Here's a puzzle for you techs...

[Coconut]

How many watts is your PSU rated for? If you have the make and model that would be better to know

ChiefMax 450W
Kinda like this I guess http://www.amazon.com/Chiefmax-450W-Power-Supply-Connector/dp/B00083V39Q

[Coconut]

I've changed out the now 100% dead (it looks like) 450W PSU for a 550W. No problems thus far.

Does processor type have anything to do with the proper PSU to use? I will be getting a new one, as this can only be a temporary fix because it doesn't have SATA power that I need for my DVD burner.

[thinkliberty]

the regular size motherboards are almost always use the same type of connector. (unless it's a dell motherboard or a dell power supply.)

Some graphics cards have problems with some motherboards (you can check on the manufactures website against your motherboard...)


A lot of powerful graphics cards need atleast 700 watts minimum. You can burn out the video card and/or the powersupply using less than what is reccomended... What does the manufactures website for your graphics card need? (you may need more than this depending on the power requirements of other things attached to the power supply)

you are running at 450 watts @ 28 amps

[KBCraig]

It's the smoke.

All electronics run on magic smoke. If the smoke ever leaks out, they're done.

Protect the smoke!

[djbridgeland]

My guess is that you overloaded the power supply by adding the new video card.  That would explain why it started acting funny when windows loaded.  Before windows loads your video card operates requiring minimum power.  One Windows loads all the high tech graphics kick in and then requires more power. If it didn't have enough power then that would also explain the fans not running at full speed. 

[leetninja]

if you stop a fan with your finger it will kind of ... shiver/shake ... and then start up again

all fans usually fire up at high rpm (ever fire up a server? sounds like a damn jet engine!) and then comes down to a decent "silent" rpm.  that is normal

check what the requirements are power wise on your card.  some have power molex that need sto be plugged in - occasionally they need the extra 4prong connected to the motherboard - or you may be overheating

speedfan is great

if you want to not wait for things to happen and you want to just outright test things download and install Orthos - fire up a blend test - youll see/hear fans spinning up and your system will heat up rather quickly because of the test - if you monitor temp and combine that with orthos you might be able to figure out if it is an overheating issue

could be a million and three different things ...