Gaming and video problem

Puddle · 08-19-2009, 06:14 PM

This is kind of confusing and long problem, so please those willing to help read the whole thing. About 2 years ago i had a computer that started to have problems with running games, it was really laggy. so i bought all new parts accept for a hard drive and had a friend put it together. when i got it back i noticed the problem was still there so he brought it down to frys and they said i needed a whole new hard drive. so i got one, but of course that was not the problem. I kept using the computer and the problem for the next few months until i couldnt handle it anymore. Evertime i would play a game it would crash, freeze, lagg or say there was a prob with nvidia or directx, so i got a new graphics card (9800 GX2) but it wasn't the prob either. Than my computer finally crashed and i brought it back and forth to frys about 4 times with them giving me a different reason why it doesn't work every time, including getting a new OS and new memory (which i of course got and replaced) none of this worked and things have just gotten worse. I have replaced everything on my computer twice and the problem is still here.

please help

**Jason09** · 08-19-2009, 06:25 PM

Hi and welcome to TSF!
Can you post your current system specs (motherboard, RAM, DirectX version, power supply unit)? Also, have you tried everything in the "Gaming troubleshooting steps" link in my signature?

**Lord Sirian** · 08-19-2009, 09:19 PM

Hi there.

In addition to what is suggested above, make sure you update both your DirectX and Nvidia Drivers.

Also, can you please download SensorsView and Everest. Use them to check the your temperatures while idle and also after playing for about 20 minutes. Post the temperatures here. Also check your voltages in Everest and post them back here. Include the +12V +5V and +3.3V.

Make sure you post the make and model of your PSU, as it is very important.

Puddle · 08-20-2009, 03:16 PM

Here are my system specs

motherboard: ASUS p5n-d
RAM: 4 gigs of DDR2 Patriot
PSU: 700watt rocket fish (changed the psu like twice)
CPU: intel core 2 duo E8400
GPU: 9800 GX2

**Jason09** · 08-20-2009, 07:08 PM

Your current PSU is a little too low for the rest of your system, and it would be best to upgrade your PSU to something like the Corsair 750TX 750W.
Also, can you follow the rest of the instructions listed in posts #2 and #3?

Puddle · 08-20-2009, 11:28 PM

Ok, i might try a new psu, but i downloaded the programs and at idle my cpu is at about 51 celcius and after i played a game it went up a few degrees but not too much. i did notice that my memory is always at around 36% usage no matter what im doing and my cpu keeps on going up to about 40% usage when i just highlight my desktop. i dont see why it would take that much power to just highlight something. my voltage is at- +12V: 12.00V, +5V: 4.92, and +3.3V: 0.00.

Hope this helps

**Lord Sirian** · 08-21-2009, 04:55 AM

Hi again. Your voltages all seem fine (I think the 0V reading on the +3.3V is probably an inaccuracy, given the rest of the readings), however, given you have a 9800GX2, I would suggest getting a PSU with higher wattage, like the one Jason09 suggested.

About the CPU usage jumping up and down when you do stuff on the desktop, I doubt it's related to your problem at the moment, but you can try updating Windows and turning off Aero.

Did you update your DirectX and Nvidia drivers as I requested in my previous post?

Now the most important issue: You've told us your CPU temperature and it seems ok, but we don't know your Graphics Card temperature. Could you please post that for us.

Puddle · 08-21-2009, 05:04 PM

Jesus i dont know if this is good, but both of my gpu cores are over 80 degrees celcius

Mcninjaguy · 08-21-2009, 06:39 PM

I can't personally help you until you buy the new PSU that Jason09 recommended as your system is currently too unstable to be bothered with. Sorry, but its the truth.

Puddle · 08-21-2009, 07:00 PM

Alright ill probably pick a new psu up from newegg next week, but i was just testing crysis and my screen went black so i restarted my comp and checked the core gpu temp and it was at 99 celcius, is this because of the power supply?

**Jason09** · 08-21-2009, 07:16 PM

That's certainly possible, as while not doing much the GPU temp shouldn't be that high.

Mcninjaguy · 08-21-2009, 07:43 PM

The GPU temp might be from the PSU giving too low a voltage and the GPu trying to compensate.

**Lord Sirian** · 08-21-2009, 09:17 PM

It could be because of the PSU, but it could also be for other reasons.

Try cleaning out your case with a can of compressed air, especially the GPU fan/s.

Puddle · 09-01-2009, 07:57 PM

Hey guys, im ordering the power supply and ill let you know when it gets here and if it helps at all, but i was wondering if i should get a new cpu fan because im using a crappy stock one rite now for the core 2 duo E8400

08-19-2009, 06:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
Puddle Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 6 OS: vista service pack 1	Gaming and video problem This is kind of confusing and long problem, so please those willing to help read the whole thing. About 2 years ago i had a computer that started to have problems with running games, it was really laggy. so i bought all new parts accept for a hard drive and had a friend put it together. when i got it back i noticed the problem was still there so he brought it down to frys and they said i needed a whole new hard drive. so i got one, but of course that was not the problem. I kept using the computer and the problem for the next few months until i couldnt handle it anymore. Evertime i would play a game it would crash, freeze, lagg or say there was a prob with nvidia or directx, so i got a new graphics card (9800 GX2) but it wasn't the prob either. Than my computer finally crashed and i brought it back and forth to frys about 4 times with them giving me a different reason why it doesn't work every time, including getting a new OS and new memory (which i of course got and replaced) none of this worked and things have just gotten worse. I have replaced everything on my computer twice and the problem is still here. please help

08-19-2009, 06:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jason09 Moderator, Games Team Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Near Washington, D.C. Posts: 2,344 OS: Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3 My System	Re: Gaming and video problem Hi and welcome to TSF! Can you post your current system specs (motherboard, RAM, DirectX version, power supply unit)? Also, have you tried everything in the "Gaming troubleshooting steps" link in my signature? __________________ Gaming troubleshooting steps. Real peace cannot be found in what happens in Washington, D.C. Only God can give true peace to people. Last edited by Jason09; 08-19-2009 at 06:26 PM.

