Need help with system crash when gaming

[ell]

Hi, I need some idea on what to do here. I took in a custom rig with

6 gb ram (4 gb free, don't know why this is, the Geoforce GTX 760 video card has 2 gb onboard already), motherboard GA-990xa-ud3 .

I ran complete stress tests and individual hardware tests. Cleaned it up, checked for video driver updates, (current) it runs flawlessly until she runs gild wars2, WWC and Hearthstone. System makes loud noise then shuts down everything, monitor goes black. She has already run the game system optimizers and her system has minimum requirements, she does run skype too while playing. I'm remoteing in tomorrow to see her play and try to troubleshoot, anybody have any ideas what this could be?

 

[Dave1320]

Video card overheating? Check event logs.

 

[ell]

Video card overheating? Check event logs.

Nothing in event logs, just power failure messages, which I'm sure are result of the shut downs. The overheating is a possibility. Maybe I could install speedfan and check it, you know what would be the max temp? but the noise it makes before crashing makes me think its something else

 

[Markverhyden]

I agree about possible video card. Noise? Electro/mechanical? From the speakers or case?

 

[ell]

I agree about possible video card. Noise? Electro/mechanical? From the speakers or case?

she makes it sound like an electrical noise, loud stutter. She says it started after someone installed the new GTX video card, so I image it is this, but I don't see why all my stress and video tests didn't tag it.

 

[mr m]

Did this config ever work? If not custom built rigs are usually overclocked so beware of that. Also check for compatibility between the components.

If it did work I'd bet the PSU is dying under a load. Check the event viewer for "unexpected shutdown" type errors or just swap in a good PSU. Also, I'm pretty sure that vid card has a cooling fan so check that.

 

[Markverhyden]

she makes it sound like an electrical noise, loud stutter. She says it started after someone installed the new GTX video card, so I image it is this, but I don't see why all my stress and video tests didn't tag it.

Bingo. Tests are just that, tests. When I'm presented with a problem I will certainly consider tests if I am unable to replicate the environment. But in the end that is what I will want to do one way or another, replicate the environment.

 

[ell]

Bingo. Tests are just that, tests. When I'm presented with a problem I will certainly consider tests if I am unable to replicate the environment. But in the end that is what I will want to do one way or another, replicate the environment.

yes, me too but she didn't want me logging into her game, so now I'm stuck trying to trouble shoot it remotely, pretty tricky, I'm hoping its a temp issue, it was pretty dirty. But the noise thing bothers me. Updating mobo drivers and bios I wouldn't think would help since it only crashes when gaming.

 

[Markverhyden]

Well, if she does not want you to log not much you can do. I would try another video card and, as mr m mentioned, another power supply.

 

[ell]

Did this config ever work? If not custom built rigs are usually overclocked so beware of that. Also check for compatibility between the components.

If it did work I'd bet the PSU is dying under a load. Check the event viewer for "unexpected shutdown" type errors or just swap in a good PSU. Also, I'm pretty sure that vid card has a cooling fan so check that.

There are power errors in the event viewer, something about sudden power loss, but I think its because of the crashes, can a bad ps cause loud noises???

 

[Markverhyden]

There are power errors in the event viewer, something about sudden power loss, but I think its because of the crashes, can a bad ps cause loud noises???

There can be all kinds of power related "noises". Common one I hear are relays being triggered.

 

[ell]

Well, if she does not want you to log not much you can do. I would try another video card and, as mr m mentioned, another power supply.

I think I'll probably have to get the machine back and have her let me run the game to test the right way, also do you think I should reset the bios to defaults? I'm thinking maybe its overclocked or something because system says 6 gb but only 4 free when the video card card already has 2gb integrated.

 

[ell]

There can be all kinds of power related "noises". Common one I hear are relays being triggered.

thanks thats good to know, I have not seen that.

 

[ohio_grad_06]

Started after adding the 760. My money is on the power supply. Don't see it listed as to what model it is. But loud electrical noise, power supply may not be able to hang.

 

[ell]

Started after adding the 760. My money is on the power supply. Don't see it listed as to what model it is. But loud electrical noise, power supply may not be able to hang.

Thanks I'm sure I won't be able to fix it remotely and I will check the power supply when I get it back along with swapping the video card

 

[Dave1320]

Custom rig, possibly over clocked, and possibly under powered. Only click I think you'd hear is a relay. So, very possible psu.

First since you're at your desk remoting try going back to the last stable driver for that card. Make sure it's not a bug in the driver. Simple check. Might as well.

 

[ell]

Custom rig, possibly over clocked, and possibly under powered. Only click I think you'd hear is a relay. So, very possible psu.

First since you're at your desk remoting try going back to the last stable driver for that card. Make sure it's not a bug in the driver. Simple check. Might as well.

oh good idea, I'll do that and then check temps when she running the game.

 

[glricht]

Had a PC with similar symptoms about 2 years ago. The PC ran fine UNTIL they started a 3D-based game. About 10-15 seconds into the game, the PC would power-down.

Turned out it was the PSU. It was at its limit under normal conditions, but when the 3D game started, the power reqm'ts of the graphics card increased and caused PSU to trip.

Replaced the PSU with a higher-rated one and all was fine.

 

[ell]

Had a PC with similar symptoms about 2 years ago. The PC ran fine UNTIL they started a 3D-based game. About 10-15 seconds into the game, the PC would power-down.

Turned out it was the PSU. It was at its limit under normal conditions, but when the 3D game started, the power reqm'ts of the graphics card increased and caused PSU to trip.

Replaced the PSU with a higher-rated one and all was fine.

Thanks, its looking more and more like this could be it.

 

[nlinecomputers]

The noise is probably just a random signal being sent to the audio circuit as the game crashes. Every once in a while my PC will crash during a game and often what ever the last sound command issued the card during the game gets stuck and you'll hear that until the system resets. My system is set to halt on BSODs but most are set to reboot. Either way I suspect it is nothing to be concerned about. The audio equivalent of a random garbage on your monitor should the video system crash.