Definitely Don't install games in Win 7 to the default folder unless that game was made for win 7. I have multiple drives, but I install all my games (both new and old) to C:\games\*
Yep, c:\Silent Hunter - nothing else.
when you updated your graphics card drivers did you forcibly remove the residual drivers?? This has been a pain in the all to often numb rearend of mine with windows 7. If you have not, uninstall all your Nvidia software & drivers then boot into windows safe mode and remove residuals with something like DDU. I made a post about doing just that
here. Then reinstall them with the game in the root of C: somewhere as described by THEBERBSTER or myself. **Edit: Also when you reinstall the game, uninstall then reboot. once rebooted use a registry cleaner, derangement program to find any "lost keys" and remove them. then reinstall, and reboot.
Yep, did searches in c:\ drive and in registry, then rebooted and ran a reg cleaner.
I did a quick and not thorough
power calculation
and it's showing 242W usage. This however is based on a new power supply that is giving 100% not an older one giving 60%. Also I didn't know any other options you have (like blu-ray drive) so I just guessed. Anytime I replace a motherboard or CPU I always replace the PSU as well. All that being said, it sounds like a hardware issue to me as well, as you are playing along and then black with a screech. That could be PSU not giving enough juice, video card not seated correctly, CPU not seated correctly, dust retaining heat, fans not pushing enough air, air flow to turbulent for cooling, corrupted windows, corrupted drivers, ram in dual channel but at different speeds, PSU clogged with dust.... the list goes on.
I do have a new 600W available so I may plug that in after a bit.
Let us know how you get on if you decide to reinstall drivers, I hate hearing about someone not being able to play a game.