Curse

vaukor · Feb 11, 2007, 09:42 PM // 21:42

Hi,
I have Guild Wars Special Edition. I got a new graphics card for xmas and now the game freezes every time I try to play it. Sometimes it freezes within a couple of minutes. Other times it takes up to 15 minutes. But every time it freezes. I cannot use CTL-ALT-Delete to kill it. The entire computer is frozen. Sometimes, it reboots on its own.

My computer specs:
Windows XP Home Edition, Service Pack 2
AMD Athlon 64 processor 2800+ 1.81 GHz
1.5 GB RAM
Gigabyte Motherboard model GA-K8NS
Video card: PNY Geforce 7600 GS - AGP 8X - 512MB
nVidia Drivers: 93.71
Free disk space: 198GB
Screen resolution: 1280 x 1024
Power Supply: 350w

I have downloaded and installed the latest drivers for the video card and the mobo chipset. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the video drivers numerous times (using Driver Cleaner Pro).

Could this problem be related to settings for the game or for the video card? If so, what are the settings that I should change to?

I see in this forum that many problems are related to heat or lack of power. I'm not sure how I can tell if I have one of these problems. I have two fans, and they are both working.

I am willing to try anything. Help!

Lord Sojar · Feb 11, 2007, 09:58 PM // 21:58

YOu need to check your system temperatures first and for most.

Download this program and find out voltages, temperatures, etc.

Everest Free Edition 2.20

vaukor · Feb 12, 2007, 01:04 AM // 01:04

Ok, I installed Everest and ran a report on the temperatures and voltage. Here are the results:

--------[ EVEREST Home Edition (c) 2003-2005 Lavalys, Inc. ]------------------------------------------------------------

Version EVEREST v2.20.405
Homepage http://www.lavalys.com/
Report Type Quick Report
Computer UPSTAIRS_KIT (Stefan and Dad's Computer)
Generator Default
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition 5.1.2600 (WinXP Retail)
Date 2007-02-11
Time 17:00

--------[ Sensor ]------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sensor Properties:
Sensor Type ITE IT8712F (ISA 290h)
GPU Sensor Type Driver (NV-DRV)
Motherboard Name Gigabyte K8NF / K8NS / K8N Ultra / K8NXP Series

Temperatures:
CPU 44 °C (111 °F)
GPU 50 °C (122 °F)
IBM-DTLA-305040 36 °C (97 °F)
WDC WD2500KS-00MJB0 37 °C (99 °F)

Cooling Fans:
CPU 4219 RPM
System 1962 RPM

Voltage Values:
CPU Core 1.60 V
+3.3 V 3.25 V
+12 V 11.65 V
VBAT Battery 2.82 V
DIMM 2.54 V
Debug Info F 28 FF 56
Debug Info T 25 44 73
Debug Info V 64 9F CB 89 B6 9D 95 (77)

Lord Sojar · Feb 12, 2007, 01:55 AM // 01:55

Hmmm, that DIMM voltage might be a bit too high. Do you know the exact make of your RAM? That would help me determine voltages. Your 12v rail is running a bit low, your 3.3 is within acceptable range, but I would be wary if it drops more. Use everest to pull up the core structure on your AMD. I need to know the core type to determine if that voltage is high or not. Should be under processor. See if everest also gives your RAM type, speed etc. I have ultimate edition, I can't remember basic version.

Example: Crucial Ballistix DDR-400, etc

vaukor · Feb 12, 2007, 02:22 AM // 02:22

Okay, I ran some reports. Let me know if this is the info that you wanted.

[ Processors / AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 2800+ ]

Processor Properties:
Manufacturer AMD
Version AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 2800+
External Clock 200 MHz
Maximum Clock 3200 MHz
Current Clock 1800 MHz
Type Central Processor
Voltage 1.7 V
Status Enabled
Upgrade ZIF
Socket Designation Socket 754

CPU Properties:
CPU Type AMD Athlon 64, 1800 MHz (9 x 200) 2800+
CPU Alias Newcastle S754
CPU Stepping DH-CG
Instruction Set x86, x86-64, MMX, 3DNow!, SSE, SSE2
Min / Max CPU Multiplier 4x / 9x
L1 Code Cache 64 KB (Parity)
L1 Data Cache 64 KB (ECC)
L2 Cache 512 KB (On-Die, ECC, Full-Speed)

CPU Physical Info:
Package Type 754 Pin uOPGA
Package Size 4.00 cm x 4.00 cm
Transistors 68.5 million
Process Technology 9Mi, 0.13 um, CMOS, Cu, SOI
Die Size 144 mm2
Core Voltage 1.550 V
I/O Voltage 1.2 V + 2.5 V
Maximum Power 89.0 W

CPU Manufacturer:
Company Name Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Product Information http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/...30_118,00.html

