Random Freezes when Gaming

[luke.logan.vladimir]

So, for several months now, ever since I build my PC, it's been randomly freezing when gaming, and the auto goes into like a full on drone-like loop/freeze of what the audio was when the computer froze. Originally, I thought that my WD HDD was at fault, given that if I tried to turn my computer back on after a freeze, my WD HDD didn't show up, however I could get it to show up by taking out then putting back in the SATA cable. After buying a new Seagate Barracuda to replace the WD HDD, the problem still persists, although when I restart my computer the drive shows up, without the need to take out the SATA cable and put it back in. Recently I changed which ports the SATA cables were plugged into, however the problem still persists. I have checked to see if I have bad RAM, looks fine. My system specs are:

AMD R9 380 4GB
Intel i5-6400
24 GB of DDR4 ram
GA-H170-D3H Motherboard
Kingston SV300S37A120G SSD
ST2000DM006-2DM164 HDD

Is it worth trying to replace the SATA cables or am I missing something?

 

[rocktalkrock]

You said, "for several months now, my computer's been randomly freezing when gaming". How long had your computer been working properly, before this random freezing? [day, months, years] The problems your describing sound to me more like a problem with software or the operating system, not the hardware.

 

[luke.logan.vladimir]

You said, "for several months now, my computer's been randomly freezing when gaming". How long had your computer been working properly, before this random freezing? [day, months, years] The problems your describing sound to me more like a problem with software or the operating system, not the hardware.

It's been happening for as long as I remember, I'm pretty sure it's been since I build my PC.

 

[rocktalkrock]

You said, "for several months now, my computer's been randomly freezing when gaming". How long had your computer been working properly, before this random freezing? [day, months, years] The problems your describing sound to me more like a problem with software or the operating system, not the hardware.

It's been happening for as long as I remember, I'm pretty sure it's been since I build my PC.

In Windows, go to "Control Panel > Device Manager" and look for any yellow warning signs. Make sure all your drivers are updated.

 

[rocktalkrock]

Also the Gigabyte GA-H170-D3H motherboard BIOS has been updated 7 times since it was introduced. In March 2017 BIOS version F22 was introduced to "Improve system stability". That may help you.

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-H170-D3H-rev-10#support-dl

 

[luke.logan.vladimir]

You said, "for several months now, my computer's been randomly freezing when gaming". How long had your computer been working properly, before this random freezing? [day, months, years] The problems your describing sound to me more like a problem with software or the operating system, not the hardware.

It's been happening for as long as I remember, I'm pretty sure it's been since I build my PC.

In Windows, go to "Control Panel > Device Manager" and look for any yellow warning signs. Make sure all your drivers are updated.

Drivers are updated, no warning signs in device manager

 

[luke.logan.vladimir]

Also the Gigabyte GA-H170-D3H motherboard BIOS has been updated 7 times since it was introduced. In March 2017 BIOS version F22 was introduced to "Improve system stability". That may help you.

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-H170-D3H-rev-10#support-dl

Haven't heard about this. thanks, I'll try it out

 

[luke.logan.vladimir]

Also the Gigabyte GA-H170-D3H motherboard BIOS has been updated 7 times since it was introduced. In March 2017 BIOS version F22 was introduced to "Improve system stability". That may help you.

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-H170-D3H-rev-10#support-dl

Tried this and freezes are still regularly occurring. I guess I'll try replace my SATA Cables, if that doesn't work, I'll upgrade my CPU, if all that doesn't work... well I've probably gotta get a new GPU or MOBO

 

[rocktalkrock]

Also the Gigabyte GA-H170-D3H motherboard BIOS has been updated 7 times since it was introduced. In March 2017 BIOS version F22 was introduced to "Improve system stability". That may help you.

https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-H170-D3H-rev-10#support-dl

Tried this and freezes are still regularly occurring. I guess I'll try replace my SATA Cables, if that doesn't work, I'll upgrade my CPU, if all that doesn't work... well I've probably gotta get a new GPU or MOBO

Definitely try replacing the Sata cables. It's a quick, cheap and easy fix that may solve your problems.

 

[luke.logan.vladimir]

Just realised that when playing the games that my PC freezes on, my GPU usage is almost always at 100%. Could this possibly be the problem? Ordering some new SATA cables now, though.

 

[rocktalkrock]

Just realised that when playing the games that my PC freezes on, my GPU usage is almost always at 100%. Could this possibly be the problem? Ordering some new SATA cables now, though.

