[Ham-Computers] RE: Computer shutting itself down - the final chapter?

Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal) aaron.hsu at nbcuni.com
Mon May 7 13:11:21 EDT 2007


Glad everything is working for you Dave!  Let me comment on a couple of things...
 
>>> "...since the new fan on the back is blowing room-temp air almost directly over the processor." ...  "I can feel the air being drawn in through the new fan in fine shape, and while the air exiting the machine is warm, at least I know the circulation within the cabinet is greatly improved."

Although this sounds like a good idea (using the rear fan as an "intake"), it has it's drawbacks.  The biggest problem is you now have a vacuum drawing air and particulates (dust) into the computer where it can lodge and get caught in the CPU heat sink (as well as other places).  Give it a month or two, then take a look...you'll find dust everywhere.  The better option is to mount the rear as an exhaust and open up the front intakes - let air "flow through" the computer.  I once had a rear fan as an intake - what a mess after 6 months...dust bunnies everywhere inside the PC...never again!


>>> I'm amazed. The computer even boots up faster now!

Interesting.  Changing the power supply shouldn't have any relevance to system speed - but if it seems faster, more power to ya!


>>> I had both of the dual processors working fully for the past four hours, and even scanned for viruses at the same time, with none of the previous shut-down activity. I even re-activated the DVD burner that had been disconnected, trying to cut down the power overhead. Everything works as it should!

If you really want to give your CPU and RAM a good workout (and consume lots of electrons while at it), there are a couple of good tools that overclockers use - Prime95 and Memtest86.  Both are free.  Prime95 is a Windows app that just consumes CPU cycles in search of primes.  Memtest86 is a RAM tester that boots from a floppy or CD.


>>> The real surprise came with the UPS. The percent of load on the battery in the UPS actually dropped around 8 % from what it was with the underpowered supply. And that's with adding the new fan and DVD burner to the equation.

Many power supply companies are moving to high efficiency power supplies, esp. since the European Union requires power supplies to be >80% efficient.  It sounds like the new PS is more efficient than your old one.  I think I mentioned efficiency in a previous post...suffice it to say, higher efficiency equals less draw from the AC mains.


73!

  - Aaron, NN6O



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