I have had my Windows 10 64 bit PC for about 8 months. Shortly after building the machine, it started freezing. Here's explicitly what happens: Screen image remains static, no response from the computer whatsoever, the computer is still on with fans spinning and sounds as if it's running like normal. The only way to get the machine to do anything is to do a hard reboot. The crashes happen intermittently; Sometimes after sustained gameplay, sometimes after playing a few minutes, and sometimes when it’s just in idle on the desktop. I've done a lot of troubleshooting over the past year to try and solve the issue to no avail. At one point, whatever is causing the issue actually caused my motherboard and gpu to fry and send a smoke plume out of my machine. So, yeah. Here's a rundown of everything I've got in my system, as well as a description of everything I've done to attempt to combat the problem to no avail. (Quick note: every time i refer to a “crash” below, it will be the problem described above)
RAM - 4X 8GB Crucial Ballistix Sport DDR4: Obviously RAM was my go to, as it's usually the first thing pointed at by builders for issues. Ran memtest on all 4 sticks together, then individually. The tests were run for longer than 8 hours a piece with no errors detected. I have also ran the system with 4, 2 and 1 sticks in all manner of configurations and produced a crash. I’ve messed with the voltage, it’s not that. In case someone is thinking that it might be a speed issue with my CPU (listed below) I will explain the steps I took in that section. Unless all 4 sticks of ram are broken, I’m reasonably sure it’s not the ram.
GPU - MSI GTX 980 4GD5 OCV1: It’s not the graphics card, as the graphics card has been replaced. However, I will discuss drivers. I had a spare ssd on hand, so i tried running my system with stock drivers and Nvidia's game ready driver, completely updated. It crashed just the same in both configs. It’s not the temps, I’ve observed them in the 70’s while the system crashed. I will put this in caps for scanners: IT’S NOT THE GRAPHICS CARD, IT HAS BEEN REPLACED; DRIVERS ARE MOST LIKELY NOT THE ISSUE.
PSU - EVGA Supernova NEX650G: It’s not the power supply either, as it has also been replaced. Rather, it WAS replaced for troubleshooting and the problem persisted. I have verified that it’s not the capacity either. So I ruled it out.
SSD - Samsung 850 EVO 500GB 2.5-Inch SATA III: This is not the issue either. I have replaced it with at least 2 other drives and the problem persisted. I have also reformatted all test drives, NTFS, should be good to go.
MOBO - ASUS Z170-A LGA1151 DDR4 HDMI DVI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.1 Type C Z170 ATX: So, this component I am a little suspicious of. As noted above, I replaced my previous motherboard with this one. However, I replaced it with the exact same one. The reason for this was that I mistakenly purchased 2 of the same motherboard when i was buying components. Ended up working out I guess. I have read that sometime PCIE slots can have problems with compatibility..? I know it can’t be a problem that is motherboard error-specific, because the motherboard is new to the machine, and the problem isn’t. Anyways, I haven’t done a whole lot of troubleshooting with the motherboard specifically, as I feel like I’d be grasping at straws a bit - the whole thing was replaced. But still, it could very reasonably be a compatability issue that I’m not seeing.
CPU - Intel Core i5 6600 LGA1151: So, here we go. I’ve stress tested this thing, put it through the ringer. Reseated it a bunch of times. Monitored its temps. I’ve corrected the voltage on the memory a bunch of times. The ram is rated at 2400, but i ran it lower (the speed rated for the CPU is 2133). And it did nothing, the problem persisted. The chances of it being an Intel error are… Super unlikely. But I’m open to troubleshooting it more.
That about sums it up for component specific troubleshooting. I will list some variances I’ve noticed through the troubleshoot process, as well as some other, smaller, less related things I’ve tried:
- The computer seems to crash less frequently the less ram I put into it. This isn’t verified in any way, i just notice that on average it takes longer. Though i’ve seen my system crash seconds after entering a game in all manner of configurations, so i doubt this is significant. Just thought I’d throw it out there in case it’s useful.
- Sometimes, rarely, instead of a static screen, I WILL actually get a bsod when the system crashes. It’s only happened about twice, though. The errors listed are always inconsistent as well, some user kernels, some critical errors, etc. And upon viewing the system report after each crash, i notice nothing out of the ordinary.
- Often upon crashing, there will be an audible buzzing noise coming through the headphones or speakers, whichever are enabled. However, sometimes I will hear nothing at all. I’ve messed with some audio driver stuff, but honestly I highly doubt it’s I/O related. I have a new monitor from the one I had been using, new speakers, new headphones, new peripherals… I’m open to suggestions though.
- I unplugged the case and all nonessential items from the system. I had bought an ASUS wifi card and pulled it out just in case. The case itself is even unplugged from the MOBO. I mean, could the problem be the fans…? I doubt it, but I don’t have any extra on hand. If someone comments a legit reason for it being the fans, I could easily get replacements. But that would just… That would amaze me, honestly.
- When i replaced the PSU i also replaced all the wires… except the SATA connections. I am currently running my computer with ALL new wires to see if that solves the problem. I had read on another thread that they are finicky, especially SATA wires, and ESPECIALLY stock wires. I will post an update if it crashes again in this configuration.
