FRUSTRATED! Games keep crashing, have to restart PC.

[maybeshewill]

Hey all. I've had this problem for a while now. It's on and off, but ATM I can't play any of my games because at some random point (usually within half an hour into any game) my screen goes black, and I cannot alt+f4, CTRL+ALT+DELETE or anything.. I just have to restart my computer. Sometimes when it does this a loud sounds starts coming from my computer (pretty sure it's the GPU fan), but sometimes it doesn't do that.

I've tried installing different GPU drivers, but that didn't work. If memory serves me correct it started doing this on my old GPU to, before I bought my current one (GTX 570). I have also tried moving my GPU to a different slot on my MOBO, again with no success.

Is anyone able to give me any hints as to what could be causing this? It's driving me mad! :twisted:

 

[Fardringle]

I'd guess it's a heat issue. Could be the CPU or the graphics card. You'd need to use a monitoring program that creates a log file so that you can look at it when you reboot after a crash. Real Temp looks like it should work, as long as you don't have a Pentium 4 CPU.

 

[maybeshewill]

I'd guess it's a heat issue. Could be the CPU or the graphics card. You'd need to use a monitoring program that creates a log file so that you can look at it when you reboot after a crash. Real Temp looks like it should work, as long as you don't have a Pentium 4 CPU.

Hmm I'll give it a shot. I have used realtemp before but never thought to set up a log. My CPU is a i7 920 with Scythe Mugen 2 after marker cooler.

 

[maybeshewill]

Ok so I just did a test, here's the last log before it crashed:

 

[VirtualLarry]

Is it D3? There seems to be a bug with it, my friend has the same problems with a 9800GTX+ card.

 

[maybeshewill]

Is it D3? There seems to be a bug with it, my friend has the same problems with a 9800GTX+ card.

Yeah on Diablo III, but not just that. It does it in CS:GO and used to do it with WoW before I quit. I noticed it happened more in busier sequences (raids) more often than less strenuous circumstances, but I still haven't figured out the cause.

 

[oynaz]

Sounds like a hardware problem. Culprits in descending probability, off-the-top-off-my-head fashion:

Video card (though you already tried switching cards, so this should be lower)
RAM
MOBO
PSU
Disk
CPU

 

[ky54]

The first thing I would try doing is yank the vid card and fire up the game with the onboard. If it's a newer board it should be able to run D3 on it's lowest setting at least enough to run around. That should generate enough heat to cause the PSU to fail if that's the issue. Of course heat problems effect ever component. If your not hearing any noises after the game is up and running or when it locks then I doubt it would be the HDD. If you really get desperate you can pull the RAM and vid card and blow out their slots plus blow out the HDD and other components power and board connectors. A small piece of dust can cause all kind of problems. After that reseat your H/S.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

I would suspect the PSU is failing after the other things you've tried. What PSU are you using and how old is it? Make sure the PSU fan is at least working.

 

[maybeshewill]

I am using a Corsair TX750.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Any chance you can try another PSU?

A couple of reviews on Newegg said the following:

Cons: This unit is plagued with instability. I got a bum unit that craps out and the computer dies after about 30 minutes of playing any modern game. My motherboard shuts down the computer to protect itself from the instability. When I tested the PSU with the mobo's voltage monitoring turned off, the PSU still dies after the same amount of time.

It works for regular working tasks and watching movies, but not gaming, at least with my gtx 570.

Gaming with a Geforce GTX 550 ti and the computer shuts down instantaneously. Geforce is not overheating, its a power issue as noted in Windows event viewer. Swapped in a buddy's power supply and never had the problem appear. Looking for a more reliable power supply now.

 

[maybeshewill]

Any chance you can try another PSU?

A couple of reviews on Newegg said the following:

Hmm interesting. I may be able to try my brother's PSU.. thanks for the tip. I'll give it a whirl tonight. Can I just use the same connector that's connected to everything in my computer currently but just use the different PSU?

 

[lakedude]

Can I just use the same connector that's connected to everything in my computer currently but just use the different PSU?

If I understand the question correctly, no.

You can leave all the data cables alone but all the power cables will need to be disconnected to replace the power supply.

...Unless the 2 power supplies are both fully modular and both are exactly the same.

 

[ky54]

And you don't have to physically install the test PSU. Just make sure to keep the test PSU in contact with the case of the computer.

 

[maybeshewill]

OK so a little update:

I've ruled out these as the cause of the problem:

1. GPU - Started doing it on an old GPU.
2. RAM - 3 passes on Memtest86 and no errors
3. Overheating - http://i45.tinypic.com/34yafzs.jpg
4. Drivers - Updated

So I guess this leaves me with either the CPU, MOBO or PSU. Any further hints? Still have to test the PSU, but I realized how many things are plugged into the PSU and how much of a pain it's going to be to test, so I haven't gotten around to that yet.

 

[ky54]

One thing you can do before testing another PSU is test your hard drive(s). You can go to the maker of the drive and download an app to test your drives. If it comes up healthy then you really have to test that PSU.

Oh and sorry for not getting back to you in a timely fashion. The site's been down for me most of the day.