[SOLVED] Computer hard crashing, suspected gpu issues (during gaming)

[insanedane]

Hello all,

While gaming (and sometimes while watching Twitch.tv streams), my computer occasionally hard freezes, and the only way to fix it is to manually shut off my computer with the power button. I have an extremely high-end gaming computer, which my coworker who is more tech-savvy assisted me in building and picking the parts. I have no clue what the issue with it is, but I have had this problem for probably four months, and it mostly only occurs in super graphic-intensive gaming (such as Paragon, Black Ops 3, etc) but has happened in lower intensity games such as League of Legends and The Culling.

My initial thoughts were that it was derived from a faulty GPU, so I RMA'd my gtx 980 superclocked for a new one, only for it to start doing these crashes again, so I am starting to believe it may not be the gpu.

Before RMA'ing the card, I did try to underclock it a bit to see if the overclocking was the cause (it came overclocked); however, that didn't seem to be the issue.

I am stuck and have no clue on what to do next. If this crashing isn't due to the gpu, I have no clue what it may be from. I did ask my coworker about it, but he has no clue as well.

Any help will be greatly appreciated, thank you!

Also, here is my build:

Windows 7 Home Premium
Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor
Asus Maximus VI Hero ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-1333 Memory
(5x) Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
MSI GeForce GTX 980 4GB Twin Frozr Video Card
Cooler Master Storm Trooper ATX Full Tower Case
EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply


*EDIT - SOLVED*

The issue was my cpu core temperatures were skyrocketing during gaming which caused my cpu to shutdown to prevent damage. I installed a new cpu cooler and fan which lowered my maximum core temp under load to a maximum of about 50 degrees celsius (nearly half of the earlier temps) and I have yet to crash, so I'm positive that was the issue. Thanks for the help everyone, and hopefully if someone else has this issue they will see this thread.

 

[17mchuh17]

Well i would start with running mem test to route out a memory issue. The reason id start here is because twitch.tv uses a lot of ram and almost zero graphics.
The next thing i would make sure your cpu temp isnt through the roof (you didnt list a cooler). This could cause thermal throttling in worst case scenarios, crashing.

 

[scout_03]

use this on sensor page to get temp at idle and under load http://www.hwinfo.com/download.php and this one to check minidump files http://www.resplendence.com/whocrashed also it look like you have 2 ssd i would use the os one then had one of them at the time .

 

[insanedane]

Well i would start with running mem test to route out a memory issue. The reason id start here is because twitch.tv uses a lot of ram and almost zero graphics.
The next thing i would make sure your cpu temp isnt through the roof (you didnt list a cooler). This could cause thermal throttling in worst case scenarios, crashing.

I ran memtest multiple times a while ago and there seemed to be nothing wrong with the ram. However, you may be on to something with the cpu temp, as I do not have a cooler; my coworker had said that I wouldn't need one due to the many fans in my case. That may be the reason why, I'll check into some temp tracking programs

 

[insanedane]

use this on sensor page to get temp at idle and under load http://www.hwinfo.com/download.php and this one to check minidump files http://www.resplendence.com/whocrashed also it look like you have 2 ssd i would use the os one then had one of them at the time .

I installed both programs; the driver crash program only showed two crashes both of which were not recent (like 2 months ago) but they both stated that it was possibly from a thermal issue
Since it talked of thermal issues, I brought up the other program, and it monitored my cpu temp at like 60 or so celsius on idle, but under intensive gaming it went upwards to maxing out at around 95 degrees celsius. I assume that's too hot for gaming, considering it was colored red.

That being said, should I get a cooler? I looked up some good ones and I think the Noctua NH-D15 would be good, but my friend who has the cooler said it was pretty big; however when I plugged it into my pc part picker it said it was compatible.

This should fix my crashing issue, correct?

 

[scout_03]

you dont have and cooler on the cpu i suggest you get one before it is too late also give the name and model of your case and the same for motherboard .

 

[insanedane]

you dont have and cooler on the cpu i suggest you get one before it is too late also give the name and model of your case and the same for motherboard .

I have been using the stock cooler for the cpu but I guess that didn't work out too well haha, I am gonna buy the noctua one now.
The mobo and case are at the bottom of the OP also

 

[insanedane]

Buying the cooler should fix the issue right?

 

[scout_03]

it will help cool the cpu but will not fix gpu overhathing issue or other one also you case fan take air from front and exhaust from top and back , what hwinfo report for temp in the system on idle and load .

 

[insanedane]

I just installed the cooler; and I'm not 100% sure if the gpu was overheating or not I don't think it was. I was worried about the core temperatures as they were reaching 100 degrees celsius and such. I will update if I crash any more.

If it seems to fix the problem, I will update this post as fixed.