Problem with PC freezing unexpectedly while playing games
Problem with PC freezing unexpectedly while playing games
Over the last few months, I've experienced repeated freezing when working on titles from Rockstar Games (GTA V and RDR 2), along with full PC freezes that require a forced restart from my case.
My system details are:
Motherboard - ASUS Z97 Pro Wifi A/C
CPU - i7 4790k (OC'd to 4.5 GHz)
GPU - EVGA GTX 1080 Ti FTW3
RAM - 8 GB x 2 (1866 MHz) DDR3; 4 GB x 2 (1633 MHz) DDR3
PSU - Corsair HX 750i
Operating system and drivers are all up to date, with verified integrity of both OS and game files.
For troubleshooting, I removed the two 4 GB RAM modules, but the problem continued. A memory test using Windows Memory Diagnostic showed no errors.
At this point, I'm leaning towards suspecting an issue with my PSU, which I purchased in 2015—anyone have any advice? Thanks.
A 7-year-old PSU is likely the source of your problems. It might be wise to get a donor PSU with a minimum of 650W that’s solidly built, ensuring your unit isn’t contributing to the issue. Could you share the BIOS version for your motherboard? Also, what is the current Windows 10 OS version (not edition)? Please mention only the latest updates needed; if you’d like, I can list them.
A 6-year-old PSU is a probable suspect, particularly with a history of intense gaming sessions. Check the Reliability History and Event Viewer for error codes, warnings, and related events that match the PC freezing patterns. A rise in errors and diverse types indicate a weakening or failing PSU. You can perform a basic test using a multimeter if you have one or someone who does. It’s not a complete test since the PSU isn’t under load, but any voltage deviations outside normal ranges are telling signs.
Thanks for the reply, my PSU came with a 10 year warranty, will it be eligible for a RMA?
BIOS version is 2702 (there is another BIOS version which is beta so I didn't bother installing it), OS version is 19044.1503
CPU is air cooled with Cooler Master Hyper 212X.
Thanks for the reply, I looked at the event viewer yesterday after a freeze, and I forgot to note down the event ID but it said something like "incomplete shutdown caused due to freezing/hangup". I'll note it down properly the next time it happens.
btw, I did a userbenchmark, if it helps -
https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/50271225
Unexpected power interruptions, accidental disconnections, and unplugging cables can lead to file corruption. These issues may worsen the situation. The PSU is a common cause, but you can try running "sfc /scannow" and "dism" to detect and repair damaged files. For more details, see https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-use-sfc-...es-2626161. Additionally, the DISM command tool can be used to fix Windows 10 images.
To ensure proper testing, return the cpu to its standard speed. There seems to be an unusual behavior with the ram. UBM indicates that the ram is clocked at 1333 with a frequency of 1866. It might be helpful to turn off xmp and observe the results from UBM.
I checked both games after I brought my CPU back to its original speed, and there seems to be no freezing—actually, the games performed much better.
I plan to test the games several more times to confirm if the problem is fixed and to see if overclocking might be the cause, even though I’ve used my PC with an overclocked CPU without any issues in the past.
Also, XMP was never turned on at all.