PC Problems

[Thurrdome]

I doubt that any of you remember me, but I finally got the build I had been posting about to work.
However, as if i didn't have my fare share of issues that came up, even more annoying ones are transpiring. Whenever I play games (e.g., AOE III, CS:S, HL2, etc.), the computer completely freezes up after a random period of time passes. The keyboard stops working (e.g., buttons don't do anything [even caps lock, num lock, and scroll lock do not turn on their respective lights]), the mouse won't move around the screen, and the sounds coming out of my speakers keep repeating like a broken record. I have to restart my computer to get it to work again. Again, the time at which the computer freezes after I open a graphic-intensive application is not constant.
My system specs. are in my sig.
Could this be a driver issue? Or, is it a problem with my hardware? Could it be a virus? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Kareeser]

It sounds like your graphics card or processor is overheating to the point of a crash/shutdown (respectively). However, I could be wrong.

Can you check your temperatures (preferably in the BIOS) right after the computer freezes, and also provide idling temperatures, if possible?

(If your BIOS doesn't support temperature readings, then there are several utilities you can download, such as SpeedFan)

[Thurrdome]

That actually makes a lot of sense, Kareeser. Since my computer has been crashing, I assume that the graphics card is overheating. I don't know how that could happen with 3 120 mm. fans and the graphics card's built-in fan and heatsink, but after one of the crashes, I turned off my computer and felt the graphics card. It was VERY hot.
Assuming this is the problem, which is VERY likely the case, how could I keep my graphics card and entire system's temperature lower?

[Thurrdome]

BTW, Kareeser, I forgot to mention before that my CPU has gotten up to 75 degrees Celsuis; my graphics card is not the only thing that is overheating. I bet I need a serious cooling system. How does this look (compatibility, practability, etc.)?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118111

[Thurrdome]

Also, idling temperatures are around 53 degrees Celsius. I know that my CPU has gotten up to 75 because I told it to shut down if the CPU reached this temperature.

[blue60007]

Your computer shouldn't be hitting 75C or idling at 53C. That's probably your problem there. You should be getting temps 20C or more cooler.

[Thurrdome]

I don't have liquid cooling.
But, I am seriously considering purchasing the liquid cooling system (see link in one of the above posts) after all these crashing issues and my high temps.

[blue60007]

Oops, my bad...I read through a bit to quick and misread you.

It sounds like have the heatsink not tightly secured, even with stock that's way too hot. You shouldn't have to resort to liquid cooling.

[Thurrdome]

That may be the problem, Blue, but I am still confused.
This problem wasn't immediate. The first time I played HL2, for example, I played for a few hours and nothing happened. For 1-2 weeks, everything went fine. One day, however, the computer just froze, and it has been freezing ever since.
Could the fact that this problem "developed" (bad word for the issue, but oh well) over time affect your diagnosis? Could the heatsink have been jostled loose over time?
If the heatsink is loose, how should I go about fixing it?
BTW, thanks for all your help.

[blue60007]

That could be, or perhaps with warmer weather (not sure about your locale though) your room's ambient temperature rose...along with the CPU. I would just check to see if the heatsink is latched down all the way (I'm not familiar with your particular socket though...)

Also, try running the system with a fan (like a box fan) blowing into the side of the case (with the side panel off). Also, I assume you have your case fans orientated so that the front intakes and the rear exhausts?

[Thurrdome]

My CPU is a Socket 939 CPU.
I do have my fans oriented so that the rear = exhaust and the front = intake. However, the rear fans in my case shoot out cold air. This is akward - shouldn't hot air be flowing out of the exhaust fans?
I am thinking about reapplying some thermal compound to my CPU (seems logical).
However, as for my video card, how should I keep it from overheating? Is there any other way to solve this issue? I am considering buying a liquid-cooling system for both my CPU and my video card; however, I cannot find a vendor that sells 7800 GTX cards that can be liquid-cooled (although I know that these cards exist: http://bfgtech.com/7800GTX_256_WC.html). Or, should I just ask for a replacement card?

[Thurrdome]

Any suggestions?

[Kareeser]

The graphics card shouldn't be overheating at all. What kind of motherboard is it?

I wouldn't mess with water cooling unless you know exactly what you're doing
I know I won't

[makisushi]

The rig listed in my sig is NOT watercooled, and I get idle cpu temp of 38C idle. If you aren't overclocking, then the stock HSF is more than adequate. Remove the CPU heatsink and reseat it to make sure the entire face of the chip has contact, but make sure before you put it back on, clean off the previous thermal compound, reapply new thermal compound.

I would make sure there is qir getting into, and out of your case. do you have wires, etc. blocking the flow of air? which way are the fans pointed? Maybe there is a lot of dust build up.

I download motherboard monitor 5, that way you can see temps and fan rpms.

If you decide to water cool, be prepared to spend some cash. I would suggest Danger Den I am running it my other computer (everthing is overclocked), and it is down right chilly!!

[Thurrdome]

I am seriously considering water cooling my rig if I can find a BFG 7800 GTX OC water-cooled for sale. Can anybody find a site that sells this card?
I am not worried about spending cash for a water-cooled syste; anything that will get idle temps. below 40 will make me happy.
The rig is pretty new, so I doubt that there is any serious dust build-up.

[makisushi]

You don't need to buy a new video card, just a water cooling system. Unless you are wanting to upgrade, or there is a problem with your current one.

You will remove the Heatsinks and fans from your CPU and the Video card and replace them with the water cooling blocks. I am not aware of any companies that are selling pre-setup video cards with water cooling. I think you should do some reading on how watercooling systems work and the different types.

Also, it can't hurt to get a can of compressed air and blow out any dust bunnies, regardless of the age of the machine.

