new computer locks up in games

[bds824]

Just assembled the following yesterday:

MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum
Athlon 3200+ Venice
BFG 6800GT OC PCI express
2GB Corsair Value PC3200
ThermalTake PurePower 460W
Windows XP Pro SP2
(nothing overclocked)

I installed Battlefield 2, HL2 and Farcry this afternoon, and I am having the same problem with all 3 games.

After playing for somewhere around 30 seconds to 1 minute, my monitor will just go into standby mode like it isnt receiving a signal.

I have tested several Nvidia drivers including 77.50, 77.72, the one that came with the video card, and the one with BF2. Same result each time.

Before the lockups, the video is very smooth and it doesn't look like the system is struggling at all. The video card doesnt appear to be getting very hot either- but I put a huge window fan blowing into the case just to be sure. No change.

Next I considered lack of power to the video card. I have tried using both the built-in PCI express connector from the PSU, as well as two regular molex + adapter that came with 6800GT. No change.

I have also updated the mobo BIOs with no change.

I emailed BFG tech support and I'm waiting on a reply. Any ideas on what to do?

 

[congaboy77]

Does the whole machine shut down or does just the video go blank. If it's the whole computer, make sure your heatsink for your CPU is properly seated.

 

[bds824]

The PC stays on, I have to manually restart it. CPU heatsink is on good, according to NVMonitor, my temps are: 32C CPU, 20C System, 67C GPU. I googled BFG 6800GT OC temps, and those numbers seem pretty normal

 

[viperbri]

Hey man...I am having the exact same problem...have you solved your's yet?

Here is my thread for my question...Games make monitor sleep
there was some suggestions in there that I am trying so I will report back in here if I find a resolution.

 

[Tu13erhead]

Try this:

Display Properties > Settings tab > Advanced > Troubleshooting > Disable Write Combining

Then reboot. See if that helps.

 

[mechBgon]

I'm leaning towards the PSU being a little underpowered on the 12V lines. Do make sure to use the PCI-Express cable if one is provided on a dual-rail PSU, or you might be loading up all the 12V demands on just one of the two rails.

The ThermalTake 420W single-rail model has a tepid 18 amps on 12V, and I've seen peoples' problems go away when they replace the TT with something a bit beefier.

The TT 460W has dual 15-amp 12V rails, and if I remember correctly, the MSI mobo calls for 18A.

Anyway, consider a change of PSUs if nothing else works. One thing you guys might try before you bail your PSUs is to set your memory voltage to 2.7 volts manually, if you didn't already address that.

 

[viperbri]

Thanks mechBgon...I may try putting back in my 'generic' 450w PSU that came with my case...

 

[viperbri]

I solved my problem without having to change the drivers or the power supply. Turned out I had not reconnected the a power plug to the molex connector on my video card...bonehead move.

I played GTA:SA for about an hour and then some BF2 demo for another hour without a hitch.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[OAKside24]

bds824, what's your Status? [, too much BF2]
Same problem, I posted in viperbri's 'Sleeping' thread also.
My monitor turns off/sleeps under high stress it seems, with specs below.

 

[animefanatic]

yup I have the exact same issue with my computer. It varies in time but when I play some intense video type of games my computer seems to send my monitor into stand by and I have to hard reboot to use my computer again. I have an ANTEC 480W truepower, my ram is good, the heat is within reasonable temps and I have a separate power cord connected into the computer. So I have no idea what could possibly be wrong. I feel your pain man.

 

[OAKside24]

Thanks a lot animefanatic! I feel much better now.
So you having a 480 [a step up from mine] and HDD molex connected,
that tells me it's either heat or a defective card.

I have been in contact with BFG and the last reply they sent me was
"RMA it" basically. So if it does it again it's going back in a hurry.
If a new one doesn't solve it, I want a free 7800GTX.

Edit: Battlefield 2 made my monitor cut off after about 20 mins.
Screen goes full of colored [red/blue/yellow] lines/triangles for
about one second beforehand, then a pop [speakers/surge]
then a repeating in/out-loud-tone .. .and monitor sleeps.

 

[OAKside24]

Been editing my post. Anyone have any news on this issue?
The RMA is sounding like my only option right about now.

bds informed me he RMA'd his card and the new one is performing well.
Hopefully anyone with these same symptoms will just RMA instead of going
through all the *sheets* I've gone through with this card also.
My RMA is off and hopefully will receive a card worth my money this time.