Solved Computer Crashes

[Nexuhildrix]

Hello Sevenforums. 3 - 4 months back i decided to buy myself a new computer, i started by buying a new graphic card (Geforce GTX 560TI TOP), CPU (AMD Phenom II X6 1100T) and a new Power Supply (650W Cooler Master). But my motherboard was to old for the new CPU, so i bought a new motherboard aswell (M5A88-V EVO) and a computer tower (Cooler Master CM Storm Sniper Black).

My brother and my cousin helped me get everything working, when we were done my brother downloaded the bios and the drivers for the motherboard and graphic card.

I downloaded the game i bought too. (Battlefield 3) and suddently my computer just crashed with no warning. i tried to turn it on and open the game again, but the same thing happened. I was running the game once again. and checked if anything overheated.

But nothing did. My cpu wasnt even close to be hot either. A few days later i went to a Computer Store. They had a look at it. They tried to update the bios and the drivers again, they also tried to reinstall my windows(7). This been going on for 1 - 2 months, He told me to get a new harddrive, cause it was to old and broken. I went out and spend $250 on a new harddrive (seagate 2TB) that didnt solve the problem.. i've been texting him for a few days and he havent texted me back. So i thought i just had to post a thread here.

My computer crashes at different times. Sometimes it crashes after 1 hour playing a game. Other times you can play 5 - 12hours without a crash, I tried to calcuate my computer. It told me my comoputer spend 600 - 650W without my towers fans, and my Zalman CPU fan. I really hope you can help me, I've been playing like this for almost 3 months.

If you got any questions please ask me, I will answer right away. I really hope you can help me solve this problem. PS: Sometimes while playing games. it also just freezes.

Could it be my graphic card thats broken?


Thank you Sevemforums.

 

[Nitro58]

Does it only crash when playing BF3? If so you might want to check out the BF3 battle log forums. There have been a lot of crashing issues with BF3 since it's full release. Does your MB have Realtek audio? The Realtek audio drivers have been sepected of causing some of the crashing problems.

 

[chris1neji]

Please update your computer specs. It's located on the left lower side of your post. "My System Specs".

Just to make sure you don't get any crashes or system hangs while reguler desktop use, and only get them while gaming correct?

Have you check RAM for memory errors?
Have you tried doing stress test on the CPU and later on stressing the GPU?

Lets see what others say about this. I am not the greatest expert in this forum by a long shot

 

[Nexuhildrix]

Does it only crash when playing BF3? If so you might want to check out the BF3 battle log forums. There have been a lot of crashing issues with BF3 since it's full release. Does your MB have Realtek audio? The Realtek audio drivers have been sepected of causing some of the crashing problems.

It crashes in any games.

It crashes when the computer uses alot of memory.

 

[Nexuhildrix]

Please update your computer specs. It's located on the left lower side of your post. "My System Specs".

Just to make sure you don't get any crashes or system hangs while reguler desktop use, and only get them while gaming correct?

Have you check RAM for memory errors?
Have you tried doing stress test on the CPU and later on stressing the GPU?

Lets see what others say about this. I am not the greatest expert in this forum by a long shot

Just to make sure you don't get any crashes or system hangs while reguler desktop use, and only get them while gaming correct? Its only when the computer is using high memory use.

Have you check RAM for memory errors? Is there any programs i can that kind of errors?

Have you tried doing stress test on the CPU and later on stressing the GPU? Yes. i've used 3Dmark 11. No i havent been doing a stress test on my cpu.

 

[chris1neji]

Thanks for updating your info, to check for memory problems Windows 7 has a built in tool call Memory Diagnostic Tool
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/715-memory-diagnostics-tool.html?ltr=M This is a tutorial on Windows seven forums that will help you on how to use it
i strongly suggest using memtest

If you suspect memory issues, then you may also want to consider using and running Memtest86+ at boot. Memtest86+ is a comprehensive stand-alone memory diagnostic program that you boot from at startup to test your RAM. You can download a ISO file to burn to DVD to boot with, or a floppy disk package installable from Windows to a USB flash drive or floppy disk to boot with.

If you do consider doing Memtest, remove the RAM modules and run one at a time. Usually 30minutes to 1 hour of testing is sufficient.

Lets do one step at a time

Any questions or problems please let me know, i hope my instructions were clear.

 

[Nexuhildrix]

I just ran the program you send me. There was no problem with the rams. I also ran a CPU stress program. Didnt crash or anything at 100% CPU usage..

Could it be problems with other hardwares?

 

[chris1neji]

That was really fast, usually when I do RAM testing it takes a whole day.

The point of doing stress testing is to make sure that is not an overheating issue or a hardware problem.
To stress the CPU i use prime 95
If you have a 32bit OS download this one
Prime95 (32bit) - 25.11 Download - EXTREME Overclocking

If you have 64 bit
Prime95 (64bit) - 25.11 Download - EXTREME Overclocking

Here is the tutorial on how to go about with this
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/100352-hardware-stress-test-prime95.html

To do a GPU stress test follow this tutorial
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/100356-video-card-stress-test-furmark.html

As always keep an eye out of tempatures, and only run one at a time. I suggest minimum of ONE hour. Unless errors or overheating issues occur.

I am off to work so i wont be able to help for at least a few hours

If you dont have a software to monitor temps please download
http://www.almico.com/speedfan445.exe Speedfan

 

[essenbe]

First. If I understood you correctly, you said your computer was pulling 600-650W. If that is the case, your CPU is 650W Max. When gaming you are stressing many components and that causes them to draw more power. There is a good possibility that your problem is with the PSU. Although I don't see that much in your system specs.

