Graphics Card usage spikes to 100% and PC shuts down, when gaming

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kiwiboy123

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Jul 15, 2014
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Hi, I'm new here, so please if I have forgotten any crucial information, let me know, and I'll post it. Sorry if I make any mistakes, or if this is in the wrong category.

Anyway, on my PC, that I made about 18 months ago, I can run COD MW3 no problems. However, when I try to run either Assassin's Creed 3 or Battlefield 3, I get about a minute into the game, before the game stops, the screen goes black, and the game sound continues for about 2 seconds, then also stops. The computer's fans are still running, so it seems as if the computer is running, but no keypress gives any response. I am forced to hold down the power button, to manually power the system off. I thought the graphics card may be overheating, so I used GPU-Z to log the temperatures of my graphics card, while I ran BF3. The results are below, which I'm not sure how to comprehend, although I noticed that the GPU Usage went from 0% while playing, up to 100% very quickly. I don't know if this is normal or not? If it isn't what could be the cause and how could it be fixed?

Link to GPU-Z logged GPU stats while playing BF3 for a few seconds before it turns off:

http://tinypic.com/r/117vdk8/8

Any help would be hugely appreciated, my PC specs are below:

64-bit Windows 7 Ultimate
AMD FX-4130 Quad core 4.2GHz
Antec 750W PSU
Gigabyte AMD Radeon HD 4890 1GB DDR5
1TB Western Digital Hard Drive
ASRock N68-VS3-FX AM3+ motherboard
8Gb DDR3 1600 RAM


Thanks, Matt.
 
Solution
gaborbarla
Hi Matt,

GPU usage goes from 0 to 100% very quickly when you start playing.
Considering that COD MW3 works I think you need to see if your RAM is working.

I think you should run http://mikelab.kiev.ua/index_en.php?page=PROGRAMS/vmt_en Video RAM tester and see if your video RAM is fine.
You can also run http://www.memtest86.com/ to test your RAM.

If that doesn't fix the problem, you need to start taking components out one by one, such as one of your RAM and try to see if it still works, and put the other one back in take the first one out etc.

The Radeon 4890 is an old card and as such it is most likely your problem. I think most graphics can start giving problems after 3 years and a 4890 is well over that.

Gabor
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gaborbarla

gaborbarla

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Feb 6, 2009
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Hi Matt,

GPU usage goes from 0 to 100% very quickly when you start playing.
Considering that COD MW3 works I think you need to see if your RAM is working.

I think you should run http://mikelab.kiev.ua/index_en.php?page=PROGRAMS/vmt_en Video RAM tester and see if your video RAM is fine.
You can also run http://www.memtest86.com/ to test your RAM.

If that doesn't fix the problem, you need to start taking components out one by one, such as one of your RAM and try to see if it still works, and put the other one back in take the first one out etc.

The Radeon 4890 is an old card and as such it is most likely your problem. I think most graphics can start giving problems after 3 years and a 4890 is well over that.

Gabor
 
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kiwiboy123

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Thank you very much for your quick help. I will test the RAM, but I have researched the issue further and would like your opinion. My PSU is not a major brand PSU. The 750 w may be misleading, and maybe, since the 4890 has a very high power usage when under load, do you think that, maybe the PSU cannot handle the power requirements?

Thanks again, Matt
 
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Scuderia980

Scuderia980

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Dec 23, 2012
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Hello,

After doing some research, I doubt that your PSU is holding your GPU back. Even if you do have a shifty PSU, your GPU doesn't draw much so i doubt its the problem, unless the PSU itself has a problem. Your GPU definitely is not overheating, 60 degress Celsius is cool :) I am siding with what gaborbarla said, it's most likely your GPU as it is pretty old. Only thing i could recommend is taking your GPU out, try running a different card (or integreated graphics but i doubt it will handle any of the games) and see if you get the same problem. Maybe re-install drivers?


~Scuderia980
 
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kiwiboy123

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Jul 15, 2014
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Thank you Scuderia. Yes tried with integrated graphics, but they couldn't run the games. I have re-installed drivers multiple times, but no change. I will purchase a new GPU. A good one seems reasonably inexpensive so I will buy one. The radeon hd 4890 doesn't run Direct X 11, so it's about time to upgrade it, even if it isn't faulty. So, thank you very much for both of your opinions and advice. I agree that the GPU is probably the problem, so I was thinking of getting a radeon HD 7850? Do you think this is a good option?
Thanks, Matt.
 
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Scuderia980

Scuderia980

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The 7850 is a decent mid range card, although I would recommend a 7950 or 7970 for a bit more power. The 7850 will give you around 54 fps for BF3 at high while a 7950 will give you around 68 (both for 1080p). Since these cards are no longer made, they should be relatively cheap :)


~Scuderia980
 
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t99

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Jul 16, 2014
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Those kinds of cards that aren't made are kind a pricey because there are limited quantities. Good cards which aren't mare cost a lot, but I think the r9 270 is probably the best deal around now. I wish I could a found a 7950 for cheap
 
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