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General discussion

PC Randomly Crashes In-Game

by bredefroen Apr 16, 2015 11:55PM PDT

So my computer decides to randomly crash when playing games.
I play games like Skyrim, Black ops 2 and Test Drive Unlimited 2.

When playing, i will play for maybe 30 minutes, or less, then the game will suddenly stop while performing an action like saving or just clicking on an object game.

-First the game freezes for some seconds
-Then the screen turns all black
-Then it turns white
-Then it crashes to desktop with the game still running, but the whole screen is black except the taskbar, and i cannot close the game.

I dont really know how to find out my specs, as im a total noob at this but i know this:
Graphics Card: Radeon 270x
CPU: AMD FX-4350 Quad-Core
Windows 8

I wouldnt say the games i play are very demanding, so i doubt theres any overheating, though as said, im a total noob at this.

Also, i have tried updated both catalyst and my graphics card drivers, and the error still occurs.

Help, very appreciated! Thanks =)

Discussion is locked

13 Posts
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Sounds like age or heat.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Apr 17, 2015 12:19AM PDT

Try the old case cover off and point a fan at the open machine. If it takes longer it's age or heat.
Bob

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Hmmm...
by bredefroen Apr 17, 2015 1:21AM PDT

Apparently, we have no fans in the house... i live in Norway, so not used to things being too hot Wink

I dont think its age, as i almost just got the graphics card, and the computer is only about 1 year old.

Is there any other way i could check if it is overheating, and how would i fix this?

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There's a clue. new part.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Apr 17, 2015 1:28AM PDT

The 270 GPU is known to use a lot of Watts. Figure 200 more watts than most cards. Without knowing the PSU, the suspect is still heat or power.

It can also be game settings. Some gamers can't pull back on settings and can't be helped. Try it with AA set to none.
Bob

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Allright...
by bredefroen Apr 17, 2015 1:35AM PDT

Power supply is 500W, sorry i forgot to mention that, my mistake
I should probably buy a new power supply then?

thanks =)

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Have to know more about the PSU
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Apr 17, 2015 1:40AM PDT

500W is the total and doesn't tell the rating of the +12V rail or rails. If it's a single rail it might be OK.

You'll want to see about 30 Ampere ratings on the +12V rail here. That's a guess since I don't have direct access to the PC with a Watt meter.

Try it with AA off in the game.
Bob

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sounds like video card overheats
by James Denison Apr 17, 2015 4:26AM PDT
Maybe one of these slot fans taking in and expelling the heat quickly from the video card fan's output would help. Just make sure you have a slot in the right place and there's room to fit the fan.
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AA Off didnt work
by bredefroen Apr 17, 2015 9:45PM PDT

AA off did not work, and when the game crashes i cant feel the graphics card being too hot, though i dont know if you can feel that by just putting your hand close to it Wink

I just played about 1 hour of Test drive unlimited 2, then it crashed.

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So the case cover is off and it feels hot?
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Apr 17, 2015 10:18PM PDT

I take it you already did the canned air cleaning, the case cover is off and pulling back on the settings doesn't help.

Time to share more about the PSU and do the heatsink work. Figure 2 or such bucks to try to save this card.
Read http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-r9-290x-thermal-paste-efficiency,3678-3.html for an example of such work.

Many just replace the card at this point but given the lack of PSU detail I wonder if it's a single or more rail design.
Bob

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...
by bredefroen Apr 18, 2015 9:55AM PDT

It does not feel hot Wink

How can i give more information about the PSU?

I really dont wanna replace the card as i got it like 1-2 months ago...

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The full make/model off the sticker on the PSU?
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Apr 18, 2015 10:06AM PDT

Then post it on imgur.

You don't seem to answer queries about cover off and such. Maybe it's time for the repair shop.
Bob

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Heres the picture of the PSU
by bredefroen Apr 18, 2015 9:17PM PDT
http://i.imgur.com/GS79DJl.jpg

What do you mean queries about the cover off? i had the cover of the case off yes, and the card didnt seem too hot when the game crashed.

Is there anything else i should take a picture of for you to see?

Thank you so much for helping! Happy
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Stopped working message
by bredefroen Apr 18, 2015 11:23PM PDT

I tried playing again, the same thing happened, and i got this message:

Display driver/card has stopped working
Display driver/car AMD Stopped working and has been restored
(poor translation from norwegian)

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That helped.
by r. proffitt Former Forum moderator Apr 19, 2015 1:29AM PDT
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