CPU Dips and Spikes?

[mozzartusm]

I think that my old P3 550 is in the process of rolling over! It had been acting strange lately, I thought it may be a virus at first. I started running CPU COOl and noticed that every 30 - 50 seconds my CPU frequency would dip for a fraction of a second. It is supposed to be at 550 however it has always run at 547.6 - 547.8. Out of 13 fluctuations there was only one spike. Here are the dips and spikes. Is the old girl about to give it up or could this be something else? This isnt normal is it?
547.6 - 276 - 492 - 384 - 405 - 462 - 523 - 337 - 275 - (617) - 328 - 459 - 537 - 476. Keep in mind these changes only lasted a wink of an eye, and they were spaced out about 30-50 seconds. Oh yea, I was running Norton Anti-Virus. That program puts a huge load on this CPU!

 

[Cybercraig]

I think your power supply is rolling over. Old P3's never die, they just go to third-world countries. :lol:

Abit IS7 - 3.0C @ 3.6ghz - Mushkin PC4000 (2 X 512) - Sapphire 9800Pro - TT 420 watt Pure Power
Samsung 120gb ATA-100 - Maxtor 40gb ATA - 100
Sony DRU-510A - Yellowtail Merlot

 

[endyen]

It could also be the mobo, do the capacitor check, and look to mbm5 for volages.

 

[Johanthegnarler]

Dude that's probably the first time i've actually laughed out loud on the computer in a long ass time.

Same with the K6's. I wouldn't mind putting some of these older CPU's to use for a good cause. We often forget just how much computing power those little guys really have, just becuase it can't run doom3 doesn't mean it can't find the cure to cancer i suppose.

<A HREF="http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=277124623" target="_new">http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=277124623</A>
46,510 , movin on up. 48k new goal. Maybe not.. :/

 

[mozzartusm]

Just checked the capacitors and found no obvious problems. I have a 350w PSU that I yanked from another system. I will give it a shot. I may dreaming up this part, but it also seems that more memory is being used than normal.

 

[mozzartusm]

The capacitors seem to be ok. I am going to switch to another power supply. I should have done that a long time ago. I have a 350w just collecting dust, and I bet the one that has been powering this system isnt over 250w. Ill let yall know what happens.

 

[mozzartusm]

You were correct! The power supply was not only going bad, it was putting out a earth shattering 145W's on its best day. I am amazed that the PSU not to mention the rest of the system lasted this long. This computer was made somewhere around 1999 if I am not mistaken. I put in a spare 350W PSU, and this little P3 550 is benchmarking in some areas roughly 10% - 15% higher than I have ever seen it go. Those numbers are probably going to be very conservative. This is one instance that I can say that a hardware malfunction was a good thing. After seeing the difference first hand, I am a true beleiver. The Quality of your PSU should be close to the top of the priority list when building or buying a system!!! Thanks for the help!