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Question

Computer keeps freezing a few minutes into gaming

Aug 28, 2018 10:14PM PDT

So my computer keeps freezing after a varying amount of time. It can take about ten minutes to an hour into World of Warcraft, but it won't let me get past the main menu in Monster Hunter World. It freezes up completely and then requires a hard-off in order to function again. Most of the pieces in the computer are new due to an unfortunate incident that required me to replace most of my parts. Everything is new in the PC except for the hard drives and the graphics card. I can use the internet fine with no problems, but as soon as I try to play any sort of game that puts any pressure on my system, it's lights out. I can play Darkest Dungeon perfectly fine for hours, but as soon as I try to play anything else then it freezes after a certain amount of time. No bluescreen, no stuttering, no crashing, it just freezes and locks up until I press the power button.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Tell
Aug 29, 2018 2:58AM PDT
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More info
Aug 31, 2018 11:31AM PDT

It's an EVGA SuperNOVA 1200w PSU. I installed the drivers via the mobo driver disk, and then updated them through the manufacturer's website, MSI.

Overall specs of my PC:
CPU: Intel i7-8700k
MOBO: MSI z370 Gaming Plus
RAM: G.skill FORTIS (2x8gb)
GPU: STRIX GTX 970

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Speccy
Aug 31, 2018 5:07PM PDT
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Answer
I'd give DDU a shot.
Aug 31, 2018 11:40AM PDT
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Speccy report
Aug 31, 2018 2:02PM PDT
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Answer
A Speccy reading. Comments too.
Aug 31, 2018 2:28PM PDT

1. The CPU was not identified so I will check if the BIOS is current. The BIOS contains updates to CPU microcode, time and support for RAM so I don't consider it optional when a machine is having issues.
Skipping down to the BIOS I see version 1.50 and date 7/5/2018.
BIOS is current.

2. DUAL MONITORS. That's more GPU load so test by unplugging one, reboot and try again.
If you want to see the load effect, before the unplug, reboot, test the PC at http://www.userbenchmark.com/ before and after.

3. CPU CORE is under 1V. I'd double check this with CPUz but I'd add 0.1V to get it into the where I find the CPU voltage should be. Speccy can be off so I always double check this.

4. DISABLE UPDATE SHARING. You need all your bandwidth and more. Here's how:
https://www.howtogeek.com/224981/how-to-stop-windows-10-from-uploading-updates-to-other-pcs-over-the-internet/

5. DriverUpdate Scan points to a driver update app. Slimdriver possibility. Read https://www.howtogeek.com/233115/the-only-way-to-safely-update-your-hardware-drivers-on-windows/
I find these driver updaters to be iffy and often the reason the machine has hit the shop counter.

6. There's an odd Windows Update failure. https://superuser.com/questions/1349374/windows-10-update-stuck-in-initializing-status-internal-corpnet-required seems to claim SFC (see article) in admin mode seems to clear it up.

7. Do you use Skype? If not, disable that.
https://www.howtogeek.com/284864/how-to-stop-skype-from-running-in-the-background-on-windows-10/

8. TRY the XMP memory setting.

9. The GTX970 looks a little warm. In your case, install and watch that GPU temp. Use the card maker's tool first before you use something else.

10. Drives. SSD in top condition.
ST2000DL001-9VT156 has issues with 01 and 07 (I don't usually check the others when I see this.)

The ST2000DL001-9VT156 alone can cause very odd hard to trace issues like hangs and long delays to outright BSODs and lockups.

ST1000DM003-1CH162 shows issues too.

TEST without these drives.

If you don't use the ODD (optical disc drive) unplug for now.
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Break here. OK, there's a new thing I'm research about those Seagates. We usually remove them and relegate them to (iffy) backup drives but you can see what I'm looking into at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyr14_B230o&feature=youtu.be&t=549