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I'll like to use the question progressively: (I need to pin point exact issue) My system configuration is:

CPU: Intel i7 2600K 3.4GHz Quad core
Motherboard: z68
RAM: GSkill 8GB saw-tooth 1.5V
Graphics card: ATI Radeon HD6870
HDD 2TB SATA
Power Supply: 750W (Antec Gold series)

I built this machine for gaming and nothing is under/over clocked, it runs awesome as long as it runs i.e.

Issue: While playing game computer would start making really loud scratching noises (doesn't matter what speaker level is at) and picture would distort and machine used to hang. So I replaced my video card and shifted RAMs from 2 different channels to single channel.

I've not seen scratching noise/ hang since then (maybe once/twice but not everytime).

However even now after playing for a while computer restarts by itself, why would it be?

Here are few scenarios I'm considering:

  1. Overheating (Tried BIOS immediately after restart and CPU temperature was around 50-60 degree Celsius everytime so I'm not sure)

  2. Use of SATA HDD -- really ?? can it be possible

  3. GPU/RAM overheating.

  4. Something entirely different.

I would like to pin point the reason first and then need to find an answer.

I've Windows7 installed and Ubuntu 11.10 issue is observed in both cases.

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  • Out of your list only 1 and 3 are likely. Although the fact you went from dual channel to a single channel and it resolve the problems for the most part seem odd.
    – Ramhound
    Dec 6, 2011 at 19:59
  • I don't understand why is it flagged for "not enough research" when I clearly stated > "I would like to pin point the reason first and then need to find an answer." Anyways if this makes anyone happier I was following windowsforums.org/topic/7298-computer-restarts-by-itself and I didn't want people to start their answers based off on that discussion
    – wisemonkey
    Dec 6, 2011 at 20:04
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    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memtest86
    – Aki
    Dec 6, 2011 at 20:05
  • 1
    Boot from a memtest86 CD and let it run for a few hours. Dec 6, 2011 at 20:05
  • @Ramhound: Yes I'm still hoping overheating is only the issue -- I can simply add cooling system but couldn't understand the RAM issue.
    – wisemonkey
    Dec 6, 2011 at 20:06

1 Answer 1

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Sounds like a video card issue considering it happens under games. Is it only under games?

I'd check your driver settings. I know the AMD cards sometimes do this when Catalyst AI is enabled (which is the default). I'd disable Catalyst AI. Then turn off AMD Overdrive and fire up your game and see what happens.

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  • I've installed drivers for radeon (hence Catalyst) but never looked at any settings, first thing I'll check is Catalyst AI then run a game for a while and then will try all other suggestions.
    – wisemonkey
    Dec 7, 2011 at 1:55
  • @bill.cn I've set Catalyst A.I. to performance (instead of quality) and Started Real Temp to monitor the temperature as well. I couldn't find GPU temperature but this is helpful enough will test it overnight and let u guys know
    – wisemonkey
    Dec 7, 2011 at 3:39
  • Tried it y'day and game worked great for around 3 and half hr will try longer over weekend :)
    – wisemonkey
    Dec 7, 2011 at 19:17
  • @bill.cn: temperatures seem to be well withing threshold thanks for the program I'll keep monitoring the temperature
    – wisemonkey
    Dec 7, 2011 at 19:17

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