Computer freezes every five minutes or so

[Doomskull]

My computer freezes every five minutes or so while playing games or running firefox. It's been doing this for the last 6 months and most of the time it freezes for a few minutes then runs fine for a while. Then it freezes again. Eventually I have to hard reboot. Any ideas?

 

[Deception]

Im on my phone so i cant look at your attachment but it sounds like graphic card issues to me.. Have you changed any hardware around the time that this issue started? Or have you updated the drivers recently? I would highly suggest doing a clean install of the graphic card drivers. If i was on my computer i would provide a link because i know there is a tutorial on the forums here somewhere to do it 'properly'

 

[Doomskull]

I believe the issue started before I changed the graphics card but I'm not sure. It's been doing it for so long!
I have updated the drivers but I will do a clean install anyway. Thanks for the response!

 

[karlsnooks]

Doomskull,
Let me recommend that you wait for one of our bsod analysis experts who will examine your zip file contents.

From your problem description, you might want to try: Remove cover from computer, blow out all dust, make sure that no cables are restricting airflow, blow air directly on computer using a desktop, table, or floor fan.

 

[Doomskull]

Just did a clean install of the graphics drivers. I'll open the case and blow out any dust and see how that works.
At this point I'll try anything. The freezes get kind of annoying.

 

[karlsnooks]

Be sure and use an external table/desktop fan blowing on the unit.

SPECCY, link in my signature, is an easy way of keeping any eye on your temps. There more sophisticated programs for temps, but I've found speccy to be easy to use and temps is just a by-product.

 

[Doomskull]

After doing a clean install of the graphics drivers my boy played Skyrim for the last 2 hours while I was at the gym. He said it froze only once for a min or so when he started but has been fine since.
I downloaded Speccy and will use it to monitor. Would it help if I left the side of the case off and ran a little desktop fan on it and can I do that indefinitely?

 

[Doomskull]

Running Speccy right now while I'm on the web...CPU- 41C, Motherboard- 53C, GPU- 47C.
What are "good" temps when idle and running a game like Skyrim or The Secret World?

BTW, Speccy is awesome! Complete info on my system, love it!

Under load (Skyrim on max settings) my GPU temp shoots to 75C...is that ok or should I be worried?

 

[karlsnooks]

yes. remove cover and direct a deskfan at the unit.

Monitor the temps. You will probably see at least a 10 degree C drop.

 

[Doomskull]

Well, after the dust blowout and rigging a fan to blast the interior of the computer the idle temps dropped...
CPU- 34C
Motherboard- 36C
GPU- 39C

Hopefully that is my problem but if anyone can look at my info dump file and give me any more tips I'd appreciate it!

And thanks karlsnooks for all your help!