Vista and Games

Here is the system

intel mobod with 3.0ghz dual core cpu
4 gb memory
750w psu
bfg 9600 video card
sb x-fi extreme gamer

I have been having problems with games ever since i built this system. Warcraft 3 plays fine but Halo and BFME crash the computer. The screen goes blank and then locks up after only a few minutes of game play. I have to unplug the machine to reboot. I have tried everything I know. I bought a new large CPU fan that has a speed control and I used a big glob of arctic silver on the cpu. Temps stay around 40C to 48C during use. I have updated all drivers. I have switched memory, tested the memory. Adjusted virtual memory. The only thing I have not tried is to install a new PSU. The one in the system is 750w and all the settings match the game requirements. I have examind the rail reading in bios and they all match the specs. I do not have an additional PSU so I am trying to troubleshoot this without having to get another PSU. I have installed updates to the games, windows, and all hardware. All drivers are windows signed and I only have problems with those two games. I have also pointed a large fan at the case just to see if it is a heat issue and the same thing happens.

Can anyone help?

Thanks in advance

hi Melhoff and welcome to Vistax64.com!

Have you checked the event-log for any information about these game crashes?
Have you also installed the latest directx redist? Download it here: Download details: DirectX Redist (March 2008)

Does either of these things reveal any changes?

Cheers
dmex

I have updated direct x. In the event log there is never a error. The only message I see is the one saying the previous shutdown was unexpected.

I found that my game/pc crashes were down to my ram not receiving enough voltage.

My motherboard automatically set it to 1.8v when the manufacturer advised should be 2.1v and cpu-z advised 2.2v.

No more bluecreens or computer crashes. Games sometimes crash but I believe this down to my video card not being optimized for vista x64.

As Chris mentioned try This program: CPUID and check the settings, if your unsure just post us some screenshots of the result

Steven

OK. I just downloaded that program and tested it on my laptop here at work. My laptop is set to 1.8v for the memory. When I get off I will run this test on the game machine and see what happens. If it is set to 1.8v how can I adjust that?

Thanks for the replies!!

Dag nab it, that is like the 43,000th time I've seen the CPUID link. I still suffer random lock ups occasionally and I think this time I'm going to try the dang thing. If I have any problems understanding the results Stephen should I post it on this thread or in a PM. I also have had problems with HaloII but more with the mouse not turning Master Chief fast enough (he moves like an arthritic 300 year old cripple) more than game crashes though I have had those as well.

EDIT: I'm a bit gunshy about downloading and running programs if you know what I mean lol.

OK, that was quick and I'm WAY clueless. I get this:

Capture.JPG
Why is the top value 667MHz? I run 1333 MHz?

DDR is memory that has 2 data cycles (Dual or Double Data Rate). 2 data cycles x 667 = 1333 effective data rate.

Hey Bubba,

The SPD tab lists the reported capability settings of your MemSticks while the Memory tab lists the current BIOS config...

Steven