Flickering Screen And Freezing When Playing Games

[PhoenixWright]

so whenever I play games I get flickering and not only that.
sometimes my computer freezes and that only happens when playing league of legends.
but for the flickering it happens with every game I play no matter what. I tried lowering the graphics to the worst but I still get flickering.
I will try to post a video for the flickering if needed and if there is any other information needed please tell me because this problem is disturbing me, I just bought this computer before three weeks and i'm getting a lot of problems.
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Computer Specs:
Processor: AMD FX(tm)-9590 Eight-Core Processor

Manufacturer: AMD

Speed: 4.7 GHz

Number of Cores: 8

Video Card: AMD Radeon R9 200 Series

Manufacturer: ATI

Chipset: AMD Radeon R9 200 Series

Dedicated Memory: 4.1 GB

Total Memory: 4.0 GB

Memory: 16 GB

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Professional Edition (build 9200), 64-bit

Service Pack: 0

Size: 64 Bit

Edition; Professional

Display Maximum Resolution: 1920 x 1080
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[PhoenixWright]

There were a couple of "fixes", some involved turning off certain features in the BIOS, some involved raising the vCore voltage up a bit, one even turned his clock multiplier down some to keep the CPU clock from going so high. You'll have to sift through and figure out which would be best for you, I haven't owned an AMD CPU in a good while so I'm not 100% familiar with all the current BIOS features relating to the CPU.

Personally, after the BIOS update, I would try disabling the CPU features that a couple of the posters in that thread say worked for them, that's the easiest thing to try before you start tweaking voltages. From the results you got with Prime95 it's almost certain your CPU is unstable as it is currently configured (with a lesser chance that it's your RAM, you'll need to run MemTest to be certain that's not an issue).

If I understand correctly, the CPU you have is basically a factory overclocked version of one of the 8xxx series chips, for most this presents no issues, but for others, like yourself, the CPU isn't always stable under load and requires a bit of tweaking to run stable, especially when gaming.

so before doing anything, I want to update my bios.
it appears there is a newer version but I have been trying to update it for the past few hours and I was unable to.
can you post me a tutorial or something to update my bios.
I will tell you the steps I did now.
first I went to the original Asus website, then I searched for my motherboard model.
I found it then went to bios and downloaded the newest update, I also downloaded the bios utility(Bios renamer) and I put the latest bios update in the same file with the bios renamer.
when I run the bios renamer, it opens a program like cmd and it says some words.
I still don't know what is the next step.
UPDATE= when I run the bios renamer I get this message:
C5FZ.CAP ===> C5FZ.CAP
Press any key to continue ....

It appears C5FZ is the name of the bios update.

 

[Grimwinder]

What's your motherboard model?

 

[PhoenixWright]

What's your motherboard model?

this is the website for my motherboard, It is already on the download section for the motherboard.

http://www.asus.com/ae-en/Motherboards/CROSSHAIR_V_FORMULAZ/HelpDesk_Download/

 

[Grimwinder]

Download the Utilities, the ones with the latest date, and use ASUS Update (EZ Update). Or check the disc that came with it, there should be a copy on there as well.

 

[PhoenixWright]

Download the Utilities, the ones with the latest date, and use ASUS Update (EZ Update). Or check the disc that came with it, there should be a copy on there as well.

I already used ez update and it appears that there aren't any new updates or anything.
and I downloaded all the utilities also but I didn't understand how to use them, can you explain in details please?

 

[Grimwinder]

What version does your BIOS show when you enter it (you may also see it on the boot screen as the computer powers up depending on how fast it boots)? The latest looks to be Version 2201.

 

[PhoenixWright]

i'm sorry for asking too much, i'm not experienced with computers and amd mostly, its my first time getting amd computer or a desktop to be specific.
I only used NVidia and Lenovo laptops.
so I really would need complicated stuff to be explained in details.

 

[PhoenixWright]

What version does your BIOS show when you enter it (you may also see it on the boot screen as the computer powers up depending on how fast it boots)? The latest looks to be Version 2201.

I have 2101, I already told you I had an older version.
I just don't know how to update to the 2201 version and that's what I need help with.

 

[Grimwinder]

Not a problem, Here are some videos from the ASUS, one of which is EZ Update-

http://www.asus.com/us/support/self-service/4/

 

[Grimwinder]

But looking at the BIOS's change notes, you have the second newest and they don't appear to have changed much from yours to 2201, so that's probably not going to do much anyway.

 

[PhoenixWright]

But looking at the BIOS's change notes, you have the second newest and they don't appear to have changed much from yours to 2201, so that's probably not going to do much anyway.

ok then let's move on to the next solution. adjust the overclocking, I think that was the seconds probable problem, right?
it was about the volts not being stable or something like that.
you recommended it might be the power supply but it isn't.
because I have evga and it's 1300W my brother have the exact same model and he doesn't have a single problem(we also have a twin computer so I've been wondering why he isn't having any problems?)

