PC randomly crashes every few days...

[Crescendo]

System:

6700K @ 4.0
2 x 8GB DDR4 2400
EVGA 850 GS
500GB Samsung Evo
1TB Western Digital Black
EVGA Z170 FTW
EVGA 980TI Hybrid
H110i GTX
Phantek Evol ATX

Temps Idle/Load:

CPU 25/60
GPU 33/65

Voltages:

1.1v on CPU load
1v Load GPU
1.3v Memory

Things I've Tried:

Flashed Bios
Formatted
Reseated RAM, CPU, GPU
Set Bios to Stock/Reset CMOS
Ran Stock and Overclocked
Double Checked Wiring
Moved USB cables
Stress Tested RAM/CPU/GPU
Checked ram timings in BIOS they are XMP 2400 14/16/16/32 2400MHZ

Problem:

Randomly maybe every 3 days to a week my pc will freeze/lockup. I get a loud noise for 2 seconds from my headphones then the image on my screen freezes (to whatever I am currently playing.) and the mouse and keyboard shut off while the PC remains on. This forces me to hard reset with no BSOD or error messages, this only happens when gaming so far, never on the desktop.

The weird thing is I can game for 10+ hours a day for 2-3 days straight without any issue then randomly it just crashes. This repeats itself about every 2-3 days. I've tried literally everything I can think of except for RMA'ing and I'd like to pinpoint or narrow down the issue before I start sending parts off, the PC literally runs flawless and immaculate until it crashes, no slowdowns no overheating games are smooth as butter with high FPS it's just this damn crash, normally I'd just live with it but it's starting to become annoying when I'm in the middle of something important and my system crashes.

Alot of people on google are claiming it's ram, drivers or a short somewhere in the PC (usb maybe?) All of these parts are new and top of the line and I've never had this issue before when I've built PC's. Theres no indication of when the freeze will happen it just does, so far it has happened in GTA V, ARMA 3 and RUST so I know it's not game related.

I'm wondering if maybe flashing my BIOS caused this? I downloaded them from the EVGA website and put them on a USB and updated the BIOS through the BIOS flash thing it went through fine no problems, but before I flashed my bios I was getting WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT errors and BSOD every once in awhile, that problem is now fixed but now I get these freezes (not sure if coincidence or not.)

I'm at my ends with this, been trouble shooting for a week straight and exhausted most possibilities, is there anyway I can narrow down this issue and figure out what's causing it? I really don't want to RMA a lot of parts, I can't afford to be without a PC for up to 2 weeks. Is there something I can run when the crash happens that will record it's findings? maybe something I'm missing? Otherwise at this rate I'll have to RMA my RAM, Motherboard, PSU and GPU which will cost me a good chunk of change and months without a PC which I cannot afford. If I can somehow pinpoint the issue, I can RMA that exact part wait 2 weeks and save myself some cash in the process. There has to be a program or a log that will tell me what caused the issue, or a way to mitigate the issue and figure out the source.

 

[VirtualLarry]

First things first, what kind of "crashes" are these? Reboot? power off? Do you get a blue-screen when they happen?

I would check the "Reliability Monitor" (in Windows OSes newer than 7), and then use WhoCrashed or BlueScreenView (if you're getting BSOD, and therefore memory dumps), to try to track down an offending piece of code or driver.

If they are truly random, or you are getting direct reboots or power-offs, then your problems may be more serious and more fundamental than a software bug.

I would try relaxing your RAM timings somewhat, and / or try temporarily replacing the PSU with another one of suitable quality and wattage, preferably one that was tested and known-good.

Another thing to try, would be to try running the PC without a graphics card, just using the onboard video.

 

[Crescendo]

Not to sounds like a jerk but I stated above that I was NOT getting a BSOD or self restart, it is basically LOCKUP. The PC just stops working, USB devices shut off (mouse/kb) and I get a loud noise for about 1-2 seconds and then it's just unresponsive. I get no errors or BSOD, it doesnt even shut off or restart just stays on and usb devices power down and it stays there until I hard reset.

They are random, basically every 2-3 days and only while gaming. If it's hardware it doesn't make ANY sense because my PC runs perfectly fine for days with no crashes, I can stress test for HOURS without an issue, I've ran HD and memory checkers and they both came out fine. I get no artifacts or driver crashes. It almost seems like a file or something is being accessed causing the PC to freeze, I'm honestly thinking RAM or a short in the USB but I'm just going by what google searches have said.

 

[UsandThem]

Solid advice, Larry.

 

[Crescendo]

I don't have another PSU to test... I will try onboard video and see if it persists. It literally just happened again just now, so it seems they are becoming more frequent... I'll also try your other suggestions.
What do you mean relaxing my RAM timings? I have them set to spec on the website.

