Unknown Problem

TDyl · 24 Aug 2008 at 15:04

Hi all,

I have a fresh install (fully upgraded) of WinXP running on a Wolfdale in an IP35Pro with 4gig matched Corsair 6400c5 RAM, two SATA II HDD's and a SATA II DVD writer with a Sapphire 4870 512mb gfx card. The psu is an OCZ 600w silent with a Scythe 120mm fan. There is no sound card and the sound is set as AC97 (I can't find any new drivers and had to "hack" the AC97 use following the MOBO manual instructions).

Everything runs beautifully until I try to game - I have tried Prey, Mass Effect and Farcry. After about 30 minutes or so I get a stuttering noise in my headphones and the PC locks up necessitating a warm restart.

I think the problem may be with the onboard sound - could anyone confirm that for me? and I may need to install a specific sound - if so, what would you chaps and chapesses recommend for a minimal budget?

Many thanks

TDyl

Leezy · 24 Aug 2008 at 15:12

I doubt the whole PC would require a restart just because of the sound..well at least i dont think.

The 4870 could be overheating due to that fact it only happens in game after a short period if it was anything else it would freeze straight away.

but either way a new sound card may help, get one with optical if you have a sound system, if your only ever using headphones it may not be worth it.

mattross · 24 Aug 2008 at 16:18

Have you monitored the temps? On the graphics card in particular. Try RivaTuner: http://www.guru3d.com/index.php?page=rivatuner&menu=8

After playing for a few minutes ALT-Tab out of the game to check the temperatures. RivaTuner can record the stats but if your PC locks up I don't know if it will keep the stats.

TDyl · 26 Aug 2008 at 09:35

Temps

Hi

The passive temperature reported by RealTemp 2.70 is 35-37C for both cores; after about 30 minutes of gaming the temp rises to (on average) 50C. The case I am using is an Antec Nine Hundred with three active 120mm fans and an active 200mm in the top of the case.

The more I think about the problem, the more I am convinced it is something to do with the sound driver (no new ac97 drivers on the abit website, and I'm not sure about using the HD sound as I have no HD devices - at least, I think I don't).

TDyl

mattross · 27 Aug 2008 at 14:47

Well you could try removing the driver and playing without sound. If it still crashes it probably rules out the soundcard.

I have the same motherboard. I don't use the onboard soundcard but the driver you should be using is this one on their website:

Realtek High Definition Audio Driver

Released Date: 2007-04-12
Description:
Realtek High Definition Audio Driver 2000 / XP / 2003 / 64bit
Revision: R164

Is that the one you already have?

BTW your CPU temps look fine but did you check the graphics card temps?