Random System Freezes

[rafamundez]

Hey everyone!

 

Problem:

The issue I'm having is that my computer freezes randomly at seemingly random times (gaming, idle, browsing, sometimes 10 minutes into using PC, sometimes 5 hours, etc.) forcing me to do a hard restart.  All the parts are new so I have time to return it if need be.

 

Specs

MOBO: Gigabyte GA Z170N Gaming 5 (F4 Bios Version)

CPU: Core i7 6700

GFX: EVGA Titan X

MEMORY: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB DDR4 2400

STORAGE: Corsair Neutron XT 480GB 2.5" SSD

WIRELESS: Broadcom BCM94352Z M.2 Wifi/BT

PSU: Corsair AX860i

OS: Windows 10 64-Bit Education Edition

PCPARTPICKER LINK

 

Question I have:

On the Gigabyte page for the Z170N Gaming 5 MOBO, it lists the Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB DDR4 2666 MHz on the "Memory Support List" but not the 2400 MHz version that I have. Is it possible that this discrepancy could be causing the system freezes? I feel like because I'm not overclocking, it shouldn't matter but I'm not positive.. I have also tried using the XMP profile and it seemed like that lead to a higher frequency of system freezes (not sure though).

 

Things I have tried:

• I have monitored the heat of the CPU and GPU during anything taxing and the temperature never gets above 60 C (both CPU and GPU are liquid cooled ).
• Updated the BIOS to F4 (latest version) so the issues is not due to the Skylake CPU microcode bug that I've read about. The BIOS settings for the RAM are set to auto (so it's registering at 2133 MHz and isn't overclocked).
• I've run Furmark GPU Stressor for 10 min to make sure the GPU is stable when it gets taxed a lot, everything went fine.
• All the drivers for everything are updated to the latest version.
• Windows Memory Diagnostic tool came back with 0 errors.
• Looked at Windows Event Viewer, saw that it logged a critical error with Event ID: 41 Source: Kernal-Power. (nothing useful, I'm pretty sure this just means I had to hard restart)

 

Things I have yet to try:

• Take everything out but RAM stick #1 in slot 1 and the CPU. Test/reproduce system freeze (if possible).
  • Repeat with RAM stick #1 in slot 2
• Repeat with RAM stick #2 in slot 1

Repeat with RAM stick #2 in slot #2 Memtest86+ with 3x passes (I have heard this is a better memory test than the built-in windows memory diagnostic tool but I'm not sure)

 

I read on a random forum that a few people had issues with Corsair RAM and this particular MOBO so thats why I wanted to test out the RAM sticks extensively first. Aside from that random forum though, I have no clue what else to diagnose or how to go about doing it.

 

I appreciate any and all help, tips, advice on what to do! Thanks!

[Enderman]

is this a clean install or an upgrade?

i have seen this issue happen due to GPU drivers, maybe try an older version

[vanished]

This section is for reporting bugs with the forum.  I'm moving this to the troubleshooting section.

[rafamundez]

2 hours ago, Enderman said:

is this a clean install or an upgrade?

i have seen this issue happen due to GPU drivers, maybe try an older version

Yes, clean installation of Windows 10 64 Bit Education edition.  Do you think I should try installing Windows 7 on here? Or do you mean older GPU drivers?

 

2 hours ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

This section is for reporting bugs with the forum.  I'm moving this to the troubleshooting section.

Thanks! Sorry about that!