Screen freezing until I shut down the computer

from Sins Forums
I'm currently using dual 512mb Nvidia GeForce 7900 GS video cards (Yes, I know about the problems) and my screen is freezing up -only when I'm on large maps-. I can run Pointblank and Quick Strike perfectly even with huge amounts of ships on my screen, but after 20-30 minutes on any map larger than those my screen freezes and I can't do anything, including alt-F4, so I have to shut down my computer and turn it back on. I'm using Windows XP SP2 currently, not Vista. Is there any possible special problem here, or can I just sign this off to the poor Nvidia drivers?
technical
3,662 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
My 7800 gs oc was freezing up like that... Do you hear the fan on the GPU rev up into a higher pitch when your game freezes? If so, go into Ntune, the GPU settings, take direct control of your fan, and set it to like 85% and try it out. It'll be louder... but, meh. It worked for me. If it doesn't work for you, just set it back to automatic, and good luck finding the answer  :NOTSURE: 
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top
Your PC probaly is getting very hot in the Video Card + Memory try to get this item if you have space in you PC

To Video Cards: 1 Image Hosted by ImageShack.us



TO Memory: 2 Image Hosted by ImageShack.us



Hope that's Help... in my PC case now i have 1 Fan for the Memory - 2 Fan to the PC Case

1 in the opposite side of my video Card a Nvidea GeForce 8800 GTS 512Mb and 1 for the CPU  :) 

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us



Groupy 2 - Organize multiple applications into grouped tabs on your Windows desktop
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
I just take off the side plates (yes, both sides) to my computer and point a fan into it turned on high.
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top
I just take off the side plates (yes, both sides) to my computer and point a fan into it turned on high.
End of quote


my dad keeps the 2 side plates ... his reasoning is that the fan cools one side plate (the one near the CPU & videocard) and that this cold somewhat transmits itself to the nearby components ...

his objections to your approach are that u risk blowing in dust + the too direct wind force of the fan might disrupt some components

what do u think ?

Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top
Sorceresss is right on the Money! I Totally Agree with him 100%

I just take off the side plates (yes, both sides) to my computer and point a fan into it turned on high. "is a cheap way but a waste way for your PC"

Image Hosted by ImageShack.us


 :CONGRAT: 
Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top
I just take off the side plates (yes, both sides) to my computer and point a fan into it turned on high. my dad keeps the 2 side plates ... his reasoning is that the fan cools one side plate (the one near the CPU & videocard) and that this cold somewhat transmits itself to the nearby components ...his objections to your approach are that u risk blowing in dust + the too direct wind force of the fan might disrupt some componentswhat do u think ?
End of quote


He is correct about the dust. I just make sure I use canned air aobout once a week to clear it out..

The direct wind thing however is not correct. (I used to do hardware tec work).
The only caviat is it could blow a loose wire off, but if it can then you needed to adjust it anyway.

also remember you do not have to have the fan on it all the time, just when your going to do something that will tax the card..

Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top


One problem people that are taking the sides of their comp-cases off should be aware of is:

Most cases today are manufactured to allow for the best possible "air-flow" throughout the system. Taking the sides off of one's case often disrupts/negates the effects of the case-induced air-flow and can really "cook" things.

For example. A client of our firm a few years back, had purchased a brand new Xeon-based Server with a 6-disk RAID-array. They kept the sides off of the case while it was still in the lab (non-production), over the next 2 months while the database software and data was being configured on said server, 5 of the 6 drives cooked themselves (the RAID-cage got so hot you couldn't touch it for more than a split-second....no joke). Fortunately the Server manufacturer replaced all drives (although they sure asked a lot of questions......"one drive after another like that"?  :LOL: )

Just be warned...


the Monk
Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top
One problem people that are taking the sides of their comp-cases off should be aware of is:Most cases today are manufactured to allow for the best possible "air-flow" throughout the system. Taking the sides off of one's case often disrupts/negates the effects of the case-induced air-flow and can really "cook" things.For example. A client of our firm a few years back, had purchased a brand new Xeon-based Server with a 6-disk RAID-array. They kept the sides off of the case while it was still in the lab (non-production), over the next 2 months while the database software and data was being configured on said server, 5 of the 6 drives cooked themselves (the RAID-cage got so hot you couldn't touch it for more than a split-second....no joke). Fortunately the Server manufacturer replaced all drives (although they sure asked a lot of questions......"one drive after another like that"?   )Just be warned...the Monk
End of quote


umm, you talking about The Space Shuttle and were talking about balsa wood models.

What you discribe is a computer but not a desk top one... Other then a desk top pc none of what we are saying applies.
Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top
What you discribe is a computer but not a desk top one... Other then a desk top pc none of what we are saying applies.
End of quote


The moral of the story is that most cases these days are designed for a specific forced-airflow pattern, such that all major components are cooled appropriately. Taking the sides off the chassis defeats that entirely and can in fact be worse for cooling than leaving them on.

Re SLI'ed 7900s, you might also try running in single-GPU mode. nVidia's SLI drivers are not exactly what I'd call reliable.