Hello to all

I have:
XP Pro
AMD 3000+
ASROCK K8S8X mobo
1024MB DDR RAM
Gigabyte GeForce 6600 128MB (Non-GT)

The motherboard has onboard SIS 7012 sound.

I get random BSODs while playing certain games, FEAR, Oblivion, Splinter Cell, are examples. Now and again I get an BSOD in Windows.

I have reinstalled Windows and downloaded different drivers for my graphics card. (I had an Radeon 9600XT at that time) Memory tested fine. So, I sent my Radeon back to my supplier and they found nothing wrong. Yesterday I got an GeForce 6600 and still get BSODs. So its not the graphics card.

Another strange thing also just in certain game (like the above) is choppy, SCRATCHY, slow sound. The sound works fine in the beginning and then gradually deteriorates. In Windows it works fine. I have tried installing different versions of the driver from the SIS website, no luck.

Can my onboard sound card possible be causing the BSODs? I read somewhere that I can also use REALTEK drivers with the SIS (apparently the SIS 7012 is actually an realtek). I can't remember the model, I got a link and downloaded it, gonna try it after work.

Has anyone had a similar experience with onboard sound and found a solution?

All the bestIf i was you i would disable the sound and then test the games out. Sound issues can cause this aswell as lagg, but whatever the outcome i would buy an Audigy Sound card. Onboard Sound isn't very good for games as far as im concerned.Interesting. Don't really fancy buying a new snd card. Maybe I can beg one from a buddy.

Didn't know a crappy sound card could cause games to lag.

Thx for the adviceI would favor the ACTUAL drivers for the chip, but try to disable the onboard sound and see if the games play any better and less crashing.

If no difference, REMOVE any add in cards that are not critical. If no joy, take the side off the case and blow a fan directly in there. Also check your RAM with memtest (free at www.memtest86.com) Run each stick for an hour or so, then all together.

Post back what you find.Oh, the memtest was the first thing I thought of. Everything is fine. No viruses or spyware, nada.

I disabled my onboard and put in an older Yamaha something. Everything was cool, except now and then some sounds just dissappear. Like when I'm playing FEAR I can hear ambient noises, but no shooting sounds. Stuff like that. Thats probably just the old crappy Yamaha.

Now I wonder. My onboard sound uses an Cmedia 8738 chipset. If I were to leave it disabled and put in an new sound card with the same chipset, would it still be ok. Or do you think it might be that specific chipset causing the problems? I don't think so though. What are your thoughts?

RegardsA new card bought at random probably would have a different chip. If the new and the old is different doesn't really matter.What I mean is, I went to a pc shop and asked for an card. They only had one left and that one has an CMI8738 chipset. So I would be putting in an sound card with the same chipset as my onboard. Thats why I asked if you think it would be that specific CMI8738 chipset causing the problem.

Sorry I have poor communication SKILLS. and ofcourse I'm not English.

RegardsAh, all is well. Installed the new card with the same chipset and everything is fine.

Thanks for all the help