Two questions for your enjoyment

Hello fine technotypes,

I bring to you 2 questions, here's the first:

I recently got an Asus Nvidia 8800GT, and a new PSU. Being the technotwit i am i was quite surprised that after installing these items myself the computer didn't blow up when i turned it on.

I was chuffed, however, my computer now randomly (infrequently but its annoying) freezes temporarily and then crashes whilst running CoD4 + GW (havent been playing any other games lately).

It doesnt seem to be linked to overheating issues as it happens most reguarly shortly after starting up the pc and entering a game.

When i installed it i unistalled all the drivers to the old card prior to installation and have updated the drivers off Nvidia's website.

Any thoughts?


And here lies question number 2:

I've seen this keyboard called the Wolf Claw, and it seems that it's no longer made/available, is this true and if so are there any other similar keyboards/handpad things you can recommend me? Nothing obscenely expensive mind (<£70).

Thanks in advance.

PS system specs if needed:
Intel Pentium D 2.8ghz
2gb (4x512) Ram
512mb 8800gt
Windows XP Media center edition.

Speaking of which there's another issue, on startup when i run media center it works perfectly however if i run it after playing any game or full-screen app for about 30mins+ when i open media center all i get is a black screen.

Both these problems seem driver related? But i've gotten the latest drivers so dunno what to do.

(Sorry for the mess of a post)

How big is the power supply (wattage)?

It's 450W.

123456

That might be your problem ;/

That card is a power hog, and if your psu isn't providing enough amps on the rail that the vid card is plugged into... this would explain why your having issue's.. the vid card is crashing when it tries to draw power and not enough is being supplied..

iirc that vid card is something along lines of ~110 watter and will completely use up a 12v rail - something like 10-12 amps. It should probably be on at least 18+ amps.. most 450W psu's seem to only have 12-14 amps on the 12v rail (well, from the quick search I did..).. and if you have anything else on that rail, then *boom* not enough for the video card.. or a massive power draw, then *boom* not enought again.

Basically check the stats on the psu if you can, what you need to check:

- Total max output (some psu's might say 500w, but only have a 400w max output)
- How many 12v rails there are
- what amperage is provided per 12v rail

The base psu for that video card is 450w, generally 500w+ is better. A good indication is:

- Total max output being close to the stated power rating.
- at least 2 rails
- both rails being 18-19+ amps

For example, a crappy 650w psu I have access to:

- 600w continuously & 785w peak for 60sec
- 2 12v rails
- rail #1: 17a, Rail #2: 19a

Not the best psu, but it could easily be used for that video card on either rail and not go *boom*.

That PSU should be sufficient to run that card. Typical specs for that series are:
425W PCI Express-compliant system power supply with a combined 12V current rating of 28A or more.

So a 450-500 should work fine.

What type of graphics card did you have before?

Actually, for an 8800 GT you need at least 650W to run everything stable. That's what I've been told at the store where I bought mine.

I've seen a GeForce 8800GTX run just fine off a 500 W Antec EarthWatts PSU. It mostly just depends on the PSU's 12 V rail and the general quality of the power supply.

Some low quality power supplies tend to go up in flames long before reaching their supposed max power output, so a little "overkill" may be a good idea with those.