Computer randomly reboots without warning(FX8350, ASUS M5A78L-M)

Dylan Blanque · Mar 7, 2014

We've done so many things, but first lets go with the problem. As I begin to use my computer, or my cousins', it usually works out perfectly after 20 minutes for the first time of the day, until it reboots, no warning, no crashdump, no bluescreen.

I have searched this along with my cousin, whom has a motherboard with the same chipset and the same problems... and found nothing. Almost 2 months of search, troubleshooting and work.

I have this setup:

CPU: AMD FX 8350 Vishera
GPU: XFX ATi Radeon HD 5750
MOBO: Had an ASUS M5A78L-M/USB3, same problems, thought it was the motherboard and bought a cheaper one (ASUS M5A78L-M LX V2).
RAM: 16GB RAM 1333MHz (4x4gb), downgraded to 8GB Ram 1333MHz (4x2) on the new MOBO.
HDD: 1TB Western Digital Blue
OS: Windows 8.1 64bit (Had Windows 7 64bit with this same problem)
PSU: 750W

He has this setup:

CPU: AMD FX 8350 Vishera
GPU: Sapphire ATi R9 290
MOBO: ASUS M5A78L-M/USB3
RAM: 6GB Ram 1333MHz (3x2gb)
HDD: 1TB Western Digital Black
OS: Windows 8.1 64bit (Had Windows 7 64bit with this same problem)
PSU: 1000W

Since this started to get annoying, and reboot on shorter time lapses, 5-10 minutes, and later went back to 30 minutes and so forth, fluctuating irrationally, we decided to troubleshoot, change parts, etc.

We did all these things:

- Checked if it wasn't a malfunctioning GPU
- Checked if it wasn't a malfunctioning MOBO
- Checked if it wasn't a malfunctioning CPU
- Checked if it wasn't a malfunctioning RAM Slot or RAM Memory
- Checked if it wasn't a compatibility issue according to the official sites of all the brands.
- Changed the case, wasn't that.
- Changed 3 PSUs, two PSUs of 600W and one of 750W on my PC, and two on my cousins' one of 850W and one of 1000W.

Then we started to search on internet and think on software or BIOS problems, we determined they don't work:

-Remove and put back in MOBO Battery
-Windows 8.1 Installation has same problem as Windows 7
-Changing powercfg /hibernate /size 100 on CMD.
-Installing MOBO Drivers
-Disabled C-State on BIOS and Anti-Surge
-Disabled Screenlock on Windows 8.1 (Irrelevant)
-Changed USB Keyboard to PS2 Keyboard, fixed the problem on my PC for 1 to 2 weeks, problem came back again. Didn't do a thing on my cousins' PC.
-Applied all Windows Updates, Fixed DLLs, and Updated BIOS to latest.
-Ran Memtest(x86) to be completely sure the RAM didn't have any problems.

I haven't found anything else, so...
I really need help on this, I don't have the slightest idea of what to do.

How I solved it:

I changed the motherboard to a Gigabyte 990FXA-UD5 and the GPU to a XFX R9 270X-DD, and got a Cooler Master 725w eXtreme PSU. Works quite well. I guess the problem were both the PSU and Motherboard, as I had to change both for the problem to stop. When I changed one part or the other it kept happening. Very strange but solved.

It seems the ASUS Chipset, conflicted with the GPU, so I changed the MOBO and the PSU separately and it stopped happening. Then bought the 270X and I'm running my pc Smoothly.

bgunner · Mar 7, 2014

you have a hardware issue for sure. I have a feeling you have a bios setting that is incorrect. I can not tell you what that would be but this is where i would start looking.

make sure your not over or under volting the CPU. try lowering the ram speed and if no help raise the ram timings. make sure the NB is running enough voltage.

all this can and will cause your system to reboot like you mentioned. Heck my head phones caused a problem with my sound card causing my gaming rig to do the same as your mentioning. = hardware issue.

Dylan Blanque · Mar 7, 2014

I'll check this out and tell you if it worked.

