Computer freezes

[escruting]

Hi folks, i'm facing this problem since a month or so and its driving me nuts.

5 months ago i changed my PSU from the Corsair VX550 to the Corsair CX600M because it was an old psu (5 years old) and the fan was making a lot of noise. So, the CX600M seemed like a good replacement for the money.

The very first time i turned on the computer after installing the new PSU it already freezed the same way its freezing right now. But at the time it didnt seem a problem because in NEVER happened again until a month ago or so (5 months worth of using the computer every day, gaming, etc).

My specs:

CPU: AMD Phenom X3 720 2,8Ghz
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4
RAM: 2x2GB DDR2 Mushkin 800mhz
GPU: AMD HD Radeon 6850 1GB
HDD : SSD Samsung EVO 840 250GB, HDD Seagate 1TB, HDD Seagate 500GB, HDD Maxtor 250
OLD PSU (using it right now without any problems): Corsair VX550 http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q227/lafaller/Lafaller1/CorsairVX550.jpg
NEW PSU: Corsair CX600M: //elchapuzasinformatico.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Corsair-CX600M-13.jpg

When does it happen
It happens after after a few minutes of normal use like browsing or watching a tv show. But it happens after just a few seconds when testing-benchmarking any hdd with the software CrystalDiskMark, specially when the write test begins. Trying to copy a file from one hdd to another also triggers the freeze, to the same hdd or another one

What's been tried
- Returning to the old psu --> Solved
- Changing gpu to a very old less needy power-wise one like the nvidia 6600 --> Not solved
- Booting on a secondary hdd Linux elementaryOS and copying files to the hdds --> Not solved
- Booting a linux live cd and copying files to the hdds --> Not solved
- Changing from AHCI mode to IDE mode --> Not solved
- Updating the firmwares of the SSD and HDDs --> Not solved
- Updating bios version, already newest version --> Not solved
- Unplugging everything except the cpu,mobo and vga power cables and one hdd --> Not solved
- Replacing the the CX600M with a new one of the same model --> Not solved

What i think may be happening
The Corsair CX600M has less power efficiency than the VX550 and is struggling to deliver enough power. Except its strange because you can watch video files and other things that dont require writing to the HDD and it can last more than 20 minutes even watching 1080p videos....

What i may end up doing
Buy another PSU that is atleast 650W or more...

Anyone can help me? It would be much appreciated

Thanks in advance.

 

[Ketchup]

I haven't seen you list what your CPU/GPU temperatures are like. If you aren't using anything to monitor, I would recommend CPUID HWMonitor.

A Corsair 600 should be plenty of power for that build.

Also, what other devices are in/attached to the computer (card readers, external hard drives, etc) when it is freezing?

 

[escruting]

I haven't seen you list what your CPU/GPU temperatures are like. If you aren't using anything to monitor, I would recommend CPUID HWMonitor.

A Corsair 600 should be plenty of power for that build.

Also, what other devices are in/attached to the computer (card readers, external hard drives, etc) when it is freezing.

My CPU temp is 33 degrees celsius when idle, it does not increase very much when it freezes. Same with the GPU at 40 celsius.

Usually i have 1 dvd writer, 3 HDDs, one SSD and one soundcard. I have all the fans on the case disabled because i like a little bit more heat on winter. But when troubleshooting this problem i disconnected everything except the ssd, vga, cpu and mobo (like i noted on my first post).

I guess i'll have to buy a 650W or 700W psu...

 

[Ketchup]

Well, for heat in the winter, you would want your fans on, as the heat won't do you much good staying inside the computer.

So everything works fine with the old one, but not the new one (twice)? That is peculiar.

 

[escruting]

Well, for heat in the winter, you would want your fans on, as the heat won't do you much good staying inside the computer.

So everything works fine with the old one, but not the new one (twice)? That is peculiar.

Yes, and the fact that it froze the first time but it ran just fine for 5 months is also peculiar.

 

[mikeymikec]

OP, are you able to measure the PC's power draw from the mains?

I would have thought that if browsing / video watching / sustained HDD writing is enough to get it to fall over, Prime95 or a game should easily do it, if it definitely is PSU related.

 

[escruting]

OP, are you able to measure the PC's power draw from the mains?

I would have thought that if browsing / video watching / sustained HDD writing is enough to get it to fall over, Prime95 or a game should easily do it, if it definitely is PSU related.

I don't have the equipment to measure the power draw.

 

[phasseshifter]

i don't /am not shore that this is the problem..but take your cpu cooler off and apply new compound and clean the dust out of the hs-fan assembly..see if that makes any difference

also go through your bios and check the settings back to the way they were originally when it was running

run anti virus program to see if any anomaly`s appear.

 

[phasseshifter]

think it`s a heat issue Mr K put it this way the op has just installed a new supply..how bad was the old supply..the new supp has more than enough power for the system,may be now the processor is getting the required current and it`s running at a higher thermal temp..but the hsf cannot deliver adequate cooling because of a few mentioned reasons all ready...
on anther note is/have you over clocked the phenom..it`s an old build..this may be a problem especially when it comes to heat issues

 

[ArisVer]

You should also run a memory test to eliminate any possibility of RAM issues.

 

[Ketchup]

escruting has stated that the computer runs perfectly fine with the old power supply (just excess noise from the unit). Exactly why are posters saying things are overheating, bad memory? I'll give you a hint: power supply fans blow hot air out of the computer and power supply, not into it.

 

[phasseshifter]

Supported memory: DDR2-1066, DDR3-1333

had the ram been forced to run at 1066 being Mushkin i think it would do it for how long is the question...
ok from what can make out of the manual there is a memory adjust clocking..
at a calculated guess the bios should be looked at with the fact that the op has 800 ram..weather this value has changed due to the op`s changing bios setting`s remains to be seen

 

[Ketchup]

Supported memory: DDR2-1066, DDR3-1333

had the ram been forced to run at 1066 being Mushkin i thnk it would do it for how long is the question...

The OP said he is running DDR2-800. Let me quote the product page:
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3002#sp

Support for DDR2 1200(Note 2)/1066/800 MHz memory modules

The board does not support DDR3.

BTW, I am done here unless the OP is in need of further assistance. escruting, let us know how the new power supply works out.

 

[phasseshifter]

if incorrect information is given by the op then an incorrect diag will occur meanwhile we are left to have assumptions given what info we have...

 

[phasseshifter]

as for the power supply may well be its faulty.. we have been in and over the most issues here..k fr me i`ll st back and chill ..which rev is the mobo
run intel burn in test over it see what that finds..may be it`s the processor...??

Mr k i need sleep..lol

memory variables: http://www.manualslib.com/manual/486828/Gigabyte-Ga-Ma790x-Ud4p.html?page=40#manual
cpu specs:http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/K10/AMD-Phenom%20II%20X3%20720%20Black%20Edition%20-%20HDZ720WFK3DGI%20%28HDZ720WFGIBOX%29.html