PC Freezing WIth Multimedia and Games

[steelodon]

I have the PC configuration below:

AMD Phenom II 920 AM2+
4GB DDR2 6400 Corsair XMS memory
EVGA 730a Motherboard
OCZ GameXStream 600W Power Supply
Point of View 8800GTS 640MB
WD 640GB SATA II HDD
WD 250GB IDE HDD

Whenever I try to play high definition video files and games such as TF2, Batman: AA, etc. the computer freezes or the video/game is very choppy. Any suggestions? Also when the desktop refreshes it goes black for about a second sometimes. Also high def images and streaming video like YouTube also freezes.

 

[Smoove910]

Do you have the latest Videocard drivers installed? If not, I would update those first

 

[Ketchup]

Did this start recently, or has the computer always been this way?

 

[steelodon]

I have the setup in a Coolermaster Elite 300 case. The issue started occurring recently. The previous RAM was Crucial Ballistix Tracer 2 x 1GB and Patriot 2 x 1GB 6400 DDR2.

 

[Steltek]

I have the setup in a Coolermaster Elite 300 case. The issue started occurring recently. The previous RAM was Crucial Ballistix Tracer 2 x 1GB and Patriot 2 x 1GB 6400 DDR2.

I take this to mean you recently upgraded the memory? Does it still do this with the old memory modules installed?

Are you by any chance overclocking? Also, what are the specific Corsair part numbers for the memory you are now running?

Were it me, I'd try to run an extended MEMTEST86+ session on each module, one at a time. Also, check the module voltages and timings in the BIOS to ensure that they are being detected properly. Another thing to check is to see if you had a recent video card driver update. If so, try to remove the driver and reinstall it. If this doesn't work, roll back the driver to a prior release in case there is a bug in the current driver affecting your system.

 

[steelodon]

Yes, it was freezing with the old memory as well. I'm not overclocking. I'll have to check the part numbers for the Corsair RAM.

 

[Smoove910]

RAM voltage set to 1.8 ~ 1.85? How are the RAM timings? Chipset drivers current?

 

[Torn Mind]

Try getting Prime95 and test using in-place large FFTs.

You mobo's caps might be going bad.

 

[steelodon]

I believe that my Phenom II 920 was causing the issue. Placed an Athlon 5600+ on the board and no issues. The Phenom II was actually an OEM version. Now I have to figure out if the processor has an issue or the motherboard just didn't agree with the processor.