TechSpot - PC Technology News and Analysis

Doom 3 frequently crashes on my PC when its loading a new level or while I'm playing. It's really annoying. Could you tell me how to fix it? My PC specs are:
Intel Pentium 4 2.0 Ghz
1024 MB DDR RAM
128 MB ATI Radeon 9200SE Graphics Card
Sound Blaster Vibra 128
VIA Motherboard
I just installed a new 512 MB TwinMOS DDR RAM card coz' I had only 512 MB of RAM before which wasn't enough. Could that have something to do with this? I have ATI Catalyst Drivers v5.8 installed and am running Windows XP Professional with SP2.

First questions I would have are:

1. do you have the latest patches for the game installed?
2. do you have the latest drivers for your video card?

If yes, then

3. do you have the latest bios for your motherboard?
4. do you have the latest chipset drivers?

By the way, that video card you have is not really designed for games that are Doom3 callibre. It is an EXTREMELY demanding game on computers, and your system is... well... mature

I see you just edited your post, and added that you have installed some new ram.

Yes, that is a possibile cause of your crashes as well.

Is your new stick of 512 the same type as your old one? I.e., same speed, both single or double sided, both unregistered etc.?

If you don't know, then download and install THIS program.

Look under the SPD information, and tell us what it says for each stick of ram.

Yeah, well, I'm saving up for an X850 XT and a new PCI Express motherboard as well. But I still wanna play the game. Used to play it before and had no problems, why now?

This is what it says

[ DIMM1: 512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM ]

Memory Module Properties:
Serial Number None
Module Size 512 MB (2 ranks, 4 banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type DDR SDRAM
Memory Speed PC3200 (200 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage SSTL 2.5
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Reduced (7.8 us), Self-Refresh

Memory Timings:
@ 200 MHz 2.5-4-4-8 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
@ 166 MHz 2.0-4-4-7 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)

Memory Module Features:
Early RAS# Precharge Not Supported
Auto-Precharge Not Supported
Precharge All Not Supported
Write1/Read Burst Not Supported
Buffered Address/Control Inputs Not Supported
Registered Address/Control Inputs Not Supported
On-Card PLL (Clock) Not Supported
Buffered DQMB Inputs Not Supported
Registered DQMB Inputs Not Supported
Differential Clock Input Supported
Redundant Row Address Not Supported

[ DIMM2: CEONM45125333 ]

Memory Module Properties:
Module Name CEONM45125333
Serial Number None
Module Size 512 MB (2 ranks, 4 banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type DDR SDRAM
Memory Speed PC2700 (166 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage SSTL 2.5
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Reduced (7.8 us), Self-Refresh

Memory Timings:
@ 166 MHz 2.5-3-3-7 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)

Memory Module Features:
Early RAS# Precharge Not Supported
Auto-Precharge Not Supported
Precharge All Not Supported
Write1/Read Burst Not Supported
Buffered Address/Control Inputs Not Supported
Registered Address/Control Inputs Not Supported
On-Card PLL (Clock) Not Supported
Buffered DQMB Inputs Not Supported
Registered DQMB Inputs Not Supported
Differential Clock Input Supported
Redundant Row Address Not Supported

Well, I think we may have found your problem then.

Your two sticks of ram are different speeds. Ideally your board would just make the adjustments and have them both run at the speed of the slower module, but most boards are not very good at doing that.

Check your motherboard's manual to confirm EXACTLY what ram is supported.

I assume it is 400Mhz (pc3200), unbuffered, non ECC ram.

You currently have one stick of pc3200, and one stick of pc2700. They are not working well together by the sounds of it.

never use memory of different speeds, and avoid using memory of different brands.
Keep 'em all the same.

How about if I change the memory timings to 133 Mhz? I did that, but I don't know if it will fix the problem.

that's not a good idea. Memory is cheap go buy another identical set for your fastest one. Sell your slower one.