BSOD Civ 5 Error STOP 124

[BobaTea]

I can't seem to finish a game of Civilization V because my computer gets a STOP 124 BSOD error as the game progresses.

Things I notice about this error include my computer getting abnormally hot when the error occurs. Note that no other games such as League of Legends, any MMORPG's, or any of my owned steam games cause this issue.

Code looks as follows:

STOP: 0x00000124 (0x0000000000000000, 0xFFFFFA8002990028, 0x00000000B64A4000, 0x0000000000000135)

 

[Thedoctor44]

BugCheck [COLOR="Red"]124[/COLOR], {[COLOR="Blue"]0[/COLOR], [COLOR="Green"]fffffa80031f8028[/COLOR], b6472000, 1a000135}

So the first parameter which is null indicates the machine check exception which means the CPU has found the hardware error and has bugchecked, this is normally the case with 0x124s.
The second parameter is the address that contains the WHEA error record which should give us insight into the cause of the error.

3: kd> [COLOR="Green"]!errrec fffffa80031f8028[/COLOR]
===============================================================================
Common Platform Error Record @ fffffa80031f8028
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Record Id     : 01cf93c95694ec87
Severity      : Fatal (1)
Length        : 928
Creator       : Microsoft
Notify Type   : Machine Check Exception
Timestamp     : 6/29/2014 20:39:44 (UTC)
Flags         : 0x00000000

===============================================================================
Section 0     : Processor Generic
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Descriptor    @ fffffa80031f80a8
Section       @ fffffa80031f8180
Offset        : 344
Length        : 192
Flags         : 0x00000001 Primary
Severity      : Fatal

Proc. Type    : x86/x64
Instr. Set    : x64
Error Type    : Cache error
Operation     : Data Read
Flags         : 0x00
Level         : 1
CPU Version   : 0x0000000000100f53
Processor ID  : 0x0000000000000003

===============================================================================
Section 1     : x86/x64 Processor Specific
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Descriptor    @ fffffa80031f80f0
Section       @ fffffa80031f8240
Offset        : 536
Length        : 128
Flags         : 0x00000000
Severity      : Fatal

Local APIC Id : 0x0000000000000003
CPU Id        : 53 0f 10 00 00 08 04 03 - 09 20 80 00 ff fb 8b 17
                00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 - 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
                00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 - 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

Proc. Info 0  @ fffffa80031f8240

===============================================================================
Section 2     : x86/x64 MCA
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Descriptor    @ fffffa80031f8138
Section       @ fffffa80031f82c0
Offset        : 664
Length        : 264
Flags         : 0x00000000
Severity      : Fatal

Error         : [COLOR="Red"]DCACHEL1_DRD_ERR (Proc 3 Bank 0)[/COLOR]
  Status      : 0xb64720001a000135
  Address     : 0x0000000013a87500
  Misc.       : 0x0000000000000000

This is a Level 1 data read cache error which means the CPU failed to retrieve data stored in the Level 1 cache.
This is normally the first sign of a bad CPU but one single dump file isn't enough to go on to fully determine the cause.
The other dump files (3 more) all indicate the same error on the same memory bank (0) on the same processor (3), this is enough to determine a bad CPU.

This can be caused by overclocking however which can cause a lot of problems, it can however be resolved if no permanent damage is caused.

3: kd> [COLOR="Green"]!sysinfo cpuinfo[/COLOR]
[CPU Information]
~MHz = REG_DWORD [COLOR="Red"]3206[/COLOR]
Component Information = REG_BINARY 0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0
Configuration Data = REG_FULL_RESOURCE_DESCRIPTOR ff,ff,ff,ff,ff,ff,ff,ff,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0
Identifier = REG_SZ AMD64 Family 16 Model 5 Stepping 3
ProcessorNameString = REG_SZ [COLOR="blue"]AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 840 Processor[/COLOR]
VendorIdentifier = REG_SZ AuthenticAMD

The CPU isn't overclocked as this processor should be running at 3.2GHz which is 3200 MHz.

It looks like a bad CPU from these dumps but we could a few tests first.

1. Make sure there is no bloatware in your system like AI Suite as that can cause a lot of problems
2. Reset the CMOS by taking the battery out and placing it back in to remove any improper voltages from the system
3. Make sure the CPU isn't overheating, check the temperaures using Speccy to see if the CPU is overheating https://www.piriform.com/speccy
4. If none of the above help or improve the problem then I would replace the CPU especially if its under warranty.

Note, you can test the CPU with Prime95 if you so wish as a double check but I've seen cases where errors aren't picked up yet the CPU has still been faulty.

 

[BobaTea]

I tried stress testing using Prime95 while using Speccy to monitor the CPU's temperature. The temperature rises rapidly up as the test continues and I stopped the test in less than 5minutes when the CPU reached about 60+ degrees Celsius

My CPU runs at ~ 35 ish degrees Celsius normally when browsing the internet or playing non system intensive games.

So what does this mean and how do I fix it. Sorry Im such a noob at this T_T

 

[Thedoctor44]

60C I would say is quite hot but the maximum operating temperature for your CPU is 71C.
See if the temperature keeps rising to around 70C, if so then stop the test.

To remove the CMOS battery you need to open up your PC, on the motherboard there is a small watch sized battery, remove it for around 30 seconds then place it back in.

 

[BobaTea]

I tried stress testing again to 70C but my computer BSOD'd somewhere between 60C and 70C.

 

[Thedoctor44]

Was it a 0x124 again?
If so then I suggest replacing your CPU after removing the CMOS battery.
Do you have enough airflow?
It could be overheating but given that you say it BSODs when the temperatures as low (correct?) I think a bad CPU is the cause, is the CPU still under warranty?

 

[BobaTea]

Yeah it was a 124 code again

The computer seems to only BSOD around the 60-70C range which is easily acheived when playing Civ 5 over a period of time or during stress testing to a cerian temperature. I can also cause a BSOD faster while playing Civ 5 if I try to run skype at the same time.

There are no BSOD when playing games such as AION, Tera, League of Legends, Starcraft 2.

 

[Thedoctor44]

I believe CPUs struggle to acquire data at cache level 1 when the temperature is hot.
You might need more thermal paste or a bigger case.

Your issue definately sounds heat related.
You might need a replacement heatsink, or a better one.