New Computer Freezing

[Tricks]

Troubleshooting starter

1. Overview of the problem
   The new computer I built for my wife is locking up after random amounts of time.
   
   
2. Full description of the problem and symptoms
   I built this computer roughly two days ago for my wife to play WoW on. Since the space is limited, I decided to go the micro ATX route and purchased a Phenom X3 8650 with an ASUS M3N-78EM micro motherboard. The build seemed okay and I had no issues installing Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit). I have Kaspersky antivirus running, and I have installed all of the Vista updates. The lock-ups seem to randomly occur, with no clear cause. This is probably my 20th computer to build, and to be honest, it's the first one I have had such problems with. I've been monitoring temperatures using HWMonitor. While running StressPrime, I have noticed load temps of about 65 degrees celsius under the temp0 probe, but HWMonitor says that the CPU cores are in the 25 degree range.
   
   
   
3. Is the problem consistent and repeatable, or entirely random, or semi-random?
   It's semi-random and seems to occur more often when 3d applications are running (WoW and 3D Mark). However, it's locked up during normal tasks like browsing the internet.
   
   
4. I already tried these steps:
   First, I have ran with the case open and felt the heatsink to see how hot it was. It doesn't appear to be hot at all. Secondly, I have reinstalled my graphics card drivers with the latest ones from nvidia's site. I have ran memory tests and CPU tests for ~4-5 hours each. The highest temperature I observed during the stress prime test was 65C, but that was a small peak. Additionally, the computer has never locked up when running stress prime, so that leads me to believe it's not a temperature problem.
   
   
   
5. My software:
   • Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit
   • Kaspersky Antivirus
   • Windows Firewall
   
   
   
6. My hardware
   • Custom Built
     
   • ASUS M3N78-EM
   • AMD Phenom X3 9650 (no overclocking)
   • XFX GeForce 9600GSO w/ 768MB RAM
   • OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
   • OCZ ModXStream Pro Power Supply - 500-Watt, Modular, Dual +12V Rails, SATA, 80Plus
   • Thermaltake Lanbox Lite MicroATX Case
   
   
7. Other information that might be relevant
   Like I said, the only thing that seems somewhat consistent between lockups is that it happens more when running a 3d based programs. I haven't even been able to get it through the 3d Mark benchmark because it keeps locking up during the tests. I'm really starting to wonder if something is wrong with the graphics card, but I'm not sure how to confirm this.
   

 

[Pantlegz]

you could always run dxdiag and/or ati tool's artifact finder to see if it's a gpu issue. You might also want to update the BIOS if it's not up to date, I'm not sure but it might have something to do with hybrid SLI maybe try to shut it off in BIOS. I ad a similar issue with my 6800gt eventually it would lock up when rendering random 2d bitmaps... it was a strange issue to say the least.

 

[Billb2]

Originally posted by: Tricks
... I have noticed load temps of about 65 degrees celsius under the temp0 probe,

...felt the heatsink to see how hot it was. It doesn't appear to be hot at all.

The HS should be hot if it's making good contact with the CPU.

 

[mpilchfamily]

This could be a heating issue. It could also be a simple driver issue. Make sure you go to Nvidia's web page and download the latest drivers. The ones included on the driver disk are likly out dated.