That could mean your graphics card is overheating, or the PSU is not sending enough power to the video card. Download this small, free utility called GPU-Z and run it. It will tell you everything you need to know about your graphics card, and the "Sensors" tab will show you temperatures, fan speeds and load percentages. Keep it running on your desktop so you can watch what is happening with your video card at all times. You may spot the problem.

https://www.techpowerup.com/download/techpowerup-gpu-z/

 

[luke.logan.vladimir]

Just realised that when playing the games that my PC freezes on, my GPU usage is almost always at 100%. Could this possibly be the problem? Ordering some new SATA cables now, though.

That could mean your graphics card is overheating, or the PSU is not sending enough power to the video card. Download this small, free utility called GPU-Z and run it. It will tell you everything you need to know about your graphics card, and the "Sensors" tab will show you temperatures, fan speeds and load percentages. Keep it running on your desktop so you can watch what is happening with your video card at all times. You may spot the problem.

https://www.techpowerup.com/download/techpowerup-gpu-z/

How can I check if my video card isn't getting enough power? If that's the case, do I have to replace my PSU?

 

[rocktalkrock]

Just realised that when playing the games that my PC freezes on, my GPU usage is almost always at 100%. Could this possibly be the problem? Ordering some new SATA cables now, though.

That could mean your graphics card is overheating, or the PSU is not sending enough power to the video card. Download this small, free utility called GPU-Z and run it. It will tell you everything you need to know about your graphics card, and the "Sensors" tab will show you temperatures, fan speeds and load percentages. Keep it running on your desktop so you can watch what is happening with your video card at all times. You may spot the problem.

https://www.techpowerup.com/download/techpowerup-gpu-z/

How can I check if my video card isn't getting enough power? If that's the case, do I have to replace my PSU?

What model is your PSU?

 

[luke.logan.vladimir]

Just realised that when playing the games that my PC freezes on, my GPU usage is almost always at 100%. Could this possibly be the problem? Ordering some new SATA cables now, though.

That could mean your graphics card is overheating, or the PSU is not sending enough power to the video card. Download this small, free utility called GPU-Z and run it. It will tell you everything you need to know about your graphics card, and the "Sensors" tab will show you temperatures, fan speeds and load percentages. Keep it running on your desktop so you can watch what is happening with your video card at all times. You may spot the problem.

https://www.techpowerup.com/download/techpowerup-gpu-z/

How can I check if my video card isn't getting enough power? If that's the case, do I have to replace my PSU?

What model is your PSU?

KCAS-600W

 

[rocktalkrock]

Just realised that when playing the games that my PC freezes on, my GPU usage is almost always at 100%. Could this possibly be the problem? Ordering some new SATA cables now, though.

That could mean your graphics card is overheating, or the PSU is not sending enough power to the video card. Download this small, free utility called GPU-Z and run it. It will tell you everything you need to know about your graphics card, and the "Sensors" tab will show you temperatures, fan speeds and load percentages. Keep it running on your desktop so you can watch what is happening with your video card at all times. You may spot the problem.

https://www.techpowerup.com/download/techpowerup-gpu-z/

How can I check if my video card isn't getting enough power? If that's the case, do I have to replace my PSU?

What model is your PSU?

KCAS-600W

That model does not have a good reputation, so perhaps that could be causing your problem, but that's just a guess.

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2699714/aerocool-kcas-600w-good-psu.html

 

[luke.logan.vladimir]

Just realised that when playing the games that my PC freezes on, my GPU usage is almost always at 100%. Could this possibly be the problem? Ordering some new SATA cables now, though.

That could mean your graphics card is overheating, or the PSU is not sending enough power to the video card. Download this small, free utility called GPU-Z and run it. It will tell you everything you need to know about your graphics card, and the "Sensors" tab will show you temperatures, fan speeds and load percentages. Keep it running on your desktop so you can watch what is happening with your video card at all times. You may spot the problem.

https://www.techpowerup.com/download/techpowerup-gpu-z/

How can I check if my video card isn't getting enough power? If that's the case, do I have to replace my PSU?

What model is your PSU?

KCAS-600W

That model does not have a good reputation, so perhaps that could be causing your problem, but that's just a guess.

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2699714/aerocool-kcas-600w-good-psu.html

OK seems like a very likely answer, not confirmed yet but will set as solution. Thanks for the help.