Pc crashes suddenly usually while gaming

[alex.vignali]

Hello,

As the title suggests my pc crashes (not a reboot) at random times. This usually happens while playing games that it should be able to run easily, like League of Legends, which is quite light. Also, I have noticed that if I am running other applications in the background (such as Youtube for instance) the chances of crashing increase a lot.

The problem started happening randomly around 4 months ago. Never had any issues before that, nor I changed any hardware components. Since then it has been getting progressively worse, up to the point where I crash instantly most of the time as soon as i run the game. I have run appropriate malware tests, and the pc is clean. I have also checked that the graphics card drivers are up to date.

Following some of the similar issues I found on this forum, I have then proceeded to run both the AIDA64 Extreme test and the Prime95 test. First, I have run AIDA64 test while selecting all options, but it crashed in a few minutes. I have then proceeded to run the AIDA64 test separately on the CPU and on the GPU. While testing the CPU I crashed after 2 or 3 minutes, but when I was testing the GPU i didn't crash at all. Here are the results from the GPU test ( that I think might be unaccurate, not sure) :

Similarly, while running the Prime95 test (which I have read focuses on CPU), I crashed in a few minutes.

FInally, here are my pc main specifications. I assembled it myself around 3.5 years ago and has been working just fine since till recently.


Processor Description:AMD AM3+ FX-6300 Box

Motherboard:ASUS M5A97 EVO R2.0

Power Supply: Aerocool KCAS 600W

Graphics Card: GRA PCX Sapphire R7 250X 1GB

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10

2 RAM memory sticks :
HyperX Fury Memory Black Memoria RAM DIMM 4 GB 1866 MHz, DDR3
HyperX Fury Memory White Memorie RAM, 4 GB, 1866 MHz, DDR3

All things considered, I think that this might be a CPU problem (or maybe PSU ?), so I was thinking about replacing my current CPU with an AMD FX-8350 Eight-Core (budget choice, but it still has a better performance than my actual CPU so I hope it will work).

Im really not a pc wizard though, so I'm really completely guessing here..!
What can I do to solve this problem ? is replacing the CPU a good idea or just useless?

Thank you so much in advance for your reply!!!!
Any help is welcome

 

[T_T]

Sounds like CPU to me. The 8350 will work with BIOS 1006 & above. If you're going to install a new CPU, then no point in troubleshooting your current setup. If you install new CPU and encounter the crashing, or want to troubleshoot anyway, try these suggestions:

1. Monitor CPU temps while under load of: game; game + youtube; p95; furmark (also a very good GPU tester)
2. Reapply thermal paste on CPU (if you're not keen on applying paste, you could try www.amazon.com/Thermal-Tape-Inch-Square-Pack/dp/B000BSLTZQ)
3. Ensure you've got nothing obstructing airflow to your CPU cooler
4. Clean off any built-up dust
5. Try CPU on another mobo and stress it with P95 (or try another CPU on your mobo under the same conditions you mentioned)

 

[turkey3_scratch]

My money is on the PSU. Seems like a pretty cheap unit, it's bound to be low quality. If not the PSU, I'd guess the motherboard.

 

[simon12]

The power supply is likely as it is just a bad make, I wouldn't rule out unstable RAM either and I certainly would buy a new CPU unless you have ruled out everything else. Try with only 1 stick of RAM if no difference try with just the other stick, also try a bios update or reset. If none of that helps I would replace the PSU as even if its not at fault its best to have one thats a reliable make.

 

[alex.vignali]

Ok so I have changed the CPU with an AMD FX-8350 and it looks like the problem is solved, apparently. I have run the prime95 test for about 1 hour, and haven't encountered any crash in other activities.

Thank you all so much for your help, you were all really kind !!! Hope this will be a stable solution!