[NTLUG:Discuss] PC Hardware Issue

[Lenrek Xunil]

>
> One of his graphics cards is failing...for sure.
>
> The only question is whether it's the card, too much heat or
> not enough power from the powersupply.
>
> Until he does the tests I suggested before - he'll never know what's
> borken.   Dinking around with moving wires, changing memory modules
> and so forth is just changing the time when the problem happens - the
> underlying problem will remain.
>

Actually it's one card, dual display.  I reseated it.  There's no graphics
out from the motherboard.  I was thinking a 470 W PS would be enough for my
components.  What do you think?  Here's that link to my configuration again:

http://www.mortalynflux.com/stealth.html

And the reason I was "dinkering" with the memory is to make sure it's not
the memory, and to see if perhaps raising the CPU cycles with less memory
would kill it quicker, and it did.  Also putting it back in its place in the
desk suggested that reducing the airflow was a problem.  Anything better
than a guess is good before laying down cash on an outdated PC.

I'm hesitant to replace anything right now just by guessing.  The components
are specialized for silent usage and are not cheap.  That includes the dual
fan power supply and the CPU fan, which I'm not about to replace.  Say hello
to my little friend (the fan) and see what I'm talking about.  I only have
one graphics card, and I don't want to buy another one just to find out it
was another component that was the problem.  Oh, and by the way, the PC is
plugged in to a rack-mount Furman power conditioner.

What I did do is order the Arctic Silver grease from Newegg (where I've
bought some of the other components).  This is the cheapest improvement for
the time being.  I did notice that my CPU fan fins were cold even after
taking the CPU to 100%.  So maybe there could be an improvement with this.

My next step would probably the (sigh) graphics card.