New PSU and GPU - computer is unstable with random freezes, crashes, and loss of display?
New PSU and GPU - computer is unstable with random freezes, crashes, and loss of display?
👍 The problem might relate to the game server status, as it relies on a stable internet connection and low latency. Audio issues could stem from Windows settings and may not be resolvable. For deeper insight, refer to the detailed discussion here: https://forums. Consider switching to a second online game to confirm if the issue persists. Upgrading to an SSD, preferably an M.2 PCI-E drive (Gen3, Gen4 or Gen5), could help, as texture loading is often slow on HDDs. You might also try connecting via Wi-Fi with your own adapter if needed. Additional tips: CPU temperatures are unusually high—ideally around 55°C under load or up to 72°C at full speed, but not reaching 85°C. Check the thermal paste and fan condition; for example, the NH-D15 or NH-U12A are possible options, while the NH-U14S was used in testing. The cooling system may need repair if the fan failed or the paste degraded.
Both fans were spinning, as I observed. Noctua NH-D15.
Absolutely, the paste will definitely need replacement.
I’d really like to see the WiFi adapter functioning properly again, but if necessary, I’m fine with getting an external one.
I returned from service and they took my PC to the backrooms—hopefully they’ll fix the ghosts.
I think I’ve identified the problem and to resolve it, I either had to reformat C:/ or purchase a PCIe network adapter. Plus, considering the thermal paste and all that—just want to confirm everything is in order. Let the experts inspect and advise on what needs fixing and what’s working well.
So, it took me a couple of days - service took 2 days, I got my PC back friday afternoon. Since then I was busy with things going on through out the weekend, so I realistically got back to the topic on monday.
Long version:​
First - let's discuss, what the technicians said.
They' ve got from me PC + 3060 + Modecom PSU - I retold them the whole story, left some additional information, HWiNFO logs, links to this post and specifically asked, they look extra hard for any hardware issues - I wanted them to check, what happened to 3060, if the PSU was the cause and what's going on with the rest of the components - especially CPU, memory and MOBO. I did prepare the C:/ drive for Windows reinstall (I was to do it anyway myself) - so I told them, they "can go to town" with it, also I wanted them to replace thermal paste on the CPU. The only thing they were not to touch, were the sata HDD's, as there was all the crap rescued form C:/ and more of my stuff.
They called the next day and said the NVMe drive (Samsung EVO 1 TB, I don't remember exactly the model) had "a number" of bad sectors and is in dire need of replacement - they suspected, that it got extra toasty by being mounted in the first M2 slot, which is directly under the GPU. They used their drive with a new system and run some tests (mostly stress tests and a couple of benchmarks) and "were suprised, by the PC performance", although the CPU thermals wasn't happy - cores exceeded 100°C (212°F) in stress test (100% load on CPU and GPU). Everything else was perfect and they asked, if they are to change the paste and run additional tests to see, if that helps or I will look to change components based on that.
I said change the paste - if it helps, it helps, if not, I'll worry then. I asked them, if they have NVMe drive to sell - they had, but not the Samsung, nor any of the better brands. After that, when talking with my father, he ultimately talked me out of buying another one, big and expensive SSD (I found a new one from Samsung in store - it was PCIe gen 5 one for like 250 EUR. He said I could just buy the slightly older and cheaper one for like 1/4 the price, and then ultimately I could invest for a cheap home NAS, retire old HDDs to it, as a static storage and buy two SATA SSDs to expand my ~2,5 TB setup, to say 5 or 6 TB before NAS (which I like, NGL).
I called the repair shop again and asked to buy their NVMe SSD (Kingston 1TB PCIe gen.3, I don't remember the model) for 80 EUR, asked for a new Windows 10 installation on it. They installed it in the lower M.2 slot, so it won't get absolutely blasted by the GPU, changed the paste and added another fan to the case (it pulls the air out through the top of the case) and thermals were looking better, with 85°C on the cores. Also - when stress was lifted, the temperatures "immidiately dropped to more acceptable levels". They re-confirmed, that the 3060 was in fact dead with no picture being produced. They didn't bother to check the PSU "because I got a new one and it wasn't worth to check the old one in their opinion". They updated the BIOS too.
I got my PC on friday - the whole thing (incl. the SSD) costed 180EUR. Friday night I went to at least connect the PC and configure some things, like color scheme and basic Windows settings. The first thing I noticed, is that one of HDDs was gone. After like an hour of fumbling I found, that the lower M.2 slot disables SATA 5 and 6 - fix was actually very easy - I reconnected both drives to SATA 3 and 4.
