Fixed device hung Directx error...

 I'm running a GTX 670 OC from MSI. For the first year or so it ran fine, but lately it crashes on graphically intensive games while running on stock (read: MSI overclocked) settings.

I haven't tried upping the voltage, I'd like mine to stick around as long as possible.

What works for me in this and other games is using MSI Afterburner (any tuning software should work) to reduce GPU and Memory speeds by ~50MHz, or right around the reference level. I also have raised the power limit to 105.

The Error "Device crashed due to badly formed command" or similar is only given by Battlefield. The rest of the games just crash and windows reports their executable stopped working. It's not a DX problem, it's not a BF3 or 4 problem, it's a GPU problem. 

From what I've read, upping the voltage should work too, just keep in mind this *will* raise your heat levels (higher voltage = more current = more heat generated) and *may* shorten the life of the card.

I know this is an old thread, but I'm posting this around so others having the same problem with BF3 and now BF4 will be able to figure it out quicker than I did.

For the record, I have 2-2gig sticks of whatever Alienware stock RAM is, and 2-4gig sticks of Crucial memory, running in XMP at 1866 MHz. So 4 mismatched RAM modules and 12GB total.

How does one understand and attempt to fix this error of most of what you said, I did not understand.  I have limited knowledge on the workings and intricacy of graphics cards and the like.  I have a gtx 650 2GB with 2 sticks of  4GB Ram.  I don't understand most anything beyond that point.  A lamen in the fullest meaning of the term is where I fall in, maybe slightly above.

I've been plagued by this error since BF3.  Now BF4, though its intermittent.  Some nights i crash every other round, some not at all.  It's also happening on every other game I play.  The more fun I'm having and the better I'm doing...I seem to crash more...though thats most likely coincindence.  Though on those shitty rounds when your team doesn't PTFO, as most servers are like these days, I never crash.

What I'm asking is for is some set of relatively easy instuctions or guidelines on how to determine and fix the cause of the Device Hung Errors.  I can't get through the little time I have to enjoy gaming without this Crash.  Like I said earlier, I have a very limited knowledge base in this area or any other related areas.  I know I have the hardware to run these games but perhaps my lack of knowledge has led to a bad setting up of this hardware as I built my PC myself.  The more I search on the internet for help, the more confused I get.  There has to be something a PC illiterate person can do.

A side note.  My Gforce experience program is bugged as well.  I cannot do any updates through it.  Even updates on the Experience program as well.  I choose the option to update and it just minimizes the program and is followed by nothing.  I've removed and reinstalled, which doesnt work half the time either, and there has been no change.

Any information on this would be most tremendously appreciated.  Games are my true joy, when I have the time....After switching to PC several years ago to reduce overall cost, I've felt lost and out of my element.  The net is too overwhelming for any one credible answer and on this paricular issue...the threads and sites and forums that discuss this topic? Well there is more suggestions and advice then there are letters on this entire post.  All of which are worded in ways that only those with a lot of experience understand.  No considerartion for the lamen.  Please help. I'm desperate.