My Mass Effect 3 Game keeps freezing my PC. Trying to figure out why.

IBMBLUE7 · Aug 2, 2014

I've been trying to figure out why my Mass Effect 3 game keeps causing my PC to Freeze up. It forces me to hit the Reset button to restart my PC. I have the latest drivers installed and tried older ones w/o luck. I've created two You Tube videos below that show (A) the actual freeze up and, (B) the temperature I captured during the Freeze up. Any help would be appreciated. thanks
http://youtu.be/h1IJf2wy_qE
http://youtu.be/BIDqO3G6stg
Here are my specs:
Intel CPU I7-3770 (Not over clocked)
8GB Ram
600W PSU - Thermaltake TR2
GeForce NVIDIA 550TI
Intel MBO DH77EB
CD-ROM Drive
40GB USB Drive used for ReadyBoost
Hard Drives:
Western Digital WD VelociRaptor 500GB
WD 500GB
WD 1TB

Ytyoussef · Aug 2, 2014

That is a very bad power supply, I would suggest getting a new one with the help of this list: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html As you can see it is a tier 5 power supply.
I don't know what your exact issue is(Can't watch youtube videos, as I'm nearing the end of my 3g subscription), but changing the power supply should be one of your priorities, as a bad power supply can take all your components with it when it fails.

IBMBLUE7 · Aug 2, 2014

Ytyoussef :

IBMBLUE7 · Aug 2, 2014

Thanks, my Graphics card and other PC components could be starving for more power due to my PSU. My videos show the Game Frozen. It also shows my CPU Temp at 80c as well as my Graphics Card Temp at 74c. Finally the GPU load at 92%. I was also wondering if my PC is over heating as also a contributing factor. I didn't know if a temp of 80c was bad for the CPU and Graphics card. Thanks for answering.

Alex Kelly · Aug 2, 2014

Those temps are fine.
Does the game freeze in the same spot every time? This is important.
I agree with Ytyoussef, you should upgrade your PSU ASAP if you can afford to do so.

Ytyoussef · Aug 2, 2014

As Alex said, those temps are fine. They might be a tad high, but you're certainly not over heating.

IBMBLUE7 · Aug 2, 2014

Alex Kelly :

My game has been freezing in different places. I tried a different game, SIM City 3 and got the same results. Do you think that a PSU of 750W would be strong enough using the Tier 1 PSU list? I won't worry about over heating. This is my first rig, Thanks

Alex Kelly · Aug 2, 2014

You didn't write anything in your reply D:

IBMBLUE7 · Aug 2, 2014

It's been freezing in different places of my initial scenes of the game. I tried different games like SIM City 3 and got the same Freezing issues. Do you recommend a 750W PSU? I can get another one seeing that my current one is poor. I won't worry then about over heating issues. This is my first rig that I built and got working. My games have been working prior for Months w/o issue. I even tried restoring from a backup w/o luck. Makes me believe even more that my PSU is the culprit or at least I can only benefit from its replacement Thanks

Alex Kelly · Aug 2, 2014

Yes, a new PSU should fix your problems.
If it doesn't, it's still a necessary upgrade for you to make and I'll be right here to help you diagnose and fix the issue.
I highly recommend the EVGA Supernova G2 750W, if it's within your budget.

It will give you plenty of headroom to upgrade to a better GPU later on.

Ytyoussef · Aug 2, 2014

The supernova g2 is a great option indeed, but if you want something cheaper you can go with an xfx 550w or 650w

Alex Kelly · Aug 2, 2014

Agreed. If he doesn't like the price of the G2, the EVGA Supernova B2 750W is the next best option, and if he wants something cheaper than that the XFX PSUs are great, and cheap.

IBMBLUE7 · Aug 3, 2014

*Update 8/3/2014- I Pulled out my NVIDA 550TI Card and removed all the NVIDIA drivers except for PHYS X and HD Audio and retried both games Mass Effect 3 and Sims 3. Both worked w/o any freezing issues. So, I know that my PSU is bad, but could my 550TI be bad as well? I've had it since 2012, or it's just not up to the demands of these games?

Alex Kelly · Aug 3, 2014

Yes, it definitely sounds like your GPU is dying.
What is your budget for a new GPU and PSU, and your location?
I'll pick em out for you.

IBMBLUE7 · Aug 3, 2014

Ok, I'll go and start scraping my pennies together for a PSU first and then a Graphics card. Was hoping to cut corners and use these from my old system. They lasted for a good while both since early 2012. The MBO GPU handled both games ME3 under reduced setting, but not smoothly and SIM3 w/o any changes. I will be going up to a PSU 750W. Not sure about NVIDA cards though. Had so much trouble with their updates/patches/revisions over the time I had the 550TI. May switch vendors altogether.

Alex Kelly · Aug 3, 2014

I actually have had way less problems with Nvidia than AMD, but that's up to you, either is a good choice.

As for the PSU, go for an EVGA Supernova B2 750W, it's pretty cheap and great quality.
An AMD 270X or GTX 760 will do you very very well, if you can afford one.

Ytyoussef · Aug 3, 2014

Be sure to check out the psu tier list, and use it as a guide when buying.

IBMBLUE7 · Aug 3, 2014

Thanks to all, for your very helpful advice. I'm still new at building rigs, but it's a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to planning and building my next one.

My Mass Effect 3 Game keeps freezing my PC. Trying to figure out why.

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