What I didn't know about Gateway

[Voodoo2IV]

Good morning all,

So, Im having this issue with a gateway computer I bought for the kids. Ran great the first 2 months or so, was on....6-12hrs day (Some being on Standby) with no issues. Soon, it would keep powering off. Sometimes 30min after boot up, sometimes DURING bootups.

Did some research found out the CPU was overheating (Known issue at Gateway and Best Buy) where I bought it. However, some state its the Videocard overheating. However Im taking the CPU theory since I swapped out the original Video card with an ATI 4890. However I did intall the original video card (Nvidia 120) and it did the same thing.

CPU model http://www.gateway.com/systems/product/529668232.php

Have a few questions. I bumped up the Video Card fan from stock 50% to 85% and it works for the most part w/o a heavy load. Sound is too loud to deal with since its located in the Family Room. So I have a floor fan blowing in from the front (Removed the front trays and have bay open) as well as the side cover off. Too mickey mouse at this point.

So, What are my best options. (Returning to gateway is out, due to all the issues Ive seen about this product being returned. And Best Buy is out since I didn't want to spend $300 on an extended warranty. Shouldn't have to spend anything on crap parts)
Since the bottom line is Gateway built this system with this major flaw.

So, Should I buy a Full Tower with some side 120mms (More room, cooler air)
Should I buy a 120mm and an 80mm Fan and mckey mouse them to the current case, Or should I attempt to remove the heatsink and reapply with that Thermal compund? Any suggestions would be apreciated, Obviously th cheaper, the better.

BTW, On that system, I put in an ATI 4890 Vid card and replaced the 450w power supply with a 750w. Everything else is stock.
Thanks!

[Spools]

First thing I'd suggest is running Speedfan (click on speedfan 4.39 link under download section) and see if you can pinpoint what temps you're getting for each area. That should help determine if you should worry about the CPU, GPU, or the whole case.

[glc]

What brand and model power supply did you buy?

[Voodoo2IV]

Sorry its taken me so long to respond, No internet since phone lines are down (Yes I did say phone lines, we only have Dialup out here) Anyways first response since I can't do this at home...

Each core is running between 88 and105 degrees and my Video card heat is running at about 110 degrees F. with Core 0 being the coolest and core 3 the Hottest, by about 20 degrees if that matters.


The Brand of power supply is a Rocketfish, and model Im not sure of as well, I can only find a 700w online (Purchased at best buy)

[glc]

Can you get a clue as to the model by opening the case and looking at the label on the PSU? It really may make a difference, Rocketfish power supplies are made by a questionable OEM and are getting very mixed reviews. You may not have enough clean power there.