My pc crashes when I have 2 tabs open and they aren’t even big tabs.

Troubleshooting Frequent PC Crashes During Routine Browsing: Is Your Hardware the Culprit?

Experiencing persistent computer crashes can be frustrating, especially when performing everyday multitasking. Recently, I’ve encountered recurring system crashes every time I have just two browser tabs open—specifically Roblox and Discord—even though these are relatively lightweight applications. This issue has persisted over the past three weeks, hindering my participation in a roleplay server training session.

In this article, we’ll explore potential causes behind such crashes, focusing on whether they might stem from CPU or RAM limitations, and discuss steps to diagnose and resolve the problem.

Understanding the Hardware Context

My system specifications are as follows:
– Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960
– Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5500

These components generally offer solid performance for everyday tasks and light gaming, but hardware limitations or configuration issues can sometimes lead to instability during multitasking.

Potential Causes and Troubleshooting Steps

1. Assess Memory Usage (RAM)
   Despite having a reasonable amount of RAM, it’s important to verify if your system’s memory resources are being fully utilized. Open your Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) during normal operation to monitor RAM and CPU usage. If RAM usage approaches maximum capacity when having just two tabs open, insufficient memory could be causing crashes.

2. Check CPU Performance
   High CPU usage can also cause system instability. Monitor your CPU’s performance during typical browsing sessions to identify any abnormal spikes or sustained high utilization.

3. Update Drivers and System Software
   Outdated graphics drivers, especially for the NVIDIA GTX 960, or system firmware can contribute to stability issues. Ensure all drivers, especially GPU and chipset drivers, are up to date. Additionally, run system updates to patch known stability bugs.

4. Test for Hardware Failures
   Running hardware diagnostics, such as memory tests (Windows Memory Diagnostic or MemTest86), can help identify faulty RAM modules. Similarly, checking the health of your storage device and CPU stability can reveal underlying hardware issues.

5. Evaluate Background Processes and Software Conflicts
   Close unnecessary background applications that might be consuming resources. Sometimes conflicting software or malware can also cause crashes.

6. Consider System Temperatures
   Overheating components, particularly the CPU or GPU, can lead to system shutdowns. Use temperature monitoring tools to ensure your hardware remains within safe operating parameters.

7. Examine Event Logs
   Windows Event Viewer logs can