Win 7 x64 locks, blank screen

[Timed]

So this is a fresh upgraded system with a clean install of win 7 x64
I only upgraded the main, cpu and ram as well as one 500gb hard drive

Specs
Main: Z68XP-UD3
CPU: core i5 2500k
RAM: 2x4gb g.skill
Vid: 8800 gts w/640mb
PSU: Antec tru-power 550w
2 seagate 500 gb sata hard drives
2 case fans one 80mm(low flow) and one 120mm

no other internal hardware. ie no optical drive etc

The issue is that during game play it will lock up at random. Been playing World of Tanks, also showed up on Far Cry 2. The screen will go blank and will get a audio buzz for a few seconds. The display will not come back. It has to be powered off and restarted. Lowered the detail and it hasn't changed the issue from happening. Sitting in windows it seems to be ok.

I first thought it was an overheating issue. My GPU sits at 56c in windows and hits ~70 during gameplay. The CPU is fine as well. Checked the Bios voltages. Nothing Fluctuates enough to cause alarm. Cleaned the video card (forgot, it was idling at 64 before). Also remounted my 80mm fan so for better airflow.

Updated the BIOS. Had to re-install my audio drivers (go win7 :/ )
Used the newest vid drivers for install.
Grabbing the optional windows updates now, but all the critical ones were already installed.

Now the motherboard manual recommends a 500w or greater psu for the mainboard. Is the PSU the culprit? a single 12v rail has a max of 18a. with a combined total max of 42a on it.

Thoughts?

PS I fix T.V's so I know that if it is the PSU the more times the system locks up the more chance there is for damage. Had a TV die on me for locking up and had to unplug to power off.

 

[fastamdman]

There are a few different factors that could be coming into play here. First thing we need to know is are you overclocked or not, both cpu and gpu wise? If you are overclocked, it's probably not stable.

As far as the antec psu not having enough power, I doubt that is the problem but it could be. Use cpuidhardware monitor to check your voltage levels and temps while in game. It could be an over heating issue, driver issue, or power issue.

I would try an older set of drivers, run all windows updates, and try the game in windows xp compatibility mode, you can also try "windowed" mode too.

EDIT: Also try going into your bios and clicking "load optimized defaults" and see if that sorts it out for you.

 

[denis280]

I would suspect the psu. but wat cpu and ram did you have before upgrading.

 

[Timed]

Forgot to mention nothing is overclocked. My old cpu was a socket 775 single core @ 3.2 Ghz. As for the ram I had 2gb of pc4200 ddr2.

 

[fastamdman]

I am not sure what previous hardware has anything to do with this. Either way hop into your bios, load fail safe defaults, run LinX and watch your temps. If you are 100% stable, aka at least 30mins stable with that program then it is either your gpu over heating or a driver related issue.

Generally though if the game is just fine and then locks up its either heat related or power related. Usually drivers aren't that sketchy but it could be a driver issue too.

Like I said, try a stability test and see how that goes, make sure to watch your temps.

 

[Timed]

So I *think* I found the issue. I reinstalled my drivers. I uninstalled first but the moment that it finished I lost my video to my monitor. My monitor displayed a "no source connected". I ended up having to power off and reboot.

This is exactly what happens during a game. The screen will flicker and the video is gone. The computer is still running. However when it's during the game I also hear an audio buzz then silence. So I am thinking it's a driver conflict of some sort. I haven't really played too much after doing the bios update and re-installing the audio drivers. Guess Ill have to play a bunch and see what happens.

Also ran the LinX test for ~25 mins without any issues. CPU hit 77c max. No errors. the CPUID HW mon displays my 12v as 1.5 to 6ish. All the other voltages are ok. Tested the 12v with a multimeter and it's ok.

 

[fastamdman]

If your 12volt rail was reading 1.5 to 6ish then there would be a big problem. Quick test to see if its PSU related or not. Run LinX and then run Furmark, both together at the same time. This puts 100% load on both cpu and gpu. Then check your rails with the multimeter and or see if there are any issues.

Make sure you install the correct drivers for your video card. It's sounding more and more like a driver issue or psu issue.

 

[Timed]

I think your correct It's either a psu or driver issue. it's still having issues. I had found a cpu/gpu temp logger. The temps are fine during normal gameplay load. Was just messing about in farcry 2, walked in an area and all the textures stopped rendering properly. I took a couple of photos for reference. Maybe Ill try some other games and see what happens as well as running those two test at the same time.

I will try running older drivers later and head into that same area and see what happens.