Possible over heating video card

[mthrockmor]

Before I spend money on computer repairs, quick question in hopes someone knows.

My screen goes black or white then freezes and ultimately closes during game play. I have been deleting extra programs, etc and headed towards a repairman. Before I take that step I had someone ask me if I've opened the computer tower and simply blown it clean. Could it be that simple? Will simple, small amounts of dust overheat a computer and/or video card?

I hope someone has had this issue before I end up paying some computer guy $95 to open it up and blow it clean.

Thanks in advance.

Boo

[katanaso]

Before you pay somebody to work on your PC, download the software from here and view the temperatures of your components:

http://openhardwaremonitor.org/

It's free, very useful, and if you post a screenshot or the temps of your CPU and vid card, some folks here can help you before you dish out some cash.

[mthrockmor]

I did two things.

First, I pulled the panel off, turned off the computer and blew dust out. Surprised at how much there was. I then downloaded the software link above, getting readings. One question, it shows the temps are roughly right at the max level. It says 30 degrees and it shows 29-30 degrees. Should it be much lower relative to the max number?

Boo

PS I ran one sortie with no crashes, one of the few times in a month.

[gyrene81]

heat can and will cause odd graphics issues, even kill your system. you should dust out your system completely once every 6-8 months depending on the environment...pets, smoking, high humidity all add to the problem.

each monitored component has different max temps that they can operate under...check that program again, you don't want to be looking at ambient temp as much as component temp.

[katanaso]

What was said above -- what was reading 30 degrees?

Also, the 'Max' is simply the maximum temperature that particular component reached.  It's not what the maximum acceptable temperature is for that specific component.