Could the PSU cause it?

[heymrdj]

I ahve an Everpower 350 watt power supply (cheap stuff that came with my case). I tried overclocking my P4 2.8C Northwood. I was hoping to get at least 3 if not 3.2 GHZ. Now the problem I have is that the system is horribly unstable anytime I have to raise the vcore. But I shouldn't even have to raise the vcore. Cause I raised it to 2.94GHZ and it became unstable. So I raised the vcore from 1.5 to 1.55 and it ran stable for a little while. Then my Soyo voltage monitor on my system showed that the 12V rail went crazy. It was all the way up at 12.22 v and lept changing. The vcore dropped to 1.48v every once in awhile. Well I ignored it and kept on clocking. Then at just a lowsy 3.094GHZ I needed to raise vcore again. So I went to 1.6vcore. The first when I booted it was a little unstable.I looked at my monitor again and the vcore was only at 1.52v and the 12V rail was jumping around until my 12v rail hit 13.2v triggering an automatic shutdown. I have a SOyo I865PE Dragon 2 Plus mobo. Its also running two hard drives and a DVD burner. I don't the PSU is up to par. IS that what you guys think?

[glc]

Change that power supply before it takes out the motherboard with it! If you want to overclock, get one that has adjustable rails like an OCZ.

[heymrdj]

I clocked it back down when it did the auto shutdown so I don't think I'm in any danger. But darn 100$ for a lowsy 400watt ocz. Cmon Thats 1/10th of the price of my computer AFTER ALL SHIPPING AND TAXES.

[spartan015]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16817153006

thats one some one reccomneded to me... in one of my posts. perhaps it might work for u, if it does let me know, i havent had time to get it yet.

[Byte 2.0]

yup, power supply can cause that.

I am running an xp3200 amd and I was running stock speeds, extra cooling and such and it would lock up if I run the CPU near 100 percent for 15 minutes or so. I changed from a cheapo 350 to an Thermaltake 420 and now smooth.

GLC is correct in that a cheap power supply when they go, they normally take out more stuff, such as the MB too.

[glc]

If you want to overclock, you must be prepared to spend money. It's a hobby, not a cheap way to make your computer run faster.

[kram 2.0]

Originally Posted by heymrdj I clocked it back down when it did the auto shutdown so I don't think I'm in any danger. But darn 100$ for a lowsy 400watt ocz. Cmon Thats 1/10th of the price of my computer AFTER ALL SHIPPING AND TAXES.

It's either that or a 1000 USD bill for broken components caused by faulty PSU.

kram