- I replaced my ethernet cable too… I know this sounds dumb, but hey. I’m really grasping here trying to pull this machine back from hell.
That’s all for now. Any useful comments/suggestions are SUPER appreciated. As I said at the top, I’ve been troubleshooting this thing for the better part of a year now, and it’s getting to the point of being maddening. Thanks for the help in advance, I will update with news after the next troubleshoot.
RAM - 4X 8GB Crucial Ballistix Sport DDR4: Obviously RAM was my go to, as it's usually the first thing pointed at by builders for issues. Ran memtest on all 4 sticks together, then individually. The tests were run for longer than 8 hours a piece with no errors detected. I have also ran the system with 4, 2 and 1 sticks in all manner of configurations and produced a crash. I’ve messed with the voltage, it’s not that. In case someone is thinking that it might be a speed issue with my CPU (listed below) I will explain the steps I took in that section. Unless all 4 sticks of ram are broken, I’m reasonably sure it’s not the ram.
GPU - MSI GTX 980 4GD5 OCV1: It’s not the graphics card, as the graphics card has been replaced. However, I will discuss drivers. I had a spare ssd on hand, so i tried running my system with stock drivers and Nvidia's game ready driver, completely updated. It crashed just the same in both configs. It’s not the temps, I’ve observed them in the 70’s while the system crashed. I will put this in caps for scanners: IT’S NOT THE GRAPHICS CARD, IT HAS BEEN REPLACED; DRIVERS ARE MOST LIKELY NOT THE ISSUE.
PSU - EVGA Supernova NEX650G: It’s not the power supply either, as it has also been replaced. Rather, it WAS replaced for troubleshooting and the problem persisted. I have verified that it’s not the capacity either. So I ruled it out.
SSD - Samsung 850 EVO 500GB 2.5-Inch SATA III: This is not the issue either. I have replaced it with at least 2 other drives and the problem persisted. I have also reformatted all test drives, NTFS, should be good to go.
MOBO - ASUS Z170-A LGA1151 DDR4 HDMI DVI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.1 Type C Z170 ATX: So, this component I am a little suspicious of. As noted above, I replaced my previous motherboard with this one. However, I replaced it with the exact same one. The reason for this was that I mistakenly purchased 2 of the same motherboard when i was buying components. Ended up working out I guess. I have read that sometime PCIE slots can have problems with compatibility..? I know it can’t be a problem that is motherboard error-specific, because the motherboard is new to the machine, and the problem isn’t. Anyways, I haven’t done a whole lot of troubleshooting with the motherboard specifically, as I feel like I’d be grasping at straws a bit - the whole thing was replaced. But still, it could very reasonably be a compatability issue that I’m not seeing.
CPU - Intel Core i5 6600 LGA1151: So, here we go. I’ve stress tested this thing, put it through the ringer. Reseated it a bunch of times. Monitored its temps. I’ve corrected the voltage on the memory a bunch of times. The ram is rated at 2400, but i ran it lower (the speed rated for the CPU is 2133). And it did nothing, the problem persisted. The chances of it being an Intel error are… Super unlikely. But I’m open to troubleshooting it more.
That about sums it up for component specific troubleshooting. I will list some variances I’ve noticed through the troubleshoot process, as well as some other, smaller, less related things I’ve tried:
- The computer seems to crash less frequently the less ram I put into it. This isn’t verified in any way, i just notice that on average it takes longer. Though i’ve seen my system crash seconds after entering a game in all manner of configurations, so i doubt this is significant. Just thought I’d throw it out there in case it’s useful.
- Sometimes, rarely, instead of a static screen, I WILL actually get a bsod when the system crashes. It’s only happened about twice, though. The errors listed are always inconsistent as well, some user kernels, some critical errors, etc. And upon viewing the system report after each crash, i notice nothing out of the ordinary.
- Often upon crashing, there will be an audible buzzing noise coming through the headphones or speakers, whichever are enabled. However, sometimes I will hear nothing at all. I’ve messed with some audio driver stuff, but honestly I highly doubt it’s I/O related. I have a new monitor from the one I had been using, new speakers, new headphones, new peripherals… I’m open to suggestions though.
- I unplugged the case and all nonessential items from the system. I had bought an ASUS wifi card and pulled it out just in case. The case itself is even unplugged from the MOBO. I mean, could the problem be the fans…? I doubt it, but I don’t have any extra on hand. If someone comments a legit reason for it being the fans, I could easily get replacements. But that would just… That would amaze me, honestly.
- When i replaced the PSU i also replaced all the wires… except the SATA connections. I am currently running my computer with ALL new wires to see if that solves the problem. I had read on another thread that they are finicky, especially SATA wires, and ESPECIALLY stock wires. I will post an update if it crashes again in this configuration.
- I replaced my ethernet cable too… I know this sounds dumb, but hey. I’m really grasping here trying to pull this machine back from hell.
That’s all for now. Any useful comments/suggestions are SUPER appreciated. As I said at the top, I’ve been troubleshooting this thing for the better part of a year now, and it’s getting to the point of being maddening. Thanks for the help in advance, I will update with news after the next troubleshoot.
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