Total computer crash/hang/freeze with buzzing audio

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Corey Schneider

Corey Schneider

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Sep 1, 2014
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I'm at my total wits end here. I've used this website for years to solve all my problems but this time it just isn't working. For the past few months, my computer will be playing a game fine for a while, then anywhere from 5 minutes in, to 2 hours into a session, it will either A) Freeze the screen and show the last frame rendered and stop all audio to a 1 milisecond loop, so it sounds like a buzz noise. Or B) Screen turns black for half second, then a random color(sometimes pink, sometimes green or white, etc.) and sound continues normally for about 2 seconds, then buzzes like the first scenario.
EDIT: whoops, forgot to mention that it stays like this no matter how long I leave it. Took a 20 minute shower once, came back and it was still frozen and buzzing. So hard reset with power button is the only way to restart it

The games that i've experienced this in are as follows

  • Team Fortress 2 (Steam)
    APB:Reloaded (Steam)
    Unturned (Steam)
    Call of Duty: Ghosts (Steam)
    Rocksmith 2014
    Counter-Strike Global Offensive (Steam)
I have not experienced this(yet) in these games that I play semi-regularly

  • Payday 2 (Steam)
    Trials Gold edition
    Alan Wake(Steam)
    Any game on PCSX2 Ps2 emulator
I've tried a few fixes already

  • Replaced psu from corsair cx700 to thermaltake 1200w sp-1200m
    Uninstall and reinstall all Nvidia drivers
    Update realtek and motherboard drivers(They were slightly out of date)
    Disabling system monitor tools(The only one I use is Core-Temp)
    Running in windowed
    Running memtest
I did not try

  • Buying a new sound card
    Buying a new motherboard(This motherboard is only 2 1/2 months old)
    Buying new gpus(They're exactly the same, one about 7 months used more than the other)
And finally, here are my system specs. This is a completely home-built computer. First built in november 2012

  • Case: ThermalTake Commander Snow
    Motherboard: Originally MSI-Z77a-g41, replaced with MSI-Z77a-GD55 in june 2014(2 months ago) I am using Realtek HD onboard audio
    Ram: 2 sticks of Corsair Vengeance 4gb each, 2 sticks of Crucial Ballistix 4gb each, 16gb total
    Cpu: Intel i5-3570 3.4 Ghz, no overclock, ThermalTake NiC-F4 aftermarket heatsink/cooler
    Gpu: Zotac GTX 660(Non-ti, non-AMP) Stock clocks, 2 of these with MSI sli connector
    Psu: Originally a cx700 watt, upgraded to 1200w for sli of the 2 cards
    HDD: OS drive: Intel 120Gb SSD Data Drives: 1TB WDC Blue 7200rpm sata, Seagate 320Gb powered external, WD Mypassport 1Tb external
    Monitor: Acer P216HL connected to 1st 660 via DVI
    Ethernet: Wired
    Speakers are plugged into the rear green audio jack. I use the front case mic/speaker for my headset when i'm in skype

So there you have it. That's my problem. I'll probably be taking my whole system up to my local computer store to have them look at it on wednesday(2 days from now). Seeing as I dropped $350 on a new psu and a second gpu for sli that can't even run(This problem didn't happen on my single card setup with 700watt psu and old mobo)
Quick answers appreciated. Might be able to upload a video of the problem to youtube with my phone
 
Solution
I
You should never mix ram. About 90% of the time it causes problems. That's why mobo makers only recommend kits.

A good PSU is from tiers 1, 2a or 2b of http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html

All from Thermaltake in this lot is prepower, toughpower and litepower. The SP 1200M is a Smart series made by Sirtec.

For 2 x GTX660 all you need is a good quality 600+W power supply. eg Seasonic M12II 620 $75 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095, XFX 650 $90 - http://www.amazon.com/XFX-PRO650W-Bronze-Energy-Certified/dp/B0045L5LGI/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=1-1&keywords=XFX+650 or Antec HCG 620M $85 -...
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i7Baby

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Jul 25, 2012
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Firstly - don't mix up ram. Get rid of one set. See how you go.

What make and model power supply do you currently have?

