I upgraded my P3 550(100) to a P3 600(133) (Old processor crapped out on me and the P3 600 was just given to me for free) and whenever I play games, they just crash even before a minute of running time. Everything else {apps} are fine...it's just the games. I reinstalled my VIA 4-in-1 Drivers too but same result. My mobo is an Abit VA6. I'm running Win2K SP2. Will a reformat solve this solution? Any other easier solutions?

Sounds like it could be a heat problem, have you tried running a temp monitoring program while you play the game to make sure the hsf is keeping up?

Also check for a newer bios or manual voltage settings, Im not certain but the 600 could be a newer processor type that uses different voltages.

Well, I'm positive that it's not a heat problem as I've had heat problems before. And on those, it lets me load the game, and play the game for at least 15 minutes, THEN crash. But not this time. It doesn't even let me play for one minute...sometimes not even one second.

I don't think it's a BIOS issue too because my current BIOS supports up to P3 733(133) processors.

What about that core voltage thing? The one I'm running is default which is 2.00v. I can change it to 2.05v, 2.10v, 2.20v or 2.30v. Which one should I go for?

Voltage should be on the default for the cpu (as long as the cpu isnt overclocked) I'm not sure what that is for the P3's though.

I can't really think of what else besides heat or a faulty cpu could cause it. Did you try checking the temp with a monitor program? It could be possible this one is already running very hot in windows and the extra strain by the game is pushing it too far faster.

The default voltage on the P3 550(100) was 2.00v. For the P3 600(133), should it be different? Maybe a little higher voltage perhaps?

u have to get PC133 memory w/that cpu..

Yes, I do have PC133 RAM since the beginning.

driver problem
format :roll:

try raising the voltage
On an AMD t-bird system, with an insufficient voltage for the specified clock speed can cause system instability.

raise voltage...but be careful of the heat problem..which shouldn't be on with the p3.