PC constantly crashing - At my wit's end.

[Tom Cload1]

Hello everyone,

Recently I've been having a problem with my PC freezing constantly. It all started with YouTube, freezing on videos but only on Chrome. I then noticed it on certain games (Not in the menu). After trying literally everything anyone has said I have still not sourced the problem.

I have wiped all my HDDs and reinstalled Windows, updated all my drivers etc, tested my RAM with Memtest86 (though I cannot complete a pass as it gets stuck at 16% on Test 13 - Hammering Rows) With any combination of sticks. I have tried to run a P95 test and it freezes my system immediately on any test.

When it crashes I have to hard reset - The mouse is frozen, gameplay is frozen, and the sound just stops. The system sounds fine, no harsh noise or anything like that.

The problem only seems to be getting worse. From only crashing in videos and games to now crashing in the browser and installation screens.

It isn't a heat issue, my CPU idles at around 20-25C and peaks at around 50C, my GPU idles at around 30C and peaks at around 60C very occasionally. I also dusted everything out inside and ouside my PC thoroughly and reseated my RAM and GPU.

I built the PC myself around April 2013 and I've had no problems until recently when this started happening.

My PC:

Motherboard - ASUS Sabertooth 990FX
CPU - AMD FX8350 Black Edition 8 Core Processor
RAM - Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2x8GB)
GPU - ASUS Radeon HD 7870 DirectCU II 2 GB
PSU - Corsair HX850 850w Gold Power Supply
Case - CoolerMaster Enforcer

If anyone could give me any guidance on this subject it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[MasterDell]

Very odd issue. But since you have done all of the above, it is obviously a hardware issue. Crashes can be caused by a multitude of things which is why they are very annoying.. Normally I would point my finger at the PSU and that just isn't the case here. Your PSU is of very good quality so I don't see that being the issue although it could be. Considering the fact that this happens at load and all other temps are normal, with no blue screen showing, and ignoring what I said above 😉 I think it is the PSU.

 

[SonSon1]

Have you overclocked your computer??

One way to discard it's the memory, and chances it's that as the tests are failing, would be to run the test on same computer with a different memory kit, perhaps you could loan some from a friend???

 

[Tom Cload1]

You see, I've tried everything. I've checked my voltage with the Ai Checker you get with ASUS hardware and my +12 v is within 5% etc.

It isn't overclocked, kept it stock since I made it and this is a recent issue. I am in the process of getting some RAM to test off a friend.

 

[MasterDell]

You see, I've tried everything. I've checked my voltage with the Ai Checker you get with ASUS hardware and my +12 v is within 5% etc.

It isn't overclocked, kept it stock since I made it and this is a recent issue. I am in the process of getting some RAM to test off a friend.

If you have used one stick at a time then you know this is not a memory issue.

 

[Tom Cload1]

I ran sticks individually with the same result - stopping at 16% of test 13.

Tried running in Parallel Mode and it reset my PC within 5 - 10 seconds. This and the Prime95 problem point me at either the CPU not being able to handle using all cores at once or the PSU not putting out power to process all 8 cores.

 

[MasterDell]

I ran sticks individually with the same result - stopping at 16% of test 13.

Tried running in Parallel Mode and it reset my PC within 5 - 10 seconds. This and the Prime95 problem point me at either the CPU not being able to handle using all cores at once or the PSU not putting out power to process all 8 cores.

What were your temps when running Prime?

 

[Tom Cload1]

• 
  

That's the thing. When ever I chose a test and click start it freezes immediately. Sometimes it takes 5 - 10 seconds seemingly randomly, but it might depend on the test. When it doesn't freeze immediately I can see the temperature doesn't rise - stays around 22 C. But then crashes after a few seconds regardless.

It's really becoming a nightmare to diagnose.

This is my first build, so it's also my first hardware problem and it's not just straight forward and obvious like other diagnostics.

 

[Tom Cload1]

All my parts are still under warranty, so it might just be a case of RMAing them one at a time until the problem goes away.

 

[MasterDell]

RMA the PSU first if you would like to take that route.

 

[Tom Cload1]

Really I'd like to figure out which part is wrong before I RMA it. But it's seeming to be a task and a half. How does the RMA process work (if you know), when you get your new part, do you lose all further warranty?

 

[Tom Cload1]

Okay, so I'm running Memtest86 with a different USB stick. This time I chose the non-UEFI option and it's completed a full pass with no errors, and it's not resetting on Parallel Mode like it was... So... PSU?

 

[tiny voices]

Your temps are wrong. 22c is LOWER than idle. Download different programs to read the temps, like Coretemp or HWMonitor, and run Prime again.

I do not think it is PSU. That is a quality unit.

 

[Tom Cload1]

I'm using Core Temp. It's been around that for idle since I built it. I'll try the other monitor though.

 

[tiny voices]

Run prime with coretemp AND HWMonitor open and see what the temps get to.

 

[Tom Cload1]

Just ran Core Temp and HWMonitor, and ran P95. Core temp showed 25 C and HWM showed 45C and it crashed almost immediately.

 

[tiny voices]

Well HWmonitor was right in that case. Forget coretemp. (known for issues with AMD boards anyway)

And when it crashed during Prime, it just shut off completely?

 

[Tom Cload1]

Screen freezes. I can't move my mouse, or anything. Fans etc is still running, but the screen completely just stays still.

 

[MasterDell]

Download a older version of P95 and see if the same thing happens.

 

[Tom Cload1]

Just downloaded the previous version and tried it and it seemed to be even worse... might just be coincidence, but it didn't even let the option screen fully go away once I selected a test to run.

 

[tiny voices]

Do you usually have coretemp running? If so uninstall it. It is known to cause freezing with some AMD boards.

 

[Tom Cload1]

Uninstalled Coretemp, and still having freezing.

 

[tiny voices]

Have we tested the HDD yet?

 

[Tom Cload1]

Ran a CHCKDSK on all three drives, all had no bad sectors. Any other software you recommend to test?

 

[tiny voices]

Not really. Check Disk is good. I guess you could start by replacing the motherboard.