[Troubleshooting] PC Crashes randomly while gaming

[hutkahn]

Hi everyone, so my PC has been experiencing random crashes lately while gaming (SW:TOR). Here are some of the things I noticed:

- Screen goes blank
- No audio
- Power still on (keyboard illuminated, case lights on, fans spinning)

I have to do a hard reset every time (long-press power) and the system Event Viewer does not note anything other than a loss of kernel power (which I assume is from my hard-reset).

Any ideas what could be the root cause? My first thought is CPU/Mobo, since the problem affects both audio and video and not just graphic crashing.

My specs:
Mostly-stock Dell XPS 9100 (I know, quite old):
- i7-920 non-OC with replaced cooler (CM V4 GTS)
- 8GB RAM (3x stock sticks @ 1333MHz, 1x add-on)
- MSI Twin Frozr R7850
- 1TB Samsung HD103SJ, 320GB Seagate ST3320620AS
- Stock PSU 525W

The entire system is almost 5-yo, except the GPU and cooler which are ~1+ yo.

I've recently added a second monitor, but the crashes occur when the second monitor is off and the display mode is set to primary monitor only.

Any thoughts/suggestions on how I can narrow down my problem?

TIA.

 

[Alternative X]

1) Download and run Memtest 86+ and use this program to test your RAMs.

2) Download and run HD Tune to check SMART status of the HDDs and use it to scan for bad sectors.

3) Might want to set aside about $100+ for a new PSU.

4) Does this random crash also occur when playing other games or doing something other than gaming?

 

[hutkahn]

1) Download and run Memtest 86+ and use this program to test your RAMs.

2) Download and run HD Tune to check SMART status of the HDDs and use it to scan for bad sectors.

3) Might want to set aside about $100+ for a new PSU.

4) Does this random crash also occur when playing other games or doing something other than gaming?

Thanks for the input!

Fortunately/Unfortunately, Memtest 86+ and HD Tune both report no errors. Will keep an eye out for PSU deals during the upcoming IT fair.

The crashes seem to be specific to the game only, previously was playing Rift and no such issue. However, was playing the same game last year and crashes weren't observed either. No crashes with other uses either :/

 

[Alternative X]

Thanks for the input!

Fortunately/Unfortunately, Memtest 86+ and HD Tune both report no errors. Will keep an eye out for PSU deals during the upcoming IT fair.

The crashes seem to be specific to the game only, previously was playing Rift and no such issue. However, was playing the same game last year and crashes weren't observed either. No crashes with other uses either :/

Might be issues with SW:TOR if it is just the game crashing. Did you update the GPU drivers or patch the game or something like that recently?

Can try compatibility mode with SW:TOR and or rollback the GPU drivers as a last resort.

 

[tigerwoods]

some 7850 card has this prob, mine too. Google it

set the gfx card clock to default value will fix the prob mostly

 

[hutkahn]

Might be issues with SW:TOR if it is just the game crashing. Did you update the GPU drivers or patch the game or something like that recently?

Can try compatibility mode with SW:TOR and or rollback the GPU drivers as a last resort.

My GPU drivers haven't been updated in a while (but still using the latest drivers as far as I can tell), so probably the former if not a problem with my hardware. Though if it's a software problem should just result in render failures/crash to desktop right?

some 7850 card has this prob, mine too. Google it

set the gfx card clock to default value will fix the prob mostly

Thanks, but my card isn't overclocked. I don't run MSI Afterburner while playing also so it's running pretty much at stock.