I recently bought a sweet new rig. AMD Athlon Dual Core 64 4200+ 4.4 GHz, 2GB RAM, 250 GB hard drive, and a X1600XT 512VRAM PCI-E. This baby runs Oblivion at 1280x1024 max settings with 20 - 50 FPS. So what's my beef?

For some unknown reason, after awhile of playing a game, my screen goes black and...that's it. I've tried shutting off my monitor and plugging it back in, and I've tried unpluging and and then repluging it. Still blank. I'm forced to restart my computer.

So here's some more stuff to consider; it's a Dell 17" LCD flat screen with a 75Hz power output. My CPU wattage is 300Hz and my video card asks for 300Hz (doesn't have a fan). So, what's this about? Is this just my video card overheating or something? It supposedly has cool-down technology built in, and what video card over heats on Doom95? Basically it happens on every game I choose to play. I'm starting to get really ******. At first I thought it would happen with a spike in the FPS, but I noticed sometimes it just randomly did it for no odd reason, even when I had the game paused (realized this when I'd pause it, go away for about five or ten minutes, come back, and find a black screen). So does anyone have an answer for me? Because this is really. Starting. To. **** ME OFF!

Hi Agamemnon, and welcome to the PCHF!

First of all - that's mostly a very nice rig

Second...Your LCD monitor should be set to 60hrz fresh rate, not 75. They can run at 75, but it's not advised to, as it wears them out faster and reduces the vibrancy of the colours. I'd change this first of all.

Third..i've once had a similar problem, where i would exit the game, i would have to hit CTRL+ALT+DEL and then ESC to get back to windows....drivers fixed that.


And above everything else - it still could be heat issues. A video card can overheat while installing windows. When it happens next, I'd suggest opening the computer case up, and putting your hand near (NOT ON - that will burn if it is hot) put your hand hear the heat sink of the video card, and if it's hot...if you can feel the heat..that's your problem.

Also, when you installed the Heatsink, did you apply thermal compound?

Mostly indeed. When I make some more money I'm thinking about getting an X1800 and Crossfiring.

As a matter of fact, I had it set at 60Hz before the matter and it was still happening just as consistantly, but I'll change it back to see what difference that is. Believe it or not I've posted this on about five different forums and someone suggested that as well.

I also have installed my most recent drivers; actually I did that yesterday.

I have no idea whether or not I've installed Heatsink/what is Heatsink. I'm slightly computer literate, but, like in Stripes, I'm willing to learn. I'll try out the physical test. Any other suggestions are welcomed greatly.

Lol!!!!! Stripes is awesome! I haven't seen that in sooooo long....i must watch it again....hmm...i must buy it first to watch it....****...no shops open.....TOMORROW! HAH!...


Oh yea...problem

I always keep my LCD's at 60hrz...We've got 3 at my house, and 1 is about 4 years old and still more vibrant then all the CRT's (4). Trust me..keep it at 60hrz

The heatsink and fan goes on the CPU...if you installed the standard one that came with the CPU, then it will have had thermal compound/grease/goo with it, so that's fine.


Has this been happening since you first finished setting up your computer?

Another thought, when you installed windows, what driver set did you install first? Chipset or video card?

Yes, indeed it has. I never thought about asking about it because I never played games that frequently and thought, consequently, it had to do with the monitor I was using. When I got back this old one (which is also about four years old) I thought everything would be ok, but the problem consisted.

Uh, like I said, the card doesn't have a fan; just has something called SilentCool, a heat dispenser system. But I'll definitely give 60Hz a try.

EDIT: I installed my video card's drivers first. I actually installed the card before I even turned the computer on for the first time.