Computer freezing up during games

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voodoovyper

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Hey everyone, I built a gaming rig last September have had a somewhat ongoing issue with it. When I play video games, the comp freezes up completely and needs a hard reboot. This freeze up can happen an hour into playing, or 10 minutes, or 4 hours... seemingly random.

As mentioned, this issue has been off and on. In another thread, I was recommended to update the BIOS. Which I did, and it seemed to fix the issue. Then it started doing it again and what do you know, a new BIOS update and it fixed it again. Now it's doing it again and there is no update.

I'm sure the first response will be about heat, but my temps are well within range (less than 40 degrees Celsius under load). I have also ran through memtest with no issues. I have reseated everything there is to reseat. I have reset the CMOS. My GPU drivers are always current.

My main problem is not knowing what's causing it. Is there someway I can actually see why the computer crashed? Is there a system log that records these things? Another member swapped out every single piece in his machine until he realized it was his PSU, I really don't want to follow that same path.

My set up:

Intel Core i7-3770K
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS9900MAX-B
Asus SABERTOOTH Z77
G.Skill Ripjaws 16GB DDR3-1600
Crucial M4 256GB SSD
Seagate Barracuda 2TB 7200RPM HDD
Kingston HyperX 3K 120GB SSD
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 2GB
Cooler Master HAF 932 Advanced
Cooler Master Silent Pro M 850W PSU
Asus VS247H-P 23.6\\\" Monitor
CyberPower 1350A UPS

Also, today I installed a second GTX 670 for SLi. Loaded up a game and the freezing occurred within 30 minutes.
 
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JackNaylorPE

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Yes, it's called Event Viewer

 
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voodoovyper

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I loaded it up and it said no valid dumps, I'm guessing it must remain opened when the crash occurs? As mentioned with the memory, I ran memtest and there were no negative results.



I've been looking in event viewer, but I do not see a reason for a crash. All I see is "The system was shut down improperly." Is there somewhere else I should be looking?
 
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voodoovyper

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Also, what will using the os disc do?

Just to add some more info, when using 1 GPU, it crashed frequently but not every time. I've had some time to use the system with 2 GPUs today and it crashes within an hour. I'm done for tonight though, I will try your suggestions tomorrow.
 
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voodoovyper

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Ok, I have tested with 1 memory stick in multiple ports, still crashed. Tested with all four sticks individually. Still crashed. Tested with 1 GPU (the newer one) in a different slot, still crashed. Tested with power cord direct to a wall outlet, crashed as well.

Also, there are no crash dumps found. Now what?
 
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voodoovyper

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I forgot to mention when this issue started happening, it was right around after I installed a NZXT Sentry 2 LX fan controller. Could this have any bearing?

I will order a new psu tonight. I don't have another system or an older psu unfortunately.
 
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TenPc

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The motherboard is Windows 8 preferred, what is your OS?
What games do you play, are they compatible with your OS?
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/SABERTOOTH_Z77/

Do you use a gaming mouse/keyboard, external hdd connected, other devices like iphone on charge using a usb port?

If you have other devices connected to your ports then I suggest to remove any that are not required, it might be that they are drawing power somewhat that might be required by the video card during high fps. You should not have your phone or external hdd connected when not in use. The PC should not be used as a charger for devices.

Is the UPS really a necessity? It only provides extra power when the mains power go off so that you can close applications and power down safely, it doesn't provide extra power to continue using apps or for gamining.


Most gamers report that an i7 is not the best rig for pc games, they purport that the i5 is better suited. It might be that you are expecting high FPS and have possibly overclocked something to gain the extra speed or FPS. Do you overclock anything?
 
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voodoovyper

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Thanks for the response.

I am using Windows 7, this issue has occurred across many of today's games such as Bioshock Infinite, Planetside 2, Borderlands 2 just to name a few.

Plugged into the computer are a keyboard, mouse, speakers, and headhpnes. Nothing charging.

I use the UPS because of something I can't quite explain correctly. I have a laser printer that upon starting up, draws 500w of power and causes the lights to flicker. Also, the power goes out somewhat often (1 or 2 times per month). I figured having the UPS wouldn't hurt and gives good surge protection with the added benefit of the battery. But as mentioned, I have tried the computer directly connected to the wall and the crashing still occurred.

