Hi all,
After building my first PC in december, I've had a string of bad luck with hardware failures. On my first video card, an EVGA 7800GT, the fan was dead...not sure if it was ever working, but as soon as I looked at it it was dead. (within a day or two). My second video card (another EVGA 7800GT) starting artifacting and tearing when I unplugged my power strip from the wall, then plugged it back in, about 6 months after running perfectly. I didn't think to turn off the power supply or turn off the power strip at this time. Not sure if the problem is related to the unplug/plug in routine or not. While this card was being RMA'd, I also got a new LCD monitor, a BenQ 20.1" widescreen with an internal power supply. While waiting for my new video card, I turned on the monitor...it showed the BenQ logo, then said no signal and shut down. However, when I got the new card and connected the monitor to the PC, the monitor would no longer power up. Not even a green power-up light, nothing on the screen. That is now being RMA'd for another of the same model.
So...I'm wondering if all of these failures, particularly the second vid card and the monitor, could be caused be some sort of power surges. I do have them all plugged into an inexpensive grounded, surge protected power strip that I got at Best Buy. My apartment is pretty old, and I'm wondering if the outlet is actually grounded or not...it is the three-pronged only outlet in the room. The rest are two-pronged. Either I'm having a string of bad luck with these, or there is something else causing the problem. Any ideas? I know the sell audio/video equipment to monitor power and ensure a constant 120V supply...when are these necessary?
John K
Relevant System spces:
CPU: AMD 3700 (939)
PSU: Anted Truepower TP-II 550
GPU: BFG 7800 GT
Mobo: Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe
Monitor: BenQ 20.1" Wide (RMA in process)
After building my first PC in december, I've had a string of bad luck with hardware failures. On my first video card, an EVGA 7800GT, the fan was dead...not sure if it was ever working, but as soon as I looked at it it was dead. (within a day or two). My second video card (another EVGA 7800GT) starting artifacting and tearing when I unplugged my power strip from the wall, then plugged it back in, about 6 months after running perfectly. I didn't think to turn off the power supply or turn off the power strip at this time. Not sure if the problem is related to the unplug/plug in routine or not. While this card was being RMA'd, I also got a new LCD monitor, a BenQ 20.1" widescreen with an internal power supply. While waiting for my new video card, I turned on the monitor...it showed the BenQ logo, then said no signal and shut down. However, when I got the new card and connected the monitor to the PC, the monitor would no longer power up. Not even a green power-up light, nothing on the screen. That is now being RMA'd for another of the same model.
So...I'm wondering if all of these failures, particularly the second vid card and the monitor, could be caused be some sort of power surges. I do have them all plugged into an inexpensive grounded, surge protected power strip that I got at Best Buy. My apartment is pretty old, and I'm wondering if the outlet is actually grounded or not...it is the three-pronged only outlet in the room. The rest are two-pronged. Either I'm having a string of bad luck with these, or there is something else causing the problem. Any ideas? I know the sell audio/video equipment to monitor power and ensure a constant 120V supply...when are these necessary?
John K
Relevant System spces:
CPU: AMD 3700 (939)
PSU: Anted Truepower TP-II 550
GPU: BFG 7800 GT
Mobo: Asus A8N-SLI Deluxe
Monitor: BenQ 20.1" Wide (RMA in process)