[HELP] Computer Completely Freezes/Hangs While Playing Games. Had Issue For Three Years and Still Struggling to Resolve.

Alza77

Reputable
Jun 18, 2014
13
0
4,520
I built my computer back in September 2013 and since then I have had this recurring issue. I first noticed this when I played Dead Island: Riptide. The game will be running absolutely fine, no stuttering at all, then randomly it will completely freeze up my entire system. I can't do anything to get a response, I have to resort to a manual reboot.

Games that I have noticed this happening in:

  • Dead Island: Riptide
    The Forest
    Rust
    Grand Theft Auto V
    Fallout 4
    Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor
    Dying Light
    Far Cry 3
    Far Cry 4
    Skyrim
    Dead Island Definitive Edition
    Vermintide
My Current Specs:

Motherboard: MSI Z97 Gaming 5

Case: Fractal R4 Black Pearl

CPU: Intel Core i7 4770K 3.5GHz

GPU: Gigabyte GTX 780 Windforce

PSU: Corsair HX1000i

RAM: Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz (4x4GB)

OS: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit

SSD: SanDisk Ultra II 240GB

HDDs: WD Black 2TB, WD Blue 600GB

Cooling: Corsair H100i

Things I've tried:

- Tested all RAM modules using MemTest86 at the same time and individually. No issues present.

- Furmark/3DMark benchmarking on max settings for over an hour. No issues detected.

- RMA'd GPU, CPU, PSU and motherboard. All parts were replaced with new ones apart from GPU as my retailer assured me there was no issue with it.

- Prime95 and Intel BurnIn for many hours. No issues.

- HDTune Pro and SanDisk/WD HDD software to test for hard drive errors. No issues detected.

- Used BlueScreenView to check my memory crash logs but there are none at the times of these crashes.

- Checked Event Viewer for any specific crash info but it doesn't seem to be logging anything before the hang.

- Flashed my motherboard BIOS to the latest available.

- Flashed my GPU BIOS to the latest one.

- Repasted my cooler and CPU using Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste MANY times.

- Tested my GPU in another system, worked fine, no freezes.

- Installed these games on an SSD, to rule out HDD issues, and freezes still occur.

The only parts that have stayed the same since I built the PC have been the GPU, RAM modules, CD-DVD drive and the HDDs My temperatures while benchmarking max out at 77C for the GPU and around 58C for the CPU. I have replaced my motherboard twice with newer models, my PSU three times, my SSD once and upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 10. This issue has continued to plague me even after spending a fortune on new parts. Any help on this issue would be appreciated as I'm absolutely stumped as to what it could be down to.

Any ideas?

EDIT:

- Disabled antivirus to check software conflicts. Freezing still occurs. Uninstalled antivirus completely, but still freezes.

- I have disabled startup programs to rule out software conflicts. Freezing still occurs.

- I took out all four of the RAM sticks and tried to replicate the issue one stick at a time to rule out RAM issue. Froze on all individual RAM sticks.

- I have installed Fallout 4 on another hard drive and ran it from there to rule out if my main HDD was the culprit. Still froze.

Upon closer inspection I have noticed that there is a buzzing sound coming from the PSU, I'm not sure if this is related to the issue.

EDIT 2:

- Added a few more games that I noticed also experience the issue.

Added the GPU testing in another system.

- Removed CD-DVD drive and it seems that the issue is still there but it takes longer before it occurs.

Below I have attached a video that shows what type of freeze I am encountering.

[video="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA1jGhEwzOI"][/video]
 

Alza77

Reputable
Jun 18, 2014
13
0
4,520


My Current Specs:

Motherboard: MSI Z97 Gaming 5

Case: Fractal R4 Black Pearl

CPU: Intel Core i7 4770K 3.5GHz

GPU: Gigabyte GTX 780 Windforce

PSU: Corsair HX1000i

RAM: Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz (4x4GB)

OS: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit

SSD: SanDisk Ultra II 240GB

HDDs: WD Black 2TB, WD Blue 600GB

Cooling: Corsair H100i


The PSU has been replaced 3 times and I still have this issue.
 

rx480gaming

Reputable
Sep 13, 2016
14
0
4,510
I have the same exact issue... I tried replacing PSU and GPU issue still occurs. I am planning to replace the mobo to see if issue occurs.

Try to remove your GPU and play any less demanding game on your integrated graphics or try to replace your hardware one by one