PC Black Screens, Audio Loops and then restarts when playing some games

[EmotionalPanda]

Hi Guys, 

 

Hoping someone here can offer some advice for me. I've been having this issue on and offer the last year or so now, where basically I can be playing a game and then suddenly the screen goes black, the audio will loop the last .5 seconds or so, and then the PC will restart. 

 

I've had a good look around the web, trust me, and tried a number of things, but I'm still having the issue, most notably with Far Cry 4.

 

So, before I go any further let me list my PC spec:

 

CPU: Intel i5 4670k (stock clock speeds)

GPU: Asus GTX 780ti OC DCii 3gb

RAM: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory

PSU: Corsair AX760 

Motherboard: Asus Z87 Pro

Drive: Samsung 840 SSD

Cooling: Corsair H100i

 

So, back to the issue. I have noticed it across a number of games over the last 12-18 months, though the ones that caused me the most grief that I can remember where Assassins Creed Black Flag, COD Black Ops 2 and now Far Cry 4. So far I've managed to play around 1hr 30 of FC4, but now whenever I load the game, within 5 or so minutes of playing, it will black screen, sound loop and then restart.

 

As I've said, I've tried a number of things to fix the issue, but so far nothing seems to have worked, let me list what I've tried so far.

 

I've RMA'd my PSU (for a different reason), but I still get the issue.

I've since rebuilt my entire system with a new cooler (used to be air cooled, now using the H100i), but still get issue

I've since installed Windows 8.1 Pro on a new SSD (clean install) from Windows 7 and still get the issue

I've uninstalled and reinstalled all drivers (which I did anyway when I did a clean install)

I've updated my mobo bios to the latest version

I've updated my graphics drivers to the latest version

I've swapped the PCI-e slot my GPU is sat in

I've swapped the power cables running to my mobo/gpu out, and changed slots etc.

I've run Memtest86 for 2hrs with no errors

 

I may have done more, but I honestly can't remember.

 

I have noticed that it does happen during certain times of a game, for instance I recall with AC:BF that it happened when attempted to do the first leap of faith of a ships mast very early on in the game, and now with FC4 it's happened when I load into the game, on the side of a mountain and there is a lot of gunfire from some quarrel down below me. 

 

Anyway, I'm at a loose end as to what to do, I've tried everything I can think of, plus what random forums have suggested as well... so here's my last hope that someone on here can figure this one out for me.

 

Thanks in advanced guys! 

[nikolaizombie1]

ok which part is the oldest?

[EmotionalPanda]

Well, I got both the CPU and mobo at the same time, about 10 months ago now.

[nikolaizombie1]

Well, I got both the CPU and mobo at the same time, about 10 months ago now.

have you tested the components separately?

the cpu in another mobo and the mobo with another cpu?

since you got those components the issue has been happening?

[EmotionalPanda]

I've not got access to different components to test them all separate unfortunately. However, it just started randomly maybe 2 months after I got them, and I they're the only two things to have not changed in my system since it started, I was suspicious of the mobo, but wasn't sure... what do you think? Is there anything I can do to test it without swapping it for another one?

[nikolaizombie1]

I've not got access to different components to test them all separate unfortunately. However, it just started randomly maybe 2 months after I got them, and I they're the only two things to have not changed in my system since it started, I was suspicious of the mobo, but wasn't sure... what do you think? Is there anything I can do to test it without swapping it for another one?

ok can you stress test the cpu, just fine?

if not its the mobo that's defective

[EmotionalPanda]

ok can you stress test the cpu, just fine?

if not its the mobo that's defective?

What kind of stress test would you recommend, I have tried Prime95 in the past and not had any problems, unless there is something else you would suggest? 

 

And out of interest, any idea what would be up with the mobo to cause this issue, especially with only certain games as well. It's weird.

[Darkman]

ok can you stress test the cpu, just fine?

if not its the mobo that's defective

^ This. Or it could be a dying power supply.. Well playing a game, open HWMonitor and watch your 12+ voltage. If it drops below 11.4 and crashes, it could have a problem with regulating voltage.. That's what my power supply is doing.

[EmotionalPanda]

^ This. Or it could be a dying power supply.. Well playing a game, open HWMonitor and watch your 12+ voltage. If it drops below 11.4 and crashes, it could have a problem with regulating voltage.. That's what my power supply is doing.

I'd have thought it was the PSU as well, but as I said I've had that RMA'd since getting it, and they gave me a brand new unit when I did that. But I still have the same issue.

 

Will have a look though now!

[nikolaizombie1]

^ This. Or it could be a dying power supply.. Well playing a game, open HWMonitor and watch your 12+ voltage. If it drops below 11.4 and crashes, it could have a problem with regulating voltage.. That's what my power supply is doing.

ah i haven't thought of that thanks, but he can do the same with a stress test as well

 

What kind of stress test would you recommend, I have tried Prime95 in the past and not had any problems, unless there is something else you would suggest? 

 

And out of interest, any idea what would be up with the mobo to cause this issue, especially with only certain games as well. It's weird.

i would advice not to use prime 95 on haswell chips, i would use intel own extreme tuning utility,it could be a faulty anything on the mobo thats causing the issue

[EmotionalPanda]

ah i haven't thought of that thanks, but he can do the same with a stress test as well

 

i would advice not to use prime 95 on haswell chips, i would use intel own extreme tuning utility,it could be a faulty anything on the mobo thats causing the issue

Okay, I will give both a go and let you know. I do have a spare PSU around so I can swap that out and try it! 

 

Otherwise I might just RMA the mobo and see if a new fixes it! Still under the warranty so I should be fine.

 

Thanks guys, will let you know how I get on.

[Darkman]

I'd have thought it was the PSU as well, but as I said I've had that RMA'd since getting it, and they gave me a brand new unit when I did that. But I still have the same issue.

 

Will have a look though now!

Ok. Sometimes manufactures just to a quick test that can't always determine that it is faulty, and just send it back to you saying either it's fixed, fine, or replaced.. I know that companies do that a lot of GPUs.

 

ah i haven't thought of that thanks, but he can do the same with a stress test as well

Yeah, just running a game that it likes to black screen on and during a stress test is good enough to check.

[MEC-777]

This is exactly what my 7950 started doing just before it died. My money is on your GPU - it may be on it's last legs. What ever you do, DO NOT run furmark!!!!

 

If you notice higher loads on your GPU are what trigger the black screens/feezing, then it's most likely your GPU.

[EmotionalPanda]

Hi guys, 

 

Just thought I would update you, I ended up getting a new motherboard yesterday as I couldn't bothered RMA'ing my old one due to time etc. 

 

Anyway, set it all up and I've been playing FarCry 4 with no issues at all, where before I couldn't even load the game up. For the sake of testing it, I installed Black Flag agin and got to the troublesome area where it used to crash 100% of the time, annnnd YAY it works. So, looks like my Mobo was dodged up. Will RMA it, and then eBay it now though! 

 

Thanks for the help and advice! 

[nikolaizombie1]

Hi guys, 

 

Just thought I would update you, I ended up getting a new motherboard yesterday as I couldn't bothered RMA'ing my old one due to time etc. 

 

Anyway, set it all up and I've been playing FarCry 4 with no issues at all, where before I couldn't even load the game up. For the sake of testing it, I installed Black Flag agin and got to the troublesome area where it used to crash 100% of the time, annnnd YAY it works. So, looks like my Mobo was dodged up. Will RMA it, and then eBay it now though! 

 

Thanks for the help and advice! 

well good luck on that