CPU Utilization:
CPU #1 0 %

Physical Memory:
Total 1535 MB
Used 486 MB
Free 1048 MB
Utilization 32 %

Swap Space:
Total 2538 MB
Used 374 MB
Free 2163 MB
Utilization 15 %

Virtual Memory:
Total 4073 MB
Used 861 MB
Free 3212 MB
Utilization 21 %

Physical Address Extension (PAE):
Supported by Operating System Yes
Supported by CPU Yes
Active Yes

--------[ SPD ]---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[ DIMM1: Kingston K ]

Memory Module Properties:
Module Name Kingston K
Serial Number 7006937Eh
Module Size 1024 MB (2 ranks, 4 banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type DDR SDRAM
Memory Speed PC3200 (200 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage SSTL 2.5
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Reduced (7.8 us), Self-Refresh

Memory Timings:
@ 200 MHz 3.0-3-3-8 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
@ 166 MHz 2.5-3-3-7 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
@ 133 MHz 2.0-2-2-6 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)

Memory Module Features:
Early RAS# Precharge Not Supported
Auto-Precharge Not Supported
Precharge All Not Supported
Write1/Read Burst Not Supported
Buffered Address/Control Inputs Not Supported
Registered Address/Control Inputs Not Supported
On-Card PLL (Clock) Not Supported
Buffered DQMB Inputs Not Supported
Registered DQMB Inputs Not Supported
Differential Clock Input Supported
Redundant Row Address Not Supported

Memory Module Manufacturer:
Company Name Kingston Technology Company, Inc.
Product Information http://www.kingston.com/products/default.asp

[ DIMM3: 512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM ]

Memory Module Properties:
Serial Number None
Module Size 512 MB (2 ranks, 4 banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type DDR SDRAM
Memory Speed PC3200 (200 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage SSTL 2.5
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Reduced (7.8 us), Self-Refresh

Memory Timings:
@ 200 MHz 2.5-3-3-8 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)

Memory Module Features:
Early RAS# Precharge Not Supported
Auto-Precharge Not Supported
Precharge All Not Supported
Write1/Read Burst Not Supported
Buffered Address/Control Inputs Not Supported
Registered Address/Control Inputs Not Supported
On-Card PLL (Clock) Not Supported
Buffered DQMB Inputs Not Supported
Registered DQMB Inputs Not Supported
Differential Clock Input Supported
Redundant Row Address Not Supported

Lord Sojar · Feb 13, 2007, 12:34 AM // 00:34

Your ram stick don't match, which may be causing a conflict. Did you get the 512mb ram for xmas also?

You also should up the voltage to your CPU by .1 volts. Access your BIOS when you PC boots, and increase the CPU core voltage to 1.7Volts.

As far as solving the issue with putting on the graphics card. I just noticed that your power supply is quite small to be running newer equipment. the changes listed above I still recommend you doing, but what is most likely occurring that your PSU is insufficient and the graphics card, as a result, isn't receiving enough power and eventually is "crippled" from the lack of power to perform its calculations. You will need to increase your powersupply to a 450w to get the full performance out of the 7600. 500watt is the best choice though.

cannonfodder · Feb 13, 2007, 06:14 AM // 06:14

Dont up your CPU voltage... it's a bad idea unless you want to overclock. Your 12v rail looks a little low and that could be the issue as your PSU might not be powerfull enough for your new 7600.

I agree though the most likely cause could be your RAM, remove the 1/2g and run with a static 1g, see if that makes a difference

Dex · Feb 13, 2007, 11:16 PM // 23:16

/agree

The Athlon64 memory controller can get really flakey when you mix and match different types of RAM. In fact, I've had an A64 refuse to even boot with the same make and model of memory because the sticks were different revisions and had different chips on them.

The PSU is a possibility as well, but the 7600 doesn't suck down a lot of juice, so I would flag that as a possibility secondary to the RAM issue. I've seen good 350w PSUs handle more than what you have going just fine. "Good" being the operative word. The build quality of the PSU is as important as the rating. A good, solid 350w PSU is better than a flimsy 450w. If your PSU isn't a particularly good make it could be having trouble with your setup.

vaukor · Feb 16, 2007, 03:08 AM // 03:08

OK. Bought and installed a new power supply. 630 watts. It is crashing less often now, but still crashed three times during 2 hours of play. I'll try removing the 512MB RAM to see if that helps.

Dex · Feb 16, 2007, 04:45 AM // 04:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by vaukor

OK. Bought and installed a new power supply. 630 watts. It is crashing less often now, but still crashed three times during 2 hours of play. I'll try removing the 512MB RAM to see if that helps.

I'm guessing that's going to help a lot...I could be wrong, but that's my primary suspect as of this time....