Hi, I got a new AMD XP2000+ a few days ago. All pieces brand new, here are the specs: Chassis Codegen ATX6066-C10 300W, has a simple chassis fan CPU AMD XP2000+ (Model 8, running at 1667MHz, 133/33, 1.60VCore) CPU Cooler Spire-Whisper Spire SuperSilent SPA04B4 WhisperRock IV Mobo ASUS A7V8X-X (Bios 1006) (integrated sound+Ethernet card) 1 * Kingston PC2700 333MHz 2.5 256MB DDR Excelstor 60GB 7200rpm HD UDMA100 IDE LiteON LTC-48161H, CD-RW/DVD Combo, 48X24X48/16X Inno3D FX5200 AGP8X (250/330MHz) 128 DDR (64 bits) TV out I got the computer all mounted, except for the Graphics card, which I had ordered separately (forgot to order the first time). What I did when I got the computer + graphics card was to simply mount the AGP card, though this included first removing the DDR memory, as the AGP slot on the A7V8X-X "blocks" one memory slot - the one my memory was installed in, so I changed it to the middle slot. Was pretty careful to get rid of any static electricity by first touching chassis frame. First of all, this was supposed to be a top- silent computer; instead, I experienced a serious level of fan noise from the chassis, though I didn't bother to find out which fan was making the noise (though I suppose it would be the chassis fan, a simple standard model- the Spire-Whisper CPU fan should NOT go above 20dB). I then proceeded with installing Win XP Pro. All was well & fine, so I left the computer, only to find it shut down when I returned after half an hour. I then re-started the computer, went to bios (then 1005) and changed CPU shut-off temperature to 85C (from pre-set 95C). Then tried to proceed with install of XP... Time after time, the computer would shut off with NO beeps, NO error messages - no clue of what happened. One of the fans was making a lot of noise, going up and down. I would not be able to re-start the computer straight off, I would have to wait a few seconds at the very least - the more I would wait, the longer the computer would run. I then opened the chassis and opened a window in the room to let in cool air. I was then able to install XP. I had it running more or less stably one day, and have experienced no serious levels of fan noise since then, though it has by no means been as quiet as I expected - probably because of the chassis fan, which I de facto should not need at all. Then problems started again, the computer simply shut off. I had ASUS PC Probe running just before it shut off, and it told me Mobo temperature was 39C, CPU 54C, CPU fan spinning at 2700. It also told me Chassis fan and PSU fan were not running at all! But chassis fan WAS running, PSU fan I cannot know of, since I'm not willing to open my PSU. I felt the mobo, CPU and PSU; mobo felt warm, not hot, CPU more or less same, but PSU was clearly warmer, though maybe still not hot (at least not on surface). What could it be? So far, I'm willing to believe everything was mounted right since the company that sold it has very good experts. It is possible something broke under transport, but I started thinking that I may have done something wrong when mounting the graphics card/DDR memory. Could this lead to some kind of over-heating of the PSU? 300W should easily be enough for this build, I have friends running much more powerful systems with 300W. I'm at a loss as to what the problem could be. I wonder if the PSU fan (I know nothing of this PSU, no idea how many fans it has - haven't found any information on it on the net) was the one making all the noise in the first place, and if it then broke completely and the PSU now overheats whenever I try to start the computer? Could this damage the PSU seriously? I know my mobo and CPU have overheating protection (shut-off at 85C), but the PSU probably has none. Thankful if you can help me!

ASUS Probe can't show anything for case or PS fans unless they are plugged into a motherboard sensor connection. (I have ASUS, but my case and PS fans are run from a power supply connection, so Probe naturally shows them as not running.) You power supply temp is 99% affected by the operation (or non-operation) of its own fan. Suggest you only need to (a) put your hand behind the PS fan and (b) put your ear there as well to see iof it's working. Do same for case fan(s) to find the noisy one.

Yeah, the PSU fan is running & quiet - the case fan is the noisy one. I was told I shouldn't need it at all, but as things are, I'm not too willing to remove it... I'll have to contact the vendor to see if they'll let me swap PSUs at just the price difference. Does anyone know if an improperly mounted graphics card and/or memory module could cause damage to PSU?

The answer to that question is, unless it should somehow create a dead short (which is most unlikely--and the PS fuse should blow first even then)), neither can damage the PS.