My i7 4790k is failing? Constant BSOD on Windows 7

[ocxal46]

Hi everybody
In the last days I have experimented random blue screen crashes on my gaming PC and I don't know how to do or think.

I am using Windows 7 SP1 x64 with all the last updates, even all my hardware drivers are updated and installed correctly.

My PC specs are:
i7 4790k ( Without OC ) @4.0GHz
Kingston HyperX 16 GB 1600 MHz
ASUS GTX 1060 Strix
Corsair CX650M
Toshiba 1 Tb HDD
H81M-DS2 Rev. 3.0 (I know, crappy motherboard, it could be the problem? )

I tried everything, clean installation, CHKDSK, sfc /scannow, Memory test, but every time, when my CPU reaches high usage ( 60% ≈ 100% )
The bluescreen appears with the error code:
0x00000124
or
0x00000101

My theory is that the CPU is failing, cause i bought it with some use ( i don't know how much or with what conditions of OC or cooling).

Or it may be my motherboard with that simple chipset.

Help please

 

[SgtScream]

Nine times out of ten, the issue is a graphics driver/software related problem. Unless you're running an insane overclock with very high voltage, the CPU is not your issue. One thing you can try is take the graphics card out of the build and plug your monitor into the onboard graphics. Do the blue screens persist?

 

[mdd1963]

Fall back to one stick of RAM, and check for stability, then check the other stick...

What are core temps reported in HWMonitor?

 

[iamacow]

I would set everything back to stock. Run Memtest86 to check you memory OUTSIDE of windows. Than run Prim95 to check the CPU for load issues. If the memory is determined to be good but Prime95 still crashes than its either your PSU not supply enough power (failing PSU) or the CPU is on its way out (very unlikely).

I vote for memory or PSU failing personally. 100% load takes extra power but unless the app uses a lot of memory, you could have a bad stick and never know it. So I vote for PSU.

 

[ocxal46]

Fall back to one stick of RAM, and check for stability, then check the other stick...

What are core temps reported in HWMonitor?

I'll try that, but it doesn't be a temps trouble, using MSI Afterburner any component (CPU or GPU) reaches the 60º Celsius

 

[SgtScream]

If you take the graphics card out of the build and the bluescreens stop. Then we no to continue on with process of elimination to diagnose if software or hardware is the cause for the graphics card.

 

[iamacow]

[strike]The Op cant remove the dGPU because the 4790K doesn't have onboard video aka iGPU.[/strike]

 

[The Original Ralph]

The Op cant remove the dGPU because the 4790K doesn't have onboard video aka iGPU.

correction - it does have iGPU https://ark.intel.com/products/80807/Intel-Core-i7-4790K-Processor-8M-Cache-up-to-4_40-GHz

to the OP, in addition to what above posters have said about pulling all ram but one stick, and pulling GPU, if the issue does disappear with the GPU removal, take a look at this thread over on the GeForce forums - about the 3rd post down in the thread, the mod posts the latest Nvidia driver they consider stable, that the latest drivers have been buggy - and thankfully nvidia has all their former drivers still available on their web

https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/1035287/nvlddmkm-sys-crashing/?offset=1

if it does prove to be the GPU and/or driver, be sure to follow the procedure they recommend to remove the existing driver

 

[iamacow]

I guess it does. Strange Intel started adding it back into the i7. Complete waste of money....

https://ark.intel.com/products/80807/Intel-Core-i7-4790K-Processor-8M-Cache-up-to-4_40-GHz

 

[SgtScream]

The Op cant remove the dGPU because the 4790K doesn't have onboard video aka iGPU.

So then why is there a VGA port on the motherboard?

 

[iamacow]

The Op cant remove the dGPU because the 4790K doesn't have onboard video aka iGPU.

So then why is there a VGA port on the motherboard?

It use to be only i3 and some i5 had iGPU for a few generations. Looks like Intel added it back in around the i7 3770K. So its been a few years since I've paid any attention to Intel poor excuse for a Graphics Unit.

 

[daerohn]

you can also check for the BIOS version and update it if necessary. check the power supply also. If you have another CPU you can assemble it on the board and try also.

 

[theonerm2]

If the CPU is truly degraded that much you could always try underclocking or adjusting the voltage to make up for the degradation.

