How do I prevent my PC from freezing when gaming?

[PCNoGo]

I just recently built this PC a few days ago, these are the components:
CPU: I7 9700k not overclocked
GPU: 2080 Super Hybrid
MOBO: MSI MPG Z390M Gaming Edge AC (mATX)
RAM: 16GB Corsair DDR4
SSD: 500GB M.2/1 TB SSD (Both Samsung
PSU: Corsair 750W Gold Plus Rated

The issue I am having is that randomly when playing games (or benchmarking) and not when doing regular tasks such as typing or browsing the internet, it freezes. Everything comes to a freeze frame on screen, no sound and everything in the computer keeps running but the color profile for my fans/ram reverts back to default RGB puke. The only way to leave this state is to hard power off and back on again. It doesn’t happen with any specific game (have only tested CS:GO and Squad) and occurs at random intervals of time during the Heaven benchmark. When I was troubleshooting/running diagnostics I would run the benchmark and time it to see when it would stop, the weird thing is that it was able to keep going longer and longer each time I ran it. First 12 min before it would freeze, then 14, 20, and even up to an hour and seven minutes. I am wondering if it is a hardware or software issue, I have already ordered a new Motherboard which will be here next week because others I have found on the internet fixed their issue by replacing it. Any help it appreciated, thanks!

[veeg]

Hello

While you were running diagnostics ,did you check those temps? Also i am assuming you have/had all the required drivers installed?

[phillpower2]

Overheating and power issues would both cause such issues.

Do you have a link to the model of PSU you have so we can check the specs.

First test that I would be doing is physically removing the add on video card from the MB, hooking the display up to the appropriate video port, reassemble and test.

[PCNoGo]

This is the link to the power supply.

https://www.corsair.com/us/en/Categories/Products/Power-Supply-Units/Power-Supply-Units-Advanced/RMx-Series-White/p/CP-9020187-NA

Something I’ve been testing is that when I turn on XMP and Game boost I can play the games without it crashing. Stopped testing over an hour and a half in. When those options are turned off I can only do it for 12-20 min. Not sure what this would point to as the issue being but it has yet to crash when those two options are turned on in the BIOS.

[phillpower2]

Thanks (y)

Looks like you may have found your solution but fwiw the reason why I asked was to check if the PSU had the required additional 8 pin CPU connector.

[PCNoGo]

Thanks (y)

Looks like you may have found your solution but fwiw the reason why I asked was to check if the PSU had the required additional 8 pin CPU connector.

It seems to be the fix for now, hopefully I don’t run into issues going forward. Just curious though, do you have any ideas as to why activating those BIOS settings would prevent the PC from freezing? Would it be voltage related?

[phillpower2]

First off, do you have the additional 8 pin CPU connector attached to the MB.

[PCNoGo]

First off, do you have the additional 8 pin CPU connector attached to the MB.

Yes I do

[phillpower2]

Thanks, the most likely explanation then is the XMP setting, in case not aware, your CPU requires 2666MHz or above RAM and for your RAM to be able to function at this speed it needs to be OCd from 2133 to at least 2666MHz which is where XMP comes in.

[PCNoGo]

Thanks, the most likely explanation then is the XMP setting, in case not aware, your CPU requires 2666MHz or above RAM and for your RAM to be able to function at this speed it needs to be OCd from 2133 to at least 2666MHz which is where XMP comes in.

So its possible the issues I was experiencing was do to under-clocked RAM limiting the CPU, would that cause the entire system to freeze entirely and require a hard re-boot?

[phillpower2]

Yes, think of it like the hare and the tortoise, the hare sprints off and leaves the tortoise hanging, not literally, we don`t want animal protection after us

Can I ask that you do not quote every reply as I have to read the full post to make sure nothing gets missed, thanks.