[jfk]

What you need to do is reseat your heatsink on your CPU FIRST! A temp of 75C on ANY CPU is too warm, but on a 939 socket that is borderline fatal. Get some AS5, clean off the CPU and the bottom of the heatsink with denatured alcohol, apply a bb sized drop of th AS5 in the center of the CPU and attach the heatsink. Do this BEFORE you waste money water cooling the system. Also make sure that you clean out the heatsink as makisushi mentions above with compressed air. Even new, you'd be surprised how much dust builds up in your PC, especially the heatsink. I blow mine out every other month, but I'm kinda anal about my PC.

Another thing that can help is to open up your air vents. Just because you have a ton of fans doesn't mean squat if they can't pull/push air. A lot of manufacturers no longer use fan grills, they just punch holes/slots in the aluminum or metal on the case. These can be very restrictive to airflow. On my Lian Li case, just opening up the front intakes more by cutting out the punched holes and installing grills lowered my idle temps 4C and my load temps 6C. Try that as well.

And for what it's worth, my overclocked 939 socket CPU maxes at 50-51C under load.

[Thurrdome]

What are punched holes on a case, and what are the grills that you are referring to, jfk? If I could get my hands on some of these grills, I hope they'll work their magic on my rig.

I have flushed out the heatsink. There was a sizeable amount of dust - thanks for that suggestion, makisushi.

I am just about to go reattach the heatsink. I will tell you what my CPU temp. has lowered to (that is, if it lowers) after the process is finished.

[Thurrdome]

Okay, so now my CPU is idling at around 32 Celsius & my chipset at around 40. A relatively large improvement.
Is there any way to lower this number further before getting into liquid-cooling?

Also, what to do about the graphics card?

[Thurrdome]

Since the only way to keep my computer from crashing now is to aim a box fan into the case, I think I will go with water-cooling. How does this set sound (it is made my Danger Den, and this is a custom design of mine to fit my system)?

CPU Style - AMD 64 939
CPU Water Block - Danger Den TDX
Top Style - BRass Top TDX or RBX
Video Card Water Block - Avetal MAZE4 GPU for the Nvidia 6800/7800 Series
Chipset Water Block - None
Fitting Size - 1/2 OD Fitting for 1/2 ID Tubing
Radiator - Black Ice Xtreme - Black
Fans - 2x Papst 120mm Fan
Pumps - Danger Den 12V CSP-MAG Pump with 1/2 OD Fittings
Tubing - 7 Feet of UV Green 1/2" only
Resevoir - Clear Cylindrical Reservoir
Thermal Paste - Arctic Silver 5
Water Additives - None
Hold Down Style - Standard Stainless Steel Hold DOwn
Danger Den Fillport - Black Anodized Fillport
Misc. - 12 Hose Clamps Y & T

Comes out just under 300 dollars. How does it sound?

[blue60007]

Any reason why are you going with water cooling? Cleaning out the dust looks like it did the trick. I'm surprised that much dust built up in a couple weeks.

[makisushi]

The water cooling setup looks great. It is similar to what I have on my x2, sli setup, except I have the SLI gpu block.

It does concern me that you are still running such high temps while idling and not overclocking. Running normal applications and games shouldn't be causing you to overheat at stock speeds.

[Thurrdome]

Blue -
To address your question, I am going w/ water cooling to permanently solve the problem of my graphics card overheating. Although clearing out the dust & reapplying thermal compound greatly reduced the temperature of my CPU, my graphics card still overheats. Instead of building a box-fan into my case (dust galore), I think a water-cooled system is a reliable and feasible alternative.

Makisushi - just wondering, do you think that running a game like HL2: Episode 1 at full settings should not cause my system to overheat? It seems like a pretty graphics-intensive game.

[Alaron]

You should not have to resort to water cooling for an overheating graphics card. First check to make sure the fan is spinning at full speed. If your CPU built up dust so quickly, the GPU fan may have as well. If its clean, and spinning fast, you should look into extra cooling for the card. Try a PCI Slot fan underneath the card to pull hot air away from the card and out the rear of the case. Also look into aftermarket cooling fans for the card. Arctic Silencers work well.

Water cooling will work, no doubt, but I think that is overkill for this situation.

[Thurrdome]

How does this look to cool my graphics card with, Alaron?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835186001

[makisushi]

Originally Posted by Thurrdome Makisushi - just wondering, do you think that running a game like HL2: Episode 1 at full settings should not cause my system to overheat? It seems like a pretty graphics-intensive game.

Overheat? no. Especially at stock speeds. That is like saying my corvette overheats when I go over 90mph.

Regardless, if watercooling or the artic cooler works, then problem solved. there is no one right answer. Good luck!

[Thurrdome]

Thanks for all your help, everyone! I'll post again to report how the cooling goes.

[Thurrdome]

Oh, and BTW, makisushi, very nice analogy! That made me laugh out loud.

[jfk]

Originally Posted by Thurrdome What are punched holes on a case, and what are the grills that you are referring to, jfk? If I could get my hands on some of these grills, I hope they'll work their magic on my rig. I have flushed out the heatsink. There was a sizeable amount of dust - thanks for that suggestion, makisushi. I am just about to go reattach the heatsink. I will tell you what my CPU temp. has lowered to (that is, if it lowers) after the process is finished.

In front of your fans, on the case itself, manufacturers punch holes or slots to allow air to reach the fans. Cutting these open with a dremel and replacing the chunk of metal with a fan grill (available from ANY computer supply place) will allow a LOT more air to reach the fans, so they will pull/push MORE air. It will also quiet them down.

[Thurrdome]

jfk - On my case, http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowIm...ase+%2D+Retail, would these holes be the ones at the bottom of the case, covering up the case's front 120 mm. fan?