New PC Build Hard Freezes During Gaming

Mar 26, 2018
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Hey all,

I have got a problem I can't seem to figure out. I just put together my new PC a few days ago and ever since I tried playing some games, the entire PC freezes on me anywhere from 5 minutes to 45 minutes into gaming. The entire PC hard freezes and I am unable to alt-tab or get the computer to respond, I have to push the case restart button to get the PC to restart. I do not get any black screens or BSOD's, the screen simply freezes. This problem occurs everytime in all different games from GTA V to Cities: Skylines. I have done no overclocking on my system yet, I listed my PC specs below:

CPU: i5-8600k @ stock speeds

Mobo: Asrock Fatal1ty z370 gaming K6

RAM: g.skill ddr4 2x8gb 3200mhz (15-15-15-35)

GPU: EVGA GTX 970 SSC (bought in 2015)

AIO: Cooler Master Masterliquid 240

PSU: Seasonic Prime Ultra 750w Gold (somewhat overkill)

HDD: WD Caviar Black 1tb 7200rpm (Circa 2010)

SSD: Waiting on delivery for a 250gb Samsung 860 Evo


So far I have tried updating my bios to the latest version, completely reinstalling Windows 10 (x64, installed all available updates), reformat hard drive (checked with crystaldiskinfo and in "good" health) test GPU in Furmark (approx. 40 minutes, Max temp 63c, no errors), test CPU in Prime95 (30 min., max temp. 61c, no errors), memtest86 (4 passes, no errors), update GPU drivers and reinstall game drivers.

I have MSI afterburner installed and the temps right before freezing are around 60c for GPU and 38c for CPU. I have tried researching the issue and tried some possible solutions but I am at a loss and can't really figure out what the problem is. I realize the GPU and HDD are somewhat old, not sure if these are the problems.

I have tried Unigine Heaven (Fullscreen, 1920x1200, ultra settings, dx11), the entire PC froze twice in a row. Each occurred about 5-7 minutes into the test. If I downclock the GPU by about -100 on core and memory clocks, I am able to run heaven for at least 2 full sequences.

Any help is greatly appreciated and sorry for the long post!
 
Mar 26, 2018
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Thanks for the quick reply!

Prior to this build, I had a corsair 850tx (circa 2010), I ran my current graphics card on that old PSU for about 2 years before this build.

I did run the on board graphics in GTA 5 (windowed mode) on the highest settings I could and had no crashes in the 1 hour I had it running.
 
Mar 26, 2018
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I don't think i'm able to uninstall/reinstall directx, as dx12 comes pre-installed with windows 10.

I have a feeling your right that it could be the GPU. I did initially think it could be a defective PSU but it seems problems only occur when the GPU is being heavily used. I just changed the power management setting in geforce from "Optimal power" to "Maximum performance" to see if that would make a difference and it still hard froze a few minutes into heaven.

A little earlier I reran heaven longer, for about 30 minutes with the GPU downclocked and had no issues. I have a feeling a RMA might be in order.
 
Mar 26, 2018
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Just an update

I requested an RMA for my GTX 970 SSC from EVGA. They cross-shipped me a refurbished GTX 970 SSC and it seems that, so far, the problem has resolved. I played games for about 2 hours the other day and it did not freeze with the replacement GPU. Though, it does seem the replacement GPU runs about 10 degrees hotter than the one I returned.

I will update again if any issues occur with the replacement GPU.