Signal to Screen shuts off - computer crash

[AmIEfficient]

This occurs when I put my computer under duress (playing full screen video games like Assasin's Creed etc.) The video signal to the screen(s) will cease, audio will continue but all control of the computer is lost - then after a few seconds of continued audio the sound glitches and the computer is unresponsive with the power still on but video signal and audio signal both gone except for the recurring glitching noise.

I wasn't sure if it was a power source or graphics card problem or maybe something else? Any help would be fantastic. My graphics card driver is updated.

Specs:
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.140303-2144)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: BIOS Date: 11/16/10 18:07:45 Ver: 08.00.15
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 960 @ 3.20GHz (8 CPUs), ~3.2GHz
Memory: 6144MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 6136MB RAM
Page File: 2264MB used, 10004MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled


Card name: AMD Radeon HD 6900 Series
Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Chip type: AMD Radeon Graphics Processor (0x6718)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6718&SUBSYS_31301682&REV_00
Display Memory: 4095 MB
Dedicated Memory: 2037 MB
Shared Memory: 2058 MB
Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Acer H274HL
Monitor Model: Acer H274HL
Monitor Id: ACR0264
Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (60.000Hz)
Output Type: DVI
Driver Name: aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx32,aticfx32,aticfx32,atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll
Driver File Version: 8.17.0010.1280 (English)
Driver Version: 14.100.0.0
DDI Version: 11
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 4/17/2014 21:42:54, 1343272 bytes

 

[swifty_morgan]

try disabling all the sound drivers except for the one you are using.

 

[AmIEfficient]

try disabling all the sound drivers except for the one you are using.

That did not work.

 

[swifty_morgan]

clean up the heat sink on the cpu. pull/clean up reapply thermal paste............. do the same for the gpu. disassemble/clean, etc....... how old is the BIOS on the board? when is the laST time you went to windows updates?

 

[AmIEfficient]

clean up the heat sink on the cpu. pull/clean up reapply thermal paste............. do the same for the gpu. disassemble/clean, etc....... how old is the BIOS on the board? when is the laST time you went to windows updates?

Everything is clean ... I haven't done the thermal paste. Windows is fully updated and the Bios is 11/16/10

 

[swifty_morgan]

what I was getting at is the need to replace the thermal paste. could be heat. trying to eliminate that possibility. that goes for the graphics card too. pull apart and clean.

 

[Bigeye6]

Could you check your CPU and graphics card temperature. My computer has done that before, due to improperly applied thermal paste. Hope you find a solution son

 

[AmIEfficient]

Could you check your CPU and graphics card temperature. My computer has done that before, due to improperly applied thermal paste. Hope you find a solution son

So I put my computer under a load test via Real Temp - The CPU's never ran over 60C

I used FurMark and began a burn-in test and my GPU hit 90C and I cancelled the test before it climbed further, the GPU is idling around 50-55C without any load - Think the GPU needs thermal paste or is this going to need a replacement?

 

[Bigeye6]

Could you check your CPU and graphics card temperature. My computer has done that before, due to improperly applied thermal paste. Hope you find a solution son

So I put my computer under a load test via Real Temp - The CPU's never ran over 60C

I used FurMark and began a burn-in test and my GPU hit 90C and I cancelled the test before it climbed further, the GPU is idling around 50-55C without any load - Think the GPU needs thermal paste or is this going to need a replacement?

That is high for a 6900 series card, their recommended is around 70C, and 80C max. How is your case airflow? Otherwise it is possible to replace thermal interface material on the graphics card. 60C is OK for the CPU.

 

[AmIEfficient]

Could you check your CPU and graphics card temperature. My computer has done that before, due to improperly applied thermal paste. Hope you find a solution son

So I put my computer under a load test via Real Temp - The CPU's never ran over 60C

I used FurMark and began a burn-in test and my GPU hit 90C and I cancelled the test before it climbed further, the GPU is idling around 50-55C without any load - Think the GPU needs thermal paste or is this going to need a replacement?

That is high for a 6900 series card, their recommended is around 70C, and 80C max. How is your case airflow? Otherwise it is possible to replace thermal interface material on the graphics card. 60C is OK for the CPU.

This is not a new computer, I've had it for three years and haven't modified it one bit. The airflow and fans/heat sink etc. have always worked for me and never gave me any problems - I guess I'll try replacing the thermal paste on the GPU.