This has happened before on a couple of games I get an error message during gameplay stating "NV4_disp display driver has stopped working normally. Save your work and reboot the system to restore full display functionallity. The next time you reboot the machine a dialog will be displayed giving you a chance to upload data about this failure to Microsoft." The game then closed to the desktop and the colours are now washed out im guessing cos they dropped to 6bit. This happened most recently in Fallout 3. I'm just wondering if its caused by overheating.
After I rebooted I checked the GPU Temp and According to Everest (I'm not too sure how accurate this is please let me know if there is another options to check the temp) my GPU is running at 85-90 degrees celcius, I'm not too sure the temp it was at the time the drived ceased to run. I'm not too sure but I think thats a little hot. I have no special cooling just the standard fans that come with the card and an extra one that brings in air from the rear of the PC case. The weather lately has been pretty warm and from what I can remember the other times it did this the days were hot too.
I tried reinstalling the drivers before but it still does it.
If it is related to overheating what options do I have in regard to cooling? any suggestions would help.
My System
WindowsXP Home SP3
Asus Crosshair Mobo
3gb ddr2 800 Kingston Ram
1TB HD
Nvidia XFX 8800 GTX Ultra 768MB (6.14.11.7813 - nVIDIA ForceWare 78.13)
AMD Athlon64 x 2 5200 CPU
800W Toughpower PS.
Thanks.
Dan

GPUs can run pretty hot, so those temps are high, but not extreme.

I have no special cooling just the standard fans that come with the card and an extra one that brings in air from the rear of the PC case.

A couple things here. I prefer to have a least 2 case fans, to create the desired front to back air flow, if possible, one in front drawing cool air in, and one in back (in addition to any in the power supply) exhausting hot air out. So I recommend you open your case, make sure it is clean of heat trapping dust, then inspect your case for additional fan options. If possible you want to use the biggest fans your case supports, hopefully 120mm fans. These move much more air than the typical 80mm fans, but at a much lower RPM, so they tend to be much quieter too.

When in there, check your power supply for free connectors too.

Also you said, "an extra one that brings in air from the rear". Inspect that fan again and make sure it is oriented correctly. Fans in back should be pulling hot air out of the case, not pushing air inside.

Finally, a good test to see if heat might be the issue is to open the side panel and blast a big desk fan in there.

Everest is probably one of the better system monitors. However, your graphics card should have come with a monitoring program too, and if installed already, may be accessible from Display Properties. The advantage over Everest is it may minimize to the System Tray, where you can keep an eye on it easier.

Hey Again, sorry for the delay. I checked the fans. They are doing what they are supposed to, and you were right the rear fan is sucking hot air out of the case. So the only fans I have are the one on the rear of the case taking hot air out and the one attached to the GPU itself. There is no fan bringing cool air in. I'm asuming this is bad. The case is very basic and I'm pretty sure its not designed to handle any real cooling.
I'm looking into a new case and came across the Thermaltake Spedo Advanced. Its got significantly better fan cooling that the one I have now. Any input on if this case is any good, or any others I should have a look at would be great.
Also any suggestions on liquid cooling. Is it worth it?
Thanks Digerati.
Regards,
Dan

There is no fan bringing cool air in. I'm asuming this is bad.

Not necessarily bad, but it may not be adequate. With no intake fans, cool air almost oozes in from all over, rather than being drawn in forcefully, in a directed manner, across selected devices.

Thermaltake is a solid brand name, known for good cases, among other things. I personally will never own another case that does not include removable, washable, air filters. Even though I have a good air compressor setup to clean electronics, lugging computer's outside to clean out heat-trapping dust (and dog hair) is not a chore I like.

Is liquid cooling worth it? Depends on what you think is worthwhile. For 99.9% of computer users, it is not. As a technician tired of repairing the damage from poorly researched, poorly implemented, and poorly maintained alternative cooling solutions, I advise against it - except for enthusiasts who know, and are prepared for the risks - which can be extreme.

Also note that damage from alternative cooling solutions is not covered under warranties.

Just to add: those 8800GTX/768MB should run 60/65C on their stock fans.

I liquid cool mine and they run @ 40C.

There are some very nice blocks made especially for these cards but they run @ $100 just for the block.

Just for example:

Danger*Den*::*Must*Have...

&

8800 water block - Google Search

Hey, jst letting you guys no that I got a new case and the temps have all dropped thanks to the better fan cooling in the new case. The GPU temp is down from 80C Idle to 60. A really good investment. Thanks again for your help guys. You can close this thread when you see fit