i7 CPU Crashing in multiple games.

Sharp_Shooter

Sharp_Shooter

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I recently upgraded my computer and my high end graphic games like GTA IV, Unreal Tournament 3, and Crysis keep crashing when ever I'm in-game, I last like 10-15 minutes then it either freezes or says "Game".exe has stopped working

I have:

Processor: Intel? Core? i7 CPU 960 @ 3.20ghz
RAM: 12.0gb
Graphics Card: Two EVGA Geforce 280's in Sli mode
Operating System: Vista Ultimate x64 bit

I've tried changing operating systems and reinstalling everything from scratch but still no difference, at first I thought it was something to do with my DVD ROM but it still crashes when I switched between a multiple ones. Some times I get a error saying GTA IV encountered a Fatal Error and video is out of memory please reboot computer and some times it just freezes and you have to ctrl-alt-del to close the game. I have the latest display drivers for my video card and my GTA IV is fully updated to 1.02 same with UT3 and Crysis. Please help, because I'm so close to downgrading back to my mediocre duel core.

I've posted a similar comment on the trouble shooting section on the GTA Forums located here. http://www.gtaforums.com/index.php?&act=ST&f=233&t=394592. I want to see if anybody of you guys can help me fix this mishap that is really irritating me. :mad:
 
Wow this is a good stumper for me. The only thing i would try is to maybe disable sli?? that might do it but idk. Other than that i have now clue. I really hope you get this resolved though its not cool that you build a new awesome rig and cant even game. :(
 
If its crashes, then its either a Memory problem or a graphics card problem. Also, if your overclocking anything, this is the time to make everything default. Lastly, some motherboards do not see the right settings for ram modules. Be sure that they are the correct frequency and timing settings in BIOS.
 
yeah - i'm with blizbiggy on this...most likely it's memory, graphics or possibly a heating issue. first step may be to head over to memtest.org and see if you've got a bad stick in there somewhere.

Make sure all your fans are working properly and get something like speedfan just to make sure your temps are all in the green zone.

A couple of other possibilities if those things don't help out:
1. it's possible you have a bad CPU, but usually you wouldn't be able to boot at all
2. that's a HUGE amount of RAM. have you tried running with 3 or 6 gigs to see what happens? (i know you're probably running it in tri-mode...thus the odd numbers). maybe it's just TOO much RAM ;-)
 
You've had some really good advice for troubleshooting thus far.

In essence, you don't experience problems until 10-15 of intensive play.

This rounds it down to a couple of possiblities.
A. Check the bios version to the latest available from the manufacturers website and update if available.
B. Take the system to the bare minimum by removing items that are not essential for OS load;
remove your soundcard if its an add-in, yank the SLI and leave only the primary card... pull all but 3 gb of ram if you can, even down to one stick if it will boot that way.
C. Progressively boot the system after only adding one item... this will tell you which item is causing your system failure.

On another note, 12gb of ram on a PowerMac is a good idea, NOT on a windows/PC machine.
No games you can possibly play currently require that much memory.
My overall recommendation is to drop the 64bit OS, go back to 32bit, leave your 6gb of ram in and go from there. If you absolutely have to have speed, get a solid state disk from Newegg in eGO Mall... that is going to help push your numbers up faster than the obnoxious amount of memory.
 
Yah, 12gb might be the problem. Is GTA compatible with it?
 
Aside from the great tips above (check memory, drop the 64 bit OS, watch and monitor temperature), I'd also suggest:

- Have you checked Event Monitor for any reported errors?
- Open up System Diagnostics for any failure reports.
- Look at Reliability and Performance monitor for application or hardware failures.
- Set up performance monitors for memory and system.
- Setup SMART monitoring of your hard drive.

You could also reduce your video settings to something less high-end. If you still have problems, try running on just one video card. Depending on what results you get, that'd point you to another thing to do next.
 
Well if your running a pc in 64 bit you might run into this

Crysis Currently only the 32-bit version is available.

i know this because it's on steam and my dad also has this game and he hasn't had a bit of trouble but he's got a 32bit of XP so that could be why.
 
Oh, just FYI, I got UT3 to stop crashing by taking all settings all the way down, not exactly sure what that means though. And 185 series Nvidia drivers didn't help me much. :(
 
Angeal said:
Well if your running a pc in 64 bit you might run into this

Crysis Currently only the 32-bit version is available.

i know this because it's on steam and my dad also has this game and he hasn't had a bit of trouble but he's got a 32bit of XP so that could be why.
Click to expand...

most 32bit games run fine on 64-bit ;)
 
?Jv? said:
most 32bit games run fine on 64-bit ;)
Click to expand...

This is true, but many of the drivers available for 64bit systems have been having
issues. Nvidia for one, has serious frame rate sacrifice when going to 64 bit.

stick with what you know works, then add more stuff singularly... that way you
can isolate issues as they arise.
 
Thanks for the information guys, Now that I'm back from school I'll mess around with the RAM and see what else I could do. I'll get back to you.
 
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Sharp_Shooter said:
Yup I do have the required power supply, I can't remember the wattage but I know I got the right one when I purchased the 280 video card
Click to expand...

Right one for what system? 2-280 cards in SLI + i7 960? That sucker better be at least 800W if not more as PSUs rarely meet their specs.
 
Blue Stealth said:
specifics on power supply motherboard and memory please.

-Blue
Click to expand...

I have a 1000 wattage power supply and the P6T Deluxe Motherboard.

I've removed 6 gb of RAM so now I only have 6 gb right now, I also tried disabling SLI and still no difference in crashing, and I tried disabling phyX GPU acceleration yet it still crashes. Maybe it has to do with this version of graphics card, so I might have to play the waiting game until nvidia will release a new driver update.
 
Sharp_Shooter said:
I have a 1000 wattage power supply and the P6T Deluxe Motherboard.

I've removed 6 gb of RAM so now I only have 6 gb right now, I also tried disabling SLI and still no difference in crashing, and I tried disabling phyX GPU acceleration yet it still crashes. Maybe it has to do with this version of graphics card, so I might have to play the waiting game until nvidia will release a new driver update.
Click to expand...

That PSU should be good. Drivers should be good as well. Honestly, it could be Vista. My bro had to downgrade to XP to get his games to run right in SLI
 
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