PC Shutting off

[gh_speedyg]

Presumably it wasn't tripping on the old PSU? Substitute back and try the stress test again? Maybe the new one is faulty? Your CPU fan hasn't started a go-slow?

GREAT ADVICE!!!!!

Threw in the old PSU. Completed stress test again. FAILED! I've tried to install MBM5 before but my cheap MB isn't compatable. Took a look at the cpu fan, doesn't look like it's running as fast as case fans, so I think it has started the go slow. Touched the heatsink and I think I'm now owned by intel (MAN THAT WAS HOT). SO I let the pc crap out, cold booted the P/S and went straight into the bios. The CPU temp is 88 (after sitting for almost a minute). No expert, but I think that's pretty high for a celeron. I think I need a new fan.

[stustunz]

you may need to remove the heat sink and add some better thermo paste between heat sink and cpu

[gh_speedyg]

So I should buy a fan and some paste, or just a new cpu?

[stustunz]

if the cpu was screwed then it would not start at all
adding the paste is just cheap insurance that the heat sink is working at its best

are you sure you didnt change anything else to make it start crashing

[gh_speedyg]

nope, didn't change anything else. Only the psu. Oh, also added a second HD, but it's set as a slave, and wasnt doing anything during either test.

[Hairy]

I think it all really points to overheating.

The new Corsair PSU you've added has a very slow rotating 120m fan so it's probably moving a lot less air than your old PSU. So if that's 88 degrees "C" then the motherboard is probably kicking in and shutting down the system to protect the CPU. Your system probably failed even with the old PSU because Prime is a stress test and works the system harder than it would normally do for HTPC stuff. The system with the Corsair PSU (moving less air) is probably just prone to overheating that little bit quicker.

Is your system dusty? If dust collects between the fins of the heatsink it can act like an insulator, so that might really need a clean. Ideally you'd re-apply some thermal compound and clean the whole system for dust and re-check all the connections.

Hopefully if you clean it out and increase the airflow you should be okay.

Good luck.

[gh_speedyg]

NOW WE'RE TALKING!

System is now fixed! Baught on of these http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/imagehost...b5291e.jpg heatsinks. I tell you, I knew (almost) exactly what was envolved with purchasing this bad-boy. I had to dremmel the crap out of my case (mATX) to get this baby to fit. I also had to run threaded rod from one end of my case to the other to keep the case stable while removing so much metal. This new fan blows the air directly into the exhaust fan, throwing it right out the back.

But that wasn't where the magic took place. I then proceded to cut out a case-sized hole in the back of my entertainment system. No wonder my system was overheating. I'm not exagerating when I say, the spot my case is located is now a good 10* cooler.

Thanks for all the help guys. I really appreciate it.