I’m thinking about discarding my great PC and starting fresh with a new build.
I’m thinking about discarding my great PC and starting fresh with a new build.
This is my current PC setup. Recently, I've experienced intermittent but ongoing crashes while playing games. The first game that stands out was GTA V campaign, which kept crashing regardless of the fixes I attempted.
I've also faced issues with Dying Light, Remnant: From the Ashes, Killing Floor 2 (which no longer occurs for some reason), RPCS3 playing God of War 2, and currently Lies of P (which used to crash every 10-30 minutes but is now stopped) along with Nioh 2. There could be other games I'm overlooking.
The most puzzling part is that not all games crash. Titles like DJMAX Respect V, PCSX2, Halo 2, and Resident Evil 4 Remake have never crashed, even though I'm still experiencing problems. I'm definitely having more crashes than I should be.
I've tried various solutions without success: updating BIOS, installing the latest drivers, reverting to older drivers, disabling background processes, switching to Windows 10 instead of 11, resetting Windows 11, adjusting virtual memory, increasing paging file size, swapping RAM, lowering resolution or settings, stress testing CPU and GPU, using pirated copies, and considering other unknown factors.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. I was planning an upgrade when the 6000 series arrived, but now I'm thinking about purchasing a 4090 or even a 5090 once it's released.
Testing CPU and GPU under stress to check for failure risks
What were the outcomes of these tests?
Regarding game crashes, does it end with a desktop crash or blue screen followed by a reboot?
Do you have auto OC enabled with PBO active, or are there other manual PBO OC configurations? If yes, did you attempt them at default settings?
What is your monitor’s resolution and refresh rate? This is for gathering feedback on your new GPU upgrade. Or are you planning to upgrade both the monitor and GPU?
If it isn't Windows that's failing (blue screen), it likely points to a software problem. You should look for log files related to these games, such as those in My Documents\Rockstar Games\Launcher and any .log files there. Also, examine the Application log in Event Viewer and the Administrative Events view for relevant entries. You can also gather all details from dxdiag and share them on cloud storage like Google Drive, OneDrive, or Dropbox. When you attempted a Windows reset, was it a clean install using a flash drive or did you retain your files and/or used the standard Windows reset? I suggest a clean installation and manually backing up and restoring necessary files before reinstalling applications. This reduces the chance that the issue persists.
Did you check Reliability History/Monitor and Event Viewer for any error codes, warnings, or messages before or during the crashes?
Did you use the built-in Windows Troubleshooters, "dism", or "sfc /scannow"?
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This:
"I tried pirated copies" – not a good way to fix issues. It could actually worsen them. It also implies you might have used unauthorized software, which may be the real cause of the problems.
My advice:
Perform a clean reinstall, reconfigure, and use legitimate software.
If crashes continue, repeat the troubleshooting steps."
Nothing significant, no signs of instability detected. I tested OCCT and Furmark for half an hour each without any problems. When it crashes, it goes to the desktop, though I've only power-cycled a few times. My CPU supports auto OC and PBO, and my GPU is factory overclocked. I haven't tried them at their default settings yet, but that was one of my planned next steps.
I use an LG G3 with 4K 120Hz display. I understand the 90 cards are a poor choice, but "the best available" works well and fits my budget. So I thought it might be worth a try.
I reviewed Event Viewer and found a few examples for Nioh 2 and Lies of P:
https://imgur.com/a/ClA7N1m
View: https://imgur.com/a/ClA7N1m
I could also share the game's own logs if needed.
Reliability History and Event Viewer indicate no other unusual activity before or during crashes. Dism and sfc scans found no problems. The pirated version was actually a GTA V, since I suspected Steam or Social Club might be responsible. The PC has been reset afterward.
When you mention "power cycling just a few times," does the PC automatically power off or display a blue screen? Are there any recent dump files located in C:\Windows\Minidump or a recent C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP?
This refers to the process of power cycling, where the computer turns off and then restarts once, without any BSOD. It appears only one file is recorded in the Minidump.
It's recommended to save MemTest on a flash drive, start from it, and execute the test. Don't forget to re-seat the GPU as well.