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Question

Most Games Crashing

Apr 5, 2020 3:37AM PDT

Hi Guys,
Most games that put the PC under heavy load will crash to desktop after 10-20 minutes of playing. I can only avoid the issue by putting the game settings to low.
I've tried a second GPU and had the same issue along with sending my GPU back to the manufacturer and I was told it is fine.
I updated my BIOS and drivers.
GTX 1080
Appreciate any help

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Re: crash
Apr 5, 2020 6:02AM PDT

Most likely: heat. Remove dust from the inside, check all fans. Try with the case open (and if possible use a ventilator to blow cold air in) to see if it makes a difference.

Post was last edited on April 5, 2020 6:03 AM PDT

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Re: crash
Apr 9, 2020 6:12PM PDT

I did a dust clean of the front fans otherwise it's very clean. I'm in airconditioning so ambient is 22°C. I left side opened but still happens.

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Answer
Given it's all games.
Apr 10, 2020 8:16AM PDT

It's about 99% sure it's heat related. And this doesn't mean that it has to get to high temperatures. Parts can become intolerant to temperatures that they worked before so we test for that with an open case and a mid sized house fan pointed at the open case.

Finding out what board or card is now heat intolerant is a pain but the usual is to reduce what's in the PC first then begin swapping cards and boards.

-> You made no mention of the PC age etc. But do try new heatsink compound on all heatsinks as well as all fans working like new.

There's also an issue with new and old hands to Windows and drivers but you made no mention of that. Since the PC and this is unknown this is also in play.

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Reply
Apr 10, 2020 9:33AM PDT

Firstly, really appreciate you taking the time to help.
I agree that it's probably a heat issue.
PC is about 3.5 years old (I bought parts new and built myself). The issue started sometime 1-2 years ago. I have never replaced the heatsink compound. I will try that as the next step. Fans are all working 100%.
Specs:
1 Toshiba 1TB 7200RPM HDD
1 Samsung 250GB SSD 850 EVO
1 NZXT H440 Case
1 Microsoft Windows 10
1 Intel Core i7 6700K
1 Corsair RM-650i
1 Corsair 16GB (2 x8GB) DDR4 3000MHz
1 Cooler Master Hyper 212X CPU Cooler
1 ASUS Z170-AR Motherboard
1 GTX 1080 (I'm sure this is not the problem)
1 1440p, 144 Hz monitor
1 1080p, 60 Hz monitor

What do you mean "new and old hands to windows and drivers?"
Do you think a fresh install of windows would help?

Thank you very much

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Thanks for more detail.
Apr 10, 2020 1:24PM PDT

1. That PSU! If it's the model I found try changing it to a SINGLE RAIL!
"Multi-rail +12V is configurable to single rail".

Before I list any other ideas never go all in and change everything I come up with. I'll try to lead with most likely to less likely. So pick one, get it done and test. STOP WHEN THE MACHINE IS WORKING.

Engineering joke: "It's working fine now."
Engineer or Tech: "I can fix it!"

The 1080 does not have a light load on the +12V and with multi-rail you could peak over a rail's capability and blammo.

2. If that doesn't pay off let's see a few reports:
a. Speccy. Read how to share at https://www.piriform.com/docs/speccy/using-speccy/publishing-a-speccy-profile-to-the-web
b. Userbenchmark.com is similar as to sharing as may cause a reboot if there are machine issues. Don't fret, just tell if it rebooted or share the result.

3. Fresh install. That can tax a lot of folk as you would need to have all the drivers and apps needed for this PC at the ready. Microsoft does not and has not done this for us outside of Microsoft's own PCs (think Surface.) I don't think this should be done here.

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Thanks
Apr 10, 2020 11:03PM PDT

Regarding 1, I had to connect the link cable from the PSU to the MB (this was tricky) and through the corsair iCUE software, I was successfully able to switch to single rail (It was on multi).

While I was there I replaced the thermal on the CPU. I noticed that there was a significant amount in the middle of the CPU that was missing paste (but there was paste was on the heatsink?). I'm not sure how that happened, but I cleaned and re-applied (pea method) and checked the coverage and it's much better.

I gamed for an hour or so, and so far no issue. CPU runs between 25-30 idle and averages 50-60 under game max settings. GPU 70ish. Looking good. Fans appear quieter!?

I'll check back in after a week or so to mark solved if no further issue as is can be infrequent Happy Thanks, mate.

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Okay No Good
Apr 11, 2020 3:30AM PDT

Post was last edited on April 11, 2020 3:39 AM PDT

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Answer
Overclocking
Apr 11, 2020 12:55AM PDT

Have you checked the temperature of your PC internals? Both GPU and Processor.

Are you overclocking your GPU or processor?

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No overclocking
Apr 11, 2020 12:59AM PDT

Temps seem fine and no overclocking

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Answer
Still Happening
Apr 17, 2020 11:11PM PDT

Hi all,
The issue is still happening. I completed a windows reset and tried both games on my SSD and HDD.
I checked heating issues again and CPU may be overheating. Averages 75 under load with max of 95. After stressing it turned off the PC and felt the components. GPU back plate was hot to touch but the heat sink was ambient with no heat even the part connected to the CPU. I'm pretty sure it's installed correctly.. is it normal for it not to feel hot?

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Sounds like progress.
Apr 17, 2020 11:21PM PDT

Let's remove added non-essential apps and check those drivers.

1. DiscSoft Virtual SCSI CdRom Device
2. CCleaner is usually fine until the users use the registry cleaning section.
Remove these for now.

3. RAM. Try XMP.
4. Displays. Use one for now.
5. Name the games. Some are known to crash. Fixes vary.

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No good
Apr 17, 2020 11:43PM PDT

1 and 2 are done and removed 1 monitor.
I turned on XMP (profile 1) and the PC would not load. It kept blue screening. I had to turn it back off.
Games: COD MW, Satisfactory, Star Wars Fallen Order, Subnautica, Path of Exile, Frostpunk, Resident Evil 3 + Resistance, Witcher 3, Monster Hunter World,

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At this point.
Apr 18, 2020 8:48AM PDT

I had to recall ONE LAST IDEA before we talk about other things. Let's cover this first.

Disable C States and test. How? Priors so I don't type as much:
https://www.google.com/search?client=opera&q=disable+C+States+in+bios+for+stability

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Remember that we proceed as if the hardware is good. You are there and hear all see all and will have to use all your sense to sniff out if there is a hardware issue such as a fan that has failed or doesn't work like new.

That out of the way, tell me exactly how you pick your drivers for motherboard, audio, video, LAN, WiFi and the rest. Please do not use Windows Driver update buttons. Also, folk write they downloaded the latest and then I discover they didn't install them. Be thorough.