CPU ussage goes to zero under loads

[jks05]

Hi all,

I just built a brand new computer that is only about 2 weeks old. Most of the parts were purchases from newegg and Frys. Everything was working fine up until last night. I was in the middle of playing WoW, and the computer almost seemed to freeze. However, it didn't seem like a normal freeze or lock up. At first I thought this was a problem with World of Warcraft. It did the same thing a few more times to me afterward.

So, I begin to think that I possibly have a virus, and I haven't installed any Anti-virus software yet (I have mostly stuck to mainstream news sites and tech sites). So I install AVG, and start running a scan. While I am doing this, I happen to have the system performance monitor open. The CPU will be under slight load, and then bounce all the down to 1 and 0 percent CPU usage during the virus scan (this also happened while using firefox). Its almost like the CPU forgets that its in the middle of the task, during the virus scan. It would stop at a single file during the scan and drop to 0 percent usage and then pick back up again. I don't really think its my storage devices as I am using SSD for my operating system.

I tried installing new drivers on certain parts of the computer (one of initial guesses was the wireless card because it was also disconnecting me from skype). I downloaded an updated version of the BIOS too. I also downloaded hwmonitor from www.cpuid.com. All the temperatures seem to be around 47 to 49 degress C on my cores. The air coming out of the case never seemed hot. I also tried going back to previous restore points, which didn't help.

At this point, I thought there could be some hardware problems, and double checked that all of the fans in my case were running (they were, including cpu, gpu, etc). I only found one heat sink on my intel motherboard to be a tad bit hot. I also checked to see if any cables had come undone, there might have been a 4 pin connector could've come undone. I plug it back in and attempt to start the computer back up.

At this point, I don't get any video signal to my monitor at all, and my keyboard fails to light up (using a backlit LED keyboard). Eventually I give up trying to get any signal or my keyboard to light up. However it seems like the computer is on, cpu and gpu fans are running. The lights on the mobo are active, just no output.

Then this morning, I wake up and thing actually boots and gets to the desktop. I didn't have time to put the computer under load, but was able to check to see at least all the temps seemed normal to me.

The weirdest part of the whole thing was watching my CPU usage go to zero under loads. The keyboard not lighting up made me think that this is a problem with my mobo, or possibly cpu. I'd like to nail down the problem before the thing fails to get windows again.

Here are the components used in the build:
Case: Antec Ninehundred Two
CPU: Intel Core i7-920
Mobo: Intel X58 Extreme. LGA 1336
Memory: 8 gigs of Corsair Dominator RAM. 1600 DDR 3. Timing: 8-8-8-24
SSD: OCZ Agility 120 GB
HDD: 1.5TB Seagate
GPU: ASUS Radeon 5870
Optical: Samsung Blu-Ray drive
Wireless: D-Link DWA 552
Monitor: Samsung T260HD
Keyboard: Razer Lycosa

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ch33zw1z]

Sounds likely the mobo could have some issues. I would start by reseating all the components, including the mobo. Grounding issues can be a real PITB. Make sure there's mobo mount posts ONLY where needed, none extra or out of place. After that, put the machine at minimum config and start by running Memtest86+ for 12-24 hours and see what happens..

 

[jks05]

I reseated everything on the mobo as you suggested. I also installed a new cpu cooler. I went from stock to a corsair hyrdo cool. It looked like the stock cooler might have been overheating a little bit (thermal paste really didn't get spread). I never saw the cpu problem again.

The computer worked for about a week like this. Then it stopped recongizing the audio ports on the mobo. My creative head set would still work, but not my speaker. After trying to install drivers, the usb ports went out again.

I've reset the CMOS, and that didn't do anything. I'm going to try flashing the BIOS again and see what happens. Really hard to use a computer when none of my input devices work, and they work on my other computer.

The case was missing one mounting standoff out of 10. so I'm just using 9 at the moment. None of them were out of place.

I'm really starting to think its just a faulty motherboard.

 

[ch33zw1z]

I think you're correct. RMA that baby and be done with it. :thumbsup; on doing the work!