 

[CelicaGT]

The Op cant remove the dGPU because the 4790K doesn't have onboard video aka iGPU.

So then why is there a VGA port on the motherboard?

It use to be only i3 and some i5 had iGPU for a few generations. Looks like Intel added it back in around the i7 3770K. So its been a few years since I've paid any attention to Intel poor excuse for a Graphics Unit.

All the Core i3,5,7 XXXX have integrated gfx, before that on the Core i3,5,7 XXX it was integrated into the chipset same as Core/Core 2 etc.

 

[The Original Ralph]

did you try installing that nvidia driver the geforce forum identified as the last known stable driver?

if you want to test your cpu to see if it's lost some capacity or ability, download intel's XTU (Extreme Tuning Utility), and after using Turbo Boost to bump your clock frequency up (not custom tweaking), run a benchmark. Once you've run it, intel's benchmark app will pop open an option to upload your score and compare it to others - at their website, you'll have the option to compare it only to other users running the same cpu and mobo - select those

when i first built my i7-4790(non-K) rig, i relied on Asus's AI Suite III performance monitoring utility for it's temp monitor - it showed 67C max, and i found out by accident it was really running 98-100C - It ran for 3+ months at 98-100c, while rendering video files (1 to 2 jobs / day, for 3 months). After correcting the cooling issue, i started running XTU benchmarks, and consistently score in the top 5% of the benchmarks reported.

that CPU is bullet proof

 

[CelicaGT]

did you try installing that nvidia driver the geforce forum identified as the last known stable driver?

if you want to test your cpu to see if it's lost some capacity or ability, download intel's XTU (Extreme Tuning Utility), and after using Turbo Boost to bump your clock frequency up (not custom tweaking), run a benchmark. Once you've run it, intel's benchmark app will pop open an option to upload your score and compare it to others - at their website, you'll have the option to compare it only to other users running the same cpu and mobo - select those

when i first built my i7-4790(non-K) rig, i relied on Asus's AI Suite III performance monitoring utility for it's temp monitor - it showed 67C max, and i found out by accident it was really running 98-100C - It ran for 3+ months at 98-100c, while rendering video files (1 to 2 jobs / day, for 3 months). After correcting the cooling issue, i started running XTU benchmarks, and consistently score in the top 5% of the benchmarks reported.

that CPU is bullet proof

I did the same thing on my 4690k (still using). I'm not certain but I think AI suite uses the socket sensor, it's that or the offset is waaay off.

 

[killerexclsuive]

Stop errors (also sometimes called blue screen or
black screen errors) can occur if a serious
problem causes Windows 7 to shut down or
restart unexpectedly.
These errors can be caused by both hardware
and software issues, and it can be difficult to
troubleshoot the problem. The following tools
and methods can often help get Windows up
and running again.
If you can start Windows
These tools and methods can help you roll back
your system to an earlier state, and help ensure
your computer has the latest updates installed
System Restore is the easiest thing to try first.
It can undo recent changes to your
computer's system files that might have
caused the problem. System Restore doesn'taffect your personal files, such as email,
documents, or photos.
The following tools can help you uninstall or roll
back software changes, repair Windows startup
files, and restore your system from an earlier
backup. If none of those suggestions fix the
problem, you can reinstall Windows 7.
Several of the following tools are located on the
System Recovery Options menu. This menu is
preinstalled on your computer's hard disk, and is
also on the Windows 7 installation media.
When attempting to recover Windows:
If you use a Tablet PC or other computer
with a touchscreen, you might need to
connect a keyboard and mouse in order to
use Startup Repair and the other tools in the
System Recovery Options menuIf Windows 7 came preinstalled on your
computer, your computer manufacturer
might have included other recovery options

 

[killerexclsuive]

Safe mode starts Windows in a limited state. Only the basic files and drivers necessary to run Windows are started, which can help you troubleshoot software problems.

For example, if a corrupted video card driver is preventing Windows from displaying, or if a program runs as soon as you start Windows and can't be shut down, you can start Windows in safe mode before the driver or program starts and then try to fix the problem.

