Video card and pc inner workings experts needed

Ok, I tried a lot and am running out of options. Here it is:

I built a system part by part and everything was working great. But, here's when I got messed with- I had swapped out an old CD drive for a DVD+CD-RW and a way better video card. I installed all the software for the drive (NERO) and installed the latest drivers for the new video card (GeForce FX 5500 256Mb). I then installed the game Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow, which the video card should handle with no problems right? Well I get nice frame rates on high detail, but only when the game isn't FROZEN on me. Every minute to 4 minutes the game freezes for 12 seconds or more. I grounded myself, and than touched the heatsink on the card and it's not very hot. Plus I left the side panel off the case and it still freezes just as much. I have plenty of cooling, and a good airflow through the system, so I can't figure it out. Nothing is overheating... Here's the comp specs:

Windows 98SE (Haven't updated the OS yet )
Biostar NVIDIA nForce3 250 Socket 754 ATXHT 800Mhz, DDR400
AMD 64, 2.4Ghz, HT 800Mhz
256MB DDR
LG CDRW DVD
NEC Floppy
Maxtor 20 GB HD
450 PSU
GeForce FX5500 256MB
2 80mm case fans, PSU fan, fansink for CPU, fansink on GPU

Is this a conflict as I don't have enough Ram? I checked to see how many programs were running, it doesn't seem like much. I even ended some programs from task manager, still freezes on the game. The game is 100% compatible and passed all tests.

 

Latest drivers are not always the best, you might have to try older versions of drivers.

(For example, v84.21 seems the most stable for my 6200. Anything newer causes problems.)

 

Yea see I was using the driver CD that came with it, but the game acted the same way, freezing up. Getting the latest drivers, I noticed no difference.

 

What happens if you lower the detail?
Also maybe try the latest patch for the game?

 

Or even try lowering the game resolution.

 

I did. I played the game on 640X480 and on low detail, still freezes like crazy. You know what I tried leaving the panel off the case for a while and had the side panel fan pointing towards the card, and after a while, no freeze ups. I put the panel back on the case, a few minutes, and it starting freezing like crazy. I think it's obvious my GPU isn't getting enough cooling, even though it's in a cool case, and I guess the stock fan sink is worthless. But I have one last final decision I have to make. Do I buy a new heatsink for my card, or do I buy a fan I can install over a PCI slot right under the card?

 

Any dust on the video card fan? Are ye overclocking the card, or any other components?

 

Na, I don't overclock. Plus it's new, so there's no dust. When I press lightly on one part of the heat sink, it tilts off the GPU a little. Even though it's factory mounted. I'm thinking of replacing it. Any good ideas for an FX5500 as far as VGA cooling goes? I don't want something too big or too heavy.

 

I was having same problem, my daughter was running a simms game, i upgraded from 256 to 1 meg of ram and fixed problem.

 

Thanks. I'm going to buy a better fan sink for my card, and upgrade the ram after payday.

 

From your post above it sounds like the sink just wasn't properly attatched. Factory mount or not there is always a chance of a botched job. Hope the new sink works for you.

 

i dont know if there is a minimum power requirement for a 5500 but what PSU do you have? or at least, how many watts? Im thinking not enough power OR not enough RAM. Lack of memory can cause freezing and stuttering like that

 

I'm going to buy some more ram when I can. And the PSU came with the case. 400 Wat total output.

 

I got the new fansink from newegg. Installed it with no problems, cleared everything up. Now every morning I have to scrape the ice from my video card Here's the pics: