Demigod causes my PC to overheat.

I get about 20 minutes into the game, and my computer overheats to the point where it shuts itself down.  I'm running the game on the lowest possible specs, smallest map, just me and one AI.  Here's the computer I'm running:

 

Dell XPS 400

Windows XP Media Center Edition

Intel 2.4 GHz Dual-Core Processor

3 GB RAM

NVidia GeForce 8600GT (256 MB)

 

No programs are running in the background.  Unless I'm totally missing something, there has to be some kind of bug at work, here.  The only part of the PC that gets hot is the power supply.  If there's any way to fix this (other than diabling the emergency shutdown in my bios), then please let me know, because I'd really like to be able to play the game.

1,291 views 12 replies
Reply #1 Top

This is not a problem with Demigod. This is a problem with your computer. I would recommend checking out sites related to your hardware, more specifically issues with cooling.

Reply #2 Top

It's true, demigod is so awesome that everything in the vicinity ignites.

OK that wasn't helpful, but try this.

Get a CPU temperature monitor like Speedfan (I think it supports Dell). After the crash turn the computer back on and do nothing but monitor the temp. Check if the CPU heat keeps increasing while at idle.

If it does, yeah it's an overheat because the fan isn't disapating the residual heat quickly enough away from the CPU. If not, it could be a bad power supply in which case you need service.

If it is an overheat try...

1) Clean out all the dust and other junk inside the case with a can of compressed air for computers.

If that doesn't work

2) Get some arctic silver and redo the thermal paste between the CPU and its fan. If you're not comfortable doing this check the arctic silver website, it will show you how. Either that or get one of your nerd friends to do it. (everyone has a nerd friend nowadays)

Hope it helps, DG is awesome.

Reply #3 Top

The thing that really gets me is that I can run MUCH more demanding programs than DG without having any sort of temperature problems.  I guess I'll try clearing out the power supply before I do much else.  That's gonna be a bit of a bitch, because, I don't know if you've ever seen this model, but its power supply is housed in this big plastic box so that idiots can't get at it.  Problem with that is, of course, it makes it harder for people that AREN'T idiots to get to it.

Reply #4 Top

The only game that has ever caused my PC to overheat was Crysis; after I played through the entire game in a single sitting it started to crash like crazy during the final boss encounter. Kind of my own fault for not having a life :(

Reply #5 Top

Is your Stationary pc In a locked casing with fans or open at the sides ?

Check your motherboard updates

Videocard updates

Which fan is the problem? sys?graph?

How is the temperatur in your room?

If it's neccesary you will have to format your computer and get ridd of thoose "Dell" inbuild programs since they tend to consume much off your computer prio when it comes to memory

How's your viritual memory settings?

Do you run with 64 bits or 32?

The problem you are facing mate is an conflict between heat and procceses and computer priorities as well as Ram as I suspect.

Reply #6 Top

Just call the Dell Support its realy no Problem of Demigod.

 

Btw when does your PC automaticily shutdown?

Reply #7 Top

Someone has already mentioned cleaning out the dust in your computer, but I would like to reiterate this, because I also had a GeForce 8600 and it had a dust dragon lodged in between the fan and the heatsink which caused it to overheat.  If you have the tools, I recommend removing the faceplate of the video card and using compressed air to thoroughly clean out the inner workings of the card.

Reply #8 Top

Is your Stationary pc In a locked casing with fans or open at the sides ?

The side panel iss off because the cable for my second hard drive doesn't permit the side to close at the bottom.  Do you think that's causing an airflow problem?

Check your motherboard updates

Good idea.

 

Videocard updates

Just updated when I reinstalled windows.

 

Which fan is the problem? sys?graph?

It's gotta be the sys fan, because the graphics card isn't getting hot.  Warm, maybe, but that's it.

 

How is the temperatur in your room?

I dunno, I'm cold. I've got the AC going full-blast, and it's a small room.

 

If it's neccesary you will have to format your computer and get ridd of thoose "Dell" inbuild programs since they tend to consume much off your computer prio when it comes to memory

I've already taken out a lot of those, but let me see what else I can nuke.

 

How's your viritual memory settings?

TOTALLY forgot about those when I reloaded a few days ago, so I'll have a look at that.  I'm sure you're recommending that I turn them UP, right?

 

Do you run with 64 bits or 32?

Not sure, I think Media Center Edition is still 32.

 

I thought I'd had the problem fixed, last night, but then it happened again today.  I'll try a couple of these things and post back if I fix it.

Reply #9 Top

1) clean dust out of cpu heatsink
2) clean dust out of gfx heatsink
3) replace thermal compound which is in between chip + heatsink

4) replace power supply unit if none of the above stops the crashing/overheating

pretty much what the others say :p

Reply #10 Top

 Is your Stationary pc In a locked casing with fans or open at the sides ?

The side panel is off because the cable for my second hard drive doesn't permit the side to close at the bottom.  Do you think that's causing an airflow problem?

I don't think that is the main problem just try to remember that the idea is like air condition, lock the air in and you will lower the degree in the casing itself. (But when I have a problem with my comp. I always keep it open since I must always take something off or inn or check "ditt and datt"

2

Which fan is the problem? sys?graph?

It's gotta be the sys fan, because the graphics card isn't getting hot.  Warm, maybe, but that's it.

 Now this is interesting! I think the problem might be sir, your FAN is not installed or put "Flat" on the processor chip, make sure mate that it's not loose. Cause it seems it not, since you say "20 min, in the game" which is basically the time the game starts to get crowdy and makes your computer hot and if your Sys fan can't follow up on that" BOOM.

Intel Sys fans are not much fun to install, they have theese 4 drill pins you need to twist down in your motherboard which can be a mess if your not careful. Most likely one of theese pins are not where it's suppose to be.

3.

How's your viritual memory settings?

TOTALLY forgot about those when I reloaded a few days ago, so I'll have a look at that.  I'm sure you're recommending that I turn them UP, right?

Set them on recommended until you have solved the problem, that’s the safest. Automatic

4.

Do you run with 64 bits or 32?

Not sure, I think Media Center Edition is still 32

You won't get any use for your 1000g ram piece you have, might as well uninstall it since it consumes unnecessary power.

32 bit limit is 2k ram and 64 4k ram

less and more on those rate compared to your video card since they use some to. Check out Dxdiag.

 

Reply #11 Top

Alright, I tried setting my virtual memory higher (to the recommended setting) and it didn't fix the problem.

 

Also, it does support up to 4 gigs of RAM, so it's gotta be 64 bit.

 

Also, my first estimate on the time was a little off.  It's actually closer to 30-45 mintues.  I've noticed it'll last longer in windowed mode, as well, if that tells you anything.

 

Unfortunately, my processor and whatnots are encased in this stupid plastic box, at its a pain to remove.  Though, thinking about it, as much as this thing has been moved around, I suppose something could have come loose in there.  I'll have to have something that can do these things come check it out.  I'll also look into getting a new cable for that hard drive, so that I can close the case.

Reply #12 Top

Well get that box off your Fan and check it out, kinda 80% sure it's that.

Intel fans are a bitch, especially if you move the computer around.