PC Crashes while playing heavy games.

[Khyodyr]

Hello,

My computer seems to have trouble playing heavy games, whenever I play a game that doesn't take that much power, it always does everything well. But when I try a heavyer game (think Battlefield 3) it crashes at a random moment, most of the time within 5 minutes. When it crashes it just goes on a black screen with the sound freezing.

I have been trying to fix my old computer for a while now, but without any luck so far. I have tried the following in order to fix the issue.
- I have done memtest to see if the RAM is faulty, which it wasn't.
- I have replaced the power supply, because the old one wasn't powerfull enough.
- I have tried new and older graphics drivers.
- I have ran the PC without the side of the case and with fans blowing at the side to see if it was a cooling problem, also without any luck.

After all this the same problem still occurs, so I hope to get a new idea as to what might be the problem here.

Thank you,

Specs:
CPU: Intel i5-3570
Mobo: ASRock B75 Pro3
GPU: Nvidia GTX 660
RAM: 8 GB DDR3 (one stick)
Power supply: Seasonic G550

 

[PizzaTheHutt]

Maybe replace the thermal compound on the CPU cooler? Is the only way to recover from it by forcing the PC to power off?

 

[Onus]

You've tried things I would have suggested. Despite the side off + fan testing, have you used HWMonitor or Afterburner to check for maximum temps?

 

[Mattios]

^agree - I think temperatures are the cause here.

 

[Robbmrp1]

If it's not getting hot enough to freeze up, it could be your power supply. Do you have access to a 600W or 650W to test it with if needed?

 

[Onus]

His system should run on a good 450W PSU; most versions of the GTX660 only have a single 6-pin PCIe power cable. His Seasonic PSU shouldn't be the problem, UNLESS it draws its air from beneath your PC, but the PC is sitting on carpet, smothering it. The PC might overheat and shut down in that case.

 

[Khyodyr]

To answer to all of the above.

I have to shut the PC off, in order to get it running again, and I have yet to try to replace the thermal compound.

I have tried Afterburner and HWMonitor and I didn't see any crazy numbers (85 degrees max), I gave the fan a shot nontheless but didn't help.

I have had the PC down on the carpet, and up on my desk and I don't see any diference in how it is performing.

 

[Eric_150]

sorry to bring back an old thread....but was this issue ever solved? im having the same exact problem.

 

[Onus]

Closing necrotic thread.