Everything in my PC looks like fast forward (Issue)

[Mhnk77]

Ok, so I have a PC with
AMD FX 8320 overclocked to 3.7 Ghz (4.3 GHz turbo),
R9 270 Double X 4GB overclock edition
8 GBs of RAM
Motherboard Gigabyte 78 LMT USB 3
Windows 7 Ultimate

Issue Description:
So everything runs well at the beginning, but suddenly all of the following happens at the same time:
Display starts to flicker, Windows Aero disables (transparency),
HW monitor shows that my CPU max freq. is around 6,000Hz, some cores even show 7,000 and 8,000Hz (which obviously is impossible as temps are stable)
And everything in my PC runs like fast forwarded (visual only, audio works fine for everything), the most noticeable thing are games of course, which every single game (about 8) run like they were fast forwarded (everything within the game, from loading screens to gameplay itself) Some games even crash.

I'm not sure what could've caused the issue.
I'm thinking it could be the CPU overclocking but I'm not sure.

If I reboot the PC everything comes back to normal for a while but then it all happens again.

UPDATE: SOLUTION!!!

OK, so like I mentioned above it was definetely a latency issue
There are several things that can cause this but mostly are outdated drivers (or , in my case, outdated BIOS)

So in my specific case, the solution (appears to be, still testing) was to update BIOS, that's something you should try if you encounter the problem BUT be careful because it's a delicate procedure, make sure to use only the BIOS and BIOS updater provided by the manufacturer of your Motherboard, I would't recommend third party software.

RE-UPDATE: SOLUTION(2):

The solution mentioned above definitely solved the problem, BUT one thing I noticed that makes DPC latency get high (NOT so high as before updating BIOS, but stil high) is HW Monitor, I've read in some other posts that people didn't recommend HW Monitor as the best software and I didn't really understand why, now I have a reason. I'm not saying it will cause problems in all PCs, but if you ever face a problem like mine and have HW monitor, (or similar software, it's not personal against that specific software), you could start your testing from there.

 

[Rogue Leader]

WHat brand and model of PSU do you have?

 

[akseli]

That sounds like a timing/timer error. There are various hardware timers in computers, that are used for various functions. The overclocking might be causing some to run incorrecly.

Windows and system can be configured to use several different timers.

A link to WinTimerTester
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/setfsb-game-timing-problem-g60jx.568525/page-2#post-7364805

which you can use to try to figure out what it's currently using.

Info about how to change the settings. Notice there are several settings that has to be possibly changed.
http://www.overclock.net/t/1334719/high-precision-event-timer#post_18761879

I'm not very familiar with this subject, but hopefully you are able to find out better info based on these.


You are correct your CPU is probably not running 6 GHz, such measurements relies on the timers too. But a CPU can run on exteme frequency too, without overheating, if there is little actual load.

 

[Mhnk77]

WHat brand and model of PSU do you have?

the PSU is: Aero-cool KCAS-600W 80plus bronze

 

[Rogue Leader]

WHat brand and model of PSU do you have?

the PSU is: Aero-cool KCAS-600W 80plus bronze

Ok one or both issues may be happening. akseli posted some great info about the system timer there I think that may be the issue, however we need to figure out what is causing it.

It could be the PSU becasue the one you have is unfortunately very low quality. Bad power can cause a host of issues. I would try what akseli posted first and then see if the issue re-occurs. One other thing is bad RAM can cause this, but I would pop out and re seat the RAM when you are resetting the CMOS like his directions have you do. This sometimes clears issues like that.

 

[Mhnk77]

That sounds like a timing/timer error. There are various hardware timers in computers, that are used for various functions. The overclocking might be causing some to run incorrecly.

Windows and system can be configured to use several different timers.

A link to WinTimerTester
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/setfsb-game-timing-problem-g60jx.568525/page-2#post-7364805

which you can use to try to figure out what it's currently using.

Info about how to change the settings. Notice there are several settings that has to be possibly changed.
http://www.overclock.net/t/1334719/high-precision-event-timer#post_18761879

I'm not very familiar with this subject, but hopefully you are able to find out better info based on these.


You are correct your CPU is probably not running 6 GHz, such measurements relies on the timers too. But a CPU can run on exteme frequency too, without overheating, if there is little actual load.

ok so I downloaded WinTimerTester and DPCLatency tester and that is DEFINETELY the issue, is a timer thing, as WTT shows a 1.7 ratio instead of 1.000 when the issue arises and DPCLt shows very very high US , and when my PC is working properly both show stable behavior.

About the BIOS settings, I just disabled HPET (it was enabled) and I'm currently seeing how does that work.

At least now I know what's the issue and I can do further research.

I think it's also worth saying that since I wrote the thread I tried clocking the CPU to its default clock setting, and the issue somewhat improved but wasn't completely fixed, now my PC last longer without presenting that unusual behavior described above, and it only seems to behave that way if it goes sleep and then it is waked.

I'll keep updating this until I find a precise solution

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

UPDATE: SOLUTION!!!

OK, so like I mentioned above it was definetely a latency issue
There are several things that can cause this but mostly are outdated drivers (or , in my case, outdated BIOS)

So in my specific case, the solution (appears to be, still testing) was to update BIOS, that's something you should try if you encounter the problem BUT be careful because it's a delicate procedure, make sure to use only the BIOS and BIOS updater provided by the manufacturer of your Motherboard, I would't recommend third party software.

 

[Mhnk77]

WHat brand and model of PSU do you have?

the PSU is: Aero-cool KCAS-600W 80plus bronze

Ok one or both issues may be happening. akseli posted some great info about the system timer there I think that may be the issue, however we need to figure out what is causing it.