 

[PhoenixWright]

so I just captured a video while hwmonitor calculating the voltage and stuff. so where should I post the video for you to watch? its just so that you can see and check if there is any problem with the volts.

 

[Grimwinder]

Yeah that power supply should be fine and then some. What I suspect from reading that other thread, and a few things about Prime95, most likely what is happening is this- when you do something CPU demanding, like playing a game, it causes the CPU to ramp up suddenly, if the CPU isn't getting enough voltage it becomes unstable and the PC freezes up. So, to combat that you'll need to tweak your voltages up or disable a feature or two in the BIOS that can cause the same issue, as a couple of folks did in the thread.

As for the rest, I'll weed through the thread tonight, and post you a little instruction list of what to try first, and how to go about it (I also need to read through the BIOS section of the motherboard's manual to know better what to tell you to look for and change).

 

[PhoenixWright]

what about the video?
I think I will help a lot..

 

[PhoenixWright]

[video="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6NdZ7x3aCI&feature=youtu.be"][/video]

 

[PhoenixWright]

omg! I finally found out the problem, it is because the voltage isn't stable just like you said GrimWinder!
you are a great help but now I need to know how to make it stable and the computer will be fixed!!!
IM SO EXCITED!

I went to my brother's computer and I ran hwmonitor.
it appears that the voltage was stable from 1.457 to 1.536

 

[Grimwinder]

Okay, time to play with the BIOS. That sounds scary, but remember this, *IF* by chance you happen to change something, and the PC does weird things or won't boot, your motherboard has a Clear CMOS switch on the back, which will reset everything in the BIOS back to default, undoing anything you may have done wrong. You can look in the manual, but it's the button with a 3/4 circle with an arrow symbol on it. So, on to things to try, only do one at a time but in whatever order you like.

First, turn the PC off, then press power on and hold downthe Delete key, this should launch the BIOS rather than booting Windows. I may get some of the screens wrong here because I'm doing this from the manual and don't have the same system as you, so hang with me.

When you enter the BIOS you should be on a screen called EZ Mode or Advanced Mode, you want Advanced, if on EZ there should be a button on the top right named Exit/Advanced Mode, click it and select Advanced Mode. Now there will be a series of tabs on this screen, you want to click on Advanced then select CPU Configuration from the list. Under that you will see several settings, you want to Disable the two that are named C1E and Core C6 State. These are power saving features, which you don't really need with your power supply and the fact you say your temps are staying low. The screens from the manual I'm looking at are hard to read, it looks like there is going to be a menu over to the right with a Save command listed, if so, use that then Exit at the top. Most often when you exit a BIOS it will ask you if you wish to Save Changes and Exit, if so, do so. Then reboot and see if the problem has improved, you can run Prime95 again.

If step one doesn't help, try this- do everything the same except this time select the Extreme Tweaker tab on the Advanced Mode screen. Under this tab slect AMD Turbo Core Technology and Disable it. Currently your CPU has a base clock speed of 4.7gHZ and when under heavy load it automatically overclocks, temporarily to 5.0gHz. This could be causing your freezes if the voltage isn't keeping up. Disabling this will keep the clock at 4.7, nothing you're likely to ever notice. Save and Exit as before, reboot, test.

Again, if something goes wrong, you can reset the BIOS with the button, so don't be afraid to make these changes.

Okay, if those fail we can try several other things, like boosting up the voltage directly in the BIOS or even underclocking your CPU and/or RAM a little (again nothing you're likely to ever notice and worth a very small performance hit if it stabilizes your system and stops the crashes). If all of this doesn't help then there are a couple of possibilities, one, the power supply, despite being a great brand may be bad, two, the motherboard may have a bad voltage regulator. On the first, if your brother allows, you can use his power supply to test your system, if the problem continues it's probably the motherboard, if the problem is solved it's the power supply.

 

[PhoenixWright]

Okay, time to play with the BIOS. That sounds scary, but remember this, *IF* by chance you happen to change something, and the PC does weird things or won't boot, your motherboard has a Clear CMOS switch on the back, which will reset everything in the BIOS back to default, undoing anything you may have done wrong. You can look in the manual, but it's the button with a 3/4 circle with an arrow symbol on it. So, on to things to try, only do one at a time but in whatever order you like.

First, turn the PC off, then press power on and hold downthe Delete key, this should launch the BIOS rather than booting Windows. I may get some of the screens wrong here because I'm doing this from the manual and don't have the same system as you, so hang with me.

When you enter the BIOS you should be on a screen called EZ Mode or Advanced Mode, you want Advanced, if on EZ there should be a button on the top right named Exit/Advanced Mode, click it and select Advanced Mode. Now there will be a series of tabs on this screen, you want to click on Advanced then select CPU Configuration from the list. Under that you will see several settings, you want to Disable the two that are named C1E and Core C6 State. These are power saving features, which you don't really need with your power supply and the fact you say your temps are staying low. The screens from the manual I'm looking at are hard to read, it looks like there is going to be a menu over to the right with a Save command listed, if so, use that then Exit at the top. Most often when you exit a BIOS it will ask you if you wish to Save Changes and Exit, if so, do so. Then reboot and see if the problem has improved, you can run Prime95 again.