On monday I did some light gaming (small indie game) - there were a times, when the inputs "got stuck" or didn't register, but I thought it's an indie game - some minor things might pop-up. Then I went to watch youtube. I noticed familiar sound artifacts on playback, which actually worried me, but watched two 40min videos no problem.
I paused the third one to fetch the food from the microwave - and I came back to familiar black screen, slightly aggrivated fans and no response.
Windows WHEA reported "critical hardware failure", DUMP blamed nvdklm whatever, in the event viewer there are a handful of "Netwtw10 6062 - LSO was triggered" - which is related to network adapter, from what I read.
I called service, and of course they were like "uhm... I don't know, the temperatures, peripherals or maybe the board is actually faulty - maybe test that with different settings and peripherals or buy a new MOBO. If nothing helps - just bring it back to us. But they mostly suspect thermals and that the Noctua, despite it's power, just isn't enough to cool modern CPU and I might consider water cooling".
I decided to test some things, even though it is a pain. First, since I suspected the wi-fi adapter long enough (either it is actually damaged, it is some damn windows uptade, which triggered/introduced some problem or some driver incompatibility with a new graphics driver... or other BS magic), I disabled wi-fi and just use ethernet via the extender. I watched youtube for hours yesterday and no audio-clipping, no input lags, no hangs or restarts. I'll test some more days and also see, if more intense games work with no issues.
But so far for me it looks, like this is the mother of all and maybe things will be now stable enough, so I can save some cash and start looking at new hardware.
If anyone have any more ideas (I maybe will also test different peripherals, especially keyboard/mouse) - please share.
For now I will slowly test things and if anything goes wrong, I shall seek your further advice or I'll wrap things here, if it turns out, that things are stable now and re-enabling wi-fi immidiately brings problems back.
Here's TL : DR bullet list:​
PC went to the shop wednesday , came back friday;
Technicians found NVMe SSD "with many bad sectors" - suspected it got sunburnt by the GPU, which is directly above it;
They replaced the SSD, reinstalled Windows, did stress tests and benchmarks;
Things were stable and great for them, only issue was very high CPU thermals;
Per my request they changed thermal paste; also - they themselves decided to add additional fan to pull more hot air out of the case - this got temps to drop noticeably, but still high;
After I got the PC back (and fixing one issue with HDD being connected to now disabled SATA), I didn't do much with it on the weekend, save for very basic Windows settings;
On monday I played a game some, noticed minor input hiccups;
Also on monday I tried to watch YT and got worried with the same audio artifacts, I experienced earlier;
PC froze again the same manner as befor, when paused on video;
Checked WHEA, Event viewer and WinDBG for clues - everything blames different things for the failure;
Went on and called the shop again - they were not very helpful, but gave me some pointers to try;
First thing I wanted to try, was to disable wi-fi adapter, since I got suspicious of it earlier + "Netwtw10 6062 - LSO was triggered" was discovered in the event viewr + it happened during stream playback again;
So far I watched YT for several hours yesterday with no issues;
Further testing needed...
... but also further advice and ideas are welcome;
During our testing, we identified that the most likely cause is a network problem. After disabling Wi-Fi and ensuring everything is functioning smoothly, I see no other issues to address. Please run additional tests to verify your build's stability.
Regarding the Wi-Fi adapter, what I mentioned before remains valid:
Obtain a new Wi-Fi adapter if needed—it would be ideal.
However, replacing the on-board Wi-Fi adapter simply because it’s malfunctioning isn’t advisable. It’s better to replace only the faulty component rather than discarding an otherwise working system. In a similar situation, don’t throw away a functioning car just because the radio stopped working; consider upgrading the radio instead.
Sure, I'll check and see if I can make it work wirelessly as well. A replacement is always possible, but avoiding it would be ideal. Appreciate the assistance.
This is likely my final post in this discussion.
I wasn't able to get the on-board wi-fi functioning.
After upgrading to Windows 11 (unfortunately, but it had to be done eventually) and having Windows install its own driver for wi-fi, it showed some potential... for a short time. Then it crashed again.
Yesterday I ordered a new PCI-e wi-fi card (TP-LINK Archer TX3000E).
My alternative setup using a repeater connected via ethernet is unstable—it's not suitable as a long-term solution.
I finally tested the PC with more demanding games—played Silent Hill f and about 30 minutes of KDC2. Both performed well, running smoothly without issues. The temperatures reached around 75°C during peak use, but stayed mostly between 50-60°C, which is acceptable at this stage.
Looking ahead, in about 1 to 2 years I might consider changing the motherboard, CPU, RAM, and possibly other components.
Thank you for your time; the situation should be under control now.