Best bang for buck CPU

[a.haggerty1989]

Hi,

I think my CPU has finally had it, computer now takes between 20-30 mins to boot up. Normally keeps booting for 3-5 seconds then resets over and over untill it finally boots. (Pretty sure it's the CPU)

Anyhow, I'm looking to upgrade, ideally I only want to spend out for a CPU but if Its more viable to update the MOBO then I shall. I've looked at a few chipsets but they seem to be LGDA 1151.

I was wondering if someone could offer some advice on improvements to make on my system, I am generally using it to play games and stream, I occasionally do some rendering as well.

Many thanks in advance,

Memory - HyperX Savage 16GB (2 x 8 GB) 2400 MHz DDR3 CL11 DIMM XMP Memory Module
CPU - Intel i7 -4790K 4.00GHz 8MB S1150 'Devils Canyon'
Case - Corsair Graphite 760T Full Tower
PSU - Corsair RM 850W Fully Mod
GPU - EVGA GTX 780 Ti SC ACX 3GB GDDR5 Dual DVI
Cooler - Corsair Hydro Series H110 CPU Cooler
HDD - Seagate 600 Series 480GB Sata-3 SSD
MOBO - Gigabyte Z97X- Gaming 7 intel Z97 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard

 

[krzyimprt]

Hi,

I think my CPU has finally had it, computer now takes between 20-30 mins to boot up. Normally keeps booting for 3-5 seconds then resets over and over untill it finally boots. (Pretty sure it's the CPU)

Anyhow, I'm looking to upgrade, ideally I only want to spend out for a CPU but if Its more viable to update the MOBO then I shall. I've looked at a few chipsets but they seem to be LGDA 1151.

I was wondering if someone could offer some advice on improvements to make on my system, I am generally using it to play games and stream, I occasionally do some rendering as well.

Many thanks in advance,

Memory - HyperX Savage 16GB (2 x 8 GB) 2400 MHz DDR3 CL11 DIMM XMP Memory Module
CPU - Intel i7 -4790K 4.00GHz 8MB S1150 'Devils Canyon'
Case - Corsair Graphite 760T Full Tower
PSU - Corsair RM 850W Fully Mod
GPU - EVGA GTX 780 Ti SC ACX 3GB GDDR5 Dual DVI
Cooler - Corsair Hydro Series H110 CPU Cooler
HDD - Seagate 600 Series 480GB Sata-3 SSD
MOBO - Gigabyte Z97X- Gaming 7 intel Z97 (Socket 1150) DDR3 ATX Motherboard

Your rig is still pretty solid. What do you mean that it takes 30minutes to boot? Does it not post? Windows loading?

 

[marksavio]

that long boot time may be caused by faulty hardware (in your PC or USB devices), or improper/outdated device driver installments. and some software installs thats slowing your boot time even further with its startups.

you may want to try to do a fresh install of windows on your system first and backing up your data to another drive (before thinking of an upgrade) and visit your motherboards support site to download and install drivers starting from your chipset. BIOS update may be necessary. also try to boot without any USB device except your mouse and keyboard ofc.
if you dont have dust filters on your chassis, might as well do some early spring cleaning on both your CPU GPU heatsinks/fans

 

[velocityg4]

Yes I agree. It would be ridiculous to replace that system. You need to figure out what is wrong with it, hardware or software. I'd lean towards a faulty piece of hardware. Repairing the problem will be much cheaper than replacing the system.

First I'd run a free scan with Malwarebytes to rule out malware.
https://www.malwarebytes.com/free/

Then I'd try running SFC /scannow and CHKDSK /F through an Elevated Command Prompt. To do some simple checks for Windows errors and disk errors.
Elevated Command Prompt: http://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-run-command-prompt-as-an-administrator
CHKDSK: http://www.thewindowsclub.com/command-line-check-disk-windows-7
SFC: http://www.thewindowsclub.com/how-to-run-system-file-checker-analyze-its-logs-in-windows-7-vista

Then run Seatools to check your SSD for errors. You can also try Crystal Disk Mark.
http://knowledge.seagate.com/articles/en_US/FAQ/005706en

Then I'd run Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-memory-diagnostics-tool-in-windows-7

If those come out fine. Then I'd start pulling USB devices, extra hard drives and other components. Until you find the culprit.

