Voltage/Memory Problem?

Question

I have a computer that ramdomly locks up and blue screens, and sometimes randomly restarts. The weird thing is that after a few restarts from the crashes, the computer work normally again.

It could possibly be a problem with my ram because it fails Windows Memory Diagnostic on the MATS test with the cache off, but it passes memtest86+.

That's what I thought at first, but when I checked my computer voltages, the 12V line is at 10.45V, and the 5V line is at 4.28V.

My PSU is an Enermax 270W, and I don't thinks it's enough to power my system:
Intel Pentium D 805
PC CHIPS P13G+ mobo
512MB RAM
2 Hard Drives:250GB,40GB
1DVD Burner

Is 270W enough for this system? If not, what is the MINIMUM amount of watts needed?

If you have any questions, please ask me. I am planning to buy a new power supply and/or a new mobo with a core 2 quad.

I don't overclock, and my BIOS does not have fsb settings or any voltages AT ALL. (stupid cheap mobos)

Answer 1

ur psu is junk ur ryt ... get a new one and make sure ur giving the ram the correct voltage in bios ... check the rams' specs ..

Answer 2

Ah, 270watts is smallish, but while the system is doing a memory test, it's not using that much power (just the MB and the RAM--not the drives). Are you overclocking? Have you overcooked the system (let it get too hot)?

I would replace the RAM. It's easy enough to do and fairly cheap. Of course bumping the power supply to 350 Watts (which should be pleanty) would not cost that much either if it's a generic supply.

Answer 3

Get a new PSU. Yours is running low unstable rails and thats why youre experiencing your restarts and freezes. When a PSU is underpowering a system it underpowers the whole system so your ram is probably either not getting enough power and/or is getting unstable power so its gonna fail the mem test. Most Pentium Ds alone use 130watts.

http://www.buy.com/prod/corsair-vx-450w-power-supply/q/loc/101/205466485.html

Answer 4

what's your video card? new ones eat lots of power


test by reducing the Psupply load .. disconnect power to the 2nd hd and your DVD burner, then try boot and see if you can replicate the problem.

if it still happens and your voltage tests same, I'd conclude that the psupply is dead. if it doesn't happen and/or voltage tests close to 12v, your psupply isn't big enough

think i'd look for a psupply sizing guide at tomshardware.com [and check quality ratings] before buying a new one. see link below

Answer 5

Let me pull this out of my pocket,..........here use this power supply wattage calculator: http://support.asus.com/PowerSupplyCalculator/PowerSupplyCalculator_right.aspx?SLanguage=en-us
Your voltage requirements for the 12V rail can only vary +/- 10% ,or problems start in. More varience, and thing's get real weird!

Answer 6

well, i'm not sure that it isn't enough to power it. do you have any aftermarket devices, such as a video card? if not, that should be enough. 400w should be enough for the dual core setup to run fine, and i think this is the smallest they put on store shelves anymore anyways. if you plan on adding a video card, i would go a little higher.