vinny b

I recently built a new computer with the following specs:

NZXT Nemesis Elite Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail

EVGA 896-P3-1260-AR GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

CORSAIR CMPSU-620HX 620W ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Compatible ... - Retail

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9550 - Retail

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM

EVGA 132-YW-E179-TR LGA 775 NVIDIA nForce 790i SLI ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail

I set the memory timings in BIOS and voltage and went to install Vista 32 bit. After installing motherboard drivers for it that I downloaded (15.25 from evga) I downloaded the video card drivers (185.85) and after it booted up it froze when the shining windows logo comes up. It kept happening after I rebooted a few times. During Safe Mode it works fine and before I installed the drivers it worked. I tried the 64 bit version and the same thing happened. I tried the 182 series drivers after that due to people reporting trouble with the latest ones. I did use driver sweeper to remove any remains after the removal process. The same thing occurred.

I then tried formatting and installing xp. I put the motherboard drivers for xp and it went fine. I then put the graphics drivers (latest) and it would freeze randomly when just browsing and doing simple tasks. I then tried uninstalling it and putting the 182 series drivers. It works fine for everything except games now. I tried Counter Strike source and it freezes after 5-15 minutes.

I got my friend's 8500 GT and clean installed the pc with XP again. Put the drivers and graphics drivers (latest) and it worked flawlessly. WOW worked, and so did CSS for hours.

I then RMA'd the gtx 260 and put the new one once I got it (I did put both 6-pin power connectors to the card.) The best I could get it to run is just doing everything except gaming. It would freeze once I joined a server on CSS. I tried without sound drivers and it still froze, though it took a little longer to freeze.

The card worked in my friend's PC though which was weird.

I got fed up with this and ordered a :

EVGA 512-P3-N954-TR GeForce 9500 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail

The same thing with Vista happened just like the old card. When I put XP on it, it works fine for everything except gaming. It takes longer to freeze then the gtx 260 but it still freezes. I currently have the 182 series drivers on it am using it for everything except CSS. I tried playing a 2-D game that doesn't require sound/much resources and it ran fine.

I updated to the latest BIOS through CD and I tested both sticks of RAM with the latest Memtest and they both passed.

I'm thinking the pci slot isn't getting enough power but is getting enough power to hold an 8500 GT. Maybe that's why it runs better in XP than Vista since Vista requires more power. I checked BIOS and the 12v is getting 12.01V. I doubt increasing it would do anything. I haven't OC'd in any way at all either. I know that the power supply has enough wattage for this build.

Any help is greatly appreciated. I tried calling EVGA support but nothing they said has helped.

vinny b

I just tried AtiTools and it crashed after scanning for artifacts and it crashed after 40.85 seconds. I checked Precision and my fan is at 100%, core is at 550.

Would increasing the voltage to the RAM work, I was suggested to that by someone on another forum.

EDIT: Speedfan says my CPU is 43C and my GPU is 46C both with stock cooling which is normal, I think. Overall system is 92C. Hard drive S.M.A.R.T checks out with a full fitness and health bar.

vinny b

Bump, please!