 

[UsandThem]

The only thing I can think of, outside of what Larry already suggested, is your RAM on EVGA's QVL, or is the RAM certified by the manufacturer to properly work with your motherboard?

 

[VirtualLarry]

"Relaxing" RAM timings means to increase the delay timings.

For DDR3, assuming a DIMM was specified 9-9-9-24 2T 1.5V, you could try manually entering DRAM timings of 11-11-11-32 2T.

For DDR4, see what CPU-Z tells you for the SPD or XMP settings, and then try setting manual timings in your UEFI and increasing them.

If you RAM is marginal, increasing the timings (slowing it down) may allow it to work without error.

Edit: You said you can stress-test for "hours". Are you talking about a CPU-only stress-test, like LinX or Prime95? Since your errors seem to happen only when gaming, I would turn attention to the GPU, RAM, or power / temp.

Try running OCCT😛SU Test for an hour, or FurMark.

Edit: One additional, minor thing: I've never heard anyone suggest an EVGA-branded Z170 board, when requests come up. In fact, I think that you're the first person on these forums that I know of that has one. I don't think that EVGA is that popular a brand of motherboard anymore. Just thought I would throw that in. Could be a QA issue with your board.

 

[Crescendo]

The evga motherboard I have was expensive and I highly doubt its a quality issue. I just ran prime95 and it froze my pc after 10 minutes of blend testing, does that tell us anything?

I'll try lowering the timings I guess but corsair says my tested speeds are 2400 with the timing I listed. Im running memtest right now. but yeah aida64 never crashes but prime95 did, so I have no idea now, I'm starting to think ram at this rate. is prime95 bad for skylake like it was haswell? if I can use prime95 to recreate my problem this might habe gotten alot easier than waiting 3 days for it to happen. should prime95 be able to run fine on stock settings?

I guess if this happens during prime95 I can rule out the gpu?

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

The evga motherboard I have was expensive and I highly doubt its a quality issue.

You'd be surprised.

I guess if this happens during prime95 I can rule out the gpu?

Prolly, start looking at ram timings as mentioned. They might be flakey if they aren't on the QVL/compatability list for that board. Very very slim chance that it's something to do with the CPU, but i'm banking on mobo/ram atm.

Does it always lock up with only the same game? or different games? Which game/games is it? What's your RAM usage in that game?

 

[Squeetard]

Right away I'd rule out the GPU. That squeel for a few seconds tells me the cpu hit an infinite loop and then the built in data execution prevention kicked in and stopped it, locked you up. Try prime 95 on the "not much ram tested", see if it still locks up.

 

[Crescendo]

You'd be surprised.



Prolly, start looking at ram timings as mentioned. They might be flakey if they aren't on the QVL/compatability list for that board. Very very slim chance that it's something to do with the CPU, but i'm banking on mobo/ram atm.

Does it always lock up with only the same game? or different games? Which game/games is it? What's your RAM usage in that game?

I mean it could be a quality issue but I'm not banking on that, evga is pretty reputable. and no it locks up on multiple games and now prime95. ram usage is low. it's rust, arma 3 and gta v so far it's done it on.

 

[Crescendo]

Right away I'd rule out the GPU. That squeel for a few seconds tells me the cpu hit an infinite loop and then the built in data execution prevention kicked in and stopped it, locked you up. Try prime 95 on the "not much ram tested", see if it still locks up.

Ok I'll try that next. I think we're getting sone where since prime is now locking up. I'm starting to think motherboard or ram as well. I'll try the timings, do memtest and mess with prime95 some more. it's weird that aida64 doesnt crash my pc though but prime95 does.

Also don't quote me on this but I feel like the more demanding of a game or task the more frequent it's because I play counter strike and resedenr evil with no crashes so far.

Does anyone think that flashing my bios might have caused this? also according to evga my ram is supported with the motherboard on the sticker on the ram it says ddr4 2400 but in the website it says ddr4 2133 but tested xmp is 2400 so which should I go with? the ram is advertised as 2400 but when I run au to it puts it at 2133.

Also note that my pc also froze with 2133 and higher timings, cause it did it on auto as well.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

I mean it could be a quality issue but I'm not banking on that, evga is pretty reputable. and no it locks up on multiple games and now prime95. ram usage is low. it's rust, arma 3 and gta v so far it's done it on.

All mobo manufacturers that 90% of people buy are reputable, and they still sometimes push out garbage. Shoulda seen what reviews looked like for the 1151 boards for the first what, 6 months of skylake? Horrendous QC and compatibility issues with basically every vendor. Never ever assume that 'name I've seen before' + 'expensive' = quality product.

