My Compaq has A Bestec PSU

[greatman05]

Guys, exactly how much power does this card need?:

http://www.compusa.com/products/pro...uct_code=333475&Pn=GeForce_FX_5500_Video_Card

I heard that PCI cards have relatively low power requirements...

 

[ryantruck]

I would get a better PSU.

Look at this one http://www.directron.com/generic400.html I'm sure its better than that bestec cr@p.

 

[raybay]

Whatever else you do, replace the Bestec if you are doing any more than regular computing and email. This is a barely adequate power supply when conditions are perfect. It has a high failure rate over time.

 

[greatman05]

My S5010NX Compaq has worked for 3 yrs without complaning. I have pushed the CPU to 100% playing Generals\Sims 2 and haven't burned the mobo. This might sound a bit conradictive, but I just put in the 3DFuzion FX5500 256MB yesterday, and the system hasn't complained at all. It in fact has thanked me for doing that...

 

[raybay]

It is a tough power supply, but it will not continue to take that punishment. We have probably replaced 250 of them over the years. Sims 2 is not what I would consider a gaming computer...
The Bestec will suddently fail at some point down the road with that EDFuzion FX5500 in there, because of its continual need for power. One day you will turn it off. And the next morning you will find that it will never again turn on.
The hard part is if it is an oddly shaped power supply... some are expensive to replace.

Good luck to you. You will need it, methinks.

 

[greatman05]

What type of case is a Compaq Presario S5010NX? What PSU could fit in there?

 

[ryantruck]

I think a regular atx power supply

I have a Hp pavilion 7900 and a regular atx PSU fitted in

If not modify it

 

[raybay]

There are a number of good replacements: Antec, CoolerMaster, Silencer 470, Sparkle, and so on, since it is an absolutely standard case and system.
Avoid off brands, HiPro, PowMax, PowerMax, Ultra, TigerPro, and so many more of the 89 different brands out there mostly made in China. The Silencer is made by PCPower and Cooling in the US of A.

 

[greatman05]

How can I remove these artifacts I'm getting with my GFX card? (System #1)

 

[ryantruck]

I think the PSU is the problem get a better PSU

 

[greatman05]

Could I run tests to make sure it's my PSU? What would I do to test it?

 

[ryantruck]

You can Download speedfan from here http://www.filehippo.com/download_speedfan/
and check the PSU voltage
I think its your PSU because its a Bestec 250 Watt :dead:
with that graphics card

 

[greatman05]

My voltages (With Everest Ultimate) come to around 11.78-11.90 for the +12V, 4.92 for the +5V, and about 3.33 for the +3V. Are those readings good, or problematic?

 

[ryantruck]

Those readings are ok i think but the higher to voltage rating the better.
Have you installed the latest drivers
I think this is the latest http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_93.71.html

 

[greatman05]

I'm trying to see if the drivers are causing the arifacts. I had that driver version before, but I downgraded to a ForceWare 80 (81.95) because I never had any problms with those....

Nope, still getting artifacts. Should I disconnect 1 device at a time to determine if power is the problem?

 

[ryantruck]

Do you have Artifacts when its in the other PC. or moms PC

If you have artifacts when its in the other PC then the graphics card is Probably defective :dead:
I guess you can try unpluging stuff

 

[greatman05]

OK, I just needed confirmation. But you know what's weird? When in the Sims 2, and I turn up the "Sharpen Edges" setting to max, the artifacts disappear...

 

[Angelbear]

Here is What I do, to Blow the dust outta my Desks tops. I use either A blow dryer On the COLD setting on Med. or so . Or Borrow My Friends Air Pressure hose. Both of those Have worked for me and For free too :approve: . But that is just me and what I do. to get the dust out of my systems . Hope this Helps !!
Angelbear

 

[greatman05]

Oh, I blew the dust out....but I still don't understand why when AA or AF is turned to max, the artifacts go away...

 

[raybay]

Blowing regular air in or sucking it out, with or without dust and other particles puts your system at high risk of static electricity. The dryer the dust, and lower the humidity, the greater the risk. Vacuum cleaners are by far the most dangerous, but hair dryers, and any other device that moves a volume of air and dust or other particles. Canned air using one of the five top gasses such as difluoroethane gas or others dramatically limits static discharge. Risk is increased the faster the air and particles move.
You may think your system is safe because you have been doing it for weeks or years. You may someday be surprised. Static electricity can destroy a hard drive, any chip on the motherboard, CD-Rom, any PCI, AVG, or PCI-Express card, memory, flash drive, floppy disc, power supply.
You can prove this by running your own tests. There are various films that will record the streaks, and many other devices.
We have been in the repair business since 1986. We have seen what seems like every possible combination of damage from static electricity.
You will be shocked by what you learn... Shocked I tell you!

 

[Tmagic650]

Raybay,
what you say is true... if you keep the system grounded through the 3-pronged AC plug, you can minimize static charges. Here in Southeast Montana, our dust is more like fine sand, minus my cats hair. I use a toothbrush to loosen debris and then I use the dreadded vacuum cleaner to pick up the loose stuff. I use a grounded wrist strap when I am working on a motherboard outside the case. I clean a computer before I work on it, and I clean mine out every three months or so

 

[zephead]

the artifacts you are experiencing can be caused by bad drivers. update your drivers and update your game to the latest version, if not already done so. if it still produces the artifacts, the card is probably defective and you should be able to get an RMA.

if you keep the system grounded through the 3-pronged AC plug, you can minimize static charges

yes, but only the static charges in the grounded components. grounding only the case but not yourself creates ideal conditions for static discharge. i ground the case, then attach my wrist strap to it.

I use a toothbrush to loosen debris

i cannot imagine under what circumstances anyone would need to use a toothbrush to make physical contact with PC parts to clean them, unless they were cleaning oxidized contacts or removing dust that had gotten wet. i use dust-off, which is a canned gas that is compressed by propellant. can dusters are able to sufficiently clean any amount of dry dust.

 

[raybay]

The grounded wrist strap, and the three pronged connector do little or nothing for the static electricity, as it is nod derived from the electrical connections. But rather from the swirling dust and particles, magnified by the force and speed of the blower or the suction.

 

[tifc8lraz]

Raybay,
what you say is true... if you keep the system grounded through the 3-pronged AC plug, you can minimize static charges. Here in Southeast Montana, our dust is more like fine sand, minus my cats hair. I use a toothbrush to loosen debris and then I use the dreadded vacuum cleaner to pick up the loose stuff. I use a grounded wrist strap when I am working on a motherboard outside the case. I clean a computer before I work on it, and I clean mine out every three months or so

Where did you buy the grounded wrist strap :suspiciou ?

 

[tifc8lraz]

The grounded wrist strap, and the three pronged connector do little or nothing for the static electricity, as it is nod derived from the electrical connections. But rather from the swirling dust and particles, magnified by the force and speed of the blower or the suction.

Yes, but they still reduce the chance of electo-shock somewhat to the computers hardware, don't they?