08-19-2009, 09:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Lord Sirian Mentor, Games Team Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,632 OS: Windows XP SP 3 My System	Re: Gaming and video problem Hi there. In addition to what is suggested above, make sure you update both your DirectX and Nvidia Drivers. Also, can you please download SensorsView and Everest. Use them to check the your temperatures while idle and also after playing for about 20 minutes. Post the temperatures here. Also check your voltages in Everest and post them back here. Include the +12V +5V and +3.3V. Make sure you post the make and model of your PSU, as it is very important. __________________ "Come forth for the cattle call Confront the evil river you can't control Wicked ways and venomous eyes Just human nature in disguise..."- Clouds over California

08-20-2009, 03:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
Puddle Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 6 OS: vista service pack 1	Re: Gaming and video problem Here are my system specs motherboard: ASUS p5n-d RAM: 4 gigs of DDR2 Patriot PSU: 700watt rocket fish (changed the psu like twice) CPU: intel core 2 duo E8400 GPU: 9800 GX2

08-20-2009, 07:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
Jason09 Moderator, Games Team Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Near Washington, D.C. Posts: 2,344 OS: Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3 My System	Re: Gaming and video problem Your current PSU is a little too low for the rest of your system, and it would be best to upgrade your PSU to something like the Corsair 750TX 750W. Also, can you follow the rest of the instructions listed in posts #2 and #3? __________________ Gaming troubleshooting steps. Real peace cannot be found in what happens in Washington, D.C. Only God can give true peace to people.

08-20-2009, 11:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
Puddle Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 6 OS: vista service pack 1	Re: Gaming and video problem Ok, i might try a new psu, but i downloaded the programs and at idle my cpu is at about 51 celcius and after i played a game it went up a few degrees but not too much. i did notice that my memory is always at around 36% usage no matter what im doing and my cpu keeps on going up to about 40% usage when i just highlight my desktop. i dont see why it would take that much power to just highlight something. my voltage is at- +12V: 12.00V, +5V: 4.92, and +3.3V: 0.00. Hope this helps

08-21-2009, 04:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
Lord Sirian Mentor, Games Team Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,632 OS: Windows XP SP 3 My System	Re: Gaming and video problem Hi again. Your voltages all seem fine (I think the 0V reading on the +3.3V is probably an inaccuracy, given the rest of the readings), however, given you have a 9800GX2, I would suggest getting a PSU with higher wattage, like the one Jason09 suggested. About the CPU usage jumping up and down when you do stuff on the desktop, I doubt it's related to your problem at the moment, but you can try updating Windows and turning off Aero. Did you update your DirectX and Nvidia drivers as I requested in my previous post? Now the most important issue: You've told us your CPU temperature and it seems ok, but we don't know your Graphics Card temperature. Could you please post that for us. __________________ "Come forth for the cattle call Confront the evil river you can't control Wicked ways and venomous eyes Just human nature in disguise..."- Clouds over California

08-21-2009, 05:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
Puddle Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 6 OS: vista service pack 1	Re: Gaming and video problem Jesus i dont know if this is good, but both of my gpu cores are over 80 degrees celcius

08-21-2009, 06:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mcninjaguy Temporarily Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 10,422 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: Gaming and video problem I can't personally help you until you buy the new PSU that Jason09 recommended as your system is currently too unstable to be bothered with. Sorry, but its the truth.

08-21-2009, 07:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
Puddle Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 6 OS: vista service pack 1	Re: Gaming and video problem Alright ill probably pick a new psu up from newegg next week, but i was just testing crysis and my screen went black so i restarted my comp and checked the core gpu temp and it was at 99 celcius, is this because of the power supply?

08-21-2009, 07:16 PM	#11 (permalink)
Jason09 Moderator, Games Team Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Near Washington, D.C. Posts: 2,344 OS: Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3 My System	Re: Gaming and video problem That's certainly possible, as while not doing much the GPU temp shouldn't be that high. __________________ Gaming troubleshooting steps. Real peace cannot be found in what happens in Washington, D.C. Only God can give true peace to people.

08-21-2009, 07:43 PM	#12 (permalink)
Mcninjaguy Temporarily Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 10,422 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: Gaming and video problem The GPU temp might be from the PSU giving too low a voltage and the GPu trying to compensate.

08-21-2009, 09:17 PM	#13 (permalink)
Lord Sirian Mentor, Games Team Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 1,632 OS: Windows XP SP 3 My System	Re: Gaming and video problem It could be because of the PSU, but it could also be for other reasons. Try cleaning out your case with a can of compressed air, especially the GPU fan/s. __________________ "Come forth for the cattle call Confront the evil river you can't control Wicked ways and venomous eyes Just human nature in disguise..."- Clouds over California

09-01-2009, 07:57 PM	#14 (permalink)
Puddle Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 6 OS: vista service pack 1	Re: Gaming and video problem Hey guys, im ordering the power supply and ill let you know when it gets here and if it helps at all, but i was wondering if i should get a new cpu fan because im using a crappy stock one rite now for the core 2 duo E8400