Need help w a new PC Build

whitechaco

Honorable
Aug 12, 2012
6
0
10,510
Ive recently (near) completed a new PC build. Ive gotten a successful POST and installed the drivers, but when i start doing anything graphically intensive, my screen freezes, and if i was doing something with sound Ill be able to hear that for a minute or two after the screen goes blank. Without the graphics card i havent had this computer lock up before.

Here are some details on my build:
MB: ASUS Sabertooth Z77 (LGA 1155 socket)
cpu: i7 2700k
graphics card: asus radeon hd 7770-2GD5
im running windows 7 ultimate x64 off of a sandisk ssd also. other details available upon request (bc im on mobile and they currently escape me)

ive been discussing this with a friend and he wondered if maybe the graphics card was incompatible with my motherboard but i dont think thats the issue as this mb has a pci-e 3 slot where ive been seating the graphixs card
 

whitechaco

Honorable
Aug 12, 2012
6
0
10,510


i dont have another system to try the card in, but i put it in the pcie 2,0 slot and the same thing happened, does that mean i have a bad card or should i try to find someone w/ a system that i could try the card in??

the thing is i previously suspected the card was the source of my trouble and already completed an RMA and got the card back, so should i just go witha new card completely (and if so what kind of card do u think i should go with) i was trying to stay competitive with games out at the time when i bought the card (skyrim, bf3) .. thanks for this and any further help on the matter and i apologize that my responses are so delayed (i have trouble maintaining focus on one project)