MSI GTX 970 problem?

[ParanoidAndr01d]

Yesterday I installed my new MSI GTX 970. It is the first graphics card I have ever installed, and it was all running smoothly until around an hour into gaming (BF4, The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, all max settings in 1080p). My PC, without warning, instantly shut down and attempted to restore itself a couple of times but failed. After reconnecting the power cable, I managed to switch it back on and I was asked to restore the BIOS to optimized defaults, so I did.

I tried playing games again as everything seemed to resume normally, but the same thing happened again (twice more). I have monitored the temps during gaming, the GPU is just over 60c, and the CPU is around 50c. I have more than adequate cooling in the case (including 5 case fans), and my PSU should be more than capable of handling the combined power or my components.

Here are my specs:

- Windows 8.1 64-bit
- GA-H87-HD3 Motherboard
- 2x4 G-Skill Ares 1866Mhz RAM (running at 1600Mhz due to motherboard restrictions)
- Intel i5 4570 CPU (with stock cooler)
- MSI GTX 970 GPU (tried running at both factory overclock and gaming settings under the MSI gaming app)
- Corsair CX600w 80 plus bronze PSU
- Zalman Z11 plus case

I also have a Sound-blaster sound-card, and a Western Digital 1TB HDD installed alongside a typical ASUS CD-drive.

I don't know where to go from here, I have removed the GPU from the PC and its now running as it were before yesterday. I have had the PC almost a year now, using the integrated graphics without any problems of this sort. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I feel as though I'm running the risk of killing some, if not all of my parts by continuing along these lines.

Thanks

 

[tinmann]

Hi, looking at your specs I'd say your weakest link is your motherboard. It's not a board for gaming. I don't know what games you play but if you are into any of the latest AAA titles then I would recommend upgrading. You have good ram, a good GPU and a weak motherboard.

 

[ParanoidAndr01d]

Hi, I agree about the motherboard. I had already anticipated it as being the weakest part of my build. However, after reinstalling the GPU and resetting my Motherboard BIOS it seems to have fixed itself. I have no idea what the problem was, but hopefully it won't happen again. Thanks for the reply anyhow.