Question Freezing with old computer build

[twentw]

I'm having issues with a computer I built about 8 years ago. It randomly freezes and/or crashes. Sometimes it freezes but then unfreezes after 20-60 seconds or so. I ran all the OCCT tests and the only one that had problems was 3D Standard. About 75% of the time, it would freeze or crash, usually within a few minutes of starting. So, my first thought is to replace my GPU, an NVidia GTX 960. My question is this: what are the chances it's something other than the GPU? Motherboard is Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 and processor is AMD FX-8370E.

 

[Tech Junky]

OCCT

Not sure what this is but, first thing that comes to mind is the RAM. Next would be the mobo. GPU tend to last forever or are dead, not much of an in between.

Test the RAM with memtest or another program. If it passes then, try swapping slots to make sure they're fully seated and click into place.

If you think it's the GPU remove it and see if it still freezes.

 

[Brainonska511]

It's a bit of a longer shot, but assuming you're running Windows, you could try to see if there is a dmp file and read it with program like Blue Screen Viewer; when I had a new build earlier this year with issues, this is how I eventually figured out what was causing my own crashes - it pointed me in the right direction to run a confirmatory test. If there is a hardware issue, there is a chance the log files can point you in the right direction. Is there anything in particular that you're doing when it crashes? (high GPU loads, only at idle, etc...).

Given the age, my first thought might be something like the PSU. You could also try testing other components like RAM, swapping out other components...

 

[Muadib]

When did you last replace the tim on the cpu?

 

[JackMDS]

Assuming that is a computer that you built and are ready also to start thinking about an Upgrade.

After checking that every connection and inserted component are sitting well in their connection….

I would start by trying a New PSU.

 

[Hotrod2go]

I'm having issues with a computer I built about 8 years ago. It randomly freezes and/or crashes. Sometimes it freezes but then unfreezes after 20-60 seconds or so. I ran all the OCCT tests and the only one that had problems was 3D Standard. About 75% of the time, it would freeze or crash, usually within a few minutes of starting. So, my first thought is to replace my GPU, an NVidia GTX 960. My question is this: what are the chances it's something other than the GPU? Motherboard is Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 and processor is AMD FX-8370E.

In what applications or usage is this happening? You say about 75% of the time it has issues, but is this during OCCT tests only?
I had the same problem with my FX-8350 system & this was during just browsing the web. I tried different browsers but the problem was still there. I would watch the LAN Leds next to the connection on the back of the board flicker on & off as it usually does when loading a web page but the system would still hang... So in the end I decided the older FX line of processors, lacks hardware encoded instruction sets that modern browsers & the web in general use these days. The system in question had a HD7870 GHz edition graphics card (2012) & AMD's last updated drivers for that card in 2021, all this was on a Win 10 OS btw.
After upgrading the system to a Zen 4 based one (Win 10) with only using the iGPU, all my problems went away & smooth sailing ever since.