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Overheating question

G

Gigantism

Gawd
Joined
Mar 3, 2008
Messages
585
Hi,

I have a question for you guys:

I was playing Global Agenda during the week end on the computer in my sig.
My game was crashing every 10-15 mins (computer was just off, no CTD, no BSOD, no reboot, just being turned off).

This was not happening with any other game (MW2, Singualrity, Lotro, AoC, etc…).

So my first step was to put the video settings to low for Global Agenda and see if it would make a difference (besides the graphics looking like utter crap lol).
Computer still crashes.

So I tried the good old “fan trick”. I opened up the side of my comp, and put a fan there, blowing directly on my motherboard.

I was able to play the game without any problem for at least 2 hours. So, I had it figured out: it’s due to overheating.

After a while, I decided to turn my graphics to high settings again. The game looked really good after playing on low settings for like 2-3 hours.

But then, the game crashed again after 10 mins or so.

My question is this:
Would getting a new video card fix my problem? And if yes, what would you recommend that would be a significant upgrade for me, without making me spend more than about $250.

Thanks!
 
When your video card started to get too hot, I would have expected to see visual anomolies such as weird textures and shapes on the screen before it crashed. And if it did overheat, I don't think it would shut your system off.

You should take some actual temperatures instead of assuming it's your video card. It sounds more like your CPU is overheating.
 
1. Never remove the side of your case and try to either vent the system or put another 'big' fan there. PC cases are engineered so that air flow is optimal and flows over key components within. When you take the side of the case off, you completely break the air flow actually do more harm than good when troubleshooting temp issues.

2. You need to troubleshoot this by process of elimination. Try a new video card, and I suggest trying a new PSU. I had similar issues and my problem was not my video, it was my PSU being pushed beyond its voltage ceiling. One game was causing it.

3. Undo any CPU overclocks you may have in place.

Process of elimination and being patient will get you to your goal.
 
Get some tools that will graph your CPU and Video card temps over time, then run a game until the problem occurs and post back the results.

Don't rely on temp monitors that don't graph, you often can't switch to them fast enough to take an accurate reading, make sure it's graphed and you find the true peak values for the temps.

Post them back here and we can help further.
 
This is probably a general hardware question.

I immediately thought PSU. But if it's the one you've got listed the 750w corsair should be fine with a 8800 unless its faulty. Or indeed antoher part (motherboard, RAM, GPU) could be.

With the heat issues, it's not a quick fix. look at your fans and cooling arrangement, see where airflow, can be increased or improved. So you might need a new case in the worst case senario, thats bigger or has better airflow. But first you should confirm the tempretures in the case using a graph as has been said.

Have you got a photo of the case. Especially cooling for CPU, fan placement. Also how old is this system?
 
Normally overheating leads to freezing or locking up - seems strange that it was powering off completely. Maybe a power supply issue?
 
Forceman said:
Normally overheating leads to freezing or locking up - seems strange that it was powering off completely. Maybe a power supply issue?
Click to expand...

Thats why I thought it was the CPU overheating instead of the GPU. The machine can be set to power off it the CPU reaches a certain temperature..
 
Demon10000 said:
Thats why I thought it was the CPU overheating instead of the GPU. The machine can be set to power off it the CPU reaches a certain temperature..
Click to expand...

Didn't think of that - I've never used it. Does it give a warning, or just poof...off it goes?
 
It should just shut down. Since it's at the BIOS level, it doesn't really have a way to prompt you. And if it did, who's to say you could answer in time, or even at all if you weren't home! So when the thermal sensor on the CPU reaches the threshold, the motherboard should just power off. The alternative is that the CPU bursts into flames, and thats not good!
 
Thank you all for your help.

Here's an update:

I downloaded a software to monitor my CPU's temperature. It showed that when idle, my quad core was at an average of 85C. While playing games, it peaked at 116C (hence the shut down).

So as I was preparing myself for eventually having to check my fan+heatsink+thermal paste, but then I decided to use the duster on the CPU just in case.

As you can imagine, some dust came out, but not a lot.

What a difference this made!! My CPU now idles at 60-65C, and peaks at 85C (which is acceptable according to the interweb).

I will have to replace/fix this eventually, but for now at least I don't need to replace any hardware :)
 
Gigantism said:
Thank you all for your help.

Here's an update:

I downloaded a software to monitor my CPU's temperature. It showed that when idle, my quad core was at an average of 85C. While playing games, it peaked at 116C (hence the shut down).

So as I was preparing myself for eventually having to check my fan+heatsink+thermal paste, but then I decided to use the duster on the CPU just in case.

As you can imagine, some dust came out, but not a lot.

What a difference this made!! My CPU now idles at 60-65C, and peaks at 85C (which is acceptable according to the interweb).

I will have to replace/fix this eventually, but for now at least I don't need to replace any hardware :)
Click to expand...

Jesus H Christ, well there's your problem :)

For the record if the CPU causes a BSOD and you have windows setup not to dump memory the BSOD will lead to an immediate reboot, probably so fast you won't see it, you can alter those settings.

I really need to pick up some compressed air myself and clean out my HSF, keep forgetting!
 
Idling at 60-65 and loading at 85 is still high for a stock cpu.

I'd simply reapply thermal paste and see if that helps.
 
Intel_Hydralisk said:
Idling at 60-65 and loading at 85 is still high for a stock cpu.

I'd simply reapply thermal paste and see if that helps.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's still high, but at least now I can use the damn thing!

The plan is to indeed, apply some thermal paste this week end if I have time.

:)
 
Make some time, man... thats crazy hot!!! With temps that high... dang... you're lucky you had the BIOS set to power off the machine or it would have started a fire!!!


If you used stock thermal paste on your cooler, make sure you pulled the plastic tab off to uncover the paste. It shouldn't take you that long to double check..

Also, you need to look into getting a filter in your rig. You shouldn't be getting so much dust inside your PC that it's going to raise the temps 20+ degrees! Make sure you've got all the expansion bays covered and that any missing drive bay plates are on. Cut some cardboard if you have to!!!!

Also, make sure you've got all your fans blowing the right way. When I build a machine, I put a decent cooler on, then one fan in the front pulling air in and one in the back for exhaust. Thats what I feel is a minimum for any machine. With that setup my i5 is ilde at 29c and hasn't broke 46c yet (under load).

Don't forget about it because "it's working"...
 
Nah can't create fire with modern CPUs they have internal temp monitoring and throttling, it's still a little high but you're not really at risk of problems, the worst that can happen is you're decreasing the lifespan of the CPU while running hot.

Nothing that has ever mattered since everyone upgrades long before CPUs fail.
 
wait up man

before you get all into diag this and that you might just want to start with the simple stuff like making sure all of your fans are properly working.....fans that have slowed down will not move as much air as needed. Replace any that have or are near failing

with temps that high are you SURE all of your CPU retaining clips are engaged?

next use a can of compressed air to clean that thing out, if dust is caked on, get a q-tip and some rubbing alcohol (as pure as you can get) and clean up the fan blades and housings along with the cpu fins........
 
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