Seemingly random BSOD issues - Head hurts from banging it on the wall

Dave76 · 28 Nov 2012

Good work on the tests and information.

First thing, your OEM BIOS probably can't make very many setting adjustments, you can verify this for us, What might be needed is a CPU voltage bump (Vcore).

The second one is the low voltages reported for 3.3v, 5v and 12v. This indicates the power supply is weakening. Very common for OEM PSUs.
This is also causing the Vcore to fluctuate, which is never a good thing, and may be the cause of the CPU failures.

If you're considering a new build, you could buy a new PSU. Cheap PSUs = trouble, so get a good quality one if you decide to go that route.
If you're considering a new OEM computer, then it may be time to start looking.

Good quality PSUs are Seasonic, Corsair, XFX, Antec, PC Power & Cooling.
If you find one you like post the info here and we can check the specs for you.

texjam · 29 Nov 2012

Yep, the BIOS currently (as is) has no options for voltage adjustments, etc., and while it may be able to be unlocked or modded, it brings to mind something my grandpa used to say about dead horses.

I spent most of yesterday running memtest86+ and the remainder doing thorough HD tests in DOS, but saw no errors... sigh. At least I can be happy about jumping into another build, though... and I couldn't agree more about the PSU, too, as I've seen more than enough POS OEM PSUs crater a machine quite well... it really baffles me how often outfits like Dell, etc. will build a custom machine and drop some underpowered/offbrand/proprietery PSU into it knowing full well it can't properly power the box, so you take upon yourself to drop in a good one and BAM, your warranty is void, but I digress... anyway, I've always been kind of partial to OCZ for my PSU needs, but I'll consider anything during a new build, though. My build is still being "designed" in my head for the moment, but I was considering an OCZ 850w (or maybe 1000w) for its power supply needs.

I appreciate all you guys offering suggestions, debugging, etc. on my problems, and can't thank you enough... and as I said to BR, if I make to your area one day, the beers are on me.

I'll be marking this as closed and shutting down links... thanks!

-JAM

essenbe · 29 Nov 2012

As far as I know, OCZ are out of the PSU business although you can still find them for sale. I always recommend Corsair, Seasonic and Antec.

Manufacturers like Dell, HP and the others simply buy the cheapest components they can so they can compete on price. They really have no concern for quality. I would strongly suggest building your own. Then you can have the components you want and decide on the level of quality you want. As the commercial says, you can get everything you want and nothing you don't want. Dell is who made me build my first one, and that's the only good thing they ever did for me.

If you get an idea of what you want, post it in the Hardware Forum. We have a lot of excellent hardware guys who love to discuss new builds. You may get a couple of ideas you hadn't thought of.

Dave76 · 29 Nov 2012

Agree with essenbe, always nice to build your own system.

When you get the components picked out, post them and we'll give our opinions.