Computer freezes intermittently

[Thecoolman5]

I have a computer with really old specs; old AMD CPU, integrated graphics, 500 gb sata hdd, 4gb ram, Ethernet and Wifi PCI cards. It'll boot just fine. But, at seemingly random times, the thing will freeze when I launch an application for about two seconds and then the screen will change into a repeating static pattern and not move at all. The freezing rarely happens. I have to repeatedly open several applications and close them to get the thing to freeze. The problem has occurred across multiple OS's including Windows 7 Home Premium and Linux Mint 17.2 Cinnamon. I am guessing that this is being caused by a defective motherboard. I have run MemTest86+ and it passed. The hard drive seems to be alright. The CPU fan works just fine. I even removed both the Wifi and the Ethernet PCI cards and that didn't change anything. Does this sound like a defective motherboard?

 

[Shaun o]

The cause could also be down to the PSU in the system.

If it`s been in there for more than five years for example, it will have seriously degraded in the amount of power it can output.
and how smooth it can deliver the power to your motherboard. the power begins to fluctuate instead of being at a constant level.

PSU units degrade slowly, and the system crashing at random times, with it in a minimum load state, and under for example extra cpu load is a sign it may need to be checked as the cause if you have not replaced it.

You should by rights replace a PSU every two to three years at a maximum, its also dependent on the quality of the power supply and if it is of a poor brand name.

Versus a good quality and well know manufacturer of power supply units such as Corsair or silver stone ect.

It`s the first component in the line to test since everything else relies on it for smooth uninterrupted power flow to all the other components of the pc.

 

[Thecoolman5]

The cause could also be down to the PSU in the system.

If it`s been in there for more than five years for example, it will have seriously degraded in the amount of power it can output.
and how smooth it can deliver the power to your motherboard. the power begins to fluctuate instead of being at a constant level.

PSU units degrade slowly, and the system crashing at random times, with it in a minimum load state, and under for example extra cpu load is a sign it may need to be checked as the cause if you have not replaced it.

You should by rights replace a PSU every two to three years at a maximum, its also dependent on the quality of the power supply and if it is of a poor brand name.

Versus a good quality and well know manufacturer of power supply units such as Corsair or silver stone ect.

It`s the first component in the line to test since everything else relies on it for smooth uninterrupted power flow to all the other components of the pc.

I replaced the PSU with the same model that is (supposedly) working properly and nothing changed. I'll do some googling to make sure both aren't defective. Until then, is it safe to assume it's a bad motherboard?