Game video freezes for half-second at a time

[KnickNut3]

Hello. I'm getting an odd problem on my rig: after playing a game for a while (at least a half hour usually), I'll go through a spell where every couple seconds, the video will freeze for about half a second, then continue unabated for a couple seconds, then again. Kinda about 1.5 sec / .5 sec / 1.5 sec... this will continue for a while, sometimes go away, sometimes not. (Happens in different games, although in slightly different style and to different extents.) I think the game continues when I do this, as I continue to move, and sound continues uninterrupted. Could this be a video card problem? is my vid card overheating?

I ask this because a few months ago, I was trying to get my GPU fan wire to stop hitting the fan and clicking. In doing this, the fan wire broke, and now I have no vid fan. I don't overclock, and it hasn't been a problem until now. Not sure if Abit will cover it--they ignored the first e-mail, but they just got another one (which fails to mention the fact that I've run it since without a fan... not sure if it voids warantee).

Thanks for the assistance. At school, so I can't switch out components to oisolate the trouble maker, especially since it takes a while for the problem to become evident. Thanks.

KN3

[sfw1960]

GOOD GREIF!!!
Would you run your car with NO anti-freeze in it??
Fix the situation BEFORE you fry it.

[Martoch]

Not sure what to tell you here...I would have to agree with sfw1960, although in a much calmer fashion.

Get your video card fixed/replaced ASAP...if you're still having issues with it, we'll go from there.

[KnickNut3]

I was told the fan was usually unnecessary with its large heatsinks, just like a motherboard chip would be.

Anyway, I have no means to exchange it at this point, and I'm not spending $150+ on a new graphics card just when this might be the problem. Hopefully they'll replace it...