 

[jks05]

I got the motherboard back from intel just recently and tried putting the computer back together again. All I got was a blank screen (the screen just stayed in standby mode) and I couldn't tell if the computer was booting all the way to the OS.

I've tried numerous options to try and figure out what the problem is:

• Reseating all the components multiple times with the least amount of components possible, and rotating the RAM sticks.
• Taking out everything. Placing the motherboard on wood and then trying to boot. Still nothing.
• Taking out all the RAM. When I attempt to boot, it gives the 3 beeps indicating that there is no memory inserted. Intel claims that this means the motherboard is posting, but I'm not sure.

I've talked with intel tech support and got largely pissed off because I feel they gave me a BS answer. That my corsair memory was too fast for my cpu/motherboard. This memory has worked before and I just can't see it being the problem.

One thing I have noticed is that GPU isn't locking down into its primary slot all that well, which could be a problem. I didn't have this problem with the last motherboard. I could possibly try a 6 year old graphics card, but I dunno on its capability.

At this point, I would just like to try narrow down the problem so I can avoid having to replace parts until I figure out whats wrong.

Any more help would be appreciated.

 

[Athadeus]

Intel seems to often unofficially support hardware, which just makes things really confusing. Like I can supposedly run the 65nm quad cpus in my Intel D975XBX bad-axe mb according to just about everywhere else on the internet, but Intel won't acknowledge that it would work. It isn't surprising that they would say that your MB isn't officially rated for DDR3 1600mhz, but obviously it works.

I would strongly suggest using 3 of your 2gb memory sticks in the proper slots for triple channel mode. I don't think triple channel can work with 4 DIMMs, and even if it does, it is uncommon which is usually bad in building pcs.

I've had some oddities with my Intel mb, but nothing serious like you. I would have gone with a different MB manufacturer when I got mine, but it was right at Conroe launch and Intel had the price/reliability/in stock thing going for them when I wanted to buy and nobody else's product met my requirements.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Intel seems to often unofficially support hardware, which just makes things really confusing. Like I can supposedly run the 65nm quad cpus in my Intel D975XBX bad-axe mb according to just about everywhere else on the internet, but Intel won't acknowledge that it would work. It isn't surprising that they would say that your MB isn't officially rated for DDR3 1600mhz, but obviously it works.

I would strongly suggest using 3 of your 2gb memory sticks in the proper slots for triple channel mode. I don't think triple channel can work with 4 DIMMs, and even if it does, it is uncommon which is usually bad in building pcs.

I've had some oddities with my Intel mb, but nothing serious like you. I would have gone with a different MB manufacturer when I got mine, but it was right at Conroe launch and Intel had the price/reliability/in stock thing going for them when I wanted to buy and nobody else's product met my requirements.

It can, unlike dual channel where an odd stick out would drop everything to single channel, with triple channel the 4th stick just operates at reduced performance

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Have you made sure its not overheating and throttling back?

 

[jks05]

That was the first problem, and I fixed it. Now, I can't even get anything to display.

The corsair hydro cool pump seems to be working right now.

The fifth post in the thread details my current problems atm.

 

[piasabird]

Heat causes the processor to slow or halt. Just one possibility. Could be some kind of driver issue. Of course video could be just getting hot also.

 

[jks05]

I'm no longer having a problem the CPU temp, that was fixed a while ago. I'm having new problems, and decided to continue this thread because they might be related and would make the troubleshooting process easier.

Can anyone confirm that the followuing is true?

Taking out all the RAM. When I attempt to boot, it gives the 3 beeps indicating that there is no memory inserted. Intel claims that this means the motherboard is posting, but I'm not sure.

Replacing the RAM would be an easy solution. I've check corsair's site and they said that particular ram was designed for Core i7 8xx cpus. It worked for a while with my mobo. Intel claims that it doesn't have XRAM technology and is too fast for that mobo. I am not so sure.

I'm about to start buying new parts at frys just so I can reclaim some of my investment into my rig. Elminating the RAM, mobo, cpu, or video card from potential problems would save me a fair amount of money.

Also, the GPU I was going to try to use was too old to put in PCI slot.