Hey everyone, I'm new to the PC world and have been using my setup since 2020, but it's become really problematic lately. The screen often freezes or goes black, making it really tough to use. This PC is my main source of entertainment, so I'm trying to figure this out quickly before it fails completely. Even my cousin, who is a techie, wasn't able to identify the issue and suggested I might need a whole new PC because of some game mods I installed. I suspect it could be related to a faulty security update for Windows 10. Right now, I have my important passwords saved on a notepad, which is on a USB drive. If you have any suggestions on what else I should back up, please let me know! Here are my specs: Windows 10 Home, Version 22H2, build 19045.6216, AMD Ryzen 3 3100, 8GB RAM, 477GB SSD, NVIDIA GTX 1660 SUPER.
5 Answers
It definitely sounds like a RAM issue—running the Windows Memory Diagnostic could be helpful. Also, just a heads up, 8GB of RAM is pretty low for most uses these days. Make sure to back up everything ASAP, just in case!
I had a similar issue, and it turned out to be my SSD acting up. I performed some disk cleanup, and that seemed to resolve the issue for now. If it's working for you now, make sure to keep an eye on it, and good luck with your gaming!
Try checking your task manager the next time your PC is still running. Go to the performance tab and keep an eye on CPU or RAM spikes when the freezes happen. This might point you to the root of the problem, especially if it's RAM related.
Your cousin seems a bit off base with the whole 'new PC' idea. Random crashes can stem from several issues. A weak power supply might be the culprit, but don’t rule out a dying SSD or RAM either. Start by running MemTest86 to check your RAM—that's a free tool and can help you rule that out. Also, definitely back up important files elsewhere; USB drives can fail unexpectedly!
Have you cleaned the inside of your PC recently? Dust buildup can lead to overheating, which might cause crashes. Make sure you check your temperatures as well; that could be a factor here!
Yup, I totally agree with that advice!