Video or Processor?

[Bad_i_BILL]

The gremlins are back in my PC. - MidGame in the demo, my system reboots. I have no doubt it is a heat issue. I have blown out the dust & poo.

I have the funds to cool only one item at the moment. I am asking for an opinion on getting a better cpu cooler OR a decent video card cooler? I am wondering which one is most likely causing the reboot?

I would think the processor is doing it, how likely is it that the video card can reboot the PC? :color1:

[Species8472]

I dont think it is your processor these dont have overheating problems much.
If it would have been your videocard, your system would just freeze, so I think it would be the motherboard chipset. Just add a system fan to it and it is all settled.

You could check the CPU and mobo temperatures in the BIOS under hardware monitor. Press F1, F2, Del, F10 or F12 or any other designated F key to enter the bios right after you restart your computer before loading Windows.

[jamesminilogo]

What processor and video card do you have?

What temperatures are they running at?

[Spider786]

check which one runs hotter, then get a cooler for that.

common-sense much?

[wthigon]

Download Speedfan (http://www.almico.com/speedfan432.exe). It's a temperature monitoring program that err... tell you your cpu temperature....

The nvidia card software should have a temp monitor also. Check in the display options.

[Titanium]

If the processor is overheating, its cooling fan should speed up and make more noise, so if the processor fan is making more noise than usual, then it would indicate the processor temperature has increased. However, whether it's the processor or video card and/or anything else thats overheating, you can cool all of these off with better case cooling. You could install another cooling fan/fans to increase airflow thru your case. For a temporary fix, you can remove a side panel of your case to let out some of the hot air.