My PC is constantly locking up - no idea which part of it is causing this?

the_director · 29 Nov 2014 at 10:34

MY PC keeps locking up - not BSOD (although this did happen a lot before the freezes) so I don't get any helpful clues as to what is wrong with it.

Can happen within minutes of being switched on, can be hours afterwards, can be for no reason, can be because I try and open a document or new program. Cursor grinds to a halt in about 2 seconds and then PC is completely locked, requiring a switch-off.

My system specs are as follows:

i7 3770K (Stock)
2 x Saphhire Toxic 280X (Stock)
256gb Corsair performance Pro SSD (Boot drive)
Gigabyte UD5 Z77 MB
8GB Samsung Green (stock)
Windows 7 Pro

I do have issues with the graphics cards in normal Windows use - the odd block on screen flickering etc - which seems to be an issue with a lot of 280X cards.

I've checked all Windows updates, all drivers (although Catalyst is not currently even loading within windows - just getting an error message each time) and I'm on the verge of breaking PC down for parts (or heaving the whole thing out of the window).

Does anyone have any ideas?

the_director · 29 Nov 2014 at 15:28

Did a memory test a few days back, it was fine. Will have to try removing CCC and reinstalling it is guess. Could do with a clean install... Maybe Windows 10.

the_director · 30 Nov 2014 at 13:02

Cheers for the suggestions. I removed one GPU. Still locked up. Removed both GPUS and now using graphics through CPU and MB and so far, so good.

Really I think I need to update the BIOS on the GPUS, but I'm so sick of having to mess around with them I think I am going to sell on the 2 Toxic cards and buy a single, decent GPU.

Or I might switch to a different 280X as my brother has a couple I could try.

Who knows, PC might still lock up again anyway!

the_director · 30 Nov 2014 at 17:08

Well, removing both GPUs seems to have solved the problem. Not locking up at the moment. First time for days that I haven't been switching it on and off again every 20 minutes.

I think it is something to do with how the 280X goes into power saving mode when you're just in Windows not using the GPU much.

Memory was tested and OK, and MB has run other cards fine. I will put a different card in to test at some point.

Might get a 290/X or may go NV.