Non Stop Crashing in Games

[scoobyx13x]

OK heres the dealio: My system cannot play a game for more than about an hour before the game either freezes or crahses to the desktop.

I have tried everything. Changed drivers, ran memtest, changed memory, replaced the CPU, changed hard drives, got a new video card, reinstalled Windows so damm many times I have the serial number memorized, changed power supplies.

Nothing has worked!!

The only 3 things left that I can think of are

1) It is the motherboard. I can't see how, but it is the only component I haven't replaced

or

2) The PSU is putting out insufficent power. I'm using a Antec Truepower 2 480. (had the same problem with an Antec smartpower 2 500w)

or

3) Somehow the case is cursed. Thermaltake WinGo http://www.pctoys.com/840556018483.html

Please, if you have any clue help me. I'm desprate, this has been going on since APRIL!

 

[HauntFox]

Sounds like it is the motherboard.
I doubt it's the PSU, but possible I suppose, and it would be cheaper and easier to replace

 

[SpunkyJones]

Try changing the motherboard. Also monitor the temps in the system, see if your running too hot.

 

[dfuze]

Sounds like a heat problem, most likely w/ the video card. Monitor it's temp, take the side case panel off, and point a fan at it. See if that helps. You may just have very poor air flow in your case. If the video card reaches too high a temp, it's designed to shut down.

 

[brikis98]

Originally posted by: dph1077
Sounds like a heat problem, most likely w/ the video card. Monitor it's temp, take the side case panel off, and point a fan at it. See if that helps. You may just have very poor air flow in your case. If the video card reaches too high a temp, it's designed to shut down.

my thoughts exactly. either the CPU or video card are probably overheating. for each, make sure that the heatsink is on properly and that the fan is spinning. check the temperatures by getting a prog that will log the temps as you play (so the info isn't lost when the computer crashes).

 

[HomeyFoos]

Ya, I have a 7900GTX SuperClock and it's amazing how much dust builds up in the heat-sink/fan area since it's enclosed. You would be surprised how much just a little dust build-up impedes the fan's ability to move air. Since you are shutting down at similar intervals, heat seems very logical. Check the temp before you start and then after it reboots. If you are in the 80 degree range or higher, you are certainly losing FPS already and this is most likely the cause. And make sure your fan/heatsink is not dusty.

My GTX did this about a week ago. Took the door off until I could get to the store for some canned air. Lowered itself at load by about 4 degrees. Once the fan mount was sprayed down, I could put the door back on without shutdown or loss of FPS . I still need to put my extra fan and GPU hood back on my case (Lian-Li man, the only way to fly) but I hate having to remove it just to get some fresh air in there so we'll see.

Good luck and if that is not the problem, you could have a malfunctioning video card. What kind is it?

 

[scoobyx13x]

Its NOT a heat issue. CPU is a A64 3000 at stock speed with a zalman cooler running on full blast. Chipset is a VIA KT8890, and barely gets warm to the touch, also stock. The GPU has yet to break 60 degrees. (X1900xt with zalman vf700cu).

I'd blame the card, but I had the same problem with a 6600gt, 7600gt and 7900gt.

There is not a speck of dust in there, everything has been completely removed and cleaned literally dozens of times by now. Furthermore, the case is light years ahead of my previous one in terms of airflow. My old case had no fans at all in it except for the PSU fans and it never came close to overheating, and at the time, it sat next to a fireplace! This one has intake, exhaust, window and blowhole fans and sits under an AC vent.

Can you please link a program that will record and log temps? I never heard of one.

 

[brikis98]

you can try speedfan, which will show you your system temps and fan readouts. if you click the configure button -> log tab, you can enable logging as well.

 

[Navid]

Use ATITool for monitoring and logging GPU temperatures.
http://www.techpowerup.com/atitool/

Use the utility that came with your motherboard for monitoring and logging your chipset and CPU temperatures. Or use Motherboard Monitor or SpeedFan.

How long did you run memtest?
How long did you run Prime95 (without it erroring out)?
Have you searched on Google for compatibility issues reported for your motherboard?

 

[Zenoth]

Have you tried a different BIOS version ? Sometimes the default BIOS coming with a Mobo when you buy one isn't officially compatible with the Processor you're using, even if the Socket is correct. And that can cause serious problems once arrived in Windows, especially in 3D applications.

 

[lyssword]

check RAM memory sticks? maybe the settings are too unstable or something