Whenever I try to game with my GPU at stock clocks, my entire PC freezes after only 10-15 seconds in game, in any game. I am locked on the same frame, and all I can hear is this loud buzzing from my speakers. It is probably important to note that I am running on a laptop, more specs below. I have eliminated a few prime suspects…
Memory. Memory tests (RAM) have shown no errors.
Temperature. At the time of crashing, my GPU is only around 60-65 celsius, and CPU is much lower. I also recently replaced the thermal paste between the heatsinks and the die on both my processor and GPU (they each have a separate heatsink and fan).
Virus. Security Essentials and Avast! reports all show clean.
Registry Errors. Using CCleaner, I have cleaned my registry many, many times.
Temporary Files. Also using CCleaner, temp files are non existant.
Now, here are a few more specs.
I am running the most up to date version of Windows 8.
Model: Alienware m15x
GPU: nVidia 460m 1.5GB
CPU: Intel i3 330m 2.13GHz (Dual Core, 2 threads)
Ram: 4.0GB, not sure of the frequencies of each 2.0GB stick, but I highly doubt that would be causing this.
GPU Driver Version: 331.65
I have tried fresh Windows installs, fresh driver installs, fresh game installs, drive defragmentation… nothing has resolved this issue. I have my CPU cores unparked for performance increase. All I run in the background is usually Mumble and Spotify for GW2, but other games, I run nothing in the background and still have the same issue. Underclocking has been the only remedy, but is more treating the symptoms rather than solving the real issue. Lowering my GPU clocks also reduces my framerate by 25-30%.
If anyone could provide any insight into what may be causing this, it would be much appreciated. I can also list any more information I may have missed. Thanks
EDIT: I have also restored BIOS setting to defaults.
