New build desktop freezes

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Taurusko

Honorable
Aug 23, 2013
4
0
10,510
Hello.
My new desktop keeps freezing regularly. I know that this phrase is quite common in this forum, but I am willing to provide any information possible to resolve this problem.
The freeze occurs randomly, but there are certain tasks (like watching Youtube in full screen, or recently copying files) that higher the chance of freeze (it does not happen all the time). When it happens, computer locks and does not respond to anything other than hard reset.
No NumLock, no mouse movement, no Ctrl+Alt+Del, no HDD blinking.
After the reboot and after the Windows Safe-mode prompt, everything works just fine. No bugs or errors.

Specs:
MB: ASUS P8H77-M
CPU: Intel Pentium G2020 (2,9 Ghz, dual core)
RAM: 2x Corsair 4GB DDR3 1600MHz CL9 White Vengeance Low profile
GPU: SAPPHIRE HD 6670
PSU: OCZ CoreXStream 500W
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 3TB ST3000M001-1CH166

Note: Nothing is overclocked, but RAM is underclocked from 1.5V to 1.35V (because it is low voltage model) and from 1600Mhz to 1333Mhz because I forgot to check this before buying and that CPU can not handle 1600Mhz
Note 2: HDD is formated to GPT, around 6 partitions, Windows 7 and Linux installed and UEFI bootable.

What I tested already:
Swapped RAM all around the slots, tried only one, or the other.
Tried another GPU (old GeForce GT230, I am not sure about the model number).
Linux so far does not freeze, but I am not using it heavily.
Memory test without errors.
HDD (SMART and Seagate) tests without noticable errors, 97-100% health and performance.

Anything else I have forgot?

Please, if anyone can help me, or guide me to identifying the error, I will be very grateful.

Thank you :)

T
 
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TheTechnoTux

TheTechnoTux

Honorable
May 27, 2013
14
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10,520
What cooling is this running?

Try running your computer at the normal load you would run at, and check the temperature of the CPU, HDD, and other components.

If the processor is running too hot, (sort of 80°+ varying on different processors), you may need better cooling.


Also, check to see if the hard drive is abnormally vibrating or moving about, as some hard drives shut themselves down if there's too much movement.


Last resort - try reinstalling Windows (urrgghhhh).

Last last resort, change hard drive, being as your SMART test says its fine, this is unlikely to be the issue.
 
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T

Taurusko

Honorable
Aug 23, 2013
4
0
10,510
Temperatures are fine. I am allergic to high temperatures, because my first notebook cranked 106°C and my second one is hot too :)
CPU: 36°C
HDD: 36°C
GPU: 40°C
Even when I do heavy tasks, I get 50-60 degrees max.

Hm. HDD is mounted sideways (Fractal case has side mounting HDD rack). The screws are tight, antivibration little rubber circles are in place.
If it would be the movement, the freezes would be more consistent.
 
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TheTechnoTux

TheTechnoTux

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May 27, 2013
14
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10,520


Is your BIOS updated to the latest version? Have you ran a ram test? If ram test fails, then it's the ram. If its fine, it's a mobo issue.
 
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T

Taurusko

Honorable
Aug 23, 2013
4
0
10,510
I have run the Memory test that is shipped with many Linux Live CDs (I think it is Memtest86+), but I am not sure. I will run this one too, just in case.
How many passes are enough ? (Ive ran one pass with no errors).
Oh, and that BIOS (UEFI) firmware update ... well ... some say that newer firmwares break some UEFI booting capabilities and I am glad that I can dual-boot Win & Grub.
 
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TheTechnoTux

TheTechnoTux

Honorable
May 27, 2013
14
0
10,520


If the BIOS is not fully updated, that could well be your issue. I haven't heard that the dual-booting screen is removed, the likelihood is, it isn't. If it is, it's just a case of changing a few settings in BIOS.

If you pass once I believe that is enough.

Try using a heavy Linux load (maybe play TF2) and see what happens.

Anyways, I would first recommend updating BIOS.

Then, as a last resort, try reinstalling Windows.
 
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T

Taurusko

Honorable
Aug 23, 2013
4
0
10,510
So ...
I ran the Windows memory test (standard preset), without errors.
I am currently running Prime95 and 100% squeezing CPU and half of my RAM. Without errors or crashes.

But there is one thing that is curious.
My computer froze yesterday, as usual, when watching Youtube. In the frozen state, Ive tried to open the optical drive and the button responded, like there was nothing happening. Another thing is, that I forgot to mention that when I get to the frozen state, the current sound that is coming from speakers/headphones gets frozen too. Like if you took one 1/10th of a second and looped it. It creates the "buzzing" effect. It persists until I cut it off with with hard reset.

Now the thinking part:
- My computer is able to withstand huge loads without problem or overheating.
- Freezes come mostly in two scenarios - playing youtube a copying large bunch of files. Both on Windows (so far).
- When in frozen state, optical drive works, sound gets looped, everything else is not responding.

What is different between benchmarking and playing youtube? Where is the missing part of the puzzle?

Oh, and btw, I am going for UEFI update as the last resort when EVERYTHING else fails. I am not risking the posibility to loose the current booting capabilities (Ive read somewhere about newer UEFI firmwares, and until I have more knowledge about this, I am very against this idea).
 
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A

Ares2737

Honorable
Jan 28, 2014
1
0
10,510
My Specs
G2020 2.9 Ghz
1600 MHZ 4 GB Ram Kingston HyperX - DownClocked to 1333MHz
7200 RPM Barracuda Seagate 500 GB
Asus Ati Radeon 7790 Direct Cu OC 1 GB DDR5
Gigabyte H61M-S1 Motherboard
Corsair VS 450 PSU
I have the same problem, I think it is because of the RAM
 
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