System Hard Locks for Gaming

Hi, I have been struggling with a problem with my pc for months now. The system is about 3months old and hard locks everytime I play games(eg COD4, BF:BC2). I have tried changing out the RAM modules to a different brand(G.Skill->Corsair) and this has made no difference. The system hard locks even at stock bios settings so I'm ruling out overclocking causing any crashes as I can run prime95 blend for 16hrs np and LinX 20 pass np.

My temps are well within acceptable range. GFX: 36idle 70max load under furmark, CPU: 38idle 73max load in lynx under oc and no OC is around 50 something. I have read that running games in admin mode fixes this but not here. Also I have the latest chipset/bios/gfx/sound drivers. Also read disabling windows media sharing fixes this but no. When gaming the system completely locks within 2-30mins, the game will be running fine then all of a sudden it freezes completely and the sound loops on the last sound made. Sometimes I reboot and can game for about 1hr before it locks again. I don't get any grey screen or artifacts appearing. I've tried increasing various voltages but this has made no difference. I've tried flashing my GFX to a different bios(asus) and this has done nothing.

I can render 720p video in sony vegas with CPU usage hitting 100% solid and ram 90% used and have no crashes.

I am truely baffled as to what the issue is. The system has been doing this for as long as I can remember. It could be something in the software maybe a setting in windows 7. I'm not sure. You can see my PC specs they are all reliable good brands/hardware.

Please provide this info even though you're not experiencing BSOD's - the reports will help us out: https://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-d...tructions.html

I have seen this exact issue happen due to slightly unstable or BAD RAM module.

In which case, everything seemed totally stable, passed Prime but games would bring out the issue.


Try running Memtest, just to be sure.

I would reset bios to "Optimized Defaults as well, and double check your RAM voltage,speed, and timings so that they are at stock speeds.

Honestly, if I were at this point what I would do is set the RAM voltage and timings to the high end of what they recommend.
If thats 1.6, then leave it at 1.6

If your OC has the RAm running over its rated 1600Mhz, youll need to loosen timings.

Better YET, what I would do is start turning down the OC. Keep the RAM at or just below its rated speed, with its rated timings/Voltage.

just start turning to OC down a little at atime, and see if the issue disappears.

At the point it does, If it does, lower the OC one more increment to give a bit of breathing room.


Cranking the Voltage up on the RAM is a bad idea IMHO, as RAM is the easiest thing to fry.
I honestly doubt you'll tell much of a difference betwee that i7 running at 4.0 Ghz VS 3.8 or so either.


Aslo, GeneII while a good board, is a micro, so it will generate more heat. Make sure you got some good airflow across it, especially the NB area.