Alright I've tried posting this to many places and have yet to receive any solutions. My computer seems to lock up when I play games. I can play for about a minute if that and the game will completely lock up my computer. No alt tabing out or hibernation or anything.

My graphics card works just fine and my hdd isn't the issue, as games on both of my hdds crash. My computer isn't completely shutting down or turning off so I doubt it's my psu or my cpu. I even uninstalled XP and installed vista so it wasn't my os either. It lead me to my ram being the issue.

I used to have 2 1 gig sticks of ram. I had bought new ram just because I felt the ram was just bad. I did run memtest on the ram for about 6 things and said no errors so I was slightly confused.

In the mean time, I was given a stick of 1 gig. I had plugged that in while I was awaiting my new ram and the games ran just fine. Sure it didn't have that extra gig so it didn't run as well.

So I finally recieve my new 2 2gig sticks and plug them in and I get the same problem. Games still crash with about a minute of gameplay. But I took out one of the sticks and of course the crap runs just fine.

I've tested different slots and different timings and voltages and it still seems to be that the mobo just can't handle more than one stick of ram which I find stupid. Just to fully think it is my mobo, I try running memtest again but this time on the new ram. And now my computer freezes during memtest.

So long story short, my computer locks up on games with more than a stick of ram in. I can surf the internet just fine and do other things well, I just can't play video games. I have reason to believe it's the mobo, but it could also be the ram.....help?

I guess also for the info, I'll list some specs.

Vista Ultimate 64bit

8800gts 512mb

GA-X38-DQ6

1066 DDR2 G.Skill (5-5-5-15)

What PSU have you got? It is still possible that it is a PSU issue as games tend to draw more power than just about anything else.

Sounds like your mobo just can't handle the xtra RAM my friend. Have u checked the version online for any updates, or indeed restrictions? To fully eliminiate RAM, can u send it back and get replacement ones from whoever u got it from, saying u think it's faulty?

My psu is an OCZ GameXStream 700w, so I would certainly hope it isn't my psu.

I'm assuming you mean check online for any updates to my mobo? I'll check, but I just purchased my ram off newegg like 2 weeks ago so I can still send it back to them and get my ram replaced. I was planning to do that today.

a) Does every 3d game lock up or are there specific ones?

b) Did you consult the mobo manual when you purchased the RAM? Usually if the RAM is not on the list, then there is a fair chance that it will give you troubles like ones you're experiencing. (Speaking from the experience.)

c) You should check for BIOS updates for your Mobo. That might solve your problem.

d) I solved my problem by manually setting the timings and increasing the RAM voltage.

Well, it happens on Fallout 3, Left 4 Dead, Counter Strike Source, Flatout Ultimate Carnage, I-Fluid.....pretty much all of my games have crashed.

I don't think I saw it on the list, but my old ram wasn't on the list either, and it worked fine for about a year and a half.

There is an update for my bios but when I try to update the bios by flashing, it won't detect my flash drive, even with all the usb things turned on in my bios.

I've also tried messing with many timings and increasing the voltage but that didn't work.

I did try running memtest, but it kept freezing on me so I dunno.

If memtest freezes then it must be either a ram or mobo problem I would say.

I suggest that you use mobo manual for the reference when buying RAM.

Also, I can't dismiss CPU as the root of the problem.

Try running Prime95. It might detect errors on it's torture test. That would indicate CPU problem (in my opinion).

Problem is that no-one can positively say that it is RAM and not CPU, or vice-versa without another RAM or CPU for comparison.

Well, I tried that Prime95.

Turns out the computer was doing ok in the small FFTs but then my computer froze on me when I tried the Blend testing. I believe this has to be the ram but how will I know what good ram to get? My motherboard doesn't seem to have any 2 gig sticks tested...