Is this a Soundblaster problem?

[ssilverm]

I have a system that has been running without any problems based on the following components:

- Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 (overclocked to 3.0 GHz)
- Gigabyte GA-P35 DS3R motherboard
- nVidia 8800GT graphics card
- 4 x 1GB Corsair PC2-6400 XMS2 RAM
- Vista 64-bit.

I have been using the integrated sound capability of the motherboard until a week ago when I installed a new Creative X-Fi Xtreme Audio PCI-Express card, together with the latest 64-bit driver. Since then I have been experiencing mysterious application hangs, the system grinding to a halt, and extended disk thrashing. I'm also occasionally seeing the CPU temperature rise by as much as 20 degrees without my having initiated any processor-intensive applications. If I reboot, the temperature returns to normal. I've tried refitting the heatsink (Coolermaster Hyper TX2) just in case I somehow dislodged it when fitting the sound card, but this has made no difference.

Bascally, I'm experiencing problems a couple of times a day. I find it hard to believe that it's all down to the sound card, but I can find no other reason.

Any ideas gratefully received.

Steve S.

 

[lucuis]

Probably the best way to determine if your new addition is causing the problems is to remove the drivers and the card and see if your problem persists.