If ram usage is consistently low and it's happening on multiple games, you're *probably* not looking at a RAM problem, though you could always try prime95'ing a few diff memory configurations before eliminating it (all ram in diff slots, single stick, only 2/4 if you have 4, etc).

If you've eliminated that, I'd start looking to RMA that thing, or get a new one of a different brand if evga won't exchange it.

 

[UsandThem]

I mean it could be a quality issue but I'm not banking on that, evga is pretty reputable. and no it locks up on multiple games and now prime95. ram usage is low. it's rust, arma 3 and gta v so far it's done it on.

Even $500 motherboards have duds. Never rule anything out until you have done proper troubleshooting, then you can rule it back out.

Also, you didn't answer my first question about your RAM.

 

[Crescendo]

Even $500 motherboards have duds. Never rule anything out until you have done proper troubleshooting, then you can rule it back out.

Also, you didn't answer my first question about your RAM.

I dont know what QVL means or how to see if it's certified.

 

[Crescendo]

All mobo manufacturers that 90% of people buy are reputable, and they still sometimes push out garbage. Shoulda seen what reviews looked like for the 1151 boards for the first what, 6 months of skylake? Horrendous QC and compatibility issues with basically every vendor. Never ever assume that 'name I've seen before' + 'expensive' = quality product.

If ram usage is consistently low and it's happening on multiple games, you're *probably* not looking at a RAM problem, though you could always try prime95'ing a few diff memory configurations before eliminating it (all ram in diff slots, single stick, only 2/4 if you have 4, etc).

If you've eliminated that, I'd start looking to RMA that thing, or get a new one of a different brand if evga won't exchange it.

Well it's a 200$ motherboard not likely I'm just gonna write it off and buy a different one.

 

[Crescendo]

Also nobody answered could flashing bios cause this, if so should I try flashing an older bios version?

 

[UsandThem]

I dont know what QVL means or how to see if it's certified.

Motherboard manufacturers have a list on the support section on their website which shows which RAM has been tested to work by them.

Since they don't test every stick of RAM made, you can also go to the RAM manufacturer's page, put in your motherboard model, and they will tell you which RAM they make that will properly work on your board.

 

[UsandThem]

Also nobody answered could flashing bios cause this, if so should I try flashing an older bios version?

Was your system working properly before the flash? If so, maybe.

You should only update your BIOS if you are experiencing an issue, or it adds a feature you need (like NVMe support, etc).

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

Also nobody answered could flashing bios cause this, if so should I try flashing an older bios version?

Not likely, and I don't recommend it.

 

[Crescendo]

I feel like nobody is fully reading my original post where I've answers many o these questions. I updated my bios because I was getting bsod which the flash fixed but now it freezes I'm not sure if the freezing happened beforehand or not.

And why is it against recommendaton to revert back to previous bios?

 

[nerp]

It sounds like a bad ram stick. Leave the BIOS. Updating BIOS is fine usually these days. Run Memtest86+ Good memory can run Memtest forever with no errors. Bad ram will report errors, either right away or at some point over the course of a few hours.

 

[[DHT]Osiris]

I feel like nobody is fully reading my original post where I've answers many o these questions. I updated my bios because I was getting bsod which the flash fixed but now it freezes I'm not sure if the freezing happened beforehand or not.

And why is it against recommendaton to revert back to previous bios?

The BSOD and freezing might be the same thing, manifesting itself in different ways pre/post flash. Reflashing to an old BIOS is something that can cause issues on some boards/equipment, depending on what the manufacturer designed for. Rolling back a firmware flash generally falls well within the 'unsupported' parameters though.

You really should seriously be looking at a motherboard replacement, either RMA or purchase. There's a few things you can test with the RAM which have already been mentioned but it's highly likely that this is an issue with the mobo.

The only other thing you could potentially try is getting an OC tool (CPU OC) and pull down the voltage by a smidge, like 0.05-0.1v or whatever. You might have gotten a slightly underperforming/unstable at stock CPU.

 

[UsandThem]

I feel like nobody is fully reading my original post where I've answers many o these questions. I updated my bios because I was getting bsod which the flash fixed but now it freezes I'm not sure if the freezing happened beforehand or not.

And why is it against recommendaton to revert back to previous bios?

Good luck.

That's exactly not what to say when asking for help. I debated on not even coming in after I saw how you responded to Virtual Larry when he was trying to help you, but now I'm done.

 

[Crescendo]

Good luck.

That's exactly not what to say when asking for help. I debated on not even coming in after I saw how you responded to Virtual Larry when he was trying to help you, but now I'm done.

Well if you're not willing to read my original post to provide help then thats fine I refuse to repeat myself if people don't want to read what I originally wrote.

It seems you and Larry both have issues with reading the information I provided to work off of, I shouldnt have to repeat what's there if people are too lazy to read the op they shouldn't be trying to help people.