System crashing after 15-30 minutes of gameplay

lupus002 · 07-23-2008, 03:39 PM

3 days ago I just assembled a new computer, (view my profile to see specs... i think), and I'm sure that's not enough information provided... but anyways, The two games I've been playing are UT3 and TF2, and basically i get the same problem after I've been playing for anywhere from 15-30 minutes of game play, (system crashes). I still have a frame on my screen, and it will change like every 30 seconds. When the crash occurs, it sounds like an M-60 machine gun. My GPU's are at around 75 degrees Celsius, and my CPU is at around 32-35 degrees. I'm not sure if the problem is that my GPU's are too hot, or if its something else. So I am hoping someone on this fine site can help me out.

Note: This was my first time ever building a computer.

lupus002 · 07-23-2008, 03:59 PM

Another issue is that I am getting random Blue screens

**koala** · 07-23-2008, 04:18 PM

Hi, welcome to TSF

Your system specs aren't showing on the left. Check your options in User CP (top left of this page).

We need to know your CPU, RAM, graphics card and PSU details. For the PSU, post back with make/model, total watts, and amps for +12V. Your symptoms sound like overheating or a weak PSU rather than a problem with drivers or other system files.

To see the blue screen (BSOD) without the computer restarting, go to Control Panel > System > Advanced tab > Startup & Recovery Settings button > System Failure and remove the checkmark from 'Automatically restart'. The full BSOD message and error code will help pinpoint the cause of the problem.

lupus002 · 07-23-2008, 04:32 PM

Here is a link to my psu: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...093&CatId=2535

My specs: Core 2 extreme,dual e-Geforce 8800 ultra, 4gigs ddr2, nf680i SLI motherboard

**koala** · 07-23-2008, 04:45 PM

That PSU should be strong enough

Boot into BIOS and check the temperatures and PSU voltages. Then run a fullscreen game for 10 minutes and alt-tab out of it to take a screenshot of the PC Wizard Voltages/Temps/Fans window so we can see how it copes under stress.

Also, monitor your graphics card temperature with ntune in the nvidia control panel.

Next time you get a blue screen, copy down all the details.

Are you using XP 32bit or 64bit? Does it show all 4gb RAM or just 3.5gb? Have you tested the RAM one stick at a time with memtest?

Did you apply a tiny amount of thermal paste to the CPU? Is the heatsink firmly attached and all fans spinning? Are all the power connectors and cards firmly inserted and locked into position?

lupus002 · 07-23-2008, 04:54 PM

Memory: 1.85v
FSB: 1.2v
HT(SPP-MCP):1.2v
PCI-E: 1.2v
nForce:1.5v
AUX:1.5v

lupus002 · 07-23-2008, 04:59 PM

K be back in 10 minutes ^_^

**koala** · 07-23-2008, 05:10 PM

Those are the motherboard voltages. I need to see the PSU voltages in BIOS. See pic below. And the temperatures if they're listed.

+3.3V=?
+5V=?
+12V=?

I'll be logging off soon (1am here). If you get no more replies tonight, I'll be back in the morning.

lupus002 · 07-23-2008, 05:13 PM

my game crashed after 3 minutes of gameplay that time, that has happened a couple times before (forgot to mention)

**koala** · 07-23-2008, 05:16 PM

Did you get a blue screen, crash to desktop, or did it reboot?

lupus002 · 07-23-2008, 05:21 PM

This should help...

lupus002 · 07-23-2008, 05:22 PM

*post above not under stress*

**koala** · 07-23-2008, 05:32 PM

It's showing that your +12V is too low at 9.87V. The accepted range is +/-5% (11.4 to 12.6V).

Your graphics card temperature of 81C is at the top end of the scale, which would account for the crashes. This could be caused by the low +12V output from your PSU.

Your CPU temperature of 51C is also looking high. What kind of thermal paste did you use, and did you apply it correctly?

Are all your fans spinning? Is there a clear airflow path from the front of the case to the rear? Do you have at least 2 case fans?

System monitors like PC Wizard are not always 100% accurate, so try and get the BIOS readings as well, and confirm with another system monitor like SpeedFan or Everest.

What does ntune say your graphics temperature is during gameplay?

EDIT: Please look through my replies and answer any of the questions you've missed. This information is so we can build a picture of what is going on and narrow down the possible causes.

lupus002 · 07-23-2008, 05:42 PM

What I can answer right now is that I did apply the thermal paste correctly, my cooling unit is this one right here http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...srkey=chilltec
I have 3 running fans on my case.

From what I hear heat seems to be the issue. This isn't confirmed yet of course, but I think I need a better cooling system.

lupus002 · 07-23-2008, 06:09 PM

I checked BIOS and all the voltage was ok.

MY CPU temperature was at 37 degrees Celsius
And my Motherboard was at 47 degrees Celsius

I have come to believe that My GPU's are the main problem (they are very hot) and my processor has never exceeded temperatures of 37 degrees Celsius. The PC Wizard reading was wrong, so I think I need cooling for my graphics cards.

07-23-2008, 03:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
lupus002 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: CT Posts: 10 OS: XP pro SP3	System crashing after 15-30 minutes of gameplay 3 days ago I just assembled a new computer, (view my profile to see specs... i think), and I'm sure that's not enough information provided... but anyways, The two games I've been playing are UT3 and TF2, and basically i get the same problem after I've been playing for anywhere from 15-30 minutes of game play, (system crashes). I still have a frame on my screen, and it will change like every 30 seconds. When the crash occurs, it sounds like an M-60 machine gun. My GPU's are at around 75 degrees Celsius, and my CPU is at around 32-35 degrees. I'm not sure if the problem is that my GPU's are too hot, or if its something else. So I am hoping someone on this fine site can help me out. Note: This was my first time ever building a computer.

