I am expierence a very bad problem that worries me. I just built a computer.... and everything seems to be running great. However when i go to play a game, such as Ravenshield... or Phariah... It will start to get into the game... getting past all the manufaucters movies and such and then just a COLD HARD shutdown on my comp. It is at different times that it will shutdown. ( In other words, when i go to play the game, sometimes i can get further into starting the game(s) then other times. My specs are as follows: MB: P5AD2-E Premium RAM: 2x1024 kingston DDR2 pc4200(dual kit) CPU: P4 3600, 800 MHZ FSB, HT technology VGA: ASUS, Nvidia 6800 Ultra GDDR3 256MB sound card: Audigy 2 ZS OS: XP service pack 2 I have installed all the correct drivers.. updated the VGA drivers and it still does the same thing... All other programs work fine.. playing mp3's or playing on internet all day... But as soon as i go to play a game.. comp = COLD shutdown... Can anyone help me? Thanks

inadequate power supply? From Tom's Hardware: "Your PC's power supply is the hidden component that can make your computing life miserable. Sometimes it will be working well for a while, only to then start to experience frequent or irregular crashes. A similar situation may appear when a PC is equipped with a more powerful graphics card or processor - suddenly it is no longer stable. In these situations, the user will usually concentrates on addressing components such as the memory, processor and cooling. When that doesn't help, the usual next step is to update the BIOS and drivers. Those who can afford it simply buy new components to replace the alleged source of the problem. The result is that the system displays the same symptoms as before. The reason is that these problems are often a sign of an overloaded power supply unit. Yet most people do not ensure that this essential component is working properly, even though without it, achieving a stable PC is impossible." Asus A7N8X-X 1800+ @ 8.5 x 200MHz 1280MB PC3200 2.5-3-3-7 Asus A9550GE/TD 128MB WinME/WinXP Pro

Thanks! I will see what I can do about playing around with my power supply... I do have a million things connected to it. I have a 420W PSU. But I will change stuff around...

Well I tried playing with the power supply and it kept having the same problem... untill i disconnected the power from the VGA card itself... then games ran just fine. however the VGA runs at low settings since it needs power to run at better settings... Whats your advice for this?

Did you buy a case/ps bundle? If so, you should probably get a new power supply...420W isn't very much power especially since you have 6800 ultra. You need to make sure you have at least 18A on the +12V rail. RED

Pull the POS power supply out and put in something good. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153007 "Republicans in Congress are moving to ratify a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning, thus ending the Iraqi insurgency."

Definitely sounds like a PSU issue to me. Your high powered video card is simply too much for your current PSU to handle. Time to upgrade.... Asus A7N8X-X 1800+ @ 8.5 x 200MHz 1280MB PC3200 2.5-3-3-7 Asus A9550GE/TD 128MB WinME/WinXP Pro