Random Lock-ups During CS:S

[rocketPack]

Hi there,

I know most of you guys see this kind of crap every day and it probably get's boring but I'm having a bit of a tough time with this one.

While playing Counter-Strike: Source I am encountering lock-ups of an unknown nature. I havn't had this issue in the past, it began probably a month ago. Let me give you some specs and the steps I've taken thus far:
System Specs:
---------------------------
AMD AthlonXP 2600+
> Overclocked to 200MHz FSB (from 166MHz stock)
> Stock Multiplier
> Running at 2,300MHz
> I've run it with vCores of 1.625 through 1.675 with the same issues

Mushkin 1Gb (2x512Mb) DDR400/PC3200 "dual pack" (the value stuff I believe)
> Stock vDIMM
> DRAM Ratio of 1:1
> 2.5-3-3-3

MSI K7N2-L
> Most up-to-date BIOS
> Most up-to-date Drivers

Sapphire Radeon 9600 Atlantis/256Mb
> Most recent Catalyst drivers installed
> NOT overclocked, but it was previously

ENERMAX Noisetaker 470W

Western Digital 80Gb "Special Edition" (8Mb/7,200RPM/EIDE/ATA100)

Lite-On 16x DVD+/-RW
Sony 16x DVD-ROM

Sound Blaster Audigy2 Platinum w/ LiveDrive

Windows XP Professional SP2
> All the latest windows updates
---------------------------
The processor typically runs about 44-46C idle (depending on ambient), and 48-51C full load (depending on ambient). Load temps taken from running Prime95 for 20 minutes - 15 hours (doesn't matter really) using torture test > in-place large FFTs. It has a VANTEC AeroFlow on it with Arctic Silver 5.

I have run Prime95 for approx. 15 hours using in-place large FFTs with 0 errors and 0 warnings. I ran it on "blend" (for memory) for about 25 minutes with 0 errors and 0 warnings.

When Counter-Strike: Source crashes, typically it will make a loud click sound through the speakers, and then the picture will go blank, the monitor will power off (no signal), or the image will be distorted and only somewhat visible. From there I simply press re-start and it boots back up no problem. While running CS:S or HL2M is the only time I have encountered this issue, but these are the only games I play. It typically takes between 20 minutes and 1 hour before it will lock up. I have tried this with many servers, and the same servers repeatedly, with the same problems.

If anyone has any ideas or suggestions - especially for GPU and Video Memory tests (not benchmarks, but tests), as well as a really good, thorough system memory tester (again, not benchmark, but tester) I might be interested in letting those run. My suspicion tells me its something to do with the video card or my system memory (please god let it be the memory with the lifetime warranty!!!).

Just an FYI, I ordered a Gigabyte 3D Rocket cooler Thursday from NewEgg.com so it should be here Monday - the Vantec AeroFlow just isn't cutting it for this OC.

Also, some interresting things to note.... I just got the ENERMAX Noisetaker 470W PSU I have, and I noticed that my -5V line was running at +3.55V according to SpeedFan and +0.00V according to the hardware monitor in BIOS. Also, I could not get my vCore to anything except 1.63V and 1.70V after I installed the ENERMAX PSU, despite my settings of 1.625, 1.65, and 1.675V in BIOS. The PSU would just keep the vCore at 1.70V until I dropped it down to 1.625 in BIOS, at which point it moved to 1.63V - this is according to SpeedFan, but SpeedFan reported correct voltages back when I had the L&C piece of crap 460W PSU I repalced. Is this a common issue? I'm not sure what these two things mean or if I should even be concerned? What do you guys think?

I appreciate your help very much, have a good day.
-Scott

 

[daveybrat]

I'm assuming of course that you have tried playing counterstrike with your cpu at regular 2600+ default speed and NOT overclocked right?

 

[PhoenixOrion]

Originally posted by: daveybrat
I'm assuming of course that you have tried playing counterstrike with your cpu at regular 2600+ default speed and NOT overclocked right?

Try that with all voltages in stock/default.

If problem persists then it might be defective psu at high temps/loads.

 

[rocketPack]

Well, to be honest, no I havn't tried it at stock clock because I ran Prime95 for 15 hours without any problems at this clock speed. Do you suppose there would be a significant difference? I suppose it is worth a shot though.

Also, last night right before I posted the topic I noticed windows reporting I had 512mb of memory and not 1Gb. I shut down, took both sticks out, swapped them (each went into the other's slot), made sure they were secure, and when I booted back up BIOS and windows both reported 1Gb again. I thought perhaps it was just a loose memory module all along, but I have not tested it a lot since I fixed that. We'll see....