Question:

What could be causing my PC to stutter, freeze, and crash during gaming and normal use?

I have a PC that has been performing poorly lately. It stutters, freezes, and crashes frequently, even when I am just browsing the web. Sometimes, the screen turns black after a freeze. I suspect that it might be a GPU problem, so I ran a stress test using FurMark. The test failed when the GPU was at normal clock speed, but succeeded when I underclocked it. Also, I noticed some blue dots on the screen while gaming. Moreover, I heard a weird popping/clicking noise from inside the PC, but I could not locate its source. I am not sure what the root cause of these issues is. Could you please help me diagnose and fix the problem? I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you.

Answer:

There are several possible causes for your PC’s poor performance, but based on the symptoms you described, it seems that your GPU is the most likely culprit. Here are some reasons why your GPU might be causing these issues, and how you can fix them.

• Overheating: One of the most common causes of GPU problems is overheating. When your GPU gets too hot, it can throttle its performance, cause artifacts on the screen, or even shut down completely. This can happen if your GPU is overclocked, has insufficient cooling, or has accumulated dust over time. To check if your GPU is overheating, you can use a software like HWMonitor or MSI Afterburner to monitor its temperature and fan speed. Ideally, your GPU should stay below 80°C under load, and your fan should spin at a reasonable speed. If your GPU is overheating, you can try the following solutions:
• Lower your GPU clock speed: If you have overclocked your GPU, you might want to lower its clock speed to a more stable level. This can reduce the heat output and power consumption of your GPU, and prevent it from crashing. You can use a software like MSI Afterburner or EVGA Precision X1 to adjust your GPU clock speed and voltage. Make sure to test your GPU stability after each change, using a software like FurMark or Unigine Heaven.
• Improve your cooling system: If your GPU is not overclocked, but still overheats, you might need to improve your cooling system. This can involve adding more fans to your case, replacing your stock cooler with a better one, or applying new thermal paste to your GPU. These steps can improve the airflow and heat dissipation of your GPU, and lower its temperature. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully when installing or replacing any hardware components, and consult a professional if you are not confident.
• Clean your PC: If your GPU is still overheating, you might need to clean your PC. Over time, dust can accumulate on your GPU and other components, blocking the airflow and increasing the heat. You can use a can of compressed air or a soft brush to gently remove the dust from your GPU, fans, and case. Make sure to turn off and unplug your PC before cleaning it, and avoid touching any sensitive parts.
• Driver issues: Another possible cause of GPU problems is driver issues. Drivers are software that allow your GPU to communicate with your operating system and applications. If your drivers are outdated, corrupted, or incompatible, they can cause your GPU to malfunction, stutter, or crash. To check if your drivers are causing issues, you can use a software like Device Manager or GPU-Z to see your GPU model and driver version. Ideally, you should have the latest drivers for your GPU, which you can download from the manufacturer’s website. If your drivers are causing issues, you can try the following solutions:
• Update your drivers: If your drivers are outdated, you might want to update them to the latest version. This can improve the performance and compatibility of your GPU, and fix any bugs or errors. You can use a software like GeForce Experience or Radeon Software to automatically update your drivers, or you can manually download and install them from the manufacturer’s website. Make sure to choose the correct drivers for your GPU model and operating system, and follow the instructions carefully.
• Reinstall your drivers: If your drivers are corrupted or incompatible, you might want to reinstall them. This can remove any faulty or conflicting files, and restore your GPU to its default settings. You can use a software like Display Driver Uninstaller or AMD Cleanup Utility to completely uninstall your drivers, and then reinstall them from the manufacturer’s website. Make sure to restart your PC after each step, and choose the correct drivers for your GPU model and operating system.
• Roll back your drivers: If your drivers are causing issues after an update, you might want to roll back to a previous version. This can restore your GPU to a more stable and compatible state, and avoid any new bugs or errors. You can use a software like Device Manager or System Restore to roll back your drivers, or you can manually download and install an older version from the manufacturer’s website. Make sure to choose a version that worked well for your GPU before the update, and follow the instructions carefully.
• Hardware failure: The last possible cause of GPU problems is hardware failure. This means that your GPU or another component of your PC is damaged or defective, and cannot function properly. This can happen due to physical trauma, power surge, manufacturing defect, or wear and tear. Hardware failure can cause your GPU to display artifacts, make noises, or fail to boot. To check if your hardware is failing, you can use a software like GPU-Z or HWiNFO to see your GPU status and health. Ideally, your GPU should have normal values for its power, voltage, memory, and fan. If your hardware is failing, you can try the following solutions:
• Replace your GPU: If your GPU is damaged or defective, you might want to replace it with a new one. This can solve your GPU problems, and improve your PC performance. You can buy a new GPU from a reputable seller, and make sure it is compatible with your PC specifications and power supply. You can use a software like PCPartPicker or PSU Calculator to check the compatibility and power requirements of your new GPU. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully when installing or replacing your GPU, and consult a professional if you are not confident.
• Replace another component: If your GPU is not damaged or defective, but another component of your PC is, you might want to replace it. This can include your motherboard, CPU, RAM, power supply, or hard drive. Any of these components can affect your GPU performance, and cause it to stutter, freeze, or crash. You can use a software like CPU-Z or CrystalDiskInfo to see your PC components and their status. You can buy a new component from a reputable seller, and make sure it is compatible with your PC specifications and GPU. You can use a software like PCPartPicker or PSU Calculator to check the compatibility and power requirements of your new component. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully when installing or replacing any component, and consult a professional if you are not confident.

These

are some of the possible causes and solutions for your PC’s poor performance. I hope this article helps you diagnose and fix the problem. If you have any questions or feedback, please let me know. Thank you for reading.