Computer crashes while playing games

Jebaux · 10-08-2008, 12:29 AM

Hey guys, im also having the same problem.
Here is my specs

Motherboard - Asus P5N-T Deluxe
CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4Ghz
GPU - ATI Sapphire HD4870
RAM - 4GB Corsair on DDR2 (PCI-e), 512mb video memory
HDD - 500GB Seagate Barracuda
PSU - Antec 650watts
Casing - Thermaltake MD9

At first I thought the problem was with temp so to properly monitor them i installed everest ultimate. All temps are stable at less 40degress except for the CPU which rises to upto 60. I have also tried re-applying AS5 but still cannot last even 5 minutes in game.

Is there an incompatibility issue between my above specs. I know that P5N-T runs on nVidia Nforce chip but there was no mention that i could not use ATI/AMD video cards. I already did updating dispaly drivers and chipsets but still has the same problem. System is fine with normal windows apps even in movie playbacks but not in 3D games like World of Warcraft, Gears of Wars or Cysiss.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks alot !!!

**Aus_Karlos** · 10-09-2008, 07:42 AM

Hi Jebaux and welcome to TSF,

60c for that type of CPU is high but it can go upto 65c before the thermal shut-off kicks in. Please ensure the Heatsink/Fan are properly secure.
Also could you link me to your PSU's full specs. As your trying to play some intense 3D games it could be your PSU is not powerful enough to run your System at full load.

The compatibly issue between your card and the Motherboard is the fact you wont be able to enable Cross-Fire as the board only supports SLI.

Jebaux · 10-10-2008, 09:24 AM

Hey, thanks alot for the reply.
Really? 60deg is high for a Core 2 Quad CPU? whew!

My PSU is Antec Earthwatts EA-650.
Is this still not enough? please advise, thanks!

I was like thinking that its a GPU problem. I tried incrasing fan speed to GPU to 80% and it gave me around 3 hours game time before having BSOD.

Now i am thinking to either (1) put a liquid cooling system block on the GPU or (2) mount a thermaltake dual-orb fan directly to the GPU to put the GPU temp down during game.

Please advise if i'm getting this all wrong.
If PSU is the problem then should I replace my PSU as well?

Many thanks for the support guys!

**Aus_Karlos** · 10-10-2008, 08:26 PM

The culprit is most possible your PSU. Earthwatts is a very generic brand. This brand does not have quality parts to keep itself running at full load. The PSU is probably only supplying your PC with about 525W-600W. And considering your trying to run a Quad, 4GB of RAM and a HD4870 its just too much for it.

I would suggest you go think about upgrading to a Thermaltake ToughPower 850W. This PSU will give your Hardware components room to breath and give you the opportunity to upgrade components later.

10-08-2008, 12:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jebaux Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Japan Posts: 8 OS: 32-Bit Vista Ultimate Black	Computer crashes while playing games Hey guys, im also having the same problem. Here is my specs Motherboard - Asus P5N-T Deluxe CPU - Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4Ghz GPU - ATI Sapphire HD4870 RAM - 4GB Corsair on DDR2 (PCI-e), 512mb video memory HDD - 500GB Seagate Barracuda PSU - Antec 650watts Casing - Thermaltake MD9 At first I thought the problem was with temp so to properly monitor them i installed everest ultimate. All temps are stable at less 40degress except for the CPU which rises to upto 60. I have also tried re-applying AS5 but still cannot last even 5 minutes in game. Is there an incompatibility issue between my above specs. I know that P5N-T runs on nVidia Nforce chip but there was no mention that i could not use ATI/AMD video cards. I already did updating dispaly drivers and chipsets but still has the same problem. System is fine with normal windows apps even in movie playbacks but not in 3D games like World of Warcraft, Gears of Wars or Cysiss. Any help is appreciated. Thanks alot !!!

10-09-2008, 07:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
Aus_Karlos Moderator, Games Team Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western Australia Posts: 3,470 OS: Vista Ultimate x64, Windows XP 32-bit/64-bit, Ubuntu x64, Windows 7 x64 Beta My System Blog Entries: 2	Re: Computer crashes while playing games Hi Jebaux and welcome to TSF, 60c for that type of CPU is high but it can go upto 65c before the thermal shut-off kicks in. Please ensure the Heatsink/Fan are properly secure. Also could you link me to your PSU's full specs. As your trying to play some intense 3D games it could be your PSU is not powerful enough to run your System at full load. The compatibly issue between your card and the Motherboard is the fact you wont be able to enable Cross-Fire as the board only supports SLI. __________________ MemTest86 / Nvidia Drivers / ATI Drivers / DirectX 9.0c / Sys Requirements / Everest Folding@Home

10-10-2008, 09:24 AM	#3 (permalink)
Jebaux Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Japan Posts: 8 OS: 32-Bit Vista Ultimate Black	Re: Computer crashes while playing games Hey, thanks alot for the reply. Really? 60deg is high for a Core 2 Quad CPU? whew! My PSU is Antec Earthwatts EA-650. Is this still not enough? please advise, thanks! I was like thinking that its a GPU problem. I tried incrasing fan speed to GPU to 80% and it gave me around 3 hours game time before having BSOD. Now i am thinking to either (1) put a liquid cooling system block on the GPU or (2) mount a thermaltake dual-orb fan directly to the GPU to put the GPU temp down during game. Please advise if i'm getting this all wrong. If PSU is the problem then should I replace my PSU as well? Many thanks for the support guys!

10-10-2008, 08:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
Aus_Karlos Moderator, Games Team Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Western Australia Posts: 3,470 OS: Vista Ultimate x64, Windows XP 32-bit/64-bit, Ubuntu x64, Windows 7 x64 Beta My System Blog Entries: 2	Re: Computer crashes while playing games The culprit is most possible your PSU. Earthwatts is a very generic brand. This brand does not have quality parts to keep itself running at full load. The PSU is probably only supplying your PC with about 525W-600W. And considering your trying to run a Quad, 4GB of RAM and a HD4870 its just too much for it. I would suggest you go think about upgrading to a Thermaltake ToughPower 850W. This PSU will give your Hardware components room to breath and give you the opportunity to upgrade components later. __________________ MemTest86 / Nvidia Drivers / ATI Drivers / DirectX 9.0c / Sys Requirements / Everest Folding@Home