My specs:

Monitor: BENQ GL2460HM 24''
Case: Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-03
CPU: AMD FX-8350 AM3+ @ 4.0Ghz
GPU: ASUS Radeon R9 290 DirectCUII 4GB
PSU: Aerocool KCas 700W 80+ Bronce
MB: Gigabyte GA-970-Gaming
RAM: Hyperx Fury DDR3 16GB 1866 Mhz (2 x 8GB)
HDD: Seagate HD ST3000DM001 BARRACUDA 3TB SATA III
Cooler: Corsair H55

I have a fresh install of Skyrim and I even did a re-install. But when ever I use an ENB my computer crashes when under load. I can recreate the problem. The crashes are random, but (almost) always occur when I open the map. Again, chances are higher when under load. The scenario I use to successfully recreate the crash are as followed: Pick a fight with everyone at the Windhelm docks. At random points I open the map. I usually only need a couple of tries to trigger the crash. I use the term crash and not CTD because the whole computer shuts down and instantly reboots.


Why do I think it is not my rig? Stress tested my (brand new) rig on CPU and GPU level (3DMark 11, Furmark, Heaven benchmark, etc), both at the same time, both at 100% for about an hour. Other games I run at ultra all my games (BF4, Witcher 2, Mad MAX, Metro Redux, etc). Ttemperatures stay at 50 degrees celcius and PSU readings don't do anything out of the ordinary.


How do I know it is the ENB? Tested my scenario like this:

Opened the game normally (no ENB, original inis and no mods).

Opened the game normally with SKSE.

Opened the game normally with SKSE (no ENB, EWIs ultra inis, SKSE ini and no mods).

Opened the game modded with a lot of mods and and textures and some extra's all on 2k+ resolution and NO ENB).


This all worked without the crash. As soon as I added the ENB to any of the above scenario's the computer crashed. I followed the instructions to the letter twice and even went trough the stability options. I don't think I missed anything, but I could be wrong.


It happens with other ENBs and even performance options.

Please help.

Slim chance, but it might help if you can get the crash code. It will start with 0x then a series of numbers, mostly 0's. If you're not getting a paused blue screen when you crash, you need to make a change to your Startup and Recovery settings. If you're running Win 7, go to Control Panel/System/System Protection/Advanced tab/Startup and Recovery and remove the check from the Automatically Restart box. Don't know how to do this in Windows 10.

When you get the code, Google it and see if it gives you any hints.

I think it might be my GPU. Just used 3DMark 11 from Steam again, my computer crashed after some graphical issues and restarted...

That's a pretty good sign..... How old is the vid card? Still under warranty?

It could also be your PSU. I tried search some info about its quality and most of it say it's below average. I'd recommend getting a high quality PSU. You don't need that many watts either, s smaller unit is still way more than you ever need.

My GPU is pretty new, I started using this brand new pc almost 1 month ago.

My PSU is a KCAS 700W BRONZE full range 80+. I called the store and they say it was good for my specs? Do you think I should try with another? I would have to buy it, but right now they are looking about what can be done with the GPU, not the PSU.

If you bought a brand new PC a month ago, there should still be some warranty on it. If it is a 'brand name' PC, call the manufacturer, and they will take care of you. If it is a custom built machine, contact where you got it from. The GPU is likely the problem, but, they may want you to jump thru some hoops doing a bit o' troubleshooting, but, should fix it for NO cost to you.

Thanks, is a custom PC, I bought all the pieces from the store I called and assambled myself with the help of my brother. They said they had a similar problem with an R9 290 from Gigabyte. They said they are going to contact the manufacturer and call me to tell me what's gonna happen. I really wanted to avoid all the "send us, wait for us to send back" procedure, but if I get a brand new working GPU (the same or better) I guess is going to be worth the while.

Of course they say it's good for your specs. That doesn't necessarily make it true. The PSU is by far the most overlooked component in the computer and often people end up choosing the cheapest junk. In reality it is one of the most important components and should be chosen with care.

That particular PSU is likely from the lower end of the scale. I wouldn't surprised at all if it turns out to be the actual cause of your issues. Symptoms match perfectly. GPU gets extra load and PSU can't give enough juice, resulting a restart. Remember, just because the label says "700W", doesn't mean it can give that. The overall quality of the unit dictates whether it actually gives that much or less. Cheap units are often severely mislabeled and give much much less. Quality units give what they are advertised or even more.

Tested again using 3DMARK 11, I got a restart of the system but before a blue screen saying something about System Service Exception win32.sys (uisng Windows 10), if that can help with more information.

I also think it might be the PSU and 80+ is not a real standard.

You usually get what you pay for in a PSU, especially if you are going to be adding quite a bit of devices that will need to draw power especially Video Card(s).

I also agree that the PSU is one of the most important choices to make as well as looking into backup battery and it might also be a good idea to test your power in your house since you might have what is considered dirty power and that can kill PSU and PC's quite quickly. I know when I lived in Florida about 20 years ago we had dirty power and we had issues with a couple of PC's within a couple of months. The issue was resolved when we used a line conditioner. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_conditioner. A surge protecter may not be enough protection if you have dirty power http://www.tesengineering.com/electrical-engineering-what-is-dirty-power/

So the PSU could make the GPU misbehave in a way that colored lines appears all over the screen? That is what is happening as I run tests, the image sometimes distortions and my monitor stops detecting the videocard, and then the crash and restart comes.

Possibly.

1 if the PSU is not supplying the correct power to the PC to supply all the needs of all the components.

2. If the power that is coming through is not consistent the PC might might not get all the power it needs and sometimes this inconsistency can cause damage to electronic components. Surge Protectors is one way of protecting from this damage but for the most part they are quite limited and most of the cheap ones are usually only good for one power surge.

The best thing to do now is to have someone test your card, your PSU, Your MB and other system components since it does look like you have a Hardware Issue. What happens when you load into BIOS?

It loads normally. In fact, all the computer behaves normally. I check the temperatures with OpenHardwareMonitor and they are normal. The issue ONLY happens when playing games. Yesterday night started my problem after a very enjoyable month of gaming in this PC, and only happened in Skyrim using ENB. Now, it happens when using 3DMark 11, also happened playing Metro Redux. But I can browse the internet, use musicbee, watch vids, do everything else but play games. I called the store where I bought the parts of my pc, they said they are putting a ticket up with the manufacturer (asus) to see what will happen with my GPU.

Thats because those things don't stress the machine like playing games do. From the graphics corruption its either the gfx card or the psu.