Powerful Hardware, system running slow.

[Jared_Waldron]

Hi I have a gaming computer that I have built myself, which consists of these parts:
CPU: AMD FX 8320
Motherboard: Gigabyte 970A-UD3P
RAM: 8GB Crucial Ballistix Sport
GPU: EVGA GTX 750 2GB FTW Edition
PSU: 500 Watt Bronze Rated EVGA
Storage: 120GB PNY SSD; 1TB Seagate HDD.
I have Windows 8.1 Pro installed on the SSD. Most of the time the system runs smoothly, but maybe 2-3 times a day it will lock up, becoming non-responsive and useless. Usually after 30-45 seconds it goes back to normal and finishes the task it was doing. It happens randomly, whether I have 5 programs open or if I'm just sitting on my desktop. Sometimes I have my task manager open while it happens, and I always see the usage of my C: drive (The SSD) go up to 100%. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Wolfshadw]

Virus/Malware check results?

-Wolf sends

 

[Jared_Waldron]

Virus/Malware check results?

-Wolf sends

Well, I've had this system for a little over 2 months now, but I just re installed Windows on it last night, so unless it got viruses while downloading updates/Chrome, I don't think that they would be a problem.

 

[Wolfshadw]

1) You should check anyway. 99% sure the scans will come back clear, but at least then you can rule out the possibility.
2) Have you experienced the problem since you've reinstalled Windows?
3) Have you installed all the latest drivers for your hardware?
4) Are there any other devices on your network, wired or wireless?

-Wolf sends

 

[smorizio]

make sure the motherboard bios is up to date. unplug the hard drive to rule out a failing controller on the hard drive (hdtune or seatools says the drive is fine). in the bios check the 12v/5v/3/3 rails make sure there within spec. use program like spacy from ccleaner people to watch your power supply output. if it not a power supply issue is could be bad vrm on the mb.

 

[Jared_Waldron]

1) You should check anyway. 99% sure the scans will come back clear, but at least then you can rule out the possibility.
2) Have you experienced the problem since you've reinstalled Windows?
3) Have you installed all the latest drivers for your hardware?
4) Are there any other devices on your network, wired or wireless?

-Wolf sends

Okay, I'll run a scan! Yeah, I've experienced the issue multiple times since I reinstalled. I went through earlier today and downloaded drivers for everything I could find online. Yes, there are 2 other computers, a laptop, 4 phones, 4 tablets, a server PC, and some wireless AT&T boxes.

 

[Jared_Waldron]

make sure the motherboard bios is up to date. unplug the hard drive to rule out a failing controller on the hard drive (hdtune or seatools says the drive is fine). in the bios check the 12v/5v/3/3 rails make sure there within spec. use program like spacy from ccleaner people to watch your power supply output. if it not a power supply issue is could be bad vrm on the mb.

I took a look at my bios, all of my voltages seem to be correct. I updated my bios to the newest version a couple of weeks ago. I'll try that program, sounds pretty helpful. So I unplugged the HDD, and it happened again after I used the system for a round 3 minutes. Although this time when it happened, my desktop turned grey, and my task bar disappeared for a few seconds then came back. Any indication as to what is going in?