PC locking up frequently while gaming.

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Dubjj

23 posts

Geek

#143553 18-Apr-2014 17:24

Hi there guys

I've just finished building my first gaming PC recently but I've been experiencing big problems. My PC frequently locks up completely while I'm playing games, any game for that matter and some it happens more frequently with others. AC4, TF2, SC:BlackList, WarZ it happens on everything!
While I'm browsing on the internet whatnot it doesn't ever happen, i suspected it could be GPU related so I went through and did a fresh install of all nVidia drivers but it hasn't fixed anything.
It mainly happens when I alt+tab out of a game or go back into an alt-tabbed game or join or leave a server.

Next step is to use the integrated graphics on my CPU and see if it's a GPU issue but I'm fairly confident it isn't.

Anyone out there have any advice to try and remedy this infuriating problem? :(

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Geek @ Coastguard NZ
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#1027467 18-Apr-2014 17:48

Does sound like overheating on the GPU..... run some monitoring software for your GPU temp and see what its hitting.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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Dubjj

23 posts

Geek

#1027468 18-Apr-2014 17:55

I can't be confident but I'm fairly sure it isn't. I'll be sure to check more frequently when i start playing. I'm using GPU monitor, I have had the PC crash, restart and i'm at 49degrees and then crash again 2 minutes later. Other times I can play for an hour and a half with no crashes.

RexHavoc

100 posts

Master Geek

#1027499 18-Apr-2014 19:15

Whats the make/model of GPU and PSU?

Ragnor

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#1027507 18-Apr-2014 19:33

Stress test GPU: Run Furmark while monitoring temp with GPU-Z
http://www.techspot.com/downloads/5462-furmark.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/

Stress test CPU: Run Prime95 torture test while monitoring temp with CoreTemp
http://www.mersenne.org/download/index.php
http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/

Stress test Memory
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-nz/windows7/diagnosing-memory-problems-on-your-computer

Dubjj

23 posts

Geek

#1027535 18-Apr-2014 20:17

Thanks for the replies!

Asus DirectCUII 770 2GB
FSP Aurum CM 650w

Furmark
http://puu.sh/8dniY.png

Will edit with Prime 95 results

Stress Test Memory, after restart no errors pop up + none showed throughout whole test period

Dubjj

23 posts

Geek

#1027564 18-Apr-2014 20:40

Prime 95 current results - http://puu.sh/8dona.png

Unsure what I'm looking for with these results.

xpd

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#1027637 19-Apr-2014 08:00

Geforce 770 min specs is a 600W PSU - I know they usually over spec the requirements, but without knowing what else is in your system, maybe its a power draw issue.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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JWR

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Ultimate Geek

#1027682 19-Apr-2014 11:31

Could be almost anything.

The most likely things are: GPU, GPU Drivers (you said you have rechecked- so OK) and Power Supply.

However, it could also be motherboard etc.

I think your idea of connecting another monitor to the integrated graphics is a good one.

That should help isolate the problem to either the GPU or NOT the GPU.

Dubjj

23 posts

Geek

#1027710 19-Apr-2014 14:02

Asus Z-87-A
Intel i5 4570
Asus DirectCUII 770
Corsair Vengeance 4GB DDR3 x2
FSP Aurum CM 650W
WD Blue 1TB
ADATA 120GB SSD

I think i actually remember having issues similar to this when I was running this PC on it's integrated graphics card, since I figured that the dedicated GPU would fix the issue. Motherboard issue? PSU Issue? Went though and reflashed BIOS and it still happens.

surfisup1000

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#1027715 19-Apr-2014 14:20

Dubjj: Asus Z-87-A
Intel i5 4570
Asus DirectCUII 770
Corsair Vengeance 4GB DDR3 x2
FSP Aurum CM 650W
WD Blue 1TB
ADATA 120GB SSD

I think i actually remember having issues similar to this when I was running this PC on it's integrated graphics card, since I figured that the dedicated GPU would fix the issue. Motherboard issue? PSU Issue? Went though and reflashed BIOS and it still happens.

That power supply has at least 1 bad review. Fluctuating power ...that might cause issues.

A bit tricky to diagnose, you have to swap things one at a time to narrow it down.

Dubjj

23 posts

Geek

#1027952 19-Apr-2014 21:59

Thanks for the reply. Is there any program I can use to gauge voltages?

Ragnor

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#1028622 21-Apr-2014 16:55

Dubjj: Thanks for the reply. Is there any program I can use to gauge voltages?

Something like
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html
http://openhardwaremonitor.org/

Ragnor

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#1028632 21-Apr-2014 17:15

surfisup1000:
Dubjj:
FSP Aurum CM 650W

That power supply has at least 1 bad review. Fluctuating power ...that might cause issues.

Doesn't sound the best..
http://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/fsp-aurum-cm-series-gold-650w-psu-review/7/

If stress testing the gpu, cpu and ram didn't turn up anything you're down to switching parts out 1 by 1 till you fight the problem. Based on that review of the PSU I'd start with switching out the PSU.

Intermittant hardware issues are a pain. I rate Seasonic PSU's myself. G series is better bang for buck, X series has hybrid fan control so it's quieter and even higher quality parts.

Seasonic G-650
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=1398459
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=348
http://www.kitguru.net/components/power-supplies/zardon/seasonic-g-series-650w-power-supply-review/7/

Sseasonic X-650
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=540130

insane

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#1028636 21-Apr-2014 17:27

Just to throw something else to look at, I had a similar problem which took ages to figure out as the GPU is the 'obvious' place to look, but was a distraction. For me I had to disable 'fast boot' on my motherboard as it was actually my SSD playing up.

Since making that simple change I've never had an issue since.

luckysurprise

43 posts

Geek

#1028878 22-Apr-2014 06:07

I had that exact same problem on my last PC. When it got to about 5 years old games would keep locking up and crashing - especially when trying to alt-tab out. Fallout 3 got to be unplayable, but less demanding games like MOO2 went a lot more reliably and it would run fine when just on the net.
I strongly suspect that the culprit was a failing or poor quality PSU. that couldn't handle the demands of graphics-intensive games ramping up the thirst for power. It was just a cheap Raidmax 525w. I learned my lesson and got a good quality PSU for my new PC.

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