Can you post your app log? Open Preferences in itch app, expand 'Advanced' section, click 'Open app log'
I've never seen the app do that (and I have a very similar setup: Win10, 16GB ram, nVidia card), sorry you're having trouble with it :(
Also, can you expand on "lock up" ? What happens exactly?
Ideally you'd:
Run the app, wait for it to "lock up" again- Note down the time it happened (hour/minute/second)
- Copy/paste the app log and post it here
Maybe we can find out if the app is doing something particular when your pc is locking up.
Also of interest: are you running any antivirus software?