My computer frequently freezes and locks during gameplay.
My computer frequently freezes and locks during gameplay.
For approximately a year and a half, I’ve experienced this recurring issue since the computer was initially constructed. I've spent considerable time troubleshooting it, feeling quite frustrated with its behavior. The system was custom-built by Cybertron PC using a Palladium configuration.
My operating system is Windows 10 Home 64-bit. The graphics card installed is an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080, and the processor is an Intel® Core™ i7-6700 CPU running at 3.40GHz. System memory consists of 16 GB RAM, utilizing two Crucial 8GB DDR4 modules. The motherboard is a Gigabyte Technology Z170-Gaming K3, and the storage device is a TOSHIBA DT01ACA100 1TB hard drive. The power supply unit is an LSP ULTRA 650W ATX model.
During gameplay, my computer frequently freezes and completely locks up, necessitating a hard reset each time. The problem consistently returns without any other symptoms—just the freeze and restart, followed by normal operation afterward. The freezes do not occur automatically; they materialize after a period of time, sometimes accompanied by a buzzing sound from the speakers. The duration of these freezes appears random, ranging from less than five minutes after startup to over an hour. Despite attempting both high and low graphics settings, the issue persists with games like Subnautica, The Forest, Ben and Ed, and even non-Steam titles such as Raft and Star Citizen. I’ve utilized MSI Afterburner to gather diagnostic data, but the results have been inconclusive. I had to uninstall the software after experiencing problems related to its use, which is disappointing given my positive experience with it previously. Temperatures rarely exceeded 70°C, but since removing MSI Afterburner, I've observed peaks of up to 82°C on the GPU and 64°C on the CPUs during benchmark testing with Time Spy for 4K gaming, though these are still within acceptable limits. This malfunction is unexpected given the system’s specifications and I am at a loss as to how to resolve it. I'm hoping to avoid professional repair services. Any suggestions would be very welcome.
The problem continues to reoccur every time I launch a game. I'm uncertain of any other steps to take, and would appreciate any insight from others who may have encountered a similar issue.
Tolis_GR :
Viper082503 :
If you possess a supplementary graphics card, attempt to replicate the freezing issue using it. If the problem persists with another GPU, we might be able to pinpoint the cause. I lack a second graphics card; however, I can test it using Furmark. I've previously executed benchmark software like 3D Mark and Heaven, but neither successfully reproduced the freezing—however, I only ran them for approximately 30 minutes each. I intend to explore obtaining another GPU.
I recently ran tests for over an hour, maintaining temperatures around 83°C consistently without experiencing crashes or freezes. Despite this, the system still freezes during gameplay in shorter durations. Avoid excessive use of benchmarking applications; 83°C is a relatively high temperature. Consider utilizing your integrated graphics – disconnect your dedicated GPU and observe if the issue reappears. Also, try Prime95…
Test each memory module individually using a bootable diagnostic tool. Subsequently, publish an updated version of the information.
Let Tolis_GR suggest testing each RAM module individually using a bootable memory diagnostic tool. After performing these tests, please update the discussion with your findings. I recently completed a Windows memory check and it reported no errors for both modules, but I will now attempt to run a dedicated bootable memory test using only one stick at a time.
Tolis_GR:
Viper082503:
Please execute a bootable memory test, testing each RAM module individually. After you complete this process, update your post with the results.
I previously performed a memory diagnostic test through Windows and it indicated no issues for both sticks, although I will now attempt a bootable memory test using only one stick at a time. The diagnostics didn’t reveal any errors, so I recommend trying Memtest86.
Viper082503:
Please execute a bootable memory test using only one RAM module simultaneously and upload the results. I previously utilized Windows’ built-in memory diagnostic tool, which indicated no issues for both modules; however, I will now attempt a separate test using Memtest86 with individual RAM sticks. The memory diagnostic scans revealed no problems, and I’m finding the BIOS interface on this computer quite unfamiliar compared to previous systems. Do you have any further recommendations?
I’m wondering if you discovered a solution? I appear to be experiencing similar difficulties. My computer shuts down during intense gaming sessions, completely disconnecting USB devices and causing my screen to freeze with sudden audio loss, requiring a forced restart. Sadly, I haven’t been successful in resolving this issue at all. I'm currently awaiting assistance and my best suggestion is to save your work often. I’m continuing to investigate, but I plan to invest in professional repair service to hopefully determine the cause. I’ll notify you if I uncover anything new.
If you possess a secondary graphics card and can attempt to duplicate the freezing issue, we might be able to identify the root cause.
If you possess a supplementary graphics card, attempt to replicate the freezing issue using it. If the problem doesn't manifest with a different GPU, we might be able to pinpoint the source of the difficulty.
I lack a second graphics card; however, I can test it using Furmark. I previously ran performance tests with 3DMark and Heaven for approximately half an hour each, but neither successfully triggered the freeze. I intend to explore acquiring another GPU in the future.
Recently, I conducted a prolonged test lasting over an hour, and my temperatures remained consistently around 83°C throughout. Despite this, the system continued to freeze during gameplay within a shorter timeframe.