If step one doesn't help, try this- do everything the same except this time select the Extreme Tweaker tab on the Advanced Mode screen. Under this tab slect AMD Turbo Core Technology and Disable it. Currently your CPU has a base clock speed of 4.7gHZ and when under heavy load it automatically overclocks, temporarily to 5.0gHz. This could be causing your freezes if the voltage isn't keeping up. Disabling this will keep the clock at 4.7, nothing you're likely to ever notice. Save and Exit as before, reboot, test.

Again, if something goes wrong, you can reset the BIOS with the button, so don't be afraid to make these changes.

Okay, if those fail we can try several other things, like boosting up the voltage directly in the BIOS or even underclocking your CPU and/or RAM a little (again nothing you're likely to ever notice and worth a very small performance hit if it stabilizes your system and stops the crashes). If all of this doesn't help then there are a couple of possibilities, one, the power supply, despite being a great brand may be bad, two, the motherboard may have a bad voltage regulator. On the first, if your brother allows, you can use his power supply to test your system, if the problem continues it's probably the motherboard, if the problem is solved it's the power supply.

it's ok, this is the great answer.

 

[PhoenixWright]

thanks for all the help.
fixed both the freezing and the flickering.

 

[Grimwinder]

Glad to hear it, happy gaming!

 

[kezug]

thanks for all the help.
fixed both the freezing and the flickering.

Wow! This is an exceptional thread with a great example of community communication at its best!

Please, Grimwinder provided several steps above, which did you specifically do so that we understand the steps you took to fix your issues?

Again, great thread!

 

[PhoenixWright]

thanks for all the help.
fixed both the freezing and the flickering.

Wow! This is an exceptional thread with a great example of community communication at its best!

Please, Grimwinder provided several steps above, which did you specifically do so that we understand the steps you took to fix your issues?

Again, great thread!

first of all he told me what the problem might be, so I started checking if what he said was right.
he recommended the problem might be a voltage problem and he posted another thread. in that thread I found out about hwmonitor which can show me the voltage, and when I checked the voltage it was 0.8 which is considered low. so from that same thread I checked how did that guy exactly fix his problem. so he said he turned off cool'n'quite from the bios and c6 state or whatever it is called. that exactly has fixed the problem. but for the flickering I fixed it by changing the hdmi cable.
hope this can help other people!

 

[PhoenixWright]

Okay, time to play with the BIOS. That sounds scary, but remember this, *IF* by chance you happen to change something, and the PC does weird things or won't boot, your motherboard has a Clear CMOS switch on the back, which will reset everything in the BIOS back to default, undoing anything you may have done wrong. You can look in the manual, but it's the button with a 3/4 circle with an arrow symbol on it. So, on to things to try, only do one at a time but in whatever order you like.

First, turn the PC off, then press power on and hold downthe Delete key, this should launch the BIOS rather than booting Windows. I may get some of the screens wrong here because I'm doing this from the manual and don't have the same system as you, so hang with me.

When you enter the BIOS you should be on a screen called EZ Mode or Advanced Mode, you want Advanced, if on EZ there should be a button on the top right named Exit/Advanced Mode, click it and select Advanced Mode. Now there will be a series of tabs on this screen, you want to click on Advanced then select CPU Configuration from the list. Under that you will see several settings, you want to Disable the two that are named C1E and Core C6 State. These are power saving features, which you don't really need with your power supply and the fact you say your temps are staying low. The screens from the manual I'm looking at are hard to read, it looks like there is going to be a menu over to the right with a Save command listed, if so, use that then Exit at the top. Most often when you exit a BIOS it will ask you if you wish to Save Changes and Exit, if so, do so. Then reboot and see if the problem has improved, you can run Prime95 again.

If step one doesn't help, try this- do everything the same except this time select the Extreme Tweaker tab on the Advanced Mode screen. Under this tab slect AMD Turbo Core Technology and Disable it. Currently your CPU has a base clock speed of 4.7gHZ and when under heavy load it automatically overclocks, temporarily to 5.0gHz. This could be causing your freezes if the voltage isn't keeping up. Disabling this will keep the clock at 4.7, nothing you're likely to ever notice. Save and Exit as before, reboot, test.

Again, if something goes wrong, you can reset the BIOS with the button, so don't be afraid to make these changes.

Okay, if those fail we can try several other things, like boosting up the voltage directly in the BIOS or even underclocking your CPU and/or RAM a little (again nothing you're likely to ever notice and worth a very small performance hit if it stabilizes your system and stops the crashes). If all of this doesn't help then there are a couple of possibilities, one, the power supply, despite being a great brand may be bad, two, the motherboard may have a bad voltage regulator. On the first, if your brother allows, you can use his power supply to test your system, if the problem continues it's probably the motherboard, if the problem is solved it's the power supply.

this is the best answer to fix the problem.
sorry for the misleading best answer!