9800GX2 problems and lock ups

[Silverion77]

So my new computers been working fine, i believe i do well in CoD. On a 1028x1024 19" i get about 180min-250 fps (250 cap but i do get 700 plus w/ my special graphics config (all low))
But lately ive been getting lockups. I turn on the computer, join my friends server and after 5minutes the whole thing just freezes and locks up. I doubt its heat cause all fans in the 1200 are on high. As soon as i restart, it works fine but its a pain to restart. Then the next day it does the same thing. Any ideas?
-Research shows this could be a driver issue, but i have the latest version

Also, I ran my 3D Mark 06 a few days ago and got about 15k, which to me seems slow for this build (see Sig). My friend with an 8800GTS and 3.6 Quad gets over 17k, so i thought my slower cpu (not OCed atm) might be bottlenecking, so to get more details i ran 3D Mark again

Here are the numbers:
SM 2.0 Score 5995 <-----------
SM 3.0 Score 7416
CPU Score 4217

Cpu score seems fine but idk, never had a quad.
What numbers do u guys usually get?
Also what struck me was SM 2.0 score. Its lower than my 3.0 score. Say What?!?!?!
So something seems to be wrong. Speeds are all right according to rivatuner so idk whats up.

Any ideas guys?!?!
All help appreciated
Silver

 

[dagger]

How hot is it running? Maybe it's overheating. Could also be a lot of other things, like psu dying. Or even cpu overheating/destabilizing, although that's unlikely.

Stress it and see if it's stable. Stress mode, default resolution, no AA. Keep eye on temperature.
http://www.ozone3d.net/benchmarks/fur/

The most effective thing to try is probably putting it in another PC, to see if the problem lies in the card itself or somewhere in the rest of the computer.

 

[Silverion77]

So i checked some temps.
Running the furmark i got 79C max on the 9800GX2 (i manually set fan to 100% and leaving it there the case is louder so idc about its noise)

Ill try using my friends PC if i get a chance, but my cpu idles in 45C on 2 cores (definitely lopsided because 0/1 are around 37-40 and 2/3 are 45+ but it will change once i change stock fan out)
Ill stress it tom. or maybe Thurs. and post those temps