Computer freezes with 3D games

[pidgas]

I have a Intel 3.2 GHz Pentium 4 on a ASUS P4P800 motherboard running an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro. I've been running this config since late 2003.

When I play a 3D game or try to run 3DMark2005 or ATI Tool, the system will freeze and require a hard reboot somewhere between 2 and 20 minutes in. I have successfully run a Sisoftward Sandra Lite 2005 "burn in" without error since this problem arose.

I thought it was my video card, so I replaced it with exactly the same make and model but the problem persists.

The problem reproduces itself whether the case is closed or open or even if there is a fan blowing directly on everything. The temps seemed to be within spec when I ran the "burn in."

Otherwise, the computer seems to run fine. I have not encountered any other errors, except one time when I was doing a video intensive task and it froze in the same way it does during games.

If there is sound in the game, it seems to loop and "scratch" with the image frozen if that makes any sense.

I can't seem to put this together and localize it someplace. I hate the idea of replacing parts indiscriminately. If it were a problem with the north bridge, don't you think it would be doing something else strange or at least fail the burn in? If it were a problem with the power supply, why would the problem appear suddenly (appeared for the first time after I installed and played Americas Army 2.5).

I really appreciate y'all helping me with any ideas you've got.

Thanks,
Pidgas

 

[Powermoloch]

Hmm.......very interesting, sounds like a common problem but there are many factors inplay that "might" cause your comp froze. But first do you know the temps right now @ your pc, especially the video card ?

 

[V00D00]

sounds like a power supply issue. I had a computer like that. You would be able to do just about anything with it for hours on end, and then when you do some intensive things sometimes it would freeze up... sometimes it wouldn't. Switched out the video card, and the problem persisted.

In the end, it was just a crappy power supply. What kind do you have?

 

[Googer]

In every hardware problem some one always says "It's the Power Supply"! "Get a new one"

 

[imported_Nacelle]

Well, if people would stop using those POS P/S's there would be less problems. This is his first post. I don't think he's read all of those other "It's the Power Supply"! "Get a new one", posts.
For the most part, you really need to spend $100 on a power supply. Go to newegg, look up the prices and then go to ebay and see if someone is selling the same one for cheaper. Sometimes guys will be selling an Antec P/S out of a new case they bought. Because they want a really beefy one instead.

 

[Cooler]

well at least you can spend your time with good old 2d side scrollers.

 

[Oyeve]

Clean the fan on the cpu and install the latest vid drivers. See if that helps.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: Googer
In every hardware problem some one always says "It's the Power Supply"! "Get a new one"

its one of the very few important bits one can buy cheesy generics of.

 

[pidgas]

The PS is an Antec TRUE430 ATX 430W Power Supply that I bought in early 2003.

I've got the catalyst 5.11 drivers installed, and while I haven't "thoroughly" cleaned out the CPU heatsink and fan it looks pretty clean to me. The NorthBridge cooling is the stock passive heatsink.

My CPU temp is about 56 C at baseline and can get up to about 72 or so after about 6 rounds of stress using the Sandra CPU benchmarking software. It may get a bit higher with increased stress, but I don't think it gets over spec.

I honestly have no idea what the video card temps are, and don't think I have a way to know.

Thanks for all the ideas so far.
Pid

 

[CrimsonKnight]

The 9800 Pro requires a floppy-style power supply connection. Make sure there aren't any hard drives or power-intensive equipment hooked onto the same rail as your video card, this WILL cause the system to crash when the video card really fires up. If you must have other hardware on the same rail as the GPU, best bet is to make it your optical drive.

 

[pidgas]

Ok,

Well, I did as y'all suggested and just got in there with my air duster spray can. I'm embarrassed by how much dust was "below the surface" and needing to be cleaned out from my CPU heatsink. After cleaning it out, my baseline CPU temp is 8 degrees lower (48 C) than before! I was able to successfully complete the 3DMark 2005 benchmarking tests. I find it rather curious that errors didn't show up with the SiSoft "burn in." Oh well.

Thanks for all the help!!

Anyone want a ATI Radeon 9800 Pro...it would appear I have an extra.

Appreciatively,
Pid

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: pidgas
Ok,

Well, I did as y'all suggested and just got in there with my air duster spray can. I'm embarrassed by how much dust was "below the surface" and needing to be cleaned out from my CPU heatsink. After cleaning it out, my baseline CPU temp is 8 degrees lower (48 C) than before! I was able to successfully complete the 3DMark 2005 benchmarking tests. I find it rather curious that errors didn't show up with the SiSoft "burn in." Oh well.

Thanks for all the help!!

Anyone want a ATI Radeon 9800 Pro...it would appear I have an extra.

Appreciatively,
Pid

pay you $50 for it

 

[Oyeve]

A good cleaning is always a good thing. Glad it works now.

 

[Chacranajxy]

I think I'm having the exact same problem you are... I don't care anymore since I'm building a new computer next week, but my PSU is a crappy Aspire 350W that came with the equally crappy case. I honestly think that the power supply is the issue.