How to prevent my computer from shutting down while playing games?

gaming monitor 2013 image

Reignscyth

So my computer shuts down everytime I try to play a game. (NFS:U2 to be exact..) I think it fits snugly into the games minimum requirements, and it has three cooling fans (one on the side, one on the mainboard, one underneath the video card.) I downloaded Razer Game Booster and did everything on its tips; tweaking my PC, killing almost every processes in game mode and such. But I can't still play the game over even an hour. Help on how to resolve this?

My PC's specs (I know it's a bit outdated..)

System:
Microsoft Windows XP Professional Version 2002 Service Pack 3

Computer:
Intel Core2 Duo CPU E7400 @ 2.80GHz, 2.80GHz, 1.00 GB of RAM

Hard Disk:
C 4.08 GB free of 29.2 GB
D 17.7 GB free of 45.2 GB

Video Card:
DirectX 9.0c
NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT

I think this can help too (Razer Game Booster Diagnosis)

Razer Game Booster Diagnostics Report v1.0
Version: 3.7.0.11
Date: 2013/09/20 18:50:08

----------------------------------
01 - Operating System
----------------------------------

0101 - Operating System : Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_qfe.130704-0421)
0102 - Language : English (Regional Setting: English)
0103 - BIOS : BIOS Date: 04/10/09 16:15:02 Ver: 08.00.12
0104 - Processor : Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E7400 @ 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
0105 - Memory : 1024MB RAM
0107 - Page File : 408MB used, 2052MB available
0108 - Windows Dir : C:\WINDOWS
0109 - DirectX Version : DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
0110 - DX Setup Parameters : Not found
0114 - DxDiag Version : 5.03.2600.5512

----------------------------------
02 - Processor
----------------------------------

0201 - Caption : Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E7400 @ 2.80GHz x2 ~2800MHz
0202 - Current Clock Speed : 2800MHz
0203 - L1-Cache : 64.00 KB
0204 - L2-Cache : 3.00 MB

----------------------------------
03 - Video Adapter
----------------------------------

0301 - Card Name : NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT
0302 - Manufacturer : NVIDIA
0303 - Chip Type : GeForce 9600 GT
0304 - DAC Type : Integrated RAMDAC
0305 - Device Key : Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0622&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A1
0306 - Display Memory : 1024.0 MB
0307 - AdapterRAM : 1.00 GB
0308 - Current Mode : 1360 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
0309 - Monitor Name : Plug and Play Monitor
0310 - Driver Name : nv4_disp.dll
0311 - Driver Version : 6.14.0012.7061
0312 - Driver Language : English
0313 - DDI Version : 9 (or higher)
0315 - Driver Beta : False
0316 - Driver Debug : False
0317 - Driver Date : 4/7/2011 22:14:00
0318 - Driver Size : 4111232
0319 - VDD : n/a
0320 - Mini VDD : nv4_mini.sys
0321 - Mini VDD Date : 4/7/2011 22:14:00
0322 - Mini VDD Size : 12501600
0323 - Device Identifier : {D7B71E3E-4562-11CF-2578-0C2000C2CB35}
0324 - Vendor ID : 0x10DE
0325 - Device ID : 0x0622
0326 - SubSys ID : 0x00000000
0327 - Revision ID : 0x00A1
0330 - Video Accel : ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D

Thanks..
I just monitored its temperatures..
CPU: 33-39 C
Mainboard: 33-34 C
Video Card: 66-70 C
Hard Disk: 33-41 C
The maximum temperatures recorded are before and during the game.
The minimum was after it restarted.

Do I need to replace a part or are my parts still okay?
If so, please recommend me a reliable one.. Thanks

Answer
Check the fan of your GPU, it might be faulty already. I once owned a 9600GT, faulty fan also made it overheat....

solution, you could put fresh thermal paste, then attach an 80mm fan that is blowing air towards the card, the fan should be running at full speed all the time, just connect it to the psu 4 pin molex.

BTW, adding more ram would be necessary for your build since 1 gb RAM is insufficient IMHO...

How much computer stuff would I need to play Rome Total War 2 for optimum performance and graphics?

Bryce

Need a new computer. Not really a tech junkie so keep the explanation simple. What kind of computer would be good? How many graphics or Sound cards would I need? How much will it cost me to play this game. Im such a fan I must know

Answer
Well it's not released yet, so nobody is 100% certain right now. However, it's going to have a new engine and people expect it will have similar requirements to Total War: Shogun 2.

http://diaryofdennis.wordpress.com/2012/07/03/total-war-rome-2-estimated-system-requirements-and-release-date-probably-2013/

So basically, that means a desktop computer around $800-$900. The bottom-line specs you'll want:

1 - Core i5 processor (2nd or 3rd generation)

2 - At least 4GB of RAM (almost all new systems come with 8GB anyway)

3 - A graphics card around $125-$150, at least a Radeon HD 7770 or GeForce GTX 560 SE. Get a $170 card like a GeForce GTX 560 or Radeon HD 6870 and you'll be way in the clear.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5541/amd-radeon-hd-7750-radeon-hd-7770-ghz-edition-review/14

Building from scratch is the best option, as pre-built systems typically don't have good graphics cards. You could always buy a $600 computer from Best Buy and upgrade the graphics card and power supply yourself, or pay a tech to install 'em for you. You could also look into getting a custom-built system from CyberpowerPC or Ibuypower's websites, but that costs more.

Here are some stock computers that would work:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883229335
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227412
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227435

But you'd be better off buying this:
http://www.amazon.com/Gateway-DX-Series-DX4860-UR14P-Desktop/dp/B007W11590/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1349292447&sr=1-2&keywords=gateway+desktop+i5

Then adding these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371031
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130661

If you're planning to play on a full HD monitor (1920x1080 resolution) then you should get a 2GB graphics card. But the card model is more important than the memory. Don't think for a second that a $60 card with 2GB would work. Yo

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