Game hard freeze

[Artinz]

Hey, recently I've been having some issues with my computer. I have an Asus P6T Deluxe V2 Mobo, 2 Radeon 4870s in Crossfire, a Core I7 920, and an Ultra X3 850W PSU.

Every time I play a game for more than an hour, it freezes, and I have to do a hard shutdown on my computer (can't Ctrl-Alt-Delete). The game frame freezes, and it loops the sound file that was playing.

I have come up with 4 possible issues. GPUs overheating, CPU overheating, PSU overheating, and North bridge overheating. I don't think its my CPU, since it never goes above 45C. My GPUs never go above 40C when I play, although when the freeze happens, all my GPU fans spin at 100% (normally set to 75%), so that's why I still think it might be the GPUs. My PSU I think is the most likely contender, because feeling from the back of my case, it is hot. The last is the North bridge, which I don't know much about, people were just talking about it when I looked this up on google.

Anyone know what the problem is or have a solution?

 

[Putty]

Your display driver is not responding. Happened to me on my p7805u a lot.

The only thing I can recommend is google it, then there was a hotfix you hate to delete/uninstall. I think it was 558722, not sure though.

 

[dbee]

Putty sounds correct. TF2 has done that to me several times and later showing me that nvlkddm which is the nvidia display driver has stopped working but recovered. I would guess it is that since i would have identical symptoms as you and windows would report the display driver failing. Have you solved this yet Artinz?

 

[Artinz]

Ok, so it still isn't solved, seems to be a heat issue, pointing towards the North Bridge or RAM. I don't know how to test these, or solve the problems. Anyone have an idea?

 

[Dead Tom]

Would it be possible for you to confirm the heat of the North Bridge while under load? And do you have any control with your computer after the freeze?

 

[Artinz]

Would it be possible for you to confirm the heat of the North Bridge while under load? And do you have any control with your computer after the freeze?

No control over the CPU after the freeze. And I don't know how to test for the North Bridge.

 

[vudu]

There is a great utility for home owners that allows you to via laser test temperature. You can open your case and point it at the North bridge under load to get a good reading.
http://www.google.com/products?hl=e...esult_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CCYQrQQwAA
Looks to be around $50... but also useful for other stuff.

 

[Putty]

Lol. Really? Just throw $50 away, same effect.

 

[shadows5631]

Ultra PSU's were made to run hot (mine feels really hot to the touch), so I think that's out of the question.

Instead of spending $50+ on a temp reader, you could just get some nice RAM coolers, cheap and work great.

 

[Dead Tom]

Ok complete lost of CPU controls could mean its shutting its itself down which it would only do if it become too hot. I would up your cooling on your rig just to be sure.

 

[Artinz]

Ok complete lost of CPU controls could mean its shutting its itself down which it would only do if it become too hot. I would up your cooling on your rig just to be sure.

How do I up my cooling from an NH-D14? With 5 case fans? Short of liquid cooling, I got the best. And anyways, its def not the CPU, unless somehow my CPU now overheats at 45C.

 

[Facey]

Is your psu sufficient?.. I've had exp in the past where psu's that were not sufficient enough made a comp hard freeze. (just askin)

 

[Stormrider^]

Is your psu sufficient?.. I've had exp in the past where psu's that were not sufficient enough made a comp hard freeze. (just askin)

I'm pretty sure a 850W PSU can handle that beast.

And if you have the best short of liquid cooling, I think overheating is mostly out of the question on any part.
I'll bet my 2 cents on something being borked.

 

[Artinz]

I'm pretty sure a 850W PSU can handle that beast.

And if you have the best short of liquid cooling, I think overheating is mostly out of the question on any part.
I'll bet my 2 cents on something being borked.

Well, it only happens when folding, so I think its something to do with overheating, since there's a lot of load on the CPU. There's a lot of things going on, maybe its my RAM crashing.

 

[UnderLord]

type this into the run box once your system freezes eventviewer.msc this will give you a list of applications that failed crashed etc. from there you can find out what file crashed (like the nvidia display drivers) and work from there also works for lock ups and what not.

Let me just tell you what would happen if
1. it were your PSU

If your PSU was not putting out enough wattage to cover the power of your system during CPU intensive tasks (such as gaming) it would eventually shut its self down to prevent damage to the PSU.

2. If your ram is overheating your computer will BSOD/restart not lockup.

3. If your CPU is overheating your computer will most likely BSOD/restart randomly or shut off.

4. If your GFX card is overheating your computer will shut off/restart.

All i can tell you is to download a program to monitor temps in your computer while doing load intensive stuff like gaming after hours of gaming while the game is still running alt+tab out to see what your temps are.

But if i had to guess I'd say it is most likely a GFX driver problem and or a PSU problem make sure your 12V rails put out enough amps for your graphics card.

Reinstall your drivers and find out how much amps over the 12V rail your PSU puts out. and then find out how much you need for your card.

 

[metro]

...and I have to do a hard shutdown on my computer (can't Ctrl-Alt-Delete). The game frame freezes, and it loops the sound file that was playing...

So I don't think he'll be able to run eventviewer.

Well, it only happens when folding, so I think its something to do with overheating, since there's a lot of load on the CPU. There's a lot of things going on, maybe its my RAM crashing.

Are you saying it only happens when you are folding and playing TF2 at the same time? What are you folding with? Do you think it might crash when your send out/revieve a new WU?

Also, what kind of RAM do you have (both timings and frequency) and is it overclocked at all?

What kind of case do you have? Is your PSU sucking cool air from outside of your case?