[Cadeyrn]

When I first built my desktop in Feburary 2010, it was underperforming with certain games. Months of research taught me that the games it underperformed on were the games that rely more on the CPU than the video card, and my CPU was underperforming and bottlenecking the whole system. In fact, my quad-core CPU was performing worse than your typical dual-core CPU.

At some point within the last month, my CPU started finally performing well, and the change in graphics my computer can handle is massive, but it seems there's a trade-off. Now, after being in use for a while (it doesn't even need to be heavy use--League of Legends caused this problem just yesterday), my video card will start underperforming until I restart my computer. At first it was constant and quantifiable: after 2 games of Battlefield 3, I would have to restart to play more. Now it's much more sporadic, and on average takes much longer to happen (some days the problem doesn't even happen).

Specs:
Intel Q9550 quad-core 2.8GHz
4GB RAM
NVidia GTX 470 1.2GB

Are these early-warning signs? Will they get worse? Is it still safe to overclock my video card and add more RAM so that I can run BF3 on max? I can't afford a new video card--if/when I even get that money, I need to save it for a guitar that's going to disappear from the market soon.

P.S. My MSI P43 C51 motherboard automatically shuts down in the middle of posting/BIOS when I have two RAM sticks next to each other--how would I get dual channel working properly?

[exelerator]

Are the ram sticks identical

[Cadeyrn]

The ones I've tested are.

[exelerator]

possible falty ram?

I would try booting with each stick seperatly

[exelerator]

post cpu-z results

memory tab

[exelerator]

ram next to each other....

looking at your motherboard it has 4 slots are u putting the 2 ram sticks in the same color slot.

[Cadeyrn]

When they're next to each other, yes, they're in the same color slot. Also, I don't know what "cpu-z" and "memory tab" refer to; could you be more context-specific?

I tried booting with each stick separately, and it's not the sticks' fault as far as I can tell.

[exelerator]

cpu-z is a program u will have to download very good tool to use it will show some of your cpu/ram properties

www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

[exelerator]

as u cant boot with both ram sticks u will have to post results with each stick we will be able to tell if they are compatible/idetical/same speed

Also I messed up u will have to click the "SPD" tab not the memory tab

[black-wolf]

You need to update XP to service pack 3, etc.

[Cadeyrn]

...I'm on Win7 Ultimate x64. And it's fully up-to-date. Every one of my drivers are, too.

I'll do the CPU-Z thing soon.

[black-wolf]

P.S. My MSI P43 C51 motherboard automatically shuts down in the middle of posting/BIOS when I have two RAM sticks next to each other--how would I get dual channel working properly?

Two sticks should be in the black slots. If you don't have your manual you can download it here http://www.msi.com/product/mb/P43-C51.html#/?div=Manual

[black-wolf]

Some of your problem could be programs running in the background. Edit your startup.

[Cadeyrn]

So you're saying that I would need a 3rd stick if I want having RAM sticks next to each other to work?

It's not background programs. I've tested all that as well.

[exelerator]

yes if u have the 2 rams side by side they should each be in a different colour and 1 would not work.