Power Supply Question

[grandmaz]

I'm wondering if perhaps my random reboots are power related (all minidumps point to hardware). I can reliably recreate reboot when stressing computer through Prime95 or OCCT. I've bought a new PSU (cheapy I'm afraid) to no avail. I've read in other forums that it's really a key to have the +12v rail over 20 amps for Athlon XP systems (even though AMD recommends only 15-18 amps) which my new power supply isn't (old psu wasn't either). Any suggetions on the what amps are needed on the different rails for best, most stable results? Any help would be great. Here are my system specs (no overclocking):

Operating System : Windows XP Professional
CPU/Processor : Athlon xp 2600 +
Motherboard : gigabyte 7nf-rz
Hard Disk : maxtor, Space: 120 GB
RAM: 2 sticks of 512 ddr 2700
Video Card : Nvidia GeForce FX 5200
Video RAM : 128 MB
Sound Card : Soundblaster Live! Value

 

[KingCody]

the amount of current on the +12V rail needed will depend on the PSU. on a cheap PSU, they "play" with the numbers to make the amperage and overall power rating seem much higher than it truely is. (they basically rate the wattage at an ambient system temp much lower than the average system really is) They also have more current on the 3V and 5V rails (which newer systems no longer need).

for now you should strip your system down to bare bones. Run it with just the CPU, 1 stick of RAM, onboard sound, and the boot hard drive (make sure that power cables are disconnected to all other unused components)

boot up and try to make the system reboot, if it doesn't... then add 1 component at a time until you find your problem