Start your computer in safe mode
Remove all CDs, DVDs, and other media from your computer, then restart it. Click the Start button The Start button, click the arrow next to the Shut Down button Picture of Shut Down button, and then click Restart.
Do one of the following:
If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you'll need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.
If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to start in safe mode, and then press F8.
On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight the safe mode option you want, and then press Enter. For more information about options, see Advanced startup options (including safe mode).
Log on to your computer with a user account that has administrator rights.
When your computer is in safe mode, you'll see the words Safe Mode in the corners of your screen. To exit safe mode, restart your computer and let Windows start normally.

 

[killerexclsuive]

If you've used Windows Complete PC to create a system image backup as part of your backup plan, you can use the system image to restore your computer.

A system image is a copy of the partition on your hard disk that contains Windows. It also contains everything on that partition on the date you created the image, including Windows, your programs, and user data—such as documents, pictures, and music. You need to have created a system image beforehand to use this option.

When you restore your computer from a system image, the contents of your hard disk are replaced with the contents of the system image. This means that any changes you've made, programs you've installed, or files you've saved after the system image was created will likely be lost unless you have a recent backup of your data.

Restore from a system image using preinstalled recovery options
Remove all CDs, DVDs, and other media from your computer, and then restart it using the computer's power button.
Do one of the following:
If your computer has a single operating system installed, press and hold the F8 key as your computer restarts. You need to press F8 before the Windows logo appears. If the Windows logo appears, you need to try again by waiting until the Windows logon prompt appears, and then shutting down and restarting your computer.
If your computer has more than one operating system, use the arrow keys to highlight the operating system you want to repair, and then press and hold F8.
On the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight Repair your computer, and then press Enter. (If Repair your computer isn't listed as an option, then your computer doesn't include preinstalled recovery options, or your network administrator has turned them off.)
Select a keyboard layout, and then click Next.
On the System Recovery Options menu, click System Image Recovery, and then follow the instructions.

Restore from a system image using the Windows 7 installation disc or a USB flash drive, or a system repair disc
If you can't access the System Recovery Options menu on your computer, you can access it using the Windows 7 installation disc or a USB flash drive, or using a system repair disc if you created earlier.

To use this method, you need to restart your computer using the disc.

Insert the Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive, or a system repair disc, and then shut down your computer.
Restart your computer using the computer's power button.
If prompted, press any key and then follow the instructions that appear.
On the Install Windows page, or on the System Recovery Options page, choose your language and other preferences, and then click Next. If neither the Install Windows page nor the System Recovery Options page appear, and you're not asked to press any key, you might need to change some system settings. To learn how to do this, see Start your computer from a Windows 7 installation disc or USB flash drive.
If you're using the Windows installation disc, click Repair your computer.
Select the Windows installation you want to repair, and then click Next.
On the System Recovery Options menu, click System Image Recovery, and then follow the instructions.

 

[The Original Ralph]

did you try installing that nvidia driver the geforce forum identified as the last known stable driver?

if you want to test your cpu to see if it's lost some capacity or ability, download intel's XTU (Extreme Tuning Utility), and after using Turbo Boost to bump your clock frequency up (not custom tweaking), run a benchmark. Once you've run it, intel's benchmark app will pop open an option to upload your score and compare it to others - at their website, you'll have the option to compare it only to other users running the same cpu and mobo - select those

when i first built my i7-4790(non-K) rig, i relied on Asus's AI Suite III performance monitoring utility for it's temp monitor - it showed 67C max, and i found out by accident it was really running 98-100C - It ran for 3+ months at 98-100c, while rendering video files (1 to 2 jobs / day, for 3 months). After correcting the cooling issue, i started running XTU benchmarks, and consistently score in the top 5% of the benchmarks reported.

that CPU is bullet proof

I did the same thing on my 4690k (still using). I'm not certain but I think AI suite uses the socket sensor, it's that or the offset is waaay off.

when i discovered it i found a thread on one of the ASUS forums where a lot of users were complaining about AI Suite III mis-reporting temps, and causing conflicts in BIOS. I found when i un-installed it, the problem with my BIOS suffering unexpected settings changes, stopped occurring. And since then, i learned ASUS released an AI Suite III cleaner utility that you have to run in safe mode.

who'd have thought that a mfgr would release a performance monitoring utility that would cause conflicts with it's own BIOS????