More System Crashes

ttran · 20 Aug 2010

Try this free stress test: Free Software - GIMPS

Prime95 Setup:
- extract the contents of the zip file to a location of your choice
- double click on the executable file
- select "Just stress testing"
- select the "Blend" test. If you've already run MemTest overnight you may want to run the "Small FFTs" test instead.
- "Number of torture test threads to run" should equal the number of CPU's times 2 (if you're using hyperthreading).
The easiest way to figure this out is to go to Task Manager...Performance tab - and see the number of boxes under CPU Usage History
Then run the test for 6 to 24 hours - or until you get errors (whichever comes first).
The Test selection box and the stress.txt file describes what components that the program stresses.

https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...t-prime95.html

Try this free video stress test: FurMark: VGA Stress Test, Graphics Card and GPU Stability Test, OpenGL Benchmark and GPU Temperature | oZone3D.Net

FurMark Setup:
- If you have more than one GPU, select Multi-GPU during setup
- In the Run mode box, select "Stability Test" and "Log GPU Temperature"
Click "Go" to start the test
- Run the test until the GPU temperature maxes out - or until you start having problems (whichever comes first).
- Click "Quit" to exit

More visual: Video Card - Stress Test with Furmark

CarlTR6 · 21 Aug 2010

Yes, the tests are safe; but run them one at at a time.

With Memtest, errors, if any, will show in red.

With FurMark, you need to be watching your GPU temps. If your receive an error and/or if your GPU reaches its maximum operating temp, you need to stop the test. Video Card - Stress Test with Furmark

rebelagentm · 21 Aug 2010

O.K. Thanks for the info and tutorial link!

I ran MemTest86+ overnight. It made it through five full passes without any errors and was about 81% complete on a sixth run without any errors thus far.

So, I'm guessing memory is not to blame here?

Unless someone here says otherwise, I'll proceed with the next test.

rebelagentm · 21 Aug 2010

One more thing: When running FurMark, does it show the temp of the GPU or do I need a separate utility for this?

Thanks!

CarlTR6 · 21 Aug 2010

I would say that your RAM is good as far as Memtest can determine. After the seventh pass, stop it and move on to the next test.

It has been a long time since I have run FurMark. and I don't remember. You can down load Speedfan or CPUZ for temp monitoring. Both are free.

rebelagentm · 21 Aug 2010

I ran FurMark and it didn't take long before my entire screen distorted. Probably less than one minute. I had to force the PC off because I couldn't see the "Quit" button on the app.

The temp got up around 75 degrees Celcius before it distorted.

According to SpeedFan, my GPU sits around 49 degrees.

Is this normal? If all GPUs will eventually max out with this program, how does this tell you whether your graphics card is bad?

rebelagentm · 22 Aug 2010

Anyone?

CarlTR6 · 22 Aug 2010

At a good bit under max temperature of your GPU, your display distorted and quit functioning properly. With a good graphics card, that should not have happened. FurMark stresses the graphics card to see if there are any faults. Apparently there are. I suggest that you should replace it.

rebelagentm · 08 Sep 2010

I ran Prime95 for 8.5 hrs. and it had no errors. The CPU's temp never exceeded 80 degrees celcius. Some cores hit 92, but the average temp never went over 80. I also had a co-worker run it in his machine with my CPU and same thing, no errors.

So, is it safe to say that all of these problems are the result of a faulty graphics card?

rebelagentm · 28 Jun 2011

Here is what I have tried so far in terms of troubleshooting:

When these problems started last year, I ran FurMark to test the GPU. The test didn't even last a minute before the screen distorted and the system locked up. The temp got up to around 75 C.
I ran the FurMark test again today. The temp reached 94 C within about 1-1.5 mins. I ran the test for about nine minutes total. The temp never exceeded 95 C, the system never locked up, and the screen showed no artifacts.
I ran Prime95 for 8.5 hours and had no errors. According to SpeedFan, the temp never exceeded 80 C. Some cores did hit 92. I also had a co-worker run Prime95 with my proc in his machine and it did not report any errors either.
I ran MemTest86+ for nearly six full passes and no errors were reported. I also ran the Windows memory testing tool and again, no errors.
I have had both the motherboard and the graphics card RMA'd, and the manufactures said in both cases that they were fine.
I tried installing a different graphics card in my system (an NVIDIA GeForce 9600 XT), but I could never get the card to work. During the reboot of the driver installation, the system would always lock up at the Windows 7 screen.

I reseated the processor as there did seem to be too much thermal paste applied. This did drop the CPU's average temp about 5 degrees while idling. I have not tested it again under Prime95, but given that the idle temp didn't drop much, I wouldn't expect it to do good enough on Prime95.

I contacted Intel and they are going to send me a new processor. They did however tell me that the memory I am using is not compatible with the i7 930. It runs at 1.65v, but the Intel rep told me that it should not exceed 1.5v give or take 5% and that using anything over that could possibly damage the processor or greatly reduce its life.
Processors — Intel® Core™ i7 desktop processors frequently asked questions

Interestingly though, OCZ says that the memory I have is specifically for the i7 family, even though it runs at 1.65v.
OCZ DDR3 PC3-10666 Reaper CL9 Edition Low-Voltage Triple Channel - OCZ

Even though Intel specifies DDR3-800/1066, I also saw a post on NewEgg from OCZ that said this: "This memory will run 1333 on i7, but you must increase your memory multiplier, or overclock your buss speed. We sell that as enthusiast memory, and it does require some tweaking to get there."
Newegg.com - OCZ Reaper Edition 12GB (3 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3RPR1333C9LV12GK (Post is at the bottom)

What does everyone think? Do I need to buy new RAM that is 1066? Do I need to change the memory multiplier as OCZ suggests? Has this been the cause of my problems all along? I certainly don't want to damage my new processor once it arrives.