If nothing shows up. Perform a clean install of Windows not a repair install. Boot of a USB flash drive or DVD setup with the Windows installer. Wipe the drive and install Windows. Be sure to backup your data if you have not done so. If you have Windows 7 or 8 make sure you have the product key. If Windows 10 it should simply activate again without needing the key. Although it is handy to have just in case. If you don't have install media. You can download it from Microsoft. Just note if making a USB flash installer. You need to use a little utility called RUFUS to make it UEFI bootable. Instructions can be provided if necessary.

 

[a.haggerty1989]

Thanks for the input guys. I thought as much... I did a full reformat of windows... updated it with the most recent drivers etc... that was about a month ago, unfortunately didn't fix the problem I also did a full clean then as well just in-case it was some dust causing issues. I have also tried taking all USB's out, I haven't updated the BIOS though... could be something I need to do was always a bit worried about doing it though.

It's kinda strange, someone said it may be the CPU changing it's clock speed or something so I made sure to reset everything to default on the bios... though I haven't changed anything.

Essentially I turn on the PC... fans start spinning up and then 2/3 secs later it restarts and does the same thing again... doesn't load anything on the screen. Eventually, it seems random, it was between 2-5 minutes 3 weeks ago, now it's more 10-20 minutes it takes to boot. Now when it does it will just work perfect and instant. The strange thing is when I restart it again after having it on it works flawlessly and boots first time... however when it's been shut off for 30 minutes plus it does the same thing again, restarts over and over till it eventually turns on...

I was hoping not to upgrade as it runs everything fine but it seemed like it was dying.

Thanks for the assistance.

 

[a.haggerty1989]

Thanks velocityg4, I'll run through that list as soon as I get home... Appreciate the helps guys.

 

[velocityg4]

Thanks for the input guys. I thought as much... I did a full reformat of windows... updated it with the most recent drivers etc... that was about a month ago, unfortunately didn't fix the problem I also did a full clean then as well just in-case it was some dust causing issues. I have also tried taking all USB's out, I haven't updated the BIOS though... could be something I need to do was always a bit worried about doing it though.

It's kinda strange, someone said it may be the CPU changing it's clock speed or something so I made sure to reset everything to default on the bios... though I haven't changed anything.

Essentially I turn on the PC... fans start spinning up and then 2/3 secs later it restarts and does the same thing again... doesn't load anything on the screen. Eventually, it seems random, it was between 2-5 minutes 3 weeks ago, now it's more 10-20 minutes it takes to boot. Now when it does it will just work perfect and instant. The strange thing is when I restart it again after having it on it works flawlessly and boots first time... however when it's been shut off for 30 minutes plus it does the same thing again, restarts over and over till it eventually turns on...

I was hoping not to upgrade as it runs everything fine but it seemed like it was dying.

Thanks for the assistance.

With this updated list. I'll add.

Create a Linux Live USB. Elementary OS would be easiest.
https://www.lifewire.com/create-elementary-os-live-usb-drive-2202054

Unplug everything. All that should remain is keyboard, mouse, integrated graphics (not your GPU), monitor, PSU, CPU, heatsink (plus HS fan/pump obviously) and one RAM module. Nothing else. Since the system has trouble when cold. Do this from a cold state. See if it will POST without issue.

Next plug in the Linux live USB and boot off that. See if it boots properly. If not turn off. Remove the RAM module and try the other in another slot.

If it boots without crashing as you are experiencing. Just keep adding devices one at a time and booting. Until you hopefully find the culprit. Leave your boot SSD for the last.

Note: Although you are probably aware. Don't plug in or unplug any hardware while the system is turned on and plugged in to power.

 

[a.haggerty1989]

Hey, so I tried everything you mentioned... pulled it apart tested one by one and no luck.