The crashing occurs randomly. It only happens when gaming, but it could be under "light" load such as standing still in a non-active environment in Borderlands or under heavy load like engaging is massive combat in Planetside 2. It's seemingly random. I have tried to stress the computer by going into very demanding areas of a game to try to recreate it, but nothing. Sometimes I can play for 4 hours. Sometimes I can play for 30. I can't stress enough that it's seemingly random when it happens.

The GPUs have not been OC'd but the CPU has been to 4.2 via ASUS' bios utility which is considered a safe value. I also tried with the standard stock value as well, no difference.

According my UPS, the comp draws about 400w under high load. I can't see how my 850w processor wouldn't be able to handle that. But then again, I'm at a loss of direction otherwise.
 
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scout_03

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if the light flicker at the 500 watts start of printer i would check that outlet it could be that she cannot handle the load how may other thing that are plug in the same lines and what is the breaker or fuse size for this line i could be to much load on line .
 
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TenPc

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The printer should not be left on standby, there sounds like ome sort of problem with it if it causes the mains lights to flicker (might be the wrong voltage for your country), Your mains might be 240 volt but the printer is only 230 volt, not a great difference but can be a sort of issue if connected to a power board with other differeng appliances/electronics.

My PSU is 230 volt but my suburb requires 240 volt appliances. Most PSU's have the optional 230 - 240 volt but my PSU is 230 volt only. There was a brief moment of light flickering when I first used it but all seems to be alright now. There are no other appliances/electronics running on the same powerboard (just connected until I require them) however, when I do turn them on, there seems to be a shortfall of power in my PC, it freezes or the gpu has problems. grrrrr!

I do have many powerboards all running from another powertboard that is then connected to one power point. They all are power surge protected so I rarely have any problems unless I have too many power hungry electronics running.

The UPS has to be compliant with your OS for it to be of any good use. Unless your UPS is fairly new, it wouldn't be Windows 7 ready.
FAQ for Cyberpower UPS -
http://www.cyberpowersystems.com/support/faqs/general-ups-faqs.html


Overall, there does seem to be a power issues but not necessarily the fault of the PSU more likely too many electronics or appliances all running at the same time. You might have a heater/air conditioner going as well as an amplifier stereo etc. Ask who ever owns the premises whether your mains power is surge protected, many older suburbs and homes (flats/apartments/dwellings/shacks) have not had the new protection fitted.

Disconnect the ups then see if any issues aride, also turn off that printer and disconnect cable from the usb port.
 
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voodoovyper

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The printer is no longer in this room. It was moved elsewhere in the house after the "heat up" cycle caused the UPS to kick in due to a large fluctuation (printer wasn't even connected to UPS). This was months ago. Same thing happens when the vacuum is turned on and plugged in to the same room. All that is on this outlet is the UPS and a label printer which takes very little power. Connected to the UPS are a 2.1 speaker system, a keyboard, the headphone base for the wireless headphones, and the computer.

Maybe it was missed the other times I mentioned this, but I have tried the computer directly connected to the wall outlet and the freeze up occurred just as it has been.

There is nothing wrong with the printer, it just draws a lot of power in order to heat up the toner for printing. The lights flickering is moreso an issue with the house than the printer, but either way, it's on a different circuit and is unrelated to the computer and has been unrelated for months.

I can't understand how having a UPS can be detrimental. But either way and as mentioned, I tried with the UPS disconnected and just the computer plugged into the wall and the issue still occurs.

Also like I said, this issue hasn't happened all the time. I built this rig in Sept and the issue occurred day 1 but was resolved with BIOS updates. It didn't happen again for like 2 months and I updated the BIOS again and it was fine again for another few months which brings us to now. I think if it were a power issue with the house, it would continue to happen 100% of the time.
 
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TenPc

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It's not your PC so you don't need to update anything or re-install or nothing.
"Same thing happens when the vacuum is turned on and plugged in to the same room."
It's the room, your power point is not good or the mains power board is at fault. You need an elctrician to come inspect the mains power board.

It mght be rats in the ceiling have chewed through some power leads, it happened at my place, where I live, the house is more than 100 years old and the wiring is really old, corroded and there are too many rooms connected to the one fuse. The electrican had to rewire most of the house and replace the old wiring system.

You need an electrician to check the house wiring and the manis power box. There is nothing wrong with your PC.

Edit - The bios update would have improved the power management more than anything else so each update improves it moreso.

Try using the PC in a different room furtherest away from this current room and then see if any issues occur.
 
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voodoovyper

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Interesting point to note about the mobo update issue. But it doesn't really add up why a bios update would fix it only temporarily.

