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PC Freezes, then reboots but no BSoD
I recently purchased a new PC that was configured and assembled from a website. I received the new PC two days and have been troubleshooting an issue that seems to be related to the video card. When playing Guild Wars 2, after a few minutes, the computer will completely freeze and then reboot itself. This event generates no errors in the Event Viewer, no BSoD, no dump file and the game itself does not create a crash log.
This only happens when I'm using the Nvidia GeForce GTX 660ti graphics card that I bought separately. I spoke with Nvidia support earlier today and they assured compatibility with the motherboard which is a Gigabyte B75M-D3H. I've also updated the video card drivers to the newest revision (which just came out today). I have the exact same video card in another PC and when I swap the card, the issue persists.
When I tried to update the BIOS on the Motherboard, it caused Windows to crash on the new Hard Drive so I put the old drive in the machine. I've updated the chipset drivers from the Gigabyte website but the problem persists. I've tried running Guild Wars 2 off of both the new and the old hard drives and both freeze in the same fashion.
None of the research I've done on inadequate power supplies, bad RAM, or motherboard issues have shown this same issue. I've attached a copy of the configuration that shows all of the parts of the machine. The only exception is the video card; as I said above I put in an Nvidia GeForce GTX 660ti. I took the power usage for the card into consideration when I configured the machine, so I don't think that's the issue plus the machine isn't showing any of the signs of the power supply being insufficient. Thanks for your time and your help.
Configuration.txt
This only happens when I'm using the Nvidia GeForce GTX 660ti graphics card that I bought separately. I spoke with Nvidia support earlier today and they assured compatibility with the motherboard which is a Gigabyte B75M-D3H. I've also updated the video card drivers to the newest revision (which just came out today). I have the exact same video card in another PC and when I swap the card, the issue persists.
When I tried to update the BIOS on the Motherboard, it caused Windows to crash on the new Hard Drive so I put the old drive in the machine. I've updated the chipset drivers from the Gigabyte website but the problem persists. I've tried running Guild Wars 2 off of both the new and the old hard drives and both freeze in the same fashion.
None of the research I've done on inadequate power supplies, bad RAM, or motherboard issues have shown this same issue. I've attached a copy of the configuration that shows all of the parts of the machine. The only exception is the video card; as I said above I put in an Nvidia GeForce GTX 660ti. I took the power usage for the card into consideration when I configured the machine, so I don't think that's the issue plus the machine isn't showing any of the signs of the power supply being insufficient. Thanks for your time and your help.
Configuration.txt
From looking at your specs, it does look like your power supply is not sufficient to power your system + the GeForce 660ti. nVidia says the Minimum power supply requirement is a 450W.
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-660ti/specifications
Add that in with a power hungry CPU (77W), and whatever else you have hooked up, and it does not equal good. Usually when I build a system with a video card, I allow myself at least 200W extra after what is recommended for the video card.
Here's a recommendation for a power supply that should work with your system.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153136
If this issue is only happening when the video card is being intensively used (i.e. gaming), then it is a logical conclusion that it is drawing a lot of power from the power supply and underpowering the rest of the system. Try using the onboard video (I know, not as great as gaming with a REAL card, :) ) and see if the issue still occurs. If it does not, then we know it is something related to the video card.
http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-660ti/specifications
Add that in with a power hungry CPU (77W), and whatever else you have hooked up, and it does not equal good. Usually when I build a system with a video card, I allow myself at least 200W extra after what is recommended for the video card.
Here's a recommendation for a power supply that should work with your system.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153136
If this issue is only happening when the video card is being intensively used (i.e. gaming), then it is a logical conclusion that it is drawing a lot of power from the power supply and underpowering the rest of the system. Try using the onboard video (I know, not as great as gaming with a REAL card, :) ) and see if the issue still occurs. If it does not, then we know it is something related to the video card.
ASKER
I've attached a (terrible) picture of the screen using the HWMonitor program that Monk suggested. I bought an 850W power supply today and installed that. After that, running GW2 from the old drive still crashed but it took a little longer.
After the PC rebooted itself, I ran GW2 from the new HD and it lasted a lot longer. The attached picture is what the stats of the machine were when it crashed after running GW2 off the new drive.
2012-09-14-18-45-11-529.jpg
After the PC rebooted itself, I ran GW2 from the new HD and it lasted a lot longer. The attached picture is what the stats of the machine were when it crashed after running GW2 off the new drive.
2012-09-14-18-45-11-529.jpg
ASKER
I wanted to also add that I have used the on-board video and the issue doesn't happen. I have two of the exact same card and when I swap the video card between machines, the issue persists on the same machine.
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ASKER
Thanks guys. I'm going to contact the company I bought the PC from today. It's a liquid cooling system and they're the ones who installed it. I picked out the parts online, but they assembled and tested everything. I've only had the PC for 5 days. I'll post back after I talk to them.
ASKER
I apologize for the delayed response. Subsequent tests showed the machine shutting off with the temperatures remaining in the 50-60 degrees Celsius range, so overheating was not the issue. After spending three more days working with their tech support and still not finding a solution I gave up and am sending the PC back for a refund. I went to Best Buy and bought an HP and it has been working flawlessly.
I would like to divide the points equally between the two of you. Do I need to select the "Accept Multiple Solutions" or is there another way to just close out the question and award the points?
I would like to divide the points equally between the two of you. Do I need to select the "Accept Multiple Solutions" or is there another way to just close out the question and award the points?
I believe you accept Multiple Solutions.
download this tool and let us know how hot the card is running.
This sounds like a over heating and or overclock issue.