New build freezes

[imported_eejit]

I built a system based on some info from this site and motherboard.org. For the first month everything was fine. A couple of days ago I hooked up a second monitor and it seems to freeze when I have about ten or so windows open between the 2 screens, five or six on each screen.
If I go back to one monitor it's ok, but I only have about 7 or 8 windows open..
I threw in a copy of Hoyle 3d casino, it runs for about 5 minutes, then a pop through the speakers, and its frozen.
I did have the MSI core center cool and quiet thing on the screen for one freeze so I know the temp at freezing. CPU 45c, sys 20c, vcore 1.39v, 3.3v 3.12v, +5v 4.97, +12v 11.61v, if that means anything.
The only part of the system that isn't new is the video card, a Radeon 8500. Initially I thought I had solved the problem when I noticed the fan on the card wasn't turning. I put a drop of sewing machine oil on it to fix it, and it seemed to run fine for about a day, then the freezing reoccured.
I've run memtest over night with no errors. I've downloaded the latest ATI drivers, the screen freeze looks different but it still freezes.
I'd bite the bullet and buy a new card if I was sure it was at fault.
Thanks for any suggestions.

MSI NEO 2 Platinum
athlon 64 3200
Corsair Value select 3200 mem 2x512
Benq 1620 dvd/cdr
Maxtor sata 200 gig
Dell fp2001 monitor
Antec Sonata mid tower case/ 380w truepower power supply

 

[sisq0kidd]

Seems like your video card can't handle the load... Whenever a screen freezes on me, I would assume it to be the video card overheating, if it artificats it's the memory, if it freezes, it's the core... I doubt it's the cpu because that would more likely cause your computer to restart... I would try other drivers out before tossing the vid card though...

 

[Creston]

I'd guess it was your graphics card too. Try using just one monitor and opening two dozen windows, see if it will handle that.

Alternatively, lower the resolution on both your monitors, see if it will handle 10 windows. You want to try different amounts of stress on your card, and see if it will flake out on more of them.

Are you having any issues with games at all?

Creston

 

[imported_eejit]

 

[imported_eejit]

Thanks for the advice. I tried it with Half LIfe 2 and it froze fairly quickly. I've updated drivers, still no change. I think I've had enough and I'm going to have to get a new card. I want something that can handle dual monitors and the odd game. Hopefully in the $150 range.
thanks again

 

[SirPappy]

if your still looking for a new card, Im about to upgrade from my ATI 9600XT 128mb

let me know

 

[stevty2889]

Yeah, does sound like the video card. If you have $150 for a video card, I'd save up just a little more and get a 6600GT, that will certainly handle what you want. A 6600 wouldn't be too bad either, but 6600GT would be better.

 

[Siddhartha]

Originally posted by: sisq0kidd
Seems like your video card can't handle the load... Whenever a screen freezes on me, I would assume it to be the video card overheating, if it artificats it's the memory, if it freezes, it's the core... I doubt it's the cpu because that would more likely cause your computer to restart... I would try other drivers out before tossing the vid card though...

What does "artificats" mean?

 

[imported_eejit]

Is there a specific model of the 6600gt you would suggest.

 

[imported_eejit]

At my wits end, I decided to bite the bullet and get a new card. I narrowed it down to a 6600gt or the Radeon 9800 pro. Although the 6600 seems to be better, it also seems more prone to technical issues, so for $100 less ($160 oem) I went with the Radeon.
Install was no problem and everything seemed fine, I had about ten windows open, in dual monitor mode for an hour or two, and then the freezing returned.
Before taking the computer and throwing it into the creek outside my condo, I decided to try disabling Norton Anti Virus, while I played Half Life 2.
Two days later and no more freezes. I hope this solves the problem, what a pain in the butt it's been.
I'm not a big 3d gamer, but the game play in Half Life2 is really amazing, especially with the new card.
Thanks again to everyone for their advice, hopefully this thread is dead for good.

 

[jonnylingo]

Originally posted by: Siddhartha

Originally posted by: sisq0kidd
Seems like your video card can't handle the load... Whenever a screen freezes on me, I would assume it to be the video card overheating, if it artificats it's the memory, if it freezes, it's the core... I doubt it's the cpu because that would more likely cause your computer to restart... I would try other drivers out before tossing the vid card though...

What does "artificats" mean?

Artifacts are the little pixels you get across the screen when you have turned your resolution higher than your card supports. Or it comes from overclocking your card.

jonny