Well, I don't know if this is normal, so I guess I must ask.

Is it normal for a computer to overheat (and turn off in the process) while playing a computer game?

This, unfortunately, is happening to me everytime I play Civ3. After a while of playing, the computer overheats. I have noticed it is Civ3 because while I am browsing the forums or doing other stuff on the computer (email, IM, etc.) it doesen't overheat or anything. Could it be that my computer can't handle Civ3? :crazyeye: :(

Is it normal for a computer to overheat (and turn off in the process) while playing a computer game?
No.

This, unfortunately, is happening to me everytime I play Civ3. After a while of playing, the computer overheats. I have noticed it is Civ3 because while I am browsing the forums or doing other stuff on the computer (email, IM, etc.) it doesen't overheat or anything. Could it be that my computer can't handle Civ3? :crazyeye: :(
I doubt it. You should check your fan, if it's broken you need to get a new, or if it's dirty, you need to clean it.

So it's just a coincidence it's happening with Civ3?

A high spec game causes a computer to use more power but they are programmed not to use so much power that the fan can't handle it. If your fan is broken it still uses same amount of power and can't handle it and then overheats (say your comp can handle 200 with fan, it goes to an amount of power that wont go over 200, but if fan is broken it may only be able to handle 30 and so overheats).

Or
Your using a laptop (laptops overheat often.)

Does it also happen with other games of that era? CivIII shouldn't overheat cos it's so old now...

Try running Doom 3 (download a demo version) or some other intensive game for an hour or so and see if it still happens. (TBH I don't know what new CPU intensive games there are out there atm but try and find a demo of one that'll run on your pc, and see if after an hour it overheats.)

Or
Your using a laptop (laptops overheat often.)
Yeah, I use a laptop.

The fan does look like it's a little dusty.
I also noticed that it happens with other big things, like movies.

Laptops shouldn't overheat either. Although blocking their vents will make this more likely to happen, just like it would on a desktop.

CivIII is a very CPU-intensive application, especially between turns. But I'd guess your computer probably can handle it. Especially if it's a few years old, it's probably quite dusty inside. If so, get it cleaned and the problem ought to go away. It shouldn't be too expensive at a store, and if you tell them the problem they might give you a discount or something if it doesn't help. Or you could just try to improve airflow by the vents. Especially if you clean it, the problem should go away entirely. I got my desktop cleaned after almost 4 years (it was really dusty inside) and it runs a bit cooler now.

Also couldn't hurt to record somewhere how long it takes before CivIII makes it turn off, just so there's a record. And note whether CivIII always did this, etc. Note-keeping can be useful.

Oui, je parle anglais.

Laptops shouldn't overheat either. Although blocking their vents will make this more likely to happen, just like it would on a desktop.

CivIII is a very CPU-intensive application, especially between turns. But I'd guess your computer probably can handle it. Especially if it's a few years old, it's probably quite dusty inside. If so, get it cleaned and the problem ought to go away. It shouldn't be too expensive at a store, and if you tell them the problem they might give you a discount or something if it doesn't help. Or you could just try to improve airflow by the vents. Especially if you clean it, the problem should go away entirely. I got my desktop cleaned after almost 4 years (it was really dusty inside) and it runs a bit cooler now.
Ok, thanks.

I'll purchase a dust remover and see if things clear up.
Also couldn't hurt to record somewhere how long it takes before CivIII makes it turn off, just so there's a record. And note whether CivIII always did this, etc. Note-keeping can be useful.
Hmm, didn't think of this...Will do! :)

Merci, Quintillus!

As suggestion which could besides removing dust improve the situation: there are plate like cooling devices you can stand your laptop upon which are powered by a simple USB plug.
Backside is that it limits mobility somewhat, and that it draws power.

As suggestion which could besides removing dust improve the situation: there are plate like cooling devices you can stand your laptop upon which are powered by a simple USB plug.
Backside is that it limits mobility somewhat, and that it draws power.
Usually, I manage to stop it from overheating by putting a book under it. :)

@draw power comment: It wouldn't matter though, cause the laptop would be plugged in (charging).

Does it also happen with other games of that era? CivIII shouldn't overheat cos it's so old now...

Try running Doom 3 (download a demo version) or some other intensive game for an hour or so and see if it still happens. (TBH I don't know what new CPU intensive games there are out there atm but try and find a demo of one that'll run on your pc, and see if after an hour it overheats.)

You can run a burn-in with programs specifically designed for stability testing. No need to use games for it.

For example:
http://www.passmark.com/download/bit_download.htm

A. Overheating has nothing to do with "being able to handle" a game or not. A game itself is not capable of pushing any hardware beyond its designed speed - only you can do that via overclocking.

B. Overheating *is* caused by inadequate cooling, and that itself may be caused by dust buildup, a dead fan, aging thermal paste, or a heatsink that's simply not up to the job (almost never the case with laptops or prebuilt comps).

Now, how do you know that the comp is actually overheating? What kind of temps is it hitting before it shuts down?