Is GPU heat the cause of my crashing problems

I'm Running a:

PK5
4 GIG Ram
8800 GTX
Quad Core 2.5 clocked to 3.0
26" Monitor
Windows XP SP3

I'm basically getting thrown out of Games, e.g. WoW with the same error "The memory could not be read"

All my drivers are upto date the pc is as good as gold when not running any games but I'm getting these crashes to the point where it is unplayable almost every 10-15 mins or so.

I've tried various display drivers and get the same results, I've done a virus/spyware search etc but I'm still having the problems.

I can only think it's either a ram issue or it's the heat.

A while back my GPU was running at 80-85 under full load (idle at 60-65) this was on a 22" monitor and I was getting regular crashes so I got a massive heatsink put on it with 2 fans from Vadim, since I've had it back I upgraded to a 26" monitor and I'm idling now at 50-57 and under load I'm at 70-75. It appears to crash whenever I hit the 75 temp mark or go around there, not straight away but that's when it tends to happen and the crash is totally random.

The improved cooling I've got has reduced the temps somewhat but it would appear not enough, I've taken the side of my case off and am considering just getting a desk fan pointed at the GPU until I can sort this but this isn't the answer long term.

I've done a few searches on this issue and there doesn't really seem to be a conclusive fix, I've even tried to set the priority to high in task manager and give it a single core affinity but no change.

I'm using Nvidia's Monitor View to record the temps and I've got all my fans set to 100% for max cooling but I really don't know what to do.

Other posts say 70-75 under load is way too hot but I have no idea how to get it down, the problem isn't helped that room has another pc in it and as I work from home it will have a laptop on as well sometimes so it's very warm in the room and not helped by the summer heat.

I was considering looking at getting one of those aircon unit but as it's a small room at best and to have a big hulking thing like that and then the big exhaust tube sticking outside the door is far from ideal, and again I don't really want to get this if it's not really a heat issue plus the wife would go ape.

I'm guessing I should run a memtest overnight and see if I get any errors to rule out the RAM? or would it be just easier to just take out one of the Ram sticks each time and try it till it crashes, then replace that stick and try another?

Any help/idea's would me most helpful on this.

*edit I can post my crash log and a Hijack this log if it helps?

Thanks

If you are running a 32 bit OS then you are not getting the most from your 4 gig. Your error could be to do with your overclock. Is your FSB and memory 1:1? What voltage and timings have you used?

I would start by dropping to 2gb and going back to stock speeds. If you still have a problem then post back.

Well I didn't set up on the timing and oc speeds, Vadim did.

With their reputation I do trust them to have done it correctly however that's not to say it could be causing complications down the line.

I'll be honest I have no idea about overclocking I wouldn't even know how to do it or undo it. I have no idea either about FSB or voltage/timings.

I'm only getting 3.25 GIG mem in XP, so should I take 1 stick of Ram out at time and see if I have a bad stick or is that a bad idea?

Ah sorry, I didn't realise the whole thing was a Vadim computer - best thing would be go directly to them for support in that case, so that you can maintain warranty etc.

Well that's the thing, it's been back to them, supposedly they put more cooling on it but since I've had it back the problem has not improved and this after a fresh install of windows !!

Update, ran memtest, got lots of errors, not a good thing.

So at least I know the cause of the problem is the Ram, only thing is I'm not fully sure what it's telling me and how I correct it.

Is it due to just bad ram or are the timings wrong etc.

Here's some screenshots of the test, does it make sense to anyone?

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...dze10/RAM1.jpg

And

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...dze10/RAM2.jpg

Well as you got a pre overclocked system from Vadim take it back and complain.
Ether the memory is bad or it's been clocked past it's ability to cope, the reason Why you get problems on games is that they are memory intensive (especially MMOs)
You could probably improve it your self by changeing the setting in the BIOS however you stated you don't know how to and more importantly you paid for an overclocked system so it's on Vadim to fix it.

Just set the system clocks back to default and test again......if it passes, then you know its the overclock.

If it still fails, start removing 1 stick of RAM at a time and then re-run the tests.

Troubleshooting is a time-intensive process, there are normally no short-cuts and it normally involves discounting 1 thing at a time as the culprit.

Well Vadim have just gone bust as of today so there goes all my comeback, not sure if I should laugh or cry !!!

Ouch :(

well looks like your going to have to bite the bullet then and start digging around in the BIOS.

My 1st advice is start to read up on BIOS's it's often not as complex as it looks at first and most of the options can be left on there default settings.
Also have a look at the C2D overclocking thread the same stuff basically applies to the quad core as well.
http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-hardwa...beginners.html

Cheers m8, I basically need a way to reset it to it default setting then memtest to see if the RAM is bad at stock speeds or if its just an overclock issue.

Last night I ran memtest and got RAM errors after 10 mins, I've taken 1 stick out so far ran for 20 mins and no error.

Dunno if I've just got lucky or not?

One thing I did notice was the RAM was redhot when I touched it, wondering if it is overheating that's causing the RAM to fail perhaps?

Well major disaster, came to the pc this morning and it won't post.

Totally dead, have checked all connections tried reseting the CMOS but I have no idea what has happened.