This house was built in the 80s and is kept in good shape. I do recall looking at the fuse box when finding a place for the printer and noticed the room my comp was in had a rather low power rating. I'll look at it again tomorrow. And we don't have rats that I know of.

If you think power is the problem, then would you recommend using a program to record power consumption. Maybe I can find a pattern to more accurately detect why the issue is occurring (ie when the wattage reaches a certain level).
 
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TenPc

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I don't know anything about power meters, better to get an electrican in to check the power box. It's better to pay an electrican $100 thn to having to buy a new computer. You could try powering on the PC, play a movie then go to the meter box and see if the timing clock is working extra fast.

Do as I suggested, use a power point furtherest away from that room, maybe in the kitchen or the garage if you have one, just to test out my theory. That room could possibly have a low AMP rating maybe only 2amps or 4amps and not prorviding adequate voltage. You could try in a different house, maybe your neighbour, and then see if any issues occur.

In our kitchen if the microwave and the electric kettle and the toaster are all being used, the kitchen fuse box switches off, only two of them can be used at any one time. The kitchen is wired along with two bed rooms as well as the laundry.
 
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voodoovyper

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I shall try this tomorrow, using it in a different room with more amperage.

As far as an application, I was referring more to a computer application that can record power consumption being used by the comp. That way, I can see if spikes in power are causing the issue.
 
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voodoovyper

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Well not power spikes per say, but to monitor power consumption to try to find a trend as to when the computer crashes and how much power was being consumed at the time. Also, I don't know if this is a coincidence or not, but whenever it crashes, it's always between 40-50 minutes past the hour. For example, I could play for 1 hour and it would crash at say 4:45, or play for 2 hours and it will crash at 8:50.

Also, I tried another setup. I completely disabled the ups and plug a standard power bar into the wall and plugged only the necessary stuff in. Same issue. Also have the NZXT Sentry 2 LX disconnected. This is becoming very time consuming.
 
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TenPc

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Just try a different power point. Have a look in the socket of the power point, if there is any black charring then there has been some sort of power surge through the socket itself. It might be that the socket itself needs to be replaced, the contacts in it could be blackened and somehow only when you are using the pc for a period of time does it affect the power stream :/

Check for dust in your PC, often that is a major cause to disruption especially if the fins o the fans have any accumulation, they become dragged and not spin their expected rpm's.

There is not a lot left to discover unless you are using molex cable adapters for the video card. Perhaps a snap shot of your PC gizzards to show your hardware setup.

Most newer PC cases have the PSU on the bottom of the case, if the side fan of the PSU is facing downwards then there is no proper airflow, it could be suffocating the PSU. If the side fan of the PSU is facing inwards then it could be drawing air away from the video card fan or blowing air into it causing the fans to become slow and lessen their effects. If your case is somewhat cramped then air flow would not circulate and suffocation might occur especially if the case is basically air tight.

The only necessary stuff to plug into that power board would be the monitor and the PC cable, nothing else.
 
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scout_03

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get yourself something like this that will to find if the outlet is plug the way it should http://www.amazon.com/GE-50542-Receptacle-Improper-Indicator/dp/B002LZTKIA and use a voltmater to test the power the outlet give an i would follow TenPc advise for a electrician to check the main box and the inside wiring they hae tool to test the amp in a line from the box to the outlet and will tel you witch one are on the same line of breaker .
 
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voodoovyper

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Well I haven't tried anything with the power yet. I tried to narrow down the time when this started happening because like I mentioned, it was perfectly fine with zero crashes for months. So I did a system restore back to that point and rolled back my GPU drivers to 314.07. Plugged necessities into a power strip and loaded up a game just to the main menu (Bioshock Infinite) and left it alone for a while and it crashed within an hour.

I then returned the CPU OC to "normal" which is stock from what it was on before "performance" which ups it from 3.5 to 4.2ghz. I loaded up Bioshock Infinite again and left it at the main menu and no freeze! For over 6 hours. Loaded up Planetside 2 and played for about 2 hours and everything is good so far.

I have some more testing to do though. I screwed with some settings in NVIDA's 3D application settings at the same time I reset the CPU. Also, as mentioned, many of the earlier testing I did involved lower the CPU clock rate as well. When I had one GPU and one memory stick, I ran it with "normal" CPU level as well and it still crashed. In the past 4 months, I've had the CPU on "performance" and it hasn't frozen once, so I'm doubtful that that is the cause. But I do suspect that perhaps that setting combined with something else is causing an issue. I just need to find out what that something else is.
 
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