Call it a VC problem?

[dhorn]

I have a computer that will be going on about a year and a half old soon. Specs are as follows:

Intel Q6600
Abit IP35 Pro
MSI 8800GTS OC 640MB
2gb OCZ Reaper DDR2 800
X-Clio 650W PSU

For about the past 6 months I have been having gaming troubles. When I play graphics intensive games (Crysis, Call of Duty 4, Fallout 3), the games will lock up and kick me out to my desktop. Since it's happened very similar in all 3 games, I've ruled out the possibility of it being a bad install. I've updated my drivers and done the usual re-seating and whatnot. I've also swapped the memory (but it was a 4gb kit to begin with, so it's all the same batch). Basically, I think the problem is with the GPU either overheating or failing some other way. It seems like it's idling really high at about 64C. Cooling wasn't a problem when I first built the machine, and all the fans are still working, but that number just seems high.

What do you guys think? Is it the video card causing the problems? Or should I try different memory again?

Thanks

Dan

 

[zagood]

Install RivaTuner. Use the monitor in the background to check temps and fire up a game. Exit after 5 minutes and check your max temps.

Increase fan speed if needed.

Rivatuner:
http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=163

Here's an excellent guide (even uses the same card).
http://www.guru3d.com/article/...peed--overclock-guide/

-z

 

[dhorn]

I have actually increased the fan speed on the card already. Max temps are on average 80 degrees celsius, or close to it.

 

[dhorn]

Any other thoughts on this? I don't really have the money to get a new card, but I might be able to scrounge together to ship it (it's still under warranty). I just need to figure out whether the VC is the problem or not. For a while I would get kicked out to my desktop and get a little bubble notification saying my display driver has stopped working. It doesn't seem to do that anymore, but I get kicked out of graphic intensive games quite often. On a side note: World of Goo works fine. So I can at least play that....

 

[alcoholbob]

Canned air or a soft brush to clean out any dust. Then game with the case open at see if you still crash.

 

[dhorn]

I have cleaned the dust out of the case once or twice, kept it a few degrees cooler, but did not address the issue. Even with the case open still crashing. Does anyone think that a 60C idle is high? My processor (Q6600) is idling at 33-34 average with a Tuniq Tower.

 

[TemjinGold]

The other possibility is that PSU of yours. It's possible when the card ramps up that your PSU can't supply it enough juice (I haven't heard of that brand so I assume it's not a high quality unit?) Do you have a spare PSU to test with or a friend's machine that you can try that card in?

 

[kmmatney]

That's a pretty decent PSU, and should easily handle your video card. Trying another PSU wouldn't hurt, but my guess is that something is wrong with the video card. Idling at 64C sounds too high - maybe being that high over time just wore the card out.

 

[dhorn]

The PSU isn't too bad. Here it is. When I first built the machine I never had any problems. It is only more recently occurring. I would like that it would supply plenty of power just for one card though. Who knows. I'll have to find someone who has parts to swap in and out.

 

[zagood]

Originally posted by: dhorn
I have cleaned the dust out of the case once or twice, kept it a few degrees cooler, but did not address the issue. Even with the case open still crashing. Does anyone think that a 60C idle is high? My processor (Q6600) is idling at 33-34 average with a Tuniq Tower.

60c idle is average for the fan at around 60%. If that's your idle temp at 100% then something's wrong.

Before switching coolers my GTS 640 would get up to 80c when overclocked and gaming heavily. Never had any problems.

You said you've cleaned the dust out of the case, have you cleaned the dust out of the heatsink itself? It helps if you remove the PCI slot cover/mount.

 

[dhorn]

I've cleaned it to the best of my ability without removing the cooler. I think I may have to this summer though. I might just rebuild the system, maybe put some arctic silver on the VC