Help! GPU overheating?

gwendal

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Jul 24, 2007
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Hey all. Been having a problem for awhile now, where my screen turns a solid color (green, violet, grey, etc.) and I have to reboot to fix it. I can still hear sound when it turns to the color, and I think I can interact with whatever is going on. It happens most often during games, and sometimes rarely when I'm just using the desktop/surfing. I am running:

GPU: EVGA 8800 GTS 320
CPU: E6420 2.13 Ghz
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R
Mem: 4 Gigs Patriot DDR2 800

I know the 8 series was supposed to run hot, so I use RivaTuner to keep the gpu's fan cranked all the time, and I don't think the core temp goes past 67-68.

I don't get why it keeps doing this, my guess is the card thinks it's overheating and shutting down. I was hoping that the first card would keep me good for 2 years (built in Sep. 07'). Is it a video card problem or something else (mobo, cpu, etc.)? I am willing to replace it if there is something faulty, but I want to make sure the problem is the GPU and not something else.
 
Establish a baseline first: Reset your BIOS to defaults and undo any overclocking. Check the temperatures, please do not guess.
It may be many other things but also tell us your PSU: Maker, model and Amps on the +12v output or putputs.
 

gwendal

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Jul 24, 2007
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Nothing is overclocked (never got around to it). PSU is Corsair HX520 - shouldn't be any problems there. I know the temp maxes out at about 67-68 because I've jumped to the desktop during full load in games and RivaTuner reads it as that.
 
OK, that seems to be a nice baseline.
You do not say the screen is artifacting (producing strange coloured lines or missing/corrupted textures in games).
Check your CPU temperature, verify the fan is working and the heatsink is not bocked. Take a look at the PSU intake as well, it could be blocked and causing the PSU to overheat. Finally, run with the minimum of memory to test each stick at a time as I suspect this might be the most likely problem.
 

gwendal

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Jul 24, 2007
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Checked internals of computer, was a bit dirty but nothing was clogged and airflow was good. Checked each memory stick separately with memtest and to see if the computer would boot. Everything passed.
 

gwendal

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Jul 24, 2007
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Okay well, it happened again in the middle of a game. I found out that while I do still have sound after it occurs, it's only the music - I don't hear any sound effects and can't interface with a menu or give commands, etc.