSU.
The hard drive being ATA133 and the Controller being ATA100 isn't going to matter much as there isn't much of a difference in data burst rate between ATA100 and 133. The Athlon 64 will require new everything pretty much. New mainboard and memory. More than likely a new case. Really the only items you might carry over is the Live card monitor and speakers, and the Live card is questionable.
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Iron Mentality
| | Posted on Thursday, August 5, 2004 - 1:23 pm: | |
According to the PC Repair Shop, they ran a free diagnostic check on my hardware. My wattage of my PC only added up to around 195-210 watts or so. Is there any other power supply issue that can be drawn? Can a certain item take away from something that can affect my PC performance?
Also, could the latest Windows Security Updates cause conflicts with my software? I am running out of things to blame here! |
Iron Mentality
| | Posted on Friday, August 6, 2004 - 12:38 pm: | |
I have determined that it is not a software problem due to numerous Windows Reinstallations and it still freezing. One time, the computer froze and when I rebooted it said my NVidia card was to blame -- and it offered to send an Error Report to Microsoft.
I know if I bought a Athlon 64 I'd have to redo my whole entire computer, but that is not the issue currently.
If my graphics card is the culprit, what steps can I undertake to correct it? Secondly, if the problem is the Power Supply still... the issue is not wattage because the one replaced is 300 watts like my old PS.
Also is a PowerAge 300 Watt Power supply one of poor quality? This is the one that was installed in my Micron by a local PC shop. Secondly, if it's not the Card... or the PS... what is the problem?
I am _really_ running out of things to blame now... |
Moderator (Es)
Username: Es
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, August 8, 2004 - 6:12 am: | |
Find out what mainboard you have and what chipset is on it. Than post back and I will be able to narrow down the freeze up to a couple things to check. |
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