lockups in SLI while games load or start up without BSOD. BFGtech 9800GTX+ oc 1GB

[dp88]

I have been having problems with my computer since installing a second BFGtech 9800GTX+ 1gb. While running games in SLI I don't have any problems once the game starts going. I can play Crysis on full detail at 1920x1200 for hours without problems. Occasionally however when starting Crysis up the computer will lock up while the EA games splash sequence is running. I have automatic reboot off and i still do not get a blue screen of death. The sound cuts out as well and the only way to fix it is by hitting the reset button. In world in conflict it is pretty much the same. The game runs fine on a single level for hours. But occasionally the game will lock up in a similar manner at level loading screens once the loading bar reaches 100%. In eve online I get occasional crashes while playing in windowed mode. I have to go into windowed mode to use a utility program while selling items. It of course also runs fine in full screen mode with our without vsync. My system specs are in my signature.

What do you guys think?I hate having my first post be a question but I'm out of ideas. Thanks for any help you can give me.
Dan

 

[lopri]

Hello and Welcome to AnandTech Forums.

SLI and Window mode don't get along very well and I think you probably know that. For the unpredictable lockup's, check the OS' power plan as well as any 'Graphics Booster', 'Turbo Graphics', etc. in BIOS if there is any.

In Windows,

Control Panel -> Power Options -> Change Plan Settings (under whichever one you're using) -> Change Advanced Power Settings -> PCI Express -> Link State Power Management

It's worth a try if you haven't already. Try changing values and see if it helps.

 

[dp88]

My motherboard doesn't seem to have any graphics options. The windows Linke State Power Management setting was set to "high energy savings". I tried switching it to off. hopefully that will fix the problem. I don't really need any energy savings in windows because i only use it for gaming. Hopefully that will do it, but unfortunately it will take about a week or 1 crash to know for sure.

 

[TC91]

How are your card temperatures? It's possible they could be overheating.

 

[dp88]

I haven't checked the temps. I haven't built or used a desktop in about 5 years and I'm not sure how to do that with current cards. I doubt that is the problem though because i can max them playing crysis on very high at 1920*1200 for over an hour on a single level without any problems. The problems (outside of eve) only seem to occur while loading. Usually while loading the first level or during he EA splash screen for crysis.

What utility could i use to check temps?

 

[TC91]

GPUZ from techpowerup or rivatuner from guru3d are good software that can monitor temps. What drivers are you using? You could try updating or reverting to a previous one to see if it helps.

 

[dp88]

Rivatuner huh? I never expected that program to still be around. Thanks. I was using the drivers that came out in january. I just updated to the newest ones today. I'll just have to wait and see if it helps.

 

[dp88]

Well now i'm getting the "bad pool call" bsod on startup. OS X (the main os) still works. Of course that is without sli. I'm just going to give it a total refresh. I did find an option in the "intelligent tweaker" section of the bios to change the pcie speed from auto to many different frequencies. Do you think i should leave it on auto or set it at 100 which the bios says is pcie's standard speed? "Auto" is the mobo's default setting.

 

[aka1nas]

What's the exact model on your PSU? It can't be a regular True Power, those don't have PCI-E plugs.

 

[dp88]

I updated my profile. The exact model i had previously was wrong. I have the Antec TruePower Trio 650 watt (TP3-650).

 

[Zap]

TruePower Trio 650W should handle those two cards.

PCIe bus speed should be 100MHz.

You have chipset drivers installed?

Have you tried swapping the cards, or testing them individually to see if one card may be flakey?

You can also try calling BFG tech support. It NEVER closes, so you can call right now.

 

[dp88]

Originally posted by: Zap
TruePower Trio 650W should handle those two cards.

PCIe bus speed should be 100MHz.

You have chipset drivers installed?

Have you tried swapping the cards, or testing them individually to see if one card may be flakey?

You can also try calling BFG tech support. It NEVER closes, so you can call right now.

I did reinstall the entire os. I do have the chipset drivers installed. It seems to be working now. Only time will tell of course. If it comes back i will try testing them individually. As for tech support, i usually only call them if i know i need something replaced. I have never once had an issue solved by calling a tech support line. If a question can't be solved by searching the internet, then the people on the other end of the call won't know anything and i'll end up having to go through a lot of hoops over the phone like reinstalling the drivers for the 4th time, checking for conflicts and making sure my computer is plugged in. So hopefully things will keep up the way they are now as far as freezing goes.

I am having a new problem since the format. The nvidia control panel doesn't seem to want to see all of my installed games. I have world in conflict and unreal tournament III installed but they don't show up as installed applications. crysis warhead show up as "Crysis (crysis64.exe) which seems right. but if I set it to single gpu mode, in the game profile, it still runs sli. UT seems to run sli no matter what as well. Its not a big deal right now, but iI don't like not being in control of my game settings. Any ideas?