I had another dig on some forums and it appears that its a mobo problem, as below

https://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php?topic=14681.0

So, I tried updating the mobo as advised but that seems to have caused more problems... originally it was booting up eventually after 30 mins but now it just get's to the windows logo and effectively crashes.

My mobo has a button to swap to a backup bios so I swapped it to no2 and that seems to just make it turn on and stay on but display stays black and no signal is being received.

I've emailed Gigabyte but it's just out of warranty so they won't replace it and charge a £50 to take a look at it... so it may be worth me either investing in a new mobo/cpu or just picking up another mobo with the same socket as my current CPU...

Not quite sure what to do, ideally don't want to spend to much.

Thanks for the help!

 

[velocityg4]

Hey, so I tried everything you mentioned... pulled it apart tested one by one and no luck.

I had another dig on some forums and it appears that its a mobo problem, as below

https://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php?topic=14681.0

So, I tried updating the mobo as advised but that seems to have caused more problems... originally it was booting up eventually after 30 mins but now it just get's to the windows logo and effectively crashes.

My mobo has a button to swap to a backup bios so I swapped it to no2 and that seems to just make it turn on and stay on but display stays black and no signal is being received.

I've emailed Gigabyte but it's just out of warranty so they won't replace it and charge a £50 to take a look at it... so it may be worth me either investing in a new mobo/cpu or just picking up another mobo with the same socket as my current CPU...

Not quite sure what to do, ideally don't want to spend to much.

Thanks for the help!

Pick a store with a good return policy and get a replacement Z97 chipset motherboard. Prime eligible items on Amazon would be a good start.

 

[a.haggerty1989]

Do you think it could possibly be the CMOS battery?

 

[krzyimprt]

Do you think it could possibly be the CMOS battery?

Highly unlikely. Those batteries lasts 7+ years at most.

 

[a.haggerty1989]

Seems I'm kinda stuck for a replacement board, most that I can see are above £100 and seem to be worse off that what I had with the Z97. Any recommendations?

Thanks again!

 

[velocityg4]

Forgot how hard it is to find discontinued products which aren't massively inflated. All I could suggest is trying for a used one on eBay.
Here is one which is listed as New (Other)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MSI-Z97-GAMING-5-LGA-1150-Socket-H3-Intel-Z97-Motherboard-ATX-DDR3/253331737664?epid=216124027&hash=item3afbbf8c40:g:JUIAAOSwmwtaQzRM

Unfortunately at this point there isn't much left I can think of for diagnostics without swapping parts.

- If you have the same problems with the GPU removed and just using integrated graphics. Then your GPU is fine.
- If you have the same problems with all your HDD and SSD removed. Booting off a Linux Live USB. Then your storage devices are fine.
- If you have the same problems with only one RAM chip installed. It still exists if you swap RAM chips and slots, it passes Windows Memory Test. The RAM is fine.
- Without swapping CPU you could not know if it is bad. But CPU are extremely reliable and I would expect the problem to be hard crashes during use. Motherboards have a much higher failure rate than CPU.
- You can test the PSU with a multimeter or dedicated PSU tester to make sure voltages are OK. But it doesn't sound like a PSU problem. Never hurts to own a decent Digital Multimeter. They are quite cheap nowadays.
- You can try replacing the CMOS battery. Then reprogram the BIOS. They are very cheap. It would be an easy and cheap test to rule out.

If the above is all true. The next logical step is replacement of the motherboard.

 

[a.haggerty1989]

Thanks dude, yeah... done all of the above. I might try grabbing a BIOS from ebay and try fitting it. I can't see any MOBo's that aren't ridiculously inflated. There are a few Micro ATX ones that aren't to bad around £40 might do me for now until I can afford to upgrade the lot... Seems kinda silly to buy new as it's doing the job more than fine for me at the moment, aside from the Mobo 🙁... Gigabyte customer service was absolutely useless and pretty much said... move on it's out of warranty so we can't even look at repairing it...

Thanks for all the help though Velocity, has been very useful, appreciated!