Some or the game's I have crash...sometimes.

SiSoftware Sandra

System
Manufacturer : Dell Computer Corporation
Model : Dimension 4300
Serial Number : 1L6P311
ID : 4C4C4544-3610004C-C0B15080-3131334F

System Chassis
Manufacturer : Dell Computer Corporation
Type : Desktop
Can be locked : No
Serial Number : 1L6P311
Boot-up State : Safe
Power State : Safe
Thermal State : Safe
Security State : External Interface Locked-out

Mainboard
Manufacturer : Dell Computer Corporation
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : 1 Processor(s)
MPS Version : 1.40
Model : Dimension 4300

On-board Devices
AC'97 Audio Controller : Sound Adapter (Enabled)

System Memory Controller
Location : Mainboard
Error Correction Capability : ECC
Number of Memory Slots : 2
Maximum Installable Memory : 1GB
Bank 1 - DIMM_A : DIMM Synchronous SDRAM 256MB/64 @ 133MHz
Bank 2 - DIMM_B : DIMM Synchronous SDRAM 512MB/64 @ 133MHz

Chipset 1
Model : Dell 82845 Brookdale Host-Hub Interface Bridge (A3-step)
Revision : A4
Bus : Intel AGTL+
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 100MHz (400MHz)
Maximum FSB Speed : 4x 100MHz (400MHz)
Width : 64-bit
I/O Queue Depth : 12 request(s)
Maximum Bus Bandwidth : 3.13GB/s

Chipset 1 Hub Interface
Type : Hub-Interface
Version : 1.00
Number of Ports : 1
Width : 8-bit
Full Duplex : Yes
Multiplier : 2/1x

Logical/Chipset 1 Memory Banks
Bank 0 : 128MB SDRAM 3-3-3-6
Bank 1 : 128MB SDRAM 3-3-3-6
Bank 2 : 256MB SDRAM 3-3-3-6
Bank 3 : 256MB SDRAM 3-3-3-6
Supported Memory Types : ECC SDRAM DDR
Memory Bus Speed : 1x 133MHz (133MHz)
Maximum Memory Speed : 1x 133MHz (133MHz)
Multiplier : 4/3x
Width : 64-bit
Memory Controller in Processor : No
Refresh Rate : 7.80µs
Power Save Mode : No
Fixed Hole Present : No
Maximum Memory Bus Bandwidth : 1.04GB/s

APIC 1
Version : 2.00
Multiplier : 1/2x
Maximum Interrupts : 24
IRQ Handler Engaged : Yes
Enhanced Support : Yes

Memory Module 1
Manufacturer : Samsung
Model : M3 66S3323CT0-C75
Serial Number : 36E79317
Type : 256MB SDRAM
Technology : 16x(16Mx8)
Speed : PC133U
Standard Timings : 3-3-3-5
Version : 1.2
Date of Manufacture : Tuesday, January 01, 1980
Set Timing @ 133MHz : 3-3-3-5

Memory Module 2
Type : 512MB SDRAM
Technology : 16x(32Mx8)
Speed : PC133U
Standard Timings : 3-3-3-5
Version : 1.2
Date of Manufacture : Saturday, December 25, 1999
Set Timing @ 133MHz : 3-3-3-5
Set Timing @ 100MHz : 2-2-2-6

Cooling Device(s)
Fan : OK

AGP Bus(es) on Hub 1
Version : 2.00
Maximum Data Transfer Rate : 4x
Multiplier : 1/2x
Fast-Writes Enabled : No
Fast-Writes Support : Yes
Side Band Enabled : No
Side Band Support : Yes

PCI Bus(es) on Hub 1
Version : 2.20
Number of Bridges : 2
PCI Bus 0 : PCI (1/1x PCIClk)
PCI Bus 2 : PCI (1/1x PCIClk)

LPC Hub Controller 1
Model : Intel 82801BA (ICH2) LPC Interface Controller
Revision : B3
ACPI Power Management Enabled : Yes
Delayed Transaction Enabled : Yes

LPC Hub Controller 2
Model : Dell 82801BA/BAM (ICH2/ICH2-M) SMBus Controller
Revision : B3

LPC Legacy Controller 1
Type : SMSC LPC v1
Version : 67.01
Number of Enabled Devices : 4

Sound Adapter 1
Model : Dell SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio
Revision : B3
Type : AC '97
Version : 2.01

USB Controller 1
Model : Dell 82801BA/BAM (ICH2/ICH2-M) USB Universal Host Controller
Revision : B3
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 2
Model : Dell 82801BA/BAM (ICH2/ICH2-M) USB Universal Host Controller
Revision : B3
Version : 1.10
Interface : UHCI
Channels : 2
Speed : 48MHz
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

System SMBus Controller 1
Model : Intel 801xx/63xx SMBus
Version : 1.02
Specification : 1.00
Advanced TCO Mode Enabled : No
Slave Device Enabled : No
PEC Support : No
Speed : 100kHz

Expansion Slot(s)
PCI1 (1h) : PCI 32-bit +5V +3.3V PME Full-Length Available (Intel 82845 Brookdale Host-AGP Bridge (A3-step))
PCI2 (2h) : PCI 32-bit +5V +3.3V PME Full-Length Available
AGP1 : AGP-4x 32-bit +3.3V PME Full-Length Available

Port Connector(s)
PARALLEL : Parallel Port PS/2 / DB-25 pin female
SERIAL1 : Serial Port 16550A / DB-9 pin male
KYBD : Keyboard / PS/2
MOUSE : Mouse / PS/2
USB1 : USB / USB
USB2 : USB / USB
USB3 : USB / USB
USB4 : USB / USB
MIC : Audio / Mini-jack
LINE-OUT : Audio / Mini-jack
LINE-IN : Audio / Mini-jack
HP-OUT : Audio / Mini-jack

Performance Tips
Notice 224 : SMBIOS/DMI information may be inaccurate.
Warning 2507 : Mainboard has too few memory slots. Upgrading the memory may be difficult or expensive.
Warning 2508 : All memory slots are full. Upgrading the memory may be difficult or expensive.
Tip 2546 : Large memory modules should be ECC/Parity.
Tip 2513 : AGP Bus is unused or AGP card not fully AGP compatible.
Tip 2525 : Current AGP data rate not optimal.
Tip 2 : Double-click tip or press Enter while a tip is selected for more information about the tip.

While playing Medieval 2: Total War or WoW for instance, occassionally the game freezes, the audio, skips and the next thing I know, I'm looking at a reboot screen. WIndows is polite enough to inform me that my computer has just recovered from a serious error. On other occassions I may be able to play one of the former games without any error to speak of for 6 hour long, why the hell am I staying up this late marathons.

I have a 2001 model Dell Dimension desktop, but I have equipped it with a Nvidia 6600 and an additional 512mb RAM stick. Because it is an older model PC, the PCI ports im my computer are in a Bus and therefore are rather close to each other. Any suggestion?

-Doc

Confirm that you have all drivers (and bios) updated from here: http://support.dell.com/support/down...&catid=&impid=

Also ideally put memory module 1 as the 512Meg (ie swap the ram cards around)
You may also want to run Memtest on your Ram (7 passes required)

Given the age of the computer, you may also wish to clean the insides of all dust : http://www.mikescomputerinfo.com/CleanComputer.pdf

Sounds like overheating or PSU too little wattage. Maybe the motherboard is failing also. RAM speed is quite slow also.

Appreciate the help guys. I cleaned out the PC when I installed the second RAM stick--about 4 months ago--so that might be it. I know I don't have the ideal gaming rig, but it worked without problems for a long period of time.