I would start off by running memtest86 to test the ram. windows memory diagnostic thest is not very comprehensive.
Next I would run Prime95 to test the CPU
Then run furmark which puts strain on the GPU and you will see any errors.

read all the tutorials Linked above and run the tests fully. then let us know the results.

EDIT: Also, if you are overclocking, stop and set everything at default levels.

 

[Nexuhildrix]

Okay sevenforums, I've been running all 3 tests. And they seem to be fine. The GPU went to 81 decrease.

There was no error running the Prime95 test either. It was running 2hours and 30min. The guide says 2hours.

The memtest didnt find any erriors either.


All 3 programs completed succesful. With no erriors.

So the problem must be the PSU? i got the 600-650W used without my tower include. i tested it on the 2 most recommended and used calculators.

 

[chris1neji]

If all three of them ran succesful with no hiccups, try running the CPU and Graphics both at the same time. If we experience a shutdown we can safely assume it is not software related with your games and it's likely hardware related.

I just noticed you said "i got the 600-650W used without my tower include."

Your system is very likely going over the 500 watt, i do not know how much it is requiring when going full load.

Since you got the power supply used the capacitators may be loosing efficiency and although it might have been a 650 PSU at one point not so much anymore.

This could very likely be the source of the problem.

Anyway you can find a friend that would let you borrow a power supply with much higher wattage rating?
If not how about unplugging as many possible cooling fans you can and still maintain proper airflow. Unplugging optional drives CD/DVD

I counted 6 Fans which could probably at max use 30~50 watts.
DVD drives possibly 20 watts

If any overclocking was done please revert it back to normal, overclocking really increases power consumption.

 

[Nexuhildrix]

How much wat PSU would you prefer for my computer?

 

[essenbe]

try using this PSU Calculator. I ran your system specs and came up with 513W. You could have other components not in the specs. But, 513W does push a 650W PSU. You are running it at 80% of it's capacity. If you are overclocking, that could put you over the top. I like to run a PSU at around 60% of capacity. That will make it last longer, run cooler and allow room for upgrades.

Also, how long did you run Furmark and memtest86. To run memtest86 for 7 passes takes from 8-10 hours.

 

[Nexuhildrix]

I ran the memtest once, and my computer scanned my computer 2 times. The Furmark was running 15min on 81 decrease.

I will try the program you sent me.

I also just took away afew fans and played a game in battlefield 3. My GPU went to 60 - 61 decrease and 44% fan speed.

I could play a whole game without a crash. I usualy get crashes or a freeze before the game is over.

 

[Nexuhildrix]

try using this PSU Calculator. I ran your system specs and came up with 513W

I tried that calculator aswell. i also ame up with 513W. Then i tried 2 recommended calculators. I could choose exactly what i had in my computer without my tower. The first one told me i used 600 and the other told me i used 650W that.

 

[essenbe]

If your card does not have it's own utility, you can use MSI Afterburner to set a custom fan profile that may keep your GPU cooler. You just have to run a balance between fan speed/GPU temps and noise.

that is a pretty comprehensive calculator. many calculators overstate the wattage to get you to buy a more expensive one. If you decide on a new PSU, I would recommend Corsair or Seasonic. They cost a little more but are very good quality and will put out what they say they do. Some PSUs don't actually put out what they are rated at.

 

[Nexuhildrix]

I just tried to disable the 3 big fans. my pc crashed after 1 or 2 hour.

To be honest. i think my pc reaches around 700 - 800W with all fans on.

I will put some money into a 850W Power supply.

 

[essenbe]

fans really don't pull that much power. I have a HAF X case with 1 230mm 3 200mm and a 140mm. I'm running a CPU cooler with a 140mm and a 120mm fan and have a GPU cooler with a 120mm fan. I run 2 SSDs and 4 X 1TB 7200 RPM hard drives an AMD 6950 and am overclocked and don't need that much PSU wattage. I have a Corsair HX 750. It may be your PSU, but before spending money I would do extensive tests on other hardware to make sure that is the problem.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I just tried to disable the 3 big fans. my pc crashed after 1 or 2 hour.

To be honest. i think my pc reaches around 700 - 800W with all fans on.

I will put some money into a 850W Power supply.

I think you are making some rank guesses.

You may have a power supply problem, but your system isn't using 600 watts. Quite possibly not even 450.

If you want to measure actual usage, use a Kill-a-watt or similar device.

Your PSU may not even put out an honest and consistent 400. Get a reliable brand---if you decide you have a PSU problem at all.

The PSU calculators try to give you a recommended PSU wattage to purchase. They do not estimate power consumption.

 

[chris1neji]

I just tried to disable the 3 big fans. my pc crashed after 1 or 2 hour.

To be honest. i think my pc reaches around 700 - 800W with all fans on.

I will put some money into a 850W Power supply.

Your PC crashed after a few hours while gaming again?
I also read a post where the test were not that extensive. I know you may not like waiting for your computer to do these test or you may have other thinsg you want to do but, all i am doing is trying to save you money. What if you buy the power supply and you still get crashes?

However you mention you were able to play a game of BF3.
You never replied to me is that power supply a used power supply before you bough it? If it's a few years old i can see the possibility of it not being able to power up your system.