Im totally screwed as Vadim went bust yesterday and I have a £2000 rig here which is now useless.

No idea what to do or who to turn to, I don't have the knowledge myself to rebuild it either.

I'm guessing I need to go to the yellow pages and reach for a pc expert ??!! :(

If you need it quickly then yup. Otherwise we can take you through the various stages to test etc. but obivously it'll be slower. Also Vadim may still have something in place to deal with existing warranty/service requests.

Describe exactly what happens when you push the power button - any beeps? Any fans whirring at all?

Power on the pc, fans go round lights come on inside the case etc.

But that's it no beeps no nothing.

No picture on screen either.

Have checked all connections have re-seated GPU and reset CMOS jumper and Battery too

No difference, it just won't post at all.

I have emailed Vadim but Im really not confident.

That does not sound good, for it not even to provide a post bleep :( As that typically means something is loose onboard or has failed.

Have you tried removing all the ram and seeing if it bleeps when you try to turn it back on?

Nope not yet but will do.

Already ordered new mobo which will be here tmw ready for a refit, but I need to find someone to do it.

It really is not very difficult to replace your motherboard, people here will happily talk you through it if you need the help. Definitely have a go your self first before paying someone to do it for you if you know someone who will do it for free then watch them do it and learn how :)

Yep, just need patience, a logical mind and some care :) If you are concerned at how to put it together, take pictures as you disassemble and do the reverse to re-assemble.

Just took all the ram out and it started beeping, still couldnt get a bios screen but it was beeping a lot, beep beeeep beep etc etc.

so a short beep, longer beep then a short beep

Tried it with 1 stick in in the far left slot, no beeps and no post just as it was before.

Not sure what this is telling me?

*Update just got it working, I put the far right stick of Ram in and it posted and booted so it looks like my mobo lives !!!

I'm going to play around with the Bios and see what's going on now.

Thanks for the support so far guys

Quite possibly one of your RAM sticks or DIMM slot is not operating correctly. Or It may just got dirty connectors (from dust)?

Depending on who makes the BIOS, you can decode the beeps as meaningful messages. :) This is now a case of trial and error (which I have recently been through).

Well now Im getting an error on the bios that says CPU fan error and 3 quick beeps.

will keep on playing hopefully I can get rid of that and then try and add in 1 stick at a time?

If it was me, I'd get annoyed first and then...rip it all apart. :D

But if you don't know the cause of the problem, the best way is to start with basics.

Now you say the BIOS says CPU fan error. I have had a problem in the past with my old motherboard whereby I slowed the fan speed (using a fan speed controller) too much and the PC auto-shutdown (as I had instructed it to) as it detected it as a fan failure. Check the fan connector to your motherboard (there is one connection, yellow wire I think it is that reports fan RPM) and also if you got the PC apart, physically see if the fan is spinning. If the fan isn't spinning on your CPU, fix that :D

Let us know how you get on.

Well I'm almost there, was messing around in the bios and I saw the previous working profile, so I'm loading from that and all the errors went away, I'm straight into windows, no beeps just as I was before.

I've added 1 stick back at a time and all seems to be working fine.

Now its the last stick to add back in and this was the one that caused all the trouble in the first place.

I'm on XP 32 bit so I'm a little reluctant to do it as I only get another .25 GIG of memory so part of me says leave it but I will give it ago.

If this works then looks like I need to send back the new mobo I just bought lol

Well last stick went in and it's works ok.

All settings are back to normal and so far so good.

Guys if I could by you all a drink or 10 I would do, thanks so much you really are the salt of the earth :)

If you fixed your problems, fantastic. As I have learnt, this place is really great for general discussions, even better when you need a helping hand :)

Seeing as everything is working ok, best check to see if the RAM is fully working :) Try running memtest86+ and if you get errors, its time to try and find the problem. If you get no errors on 1 pass, you should be ok :) Can leave it running over night if you want to be really secure about it but remember, nothing is 100% :)

Don't be afraid of memtest86+ if you've not used it before. I only recently tried it and it's a self running OS/application. Just remember to have a P/S2 Keyboard plugged in as it doesn't recognise USB keyboards.

memtest86+ can be found here: http://www.memtest.org/

You can make a bootable CD from that site, just need to set your PC to boot from CD first then hard drive. :)

you can return the mobo that you have ordered under DSR (distance selling regulations) the company may charge you the cost of shipping though...

i'm glad to hear that you have got things sorted :D

Hi Yeah

It was that memtest that i was using, I think there was a problem with the Ram running at too high a speed.

I've turned my ram down from 1000 to 833, I haven't noticed any drops in performance but my games etc are now stable.

I still did get memory errors with that slower speed but until I start getting serious problems Im not going to worry about it too much,

It sounds as if you've been through a nightmare, I'm glad everything is working ok now. Looks like the source of your problems is the RAM, new 4GB sticks cost just £55 so you could consider getting new sticks altogether, and they should be covered with a lifetime warrantee too.

Also the speed difference in ram these days doesnt make that much of a difference in teh scheme of things(a few percent give or take). Its much more preferable to have a more stable system system than one that is not noticably faster but is unstable.