Question PC Health / Constant Issues

[ShameMate]

Hello,

I was wondering what's the best way of checking my PC's health / diagnosing it. Every now and then I run into issues such as not launching windows correctly, or CPU using 100% of it's memory during times it shoudln't. Causing it to freeze / become super laggy. Just seems like my PC has been cursed every now and then xD

I don't download random stuff online, like to think I'm pretty good with PC's. So just love a 2nd opinion on what you do to keep your PC healthy & check it's running at the correct performance, etc.

Specs:

• CPU: Intel I9 9900k 3.6 GHz
• CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken Z73
• RAM: Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO 16GB
• Motherboard: MSI MEG ACE z390
• Storage: Samsung 970 EVO M.2 1TB / Samsung 850 EVO 500GB
• PSU: Seasonic FOCUS Plus Platinum 850W
• Case: Lian Li O11 Dynamic
• GPU: MSI NVIDIA RTX 2080TI GAMING X TRIO

Thanks,
Tom

 

[Ralston18]

My number 1 suggestion is to know what is "healthy".

In other words know what is normal.

That includes knowing specs, knowing what is physically installed, knowing the various configuration settings, knowing what launches at startup, Make, model, serial numbers, MAC's, purchase date, source.

And you already have the specs. - good start. Add the details about each component by printing relevant details from the links you listed. Or at least the most relevant pages - more specs..... Download copies of User Guides/Manuals to an accessible locations if your computer goes down.

No harm in occassional peeks inside the case (power off, unplugged) to clean out dust and debris along with checking that all connectors, cards, RAM, jumpers, and case connectors are fully and firmly in place.

They do work loose over time due to heat related expansion/contraction and vibrations. Look for signs of damage: bare conductor starting to show, cracks, loose or missing screws, browned or blackened areas, corrosion, swollen components....

Keep records, notes, screen captures; anything you can to document your build. All documentation for all components. Take photographs even showing LED's, labeling, anything that could prove helpful if you need to know later.

Use utilities that can provide data. I like BelArc Advisor - free. I use Powershell Get's to collect data. There are other similar tools such as CPU-z.

Powershell for example - for driver information.

Get-WmiObject Win32_PnPSignedDriver | Select Description,DeviceName,DriverVersion

Reference:

https://shellgeek.com/get-drivers-version-using-powershell/

Or just simple "Get-Disk".

For just about anything you want to know about your system Powershell can probably "Get-" it.

I use Task Manager, Resource Monitor, Process Explorer (Microsoft, free) to observe system performance. Good way to understand what system resources are being used, to what extent (%), and what is using any given resource.

Reliability History and Event Viewer can be very handy for troubleshooting as can Update History.

Keep tabs on what is normally running on your system, when, and why.

Just put hard copies in a simple folder and keep it all handy.

When things go astray it is so much easier to compare the "before" to the "now" and discover what changed.

Be ready for a castrophic failure that will happen at any time. All important data backed up at least 2 x to locations off of the computer. Verify that backups are both recoverable and readable.

Just my thoughts on the matter.