Download HWInfo and run Sensors. Post the results - usually 3 screen shots in TinyPic or similar. To see how your hardware is running.

Make sure you've installed Click Bios II per http://au.msi.com/product/mb/Z77AGD55.html#hero-overview. In case we want to check any readings from Sensors.
 
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Corey Schneider

Corey Schneider

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Sep 1, 2014
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My motherboard supports dual channel ram, so one dual channel is the corsair, and the other is the crucial, so only the same brands are running in dual channel with each other. You're saying this isn't ok?

The current psu I have is a Thermaltake 1200W ATX12V V2.3 PSU SP-1200M. I got rid of my old Corsair CX700 watt so I could run sli.

Here's my sensors, sorry, I used imgur http://i.imgur.com/NoDhxkm.png

I'm at least 99% sure click bios II is installed, I use it often to check boot settings, fan speeds, and pci bus widths
 
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i7Baby

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Jul 25, 2012
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You should never mix ram. About 90% of the time it causes problems. That's why mobo makers only recommend kits.

A good PSU is from tiers 1, 2a or 2b of http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html

All from Thermaltake in this lot is prepower, toughpower and litepower. The SP 1200M is a Smart series made by Sirtec.

For 2 x GTX660 all you need is a good quality 600+W power supply. eg Seasonic M12II 620 $75 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095, XFX 650 $90 - http://www.amazon.com/XFX-PRO650W-Bronze-Energy-Certified/dp/B0045L5LGI/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=1-1&keywords=XFX+650 or Antec HCG 620M $85 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371059&cm_re=Antec_HCG_620M-_-17-371-059-_-Product

Your hardware looks OK -

RAM< - can see 16GB

CPU - 0.906-1.161V, 1.6-3.5GHz. 33-39C, 1700 rpm

PSU - voltages OK

GPU's - 0.85-1.137V (bit high - overclocked?), 28-32C, 1000/1300MHz, 3000 rpm

So next -

From Bios/UEFI - 1. post cpu temps and voltages for idle and gaming 2. post readings for 12v, 5v and 3.3v rails

Download and run memtest86

Run checkdisk on your SSD. Also run a virus scan eg Avast, Malwarebytes
 
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Solution
Corey Schneider

Corey Schneider

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Sep 1, 2014
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I'll try removing the crucial ballistix later today when I get home.
But are you saying my power supply shouldn't be able to handle it? It is an 80 plus bronze.
As for my temps and voltages, here you go http://i.imgur.com/N2QJ2Sx.png. going from left to right, they're temp at idle, middle is temp while playing Ghosts, and right is full load while running furmark.
I downloaded memtest86 free version, but it's an iso file with no setup. I mounted it with poweriso.
I'll run chekdisk next time it restarts. And my Norton AV 2011 scans every wednesday at 3 A.M. I don't think that's a problem either

Edit: Derpity derp. You have to boot the program from a disc. I'll find a disc later today and burn/run the program
 
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i7Baby

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Your power supply is bad quality. It's not in tiers 1, 2a or 2b of http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1804779/power-su...

It'll be running at about 60% efficiency by running at an average of only 300W compared with a 600W running at 80% on average.
 
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Corey Schneider

Corey Schneider

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Sep 1, 2014
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Well getting to the solution you posted earlier, I removed the 2 Crucial Ballistix 4Gb sticks. Cut my ram from 16 to 8 but I've been able to play 3 whole Cod: Ghosts missions with no crashing. Seems fixed. I'll mark your second answer as solution if it stays solid for the next few days. Might be premature, but I thank you greatly for your help so far sir!

UPDATE 3/26/2015: Apologies in advance for bumping old thread, but I eventually also had a friend's father's buddy look at my situation. He's a 30+ computer/networking vet with 2 local computer repair shops. His final diagnosis was the 2nd GTX 660 had bad memory chips, and that one of my crucial sticks was bad too. Eventually, I replaced the 2 660's with a 970, and
got a replacement crucial stick, and absolutely no problems ever since. So in a way, your answer was still right, but still more to the problem... Very interesting... SO, in conclusion, thanks again for the learning experience i7Baby! I love this site so much
 
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