It could be the PSU becasue the one you have is unfortunately very low quality. Bad power can cause a host of issues. I would try what akseli posted first and then see if the issue re-occurs. One other thing is bad RAM can cause this, but I would pop out and re seat the RAM when you are resetting the CMOS like his directions have you do. This sometimes clears issues like that.

ok, so just pulling out and inserting the RAM may do the work? Or what do you mean by "re seat",(I'm sorry I'm kind of a noob in that sort of things). Also, are you suggesting for me to change my PSU??

I tried what akseli suggested, and I'm seeing how it works, (please refer to my response to his answer)

 

[Rogue Leader]

WHat brand and model of PSU do you have?

the PSU is: Aero-cool KCAS-600W 80plus bronze

Ok one or both issues may be happening. akseli posted some great info about the system timer there I think that may be the issue, however we need to figure out what is causing it.

It could be the PSU becasue the one you have is unfortunately very low quality. Bad power can cause a host of issues. I would try what akseli posted first and then see if the issue re-occurs. One other thing is bad RAM can cause this, but I would pop out and re seat the RAM when you are resetting the CMOS like his directions have you do. This sometimes clears issues like that.

ok, so just pulling out and inserting the RAM may do the work? Or what do you mean by "re seat",(I'm sorry I'm kind of a noob in that sort of things). Also, are you suggesting for me to change my PSU??

I tried what akseli suggested, and I'm seeing how it works, (please refer to my response to his answer)

Yeah just remove the ram from its slots and re-install it. I know it sounds crazy but sometimes if its off even the tiniest bit that can cause issues.

If akseli's response can fix it thats probably your issue. That said your PSU is a low quality one and can cause this issue in the first place. So when you fix it consider replacing the PSU just in case.

 

[Mhnk77]

WHat brand and model of PSU do you have?

the PSU is: Aero-cool KCAS-600W 80plus bronze

Ok one or both issues may be happening. akseli posted some great info about the system timer there I think that may be the issue, however we need to figure out what is causing it.

It could be the PSU becasue the one you have is unfortunately very low quality. Bad power can cause a host of issues. I would try what akseli posted first and then see if the issue re-occurs. One other thing is bad RAM can cause this, but I would pop out and re seat the RAM when you are resetting the CMOS like his directions have you do. This sometimes clears issues like that.

ok, so just pulling out and inserting the RAM may do the work? Or what do you mean by "re seat",(I'm sorry I'm kind of a noob in that sort of things). Also, are you suggesting for me to change my PSU??

I tried what akseli suggested, and I'm seeing how it works, (please refer to my response to his answer)

Yeah just remove the ram from its slots and re-install it. I know it sounds crazy but sometimes if its off even the tiniest bit that can cause issues.

If akseli's response can fix it thats probably your issue. That said your PSU is a low quality one and can cause this issue in the first place. So when you fix it consider replacing the PSU just in case.

Hey, thank you for the other solutions, luckily I didn't have to go that far.
I don't know if it's the correct place to ask you this but how's your AMD Phenom handling 2x R9 280's !?
Is that really enough? I ask cuz I'm really interested in learning to make builds that are well balanced and not overspend in something

 

[Rogue Leader]

Glad it all worked out.

It handles it very well, I get just about 10,000 in 3DMark Firestrike at 1080p and anything I throw at it runs perfect, no noticeable bottlenecks or anything. I would like to have overclocked it but I lost the silicon lottery a bit and my Phenom just does not want to hold a stable overclock, but to be honest the performance as is is killer. Also both my R9 280's are overclocked. The good power supply and keeping everything cold helps. My case has 2 200mm intake fans, 1 200mm exhaust and 1 120 exhaust, and I have everything as wide open as possible in there for the best airflow. My GPU's don't get over 70 deg C and thats only 1 slot away from eachother, and in that slot is my SoundBlaster card as thats the only slot it will fit!

 

[Mhnk77]

Glad it all worked out.

It handles it very well, I get just about 10,000 in 3DMark Firestrike at 1080p and anything I throw at it runs perfect, no noticeable bottlenecks or anything. I would like to have overclocked it but I lost the silicon lottery a bit and my Phenom just does not want to hold a stable overclock, but to be honest the performance as is is killer. Also both my R9 280's are overclocked. The good power supply and keeping everything cold helps. My case has 2 200mm intake fans, 1 200mm exhaust and 1 120 exhaust, and I have everything as wide open as possible in there for the best airflow. My GPU's don't get over 70 deg C and thats only 1 slot away from eachother, and in that slot is my SoundBlaster card as thats the only slot it will fit!

wow, so really you don't need to spend all the bucks in processor for a solid performance, as I thought!
That´s great to know

 

[Rogue Leader]

Glad it all worked out.

It handles it very well, I get just about 10,000 in 3DMark Firestrike at 1080p and anything I throw at it runs perfect, no noticeable bottlenecks or anything. I would like to have overclocked it but I lost the silicon lottery a bit and my Phenom just does not want to hold a stable overclock, but to be honest the performance as is is killer. Also both my R9 280's are overclocked. The good power supply and keeping everything cold helps. My case has 2 200mm intake fans, 1 200mm exhaust and 1 120 exhaust, and I have everything as wide open as possible in there for the best airflow. My GPU's don't get over 70 deg C and thats only 1 slot away from eachother, and in that slot is my SoundBlaster card as thats the only slot it will fit!

wow, so really you don't need to spend all the bucks in processor for a solid performance, as I thought!
That´s great to know

Well, you still do, the last Phenom processors just held up really well compared to their modern counterparts in the FX series and have better single core performance. That said its still a 4 year old processor and its only a matter of time before its not enough. However you don't need the fastest new i7 for gaming, there comes a point of diminishing returns with processors.