Excessive Mem Usage

[goel0012]

Whenever I start my PC games (COD 2, COD4 MW, COD5 W@W, Fall Out 3, and MW2) my memory usage for ALL games go up into the 300,000 k and as I progress through the games, maybe 5 minutes, the games freeze in the 600,000 k range and my PC restarts!

Is anyone familiar with what causes this? I didn't have these issues with my previous motherboard. I recently upgraded to a BioStar TA760G M2+ which has on-board RealTek HD audio which I've read causes problems with Activion games but I've also installed non-Activision games with the same problem.

Also, I've noticed an emblem on the box my motherboard came in that says "DUAL (by AM2+ CPU) DDR2-1066", my CPU is an AM2...no + (see below). Could this be the problem??

I'm a novice builder, OC'er, and avid gamer. BTW, I did OC my machine, here are the specs;

nVidia 7950 GT OC'ed from 550/700 to 650/800 stable
CorsairDominator 2x2gb 1600 DDR2 havn't OC'ed...not sure how in the BioStar BIOS
AMD 64 Athlon X2 4000+ AM2 2.1 ghz OC'ed to 2.85 ghz stable
CoolerMaster 500w PSU
BioStar TA760G M2+ motherboard
WD Cariar Blue 320 GB WD3200KSRTL SATA
Things I've tried;

Ran MemTest86 on two sets of DDR2 I have with no errors and tried both sets with same results.
Tried a non-Activision game thinking it was a problem with Activision programing and the components in my machine.
I have formatted and re-installed my games.
I have formatted and re-installed my video card.
I have formatted and re-installed audio drivers.
I have disabled all OC programs...RivaTuner and Manual OC in BIOS

I don't get errors when I run the games, my Mem Usage just increases to a point where the game freezes and PC restarts.

Any ideas floating around out there??

 

[Bluescreendeath]

...
Also, I've noticed an emblem on the box my motherboard came in that says "DUAL (by AM2+ CPU) DDR2-1066", my CPU is an AM2...no + (see below). Could this be the problem??...
CorsairDominator 2x2gb 1600 DDR2 havn't OC'ed...not sure how in the BioStar BIOS...

AM2+ motherboards can use AM2 cpus and AM3 cpus.


1600MHz DDR2?

 

[goel0012]

Yes, 1600MHz DDR2. I know that AM2+ motherboards can support AM2 CPU's. But I'm wondering if I need an AM2+ CPU to take advantage of the "dual function" for my memory.

 

[overshocked]

What BSD is saying is that there is no 1600 ddr2.

Link?

 

[goel0012]

Sry, I'm a noob. BTW, I increased my Memory Overvoltage to 2.05v up from 1.95v and my games are running fine for the time being. Could I go higher? Do these games run at such high Mem Usage?? Does Memory Overvoltage have anything to do with Mem Usage??

Brand CORSAIR
Series DOMINATOR
Model TWIN2X4096-8500C5DF
Type 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM
Tech Spec
Capacity 4GB (2 x 2GB)
Speed DDR2 1066 😉 (PC2 8500)
Cas Latency 5
Timing 5-5-5-15
Voltage 2.1V
Multi-channel Kit Dual Channel Kit
Heat Spreader Yes
Features DOMINATOR with DHX Technology and Airflow Fan

Also, this is a dual channel kit. Can my AM2 (no +) CPU take advantage of this given the box my mobo came in says "DUAL (by AM2+ CPU) DDR2 1066"?

 

[goel0012]

I seem to have solved my problem with the help of these forums...

I was putting way too much stock in the fact that the games were running with high Mem Usage and was putting no stock in the fact that I, a noob, OC'ed my machine and it WAS NOT STABLE ! Not sure why it took sooo long for me to come to this obvious conclusion but it took a hit over the head from a Tom's member to knock some sense into me

Thanks all, Matt (goel0012)