AxlMyk · Mar 7, 2014

What brand PSUs are you using?
Cheap ones can do just what you're experiencing.

Dylan Blanque · Mar 7, 2014

I reduced the voltage, it didn't work, I'll try increasing it a bit but I don't want to mess up my CPU.

Its not a PSU problem, my cousin has a pretty expensive one and he has the same problem. I already said this, I used 3 different PSUs and nothing changed.

Nordajn · Mar 19, 2014

Check the VRM and see if that gets too warm. The ASUS M5A78L-M/USB3 is known for not having the VRM cooled and that combined with the 8350 is not an ideal solution. The reason why is because the 8350 is putting that motherboard to its limits, trust me on this one. Overall I would also look over my chassi cooling to ensure that everything is cooled at all times. One quick fix is to open up your chassi and put a large fan as close as you can, so the airflow is concentrated directly to the VRM.

This is another example of VRM cooling (Orange heatsinks on the VRM)
http://www.superficial.net/miscstuff/p5w64_mod/vrm_cooling.jpg

AuroraHD · Apr 2, 2014

Is this motherboard ok partnering with an FX 6300 factory clocked?

Tejpuding · Jun 9, 2014

i have same problem . and i checked is the motherboard or psu or the cpu compatible with the r9 290 and i found one thing what im not sure about but maybe the motherboard cant handle this setup or just this video card coz if we see the motherboard spec we can see Expansion Slots:1 x PCIe x16 1 x PCIe x1 2 x PCI
the PCIe slot doesnt say is it 2.0 or 3.0 so maybe the PCIe slot cant handle the card coz it doesnt support the card.
I have seen on the other forums with PCIe 2.0 x16 slot will be hande it .Coz the card supported PCIe is 3.0

bgunner · Jun 9, 2014

Tejpuding :

As of at the least 2007 all PCI-e slots were swaped over to PCI-e 2.0 or higher. this is not the issue with his board. He does have at least the 2.0 if not 2.1 standard.

Squirrel5978 · Sep 27, 2014

I'm having the same problem with the same CPU / Motheboard / GPU. Did you ever solve this?

Dylan Blanque · Oct 29, 2014

I changed the motherboard to a Gigabyte 990FXA-UD5 and the GPU to a XFX R9 270X-DD, and got a Cooler Master 725w eXtreme PSU. Works quite well. I guess the problem were both the PSU and Motherboard, as I had to change both for the problem to stop. When I changed one part or the other it kept happening. Very strange but solved.

bgunner · Oct 29, 2014

I agree that is is strange.

Shabeargle · Dec 13, 2014

Hey guys I had this exact same problem, turns out it was AMD's display driver :/
If anyone else is having this problem try uninstalling the driver. I also found the cool n quiet setting was sometimes the culprit.

sirtrout · Dec 23, 2014

Shabeargle :

I just completed my first build similar to the one up top, ran into the same problem which is solved by deleting the display driver. Does my GPU actually do anything without it? Is there a way around this?

Alex Barbosa · Dec 26, 2014

sirtrout :

Hey I am runnin into this issue as well. If I delete that driver does the GPU work properly? ??

bgunner · Dec 26, 2014

Alex Barbosa :

No it does not. You need to have the driver installed for the GPU to work properly. Try diferent driver versions if you are experiencing driver related issues.

Shabeargle · Jan 1, 2015

bgunner :

Alex Barbosa :

No it does not. You need to have the driver installed for the GPU to work properly. Try diferent driver versions if you are experiencing driver related issues.

Actually on further investigation I found it was a problem with the 2D clock speed set to 300 by default. used Asus GPU tweak to raise the speed to 600, no crashes since.

dannys376 · Feb 7, 2015

For anybody else reading this I can confirm that the motherboard is not strong enough for this card,I spent so much time trying to figure out what was wrong,I have a r9 290 tri x OC,got nee motherboard which is a Asus M5A97 EVO 2.0 and works perfect,I exusted all other hardwar to figure this out also great for amd fx6300 are up

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