07-23-2008, 03:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
lupus002 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: CT Posts: 10 OS: XP pro SP3	Re: System crashing after 15-30 minutes of gameplay Another issue is that I am getting random Blue screens

07-23-2008, 04:18 PM	#3 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 9,139 OS: XP/UBUNTU My System	Re: System crashing after 15-30 minutes of gameplay Hi, welcome to TSF Your system specs aren't showing on the left. Check your options in User CP (top left of this page). We need to know your CPU, RAM, graphics card and PSU details. For the PSU, post back with make/model, total watts, and amps for +12V. Your symptoms sound like overheating or a weak PSU rather than a problem with drivers or other system files. To see the blue screen (BSOD) without the computer restarting, go to Control Panel > System > Advanced tab > Startup & Recovery Settings button > System Failure and remove the checkmark from 'Automatically restart'. The full BSOD message and error code will help pinpoint the cause of the problem. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

07-23-2008, 04:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
lupus002 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: CT Posts: 10 OS: XP pro SP3	Re: System crashing after 15-30 minutes of gameplay Here is a link to my psu: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...093&CatId=2535 My specs: Core 2 extreme,dual e-Geforce 8800 ultra, 4gigs ddr2, nf680i SLI motherboard

07-23-2008, 04:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 9,139 OS: XP/UBUNTU My System	Re: System crashing after 15-30 minutes of gameplay That PSU should be strong enough Boot into BIOS and check the temperatures and PSU voltages. Then run a fullscreen game for 10 minutes and alt-tab out of it to take a screenshot of the PC Wizard Voltages/Temps/Fans window so we can see how it copes under stress. Also, monitor your graphics card temperature with ntune in the nvidia control panel. Next time you get a blue screen, copy down all the details. Are you using XP 32bit or 64bit? Does it show all 4gb RAM or just 3.5gb? Have you tested the RAM one stick at a time with memtest? Did you apply a tiny amount of thermal paste to the CPU? Is the heatsink firmly attached and all fans spinning? Are all the power connectors and cards firmly inserted and locked into position? __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

07-23-2008, 04:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
lupus002 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: CT Posts: 10 OS: XP pro SP3	Re: System crashing after 15-30 minutes of gameplay Memory: 1.85v FSB: 1.2v HT(SPP-MCP):1.2v PCI-E: 1.2v nForce:1.5v AUX:1.5v

07-23-2008, 04:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
lupus002 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: CT Posts: 10 OS: XP pro SP3	Re: System crashing after 15-30 minutes of gameplay K be back in 10 minutes ^_^

07-23-2008, 05:10 PM	#8 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 9,139 OS: XP/UBUNTU My System	Re: System crashing after 15-30 minutes of gameplay Those are the motherboard voltages. I need to see the PSU voltages in BIOS. See pic below. And the temperatures if they're listed. +3.3V=? +5V=? +12V=? I'll be logging off soon (1am here). If you get no more replies tonight, I'll be back in the morning. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

07-23-2008, 05:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
lupus002 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: CT Posts: 10 OS: XP pro SP3	Re: System crashing after 15-30 minutes of gameplay my game crashed after 3 minutes of gameplay that time, that has happened a couple times before (forgot to mention)

07-23-2008, 05:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 9,139 OS: XP/UBUNTU My System	Re: System crashing after 15-30 minutes of gameplay Did you get a blue screen, crash to desktop, or did it reboot? __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here

07-23-2008, 05:22 PM	#12 (permalink)
lupus002 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: CT Posts: 10 OS: XP pro SP3	Re: System crashing after 15-30 minutes of gameplay post above not under stress

07-23-2008, 05:32 PM	#13 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 9,139 OS: XP/UBUNTU My System	Re: System crashing after 15-30 minutes of gameplay It's showing that your +12V is too low at 9.87V. The accepted range is +/-5% (11.4 to 12.6V). Your graphics card temperature of 81C is at the top end of the scale, which would account for the crashes. This could be caused by the low +12V output from your PSU. Your CPU temperature of 51C is also looking high. What kind of thermal paste did you use, and did you apply it correctly? Are all your fans spinning? Is there a clear airflow path from the front of the case to the rear? Do you have at least 2 case fans? System monitors like PC Wizard are not always 100% accurate, so try and get the BIOS readings as well, and confirm with another system monitor like SpeedFan or Everest. What does ntune say your graphics temperature is during gameplay? EDIT: Please look through my replies and answer any of the questions you've missed. This information is so we can build a picture of what is going on and narrow down the possible causes. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here Last edited by koala : 07-23-2008 at 05:34 PM.

07-23-2008, 05:42 PM	#14 (permalink)
lupus002 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: CT Posts: 10 OS: XP pro SP3	Re: System crashing after 15-30 minutes of gameplay What I can answer right now is that I did apply the thermal paste correctly, my cooling unit is this one right here http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...srkey=chilltec I have 3 running fans on my case. From what I hear heat seems to be the issue. This isn't confirmed yet of course, but I think I need a better cooling system.

07-23-2008, 06:09 PM	#15 (permalink)
lupus002 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: CT Posts: 10 OS: XP pro SP3	Re: System crashing after 15-30 minutes of gameplay I checked BIOS and all the voltage was ok. MY CPU temperature was at 37 degrees Celsius And my Motherboard was at 47 degrees Celsius I have come to believe that My GPU's are the main problem (they are very hot) and my processor has never exceeded temperatures of 37 degrees Celsius. The PC Wizard reading was wrong, so I think I need cooling for my graphics cards.