Constant crashes in graphics-heavy apps (games)

[jknutah]

Hi everybody. I am new to this forum, and I have done exhaustive research on the following problem and have come up with nothing that works. That is why you’re reading my post right now. I am THIS CLOSE to taking up PC-tossing from large buildings as a new hobby (j/k, of course. No need to fear walking under tall buildings . . . yet.)

Here’s my problem: Recently my computer began to freeze, crash to desktop, and reboot shortly after starting graphics-heavy games, never more than 1-2 minutes in and sometimes right away. It doesn’t seem to be app-specific, since this happens in every 3d-heavy game I’ve tried.

Diagnostics/solutions I have tried:
Most recent major change I did to my computer prior to these problems was installing a new Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum sound card, so I tried uninstalling & removing the card – problems remain.
Tried completely reinstalling my Windows XP Home Edition with a clean install but still the problems remain, even before reinstalling my TV card and new sound card.
Monitored CPU and mobo temps – both less than 40 degrees Celsius consistently with a CPU max of maybe 45, so I can’t see that as the problem.
Monitored power supply voltages – all values seemed normal over time, so I can’t see my (relatively new) Thermaltake 430W PS being the problem. And from what I’ve read, if the prob was the PS then reboots would be random and not only while running graphics-intensive programs.
I even tried a different power cord, and plugging in to a different outlet. No change.
Replaced video card with a new one – no joy, same problems.
Tried a memory stress test, something like Memtest86(?) for a couple of hours. No RAM memory errors found.

Best I can tell from process of elimination, my problem is either my motherboard or CPU. Am I missing something here?

My specs:
AMD Athlon XP 2800+ CPU
ASUS A7Z600-X motherboard
512MB DDR 400mhz RAM – 1 stick
Nvidia GeForce 5200 128MB (AGP) video card
Soundblaster Audigy Platinum 2 ZS sound card w/ front panel
Western Digital 160GB hard drive 7200rpm (also have a 30GB HD used for data only)
Philips TV7135 WDM Video Capture/TV Card
Windows XP Home Edition – SP2

Hope that is enough info. By the way, my (8-month-old) camcorder is also no longer recognized by my computer, and it was until recently – I’ve tried lots to fix that too, and I’m wondering if it’s related. I have tried everything short of taking my computer to a fix-it shop to figure out what’s wrong with these constant crashes during graphics-heavy activity, and I am officially stumped. Thank you SO MUCH to whomever can help me crack this nut!

[mjc]

How does the camcorder hook up to the computer?

If you've done a fresh install over this, already, then, I'd be leaning toward a hardware problem and the most likely piece of hardware to be the problem does seem to be the power supply...

430w is a little tight for that system, especially when you add in cooling.

It may not be that the PSU is bad, but just a bit under powered for what you are trying to get it to do. Most relatively modern systems do best with a PSU in the 500W or higher range. (Not counting all those pre-manufactured things that the PSU isn't enough to do anything once the fans get a good layer of dust on them and start producing a bit of drag requireing another microwatt to get moving...)

[jknutah]

How does the camcorder hook up to the computer?

If you've done a fresh install over this, already, then, I'd be leaning toward a hardware problem and the most likely piece of hardware to be the problem does seem to be the power supply...

430w is a little tight for that system, especially when you add in cooling.

It may not be that the PSU is bad, but just a bit under powered for what you are trying to get it to do. Most relatively modern systems do best with a PSU in the 500W or higher range. (Not counting all those pre-manufactured things that the PSU isn't enough to do anything once the fans get a good layer of dust on them and start producing a bit of drag requireing another microwatt to get moving...)

Wow, thanks for the quick feedback. I honestly thought 430W would be enough (shows what I know I guess), but I'll try a bigger one. If the PSU was simply underpowered, would it crash/reboot only during heavy graphics apps like games? And I did blow out the inside w/ compressed air real good.

Oh, and the camcorder hooks up via Firewire (on the Audigy sound card). The firewire port shows up as working properly in the device manager, and I did try a different firewire cable. Not sure what to think there, either.

[mjc]

Yeah, if the PSU were borderline, something that puts a bit more draw on it can cause the whole thing to fall apart.

Do you have the front panel controller for the card or are you using the port on the back of the card?

It could be power related, but somehow, I'm not sure about that...if you are using the front panel, try the port on the card and double check to make sure the cable between the controller and card is properly connected...and any power connections to the controller or card are connected.

[jknutah]

Yeah, if the PSU were borderline, something that puts a bit more draw on it can cause the whole thing to fall apart.

Do you have the front panel controller for the card or are you using the port on the back of the card?

It could be power related, but somehow, I'm not sure about that...if you are using the front panel, try the port on the card and double check to make sure the cable between the controller and card is properly connected...and any power connections to the controller or card are connected.

Thanks again. I've tried both front and back ports - nothing happens with either one. I know power is attached to the front panel, since I just plugged it back in after reinstalling. The PCI card portion of the sound card doesn't take any separate power that I could tell, and never needed it in the past.