• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Computer freezes periodically - How to isolate the problem

T

turn_pike

Senior member
My box consists of Phenom II 955 BE, Asus M4A88TD-M/USB3 Mobo and Sapphire Radeon 7870 Dual-X running Windows 8.1.
I live in a tropical climate without AC so the ambient temperature will often be around 30-35 celcius.

Basically right now playing heavy 3D games will result in the computer freezing. It will happen but the when is random, could be 15 minutes or could be 4 hours. I notice that playing somewhat less taxing games like Europa Universalis 4 could sometimes result in a freeze but not for many hours (or days).

I have a crappy case which doesnt have the best airflow. "Idle" cpu temp is 49 c, idle gpu temp is 50 c .
Afterburner MSI usually shows GPU temperature at around 90+ c when the box freezes.

Thing is, I am not even 100% sure that overheating is the real cause because even if they're hot, they should be within operating limit. What are some good ways / program to test the individual component (cpu only, RAM only, GPU only, etc) ?
 
Last edited:
the temps are high.did you make sure all fans are dust free.cpu gpu.and psu.and the hdd and psu brand.what are they??
 
Below is a good guide to diagnose problems. However, if you want to try a couple of things without pulling everything out. Blowing out dust is a good start as mentioned. You really should check the CPU heatsink and make sure it is secure. You could check ram using memtest 86+. You could run hard drive diagnostics, all the brands have downloadable software to do this.

1) Remove EVERYTHING from the case
2) Set the motherboard on a non conductive surface. The motherboard box is perfect for this. DO NOT PLACE THE MOTHERBOARD ON THE STATIC BAG! It can actually conduct electricity! We are going to try and assemble a running system outside of the case.
3) Install the CPU and heat sink
4) Install 1 stick of RAM.
5) Install the video card and attach the power supply connection(s) to the card if your card needs it.
6) Connect the monitor to the video card.
7) Connect the power supply to the motherboard with both the 24pin main ATX Power connection and the separate 4 or 8 pin power connection.
8) Connect power to the power supply.
9) Do NOT connect ANYTHING else. Make sure you have the power connector on the CPU fan connected.
10) Use a small screwdriver to momentarily short the power switch connector on the motherboard. Consult your motherboard manual to find which two pins connect to your case's power switch. Then touch both pins with a screwdriver to complete the circuit and boot the system.

If all is well, it should power up and you should get a display. Then assemble the parts into the case and try again. If the system now fails to boot, you have a short in the case and need to recheck your motherboard standoffs.

If the system does not boot after this process, then you most likely have a faulty component. You'll need to swap parts, start with the power supply, until you determine what is defective.
 
Last edited:
AMD CPUs do not like to run hot. If that chip is idling up around 50, who knows that the load temp is like. And AMD chips do not throttle like Intel chips do, so when they get up around 70 they jump ship (crash).

And depending on what you are playing, they CPU can still run a pretty heavy load, even if it doesn't seem like a demanding game. This makes me think you video card is coping, the CPU is not. Keep in mind this is just and educated guess.

If you want (need) to stick with what you have, I might suggest you look into the possibility of getting a water cooling system for your CPU. I just don't think any type of air cooling in the environment you a re describing it going to cut it. You can circulate hot air pretty quickly with modern HSF units, but it's still hot air.
 
I did read somewhere (AMD's website maybe) that Phenom IIs should not run any hotter than 63. For the moment I will try to run Prime95 for a few hours and if it goes well do memtest86 overnight.
 
Ran Prime95 for 5 hours.
No error, no freeze. CPU Temp was at scorching 70 - 73c for most of the time though.
Gonna run memtest86 as soon as I can find my USB drive
 
Started memtest86 then went to bed. However the computer froze after only an hour of test.
Gonna repeat it a couple of times just to be sure.

God darn it, DDR3 are very expensive due to artificial supply constraint.
Hope it isnt actually the memory.
 
I wonder how many of you play with the back of your pc backed up against the wall as close as possible? If so turn the pc sideways so it does nto have to work so hard to push the hot air out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top