Computer Hardware issue - need help!
Slymenstra:
So yesterday as I was playing the Sims 3 when all of a sudden the graphics went all square and rainbowed and my computer froze. I shut it down, booted back up and tried to load Sims 3 again and I get white dot (snowflakes) on the loading screen which then freezes the computer. This happens for all 3D games.
Researching the problem leads me to several problems like failing graphics cards, poor power supply, overheating...I am no computer expert, all of this is really overwhelming.
I updated all of my drivers (Sound, graphics, cpu) I opened it up and cleaned it out. I checked the temps and everything read as not overheating.
My question is, does this sound like failed graphics card? I have no problem getting a new one, but I want to be sure that is the problem. What other things should I do to find out? Since I really have no idea, should I take it to a Computer repair shop!?
My system: It is a Dell...ugh I know.
alienware Area-51 750i
3.00 gigahertz Intel Core2 Duo
Board: ASUSTeK Computer INC. P5N-D 1.XX nVidia nForce 750i SLI
NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT [Display adapter] (2x)
500 watt PSU
4GB of RAM
It is about 1 1/2 years old
If it is the graphics cards, can anyone tell me the highest graphics card I could install with my motherboard? Dell recommended EVGA Geforce GT 220 1 GB. But reading reviews and they say it is for low end gaming. Can I go up to 400 series?
If you need more info let me know. I really have no idea. I just moved to this area and I lost the ability to get any computer friends to help! Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I do wish I had the cash for a new system, but not possible at this time.
novelty:
I would try running the game without CC and see if the problem goes away. (I know you said all 3D Games are getting the snowflakes, but doesn't hurt to check).
Quote from: Slymenstra on 2011 February 20, 17:27:55
I checked the temps and everything read as not overheating.
Make sure you are checking these temps under load (with game or benchmark test running). I'm assuming you're checking your cpu and gpu temps? Make sure your fans are actually running.
With minimal testing on a pretty non-standard set up, Sims 3 seems to thrash my gpu the most on the screen where you can choose the neighborhood. It continues to thrash it on loading the neighborhood and then settles down pretty quickly after that.
If things point to the GPU, reseating it may fix it if it's not really dying.
If you find yourself researching the power supply, irc, Dell rates their stock power supply differently than most. You'd want to read about that difference. Not sure if that applies to alienware or not.
If you find it is the cpu overheating, it may be the heat sink compound. Dell uses some pretty substandard stuff, even on their nicer models.
wizard_merlin:
I would be wary of a 500watt power supply, it may be insufficient for your system. Most manufacturer's, and Dell isn't any different, try to us the minimum they can because it is cheaper and means with a jacked up price they make more money. I would highly recommend a new power supply first, something at least 750 watts, this may even be a necessity with a new graphics card anyway.
Quote from: novelty on 2011 February 20, 18:04:16
With minimal testing on a pretty non-standard set up, Sims 3 seems to thrash my gpu the most on the screen where you can choose the neighborhood. It continues to thrash it on loading the neighborhood and then settles down pretty quickly after that.
If things point to the GPU, reseating it may fix it if it's not really dying.
If you find yourself researching the power supply, irc, Dell rates their stock power supply differently than most. You'd want to read about that difference. Not sure if that applies to alienware or not.
If you find it is the cpu overheating, it may be the heat sink compound. Dell uses some pretty substandard stuff, even on their nicer models.
If your GPU is being thrashed, try running the FPS limiter, it will stop the GPU from being over heated and the fans from trying to reach orbit.
If it is a CPU issue, it would more than likely be clogged fins on the heatsink, restricting fresh airflow. This is probably the most common cause of cooling issues within most systems. The intake vents get clogged, the heatsinks get clogged, everything gets covered in dust which reduces the cooling efficiency of everything.
novelty:
Merlin, out of curiosity, do the loading screens run differently than in game fps? I have thought the heavy load (load not heat--fan at most runs at 50%) on the gpu at these times is a combination of my particular set up (linux + wine + I'm not a linux guru) and the fact the game is loading a bunch of graphics stuff.
J. M. Pescado:
Quote from: Slymenstra on 2011 February 20, 17:27:55
My question is, does this sound like failed graphics card? I have no problem getting a new one, but I want to be sure that is the problem. What other things should I do to find out? Since I really have no idea, should I take it to a Computer repair shop!?
Yup, it's melted. One "miracle cure" you can try is baking the graphics card in the oven. It certainly won't get any more broken.
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