So I have had this problem for a long time. I have posted here before and I got the answer was my cpu cooler, I ran the stock one then. And recently I`ve gotten a Sapphire VaporX universal cpu cooler. My temps got better but still didn`t fix the problem.
While playing GTA IV I have been experiencing these random crashes, not just the game but the whole computer, its instantly shutsoff and stays black screen and the fans keep running. So I have to press the reset button. SOO annyoing, I watched the temps this last time and its low all the time, both CPU and GPU
>Does this happen when stress testing - occt, furmark, 3dmark and other utilities? If its just in gta4 then its a software issue.
>Notice you have an ocz ssd, if you're able to test with another hdd and or just run an os and a few apps off a usb stick it'll rule out the notoriously bad ocz drives.
80c is very high given you have an aftermarket cooler installed - id be checking to see if that its installed correctly champ. Should be more like 50-60 at most. I sense that is your problem. GTA is quite the cpu hog so it in itself is a cpu stress test. After a certain length of time with both the cpu heat and that of the gpu below it your cpu is overheating and as a safety measure your system shuts down to prevent damage.
I have a shitty dual core 5400k that I peltier cool with for fun - it shuts down at about the 75c mark (bare chip).
In short - take off your heatsink, re-apply the TIM (remember only a small pea size amount) and double check with the coolers manual how to correctly tighten it down.
Im aware it quite high temps. Should order a good quality thermal paste probably. But last night, I installed ENB and IcEnhacner for gta and some models. no crash at all. Maxed graphics and stable? So its really wierd