Computer Freezing while playing games

DrLollipop · Feb 23, 2016

Build:
AMD 8350 4.0 GHZ (Not overclocked)
AMD Sapphire R9 280X
Corsair 4gb RAM CMV4GX3M1A1600C11 X2
Corsair 500W Modular PSU
Samsung 1tb HDD
MSI 970 Gaming MB

I recently put my stock cooler back onto my CPU, after that, I have been plagued with freezing completely locked up computer. Have to hard restart it, I tested my RAM in all slots each stick on its own. One stick was bad, so thats one thing sorted.

However, whenever I do anything graphically intensitve such as OCCT GPU Test or play a game it freezes and the screen goes to standby mode. Cant do anything else but reset it.

Is this my GPU being a bell-end? Or my CPU?

My GPU temps were really high
My CPU temps are in the 20-25c range with no core failures in Prime 95 or OCCT.

I got one situation while playing a game, where it froze, and I had some sort of artifacting. I have a picture, can be uploaded to imgur and posted here if necassary.

I do not have access to another card, and all my friends play consoles and dont have a "back up" GPU I can borrow to test it.

logainofhades · Feb 23, 2016

Your PSU really isn't adequate for your system, for starters. For the money, an Evga B2 750w is a great replacement.

DrLollipop · Feb 23, 2016

So would the lack of power perhaps be causing a power bottle neck for the GPU?

Diddly · Feb 23, 2016

I run a GTX 970 with a 500W supply absolutely fine. See my specs below. The R9 280X requires ~100W more power so I'd say you need a 600W supply to be on the safe side. 750W couldn't hurt ;-)

logainofhades · Feb 23, 2016

Lack of power can make the system unstable, and cause crashes. For a quality PSU, stick to tiers 1 and 2. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html The Evga B2 750w lately has been the best priced, quality PSU, for the wattage given. Lesser wattage units, of still great quality have been priced higher.

DrLollipop · Feb 23, 2016

Thanks Logain, I will order one as soon as I can I think.

What I have done so far that seems to be stable, is underclocked my GPU to 3.8 from 4.0ghz. This, fingers crosseds, seems to have stopped my computer from freezing while play a game and using OCCT.

Saying that, does that really just confirm even more that I don't have the required power to use all my components?

logainofhades · Feb 23, 2016

The fact that your CPU cannot run at stock, is not a good sign. I am assuming that is a CX series PSU, or similar. Those particular units are not suitable for high load gaming rigs, to begin with. That system is easily using 474w+, going by PCpartpicker. I would not recommend using that system, until you get a proper PSU.

DrLollipop · Feb 24, 2016

YEah its a corsair 500w CX

Onus · Feb 24, 2016

If your GPU temps are really high, and you get artifacting, then your graphics card is probably overheating. This is a separate problem from those caused by a potentially poor PSU like the CX. Under heavy load, you probably arent' drawing over 350W. Which R9 280X do you have? If it is factory overclocked, back the clocks down some on it and see if that brings stability. If it does, consider RMA OR (especially if it is out of warranty), remove its HSF, clean off the factory paste (likely sloppily applied) and apply new thermal paste (something decent like AS-5, MX-2, or MX-4) to see if you can bring the temps down.

DrLollipop · Feb 24, 2016

Onus :

Ok mate its a AMD R9 280x Sapphire Vapor-X OC edition, https://www.scan.co.uk/products/3gb-sapphire-radeon-r9-280x-vapor-x-28nm-6200mhz-gddr5-gpu-950mhz-boost-1070mhz-2048-streams-dp-dvi- theres the link to it.

I might try the 750w option just because its cheaper and actually might solve it. I did take it apart recently and the thermal past was literally spread out over the chip. So going to use some MX-2 I have and reapply it properly. Cleaned it as well!

Onus · Feb 24, 2016

It should spread to cover the entire chip, just that it should be such a thin layer you can almost see through it. If you cleaned off the paste but haven't re-applied any, that's why your temps are high; the paste is necessary.

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