Ok I think I need a fan for my PC

[[W33T] JimmytehHand8]

I have like 3 or 4 of them but I think my video card overheated earlier. I was playing GW and the screen suddenly went black and I couldn't get out of it. So after I restarted I had no direct 3d, so I had to reupdate my drivers which fixed the problem.

[sumdumgai]

Ouch. Good luck with your videocard!
I'm afraid for when the fan on my motherboard goes. It's been buzzing for the past two years now... Maybe three...

[FozzyBear]

I didn't have enough fans in my case to take care of the heat from the video card. I have 6 fans..... all blowing the correct way (thanks KillingAgent :) ) and it still overheated.

I ended up going redneck and strapping a box fan to the side of my case with duct tape :guitarist::guitarist:

Cheap easy fix :yaya:

Sorry for your luck though... that sucks.

[Killerfurby6]

sorry to hear that buddy!! i hope you can fix that!!

[Lord ALF]

there are three important things to keep in mind when building your own computer:

1.) case size does matter (not just to girls LOL). seriously, you have to have enough space for proper placement, airflow, and correct PSU size.

2.) PSU... you need not just the proper wattage for whatever equipment you're running, but also the correct PSU design. not all PSUs are created equal. you need to make sure yours has the proper wattage AND voltage rails (sometime called power supply rails). if you don't know what this is, read it in wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_supply_rail). This is especially true for those that will be running SLI, multiple CPUs (physically) and/or extra 12v cards and devices.

3.) proper cooling. you need enough CFM to counter the amount of BTUs your components generate, AND the air needs to flow properly. The best way to relieve BTUs is to have the same amount of CFM blowing into the case as being sucked out of the case...and airflow should always be in one direction.

questions?

-alf

[[W33T] JimmytehHand8]

So... where do I find the information listed in 2), and is it possible to upgrade to a better processor? I still have a 2.0 GHZ processor.

[kilroy0097]

Socket 478? If so I think there are a few still out there. Maybe some 3.0 Ghz. Pentium D. What kind of wattage is your PSU? Really old like 350 watt? Honestly the 9800 shouldn't require that much draw. Have you tried to run your computer with the case open? That way you could check while it's on to see if all the fans are working correctly. My x1950 512mb is showing black blotches in BF2 - FH2 and then crashes in the game. I know for a fact it's not the video card as it runs for many hours with CoD4 and no crashes so it has got to be FH2 doing it. Why, I have no idea. Does it only do it during GW? If so it might be something unique with the game in which case you may need to check the forums.

Also you might wanna try ATITool. http://www.techpowerup.com/atitool/
Not to overclock it but to check the temp on the video card as it shows it in your tool bar when it's running. If it's in the 60's or below Celsiuses wise then it's fine.

Info on the PSU is on the PSU itself on a sticker. You will have to look inside the case at the power supply.

[Lord ALF]

JimmytehHand8;246415']So... where do I find the information listed in 2), and is it possible to upgrade to a better processor? I still have a 2.0 GHZ processor.

typically on the PSU sticker you should see a listing for input/output sorta like this:

100~240Vac 10-5A 50/60Hz
+3.3V(36A), +5V(30A), +12V1(18A), +12V2(18A), +12V3(18A), +12V4(18A)

100~240Vac 10-5A 50/60Hz" is the input specs and in this case denotes that the PSU can be connected to any power outlet (provided you have the proper cable) with a source of 110-115V (average for US homes) or 220-240V (average for European countries and some power sources in IT data centres).

the second line is the output per rail. in my example you see a "+12V" listed four times. typically this means four separate voltage rails (especially true on newer PSUs). some PSUs (like in my example) will even label them V1-V4 (or however many they have). the separate rails do a specific job in powering the hardware in any given system. for example: 12V1 could takes care of the CPU1; 12V2 could take care of PCIE2 and CPU2; 12V3 could connect to the motherboard accessories; and 12V4 could be dedicated to PCIE1.

note: this is an extremely watered down answer.

-alf

[[W33T] JimmytehHand8]

The PSU sticker would be on the power source correct?

[LordBeer]

JimmytehHand8;246438']The PSU sticker would be on the power source correct?

It should be.

[Gruthar]

It doesn't sound like it overheated to me. The fact that you had to reinstall the drivers makes it sound more like a driver getting corrupted. You usually also get artifacting when your card starts overheating.

The #1 cause of overheating, in my experience, is not lack of airflow. It's dust! It's unfortunately a great insulator. Before you go investing in a new fan or other cooling system, buy a can of compressed air and blow out your heatsinks! Make sure your fans still work, and that (in some rare cases) your heatsinks are still properly attached!

[Lord ALF]

gruthar speaks the truth...that being said... proper airflow does help with keeping control of dust accumulating on devices.

-alf