Random Shutdown, M2-ATX Problem?

**EvilLawnGnome** · 11-09-2006, 06:03 PM

My computer setup has been having alot of trouble staying on lately. It just randomly shuts down after about 10 or so minutes. I'm thinking that it is my M2-ATX telling me that it's on its last leg. I can't really think of anything else that it would be. My processor is a low heat mobile athlon 64 3000+ and it has a giant Zalman cooler strapped onto it. I don't think I am overpowering the Power supply either. I think I might just go ahead and invest in an opus later on tonight. I am fed up with this thing.

*edit*
One other thing. When it shuts down, it still shows that it is on (power light stays illuminated) but it does not send power to anything else in the system.

**DarquePervert** · 11-09-2006, 06:22 PM

I think you're likely drawing too much power for the M2ATX.
It would all depend on the core fo the Athlon64 you're using.

If it's the Winchester or Venice cores, you should be golden.
However, if its the Sledgehammer or Newcastle cores, you're definitely pushing the limits.

**Wiredwrx** · 11-09-2006, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by DarquePervert

I think you're likely drawing too much power for the M2ATX.
It would all depend on the core fo the Athlon64 you're using.

If it's the Winchester or Venice cores, you should be golden.
However, if its the Sledgehammer or Newcastle cores, you're definitely pushing the limits.

, I think you are taxing the PS by drawing too much power. And before you say, I am under 160 watts, are you under the wattage for each WIRE/Voltage Rail. See, the M2 has 8 amps on 12 volts. You might need 20 amps (this is hyposthetical to prove the point) on the 12 volt line, though, you don't use any other voltages. So, you are under the 160 "max", but you are over the max available on the 12 volt rail.

Run a power calculator, and see.

Michael

**EvilLawnGnome** · 11-10-2006, 04:54 PM

I really should be under though. First off, it was working fine two weeks ago. Second, I am running all low voltage parts:
12v:
Liliput screen (should be under 500ma I think)

5v:
7200 rpm 2.5 inch sata HD
3 low RPM 80mm fans

PCI:
Soundblaster Audigy
D-link B/G card

Processor:
AMD Mobile Athlon 64 3000+ (DTR) ClawHammer 1.8GHz

Motherboard:
DFI K8M800-MLVF

Ram:
Mushkin DDR400 512mb

P/S:
M2-ATX

It also started beeping intermitantly. I am going to put it back on the bench here in a second.

**myzhi** · 11-10-2006, 06:30 PM

http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?t=329419

"*Socket 754 - Clawhammer Core DTR 81.5Watt(Desktop Replacement 1.5V)
AMA3000BEX5AP Athlon64 DTR 3000+ Review with MiTAC 8355 barebone
AMA3200BEX5AP Athlon64 DTR 3200+
AMA3400BEX5AP Athlon64 DTR 3400+
AMA3700BEX5AP Athlon64 DTR 3700+"

According to the information posted above, the cpu uses 81.5W. That's way too close to M2-ATX limit of 96W on the 12V rail, and thus, you won't be able to run anything else. Suggest, you go with Newcastle Core 35W instead.

**Wiredwrx** · 11-10-2006, 06:36 PM

Originally Posted by myzhi

http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?t=329419

"*Socket 754 - Clawhammer Core DTR 81.5Watt(Desktop Replacement 1.5V)
AMA3000BEX5AP Athlon64 DTR 3000+ Review with MiTAC 8355 barebone
AMA3200BEX5AP Athlon64 DTR 3200+
AMA3400BEX5AP Athlon64 DTR 3400+
AMA3700BEX5AP Athlon64 DTR 3700+"

According to the information posted above, the cpu uses 81.5W. That's way too close to M2-ATX limit of 96W on 12V rail and you won't be able to run anything else. Suggest, you go with Newcastle Core 35W instead.

Is that ALL on the 12 volt rail?

Add in the sata, the screen, the audigy and the MB, and if you are not over, you are damn close.

Just becuase it worked once, or even for a couple of weeks, doesn;t mean you haven't exceeded the limits. You may have cause damage to it that is only now showing up with your MYSTERIOUS shutdown problems. Also, perhaps you recently added something that put it over the mark.

Like has been said, do a power calculator and make sure.

Michael

**carbot** · 11-10-2006, 06:36 PM

could it be that your car battery is low? it also sounds like you're overtaxing it, but that's another reason they shut down.

**EvilLawnGnome** · 11-11-2006, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by carbot

could it be that your car battery is low? it also sounds like you're overtaxing it, but that's another reason they shut down.

Doubtful. It is a Yellow Top, and my car has a mammoth alternator. I think I killed the p/s and the motherboard yesterday though. I pulled a FAST acceleration, and I think my alternator gave it a bit of a start, and fried it. I put it on the bench with another power supply and nothing but ram and the processor, and it won't give me video now. It just sits there with the fans spinning. I don't know. I think I'm about to say **** it, and get a opus and a lower power matx setup.

**Wiredwrx** · 11-11-2006, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by EvilLawnGnome

Doubtful. It is a Yellow Top, and my car has a mammoth alternator. I think I killed the p/s and the motherboard yesterday though. I pulled a FAST acceleration, and I think my alternator gave it a bit of a start, and fried it. I put it on the bench with another power supply and nothing but ram and the processor, and it won't give me video now. It just sits there with the fans spinning. I don't know. I think I'm about to say **** it, and get a opus and a lower power matx setup.

Hate to say it, but it is "common" when the M2 is overtaxed, to blow the MB, CPU, HD, and of course, the M2 itself. A search will reveal the part to look at.

And, overtaxing ANY PS is a recipe for disaster, OPUS DSATX, or M2.

Michael