What is Wrong with my Computer? [LONG POST WITH DATA]

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Lucas Bustamante

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So, I just bought this PC used from a guy, he works with tech and assembled this PC with spare parts he had, according to him all pieces are brand new.

Here's the config:

CPU: AMD FX-8120
GPU: HD 7850 Core Edition 2GB
Memory: (4x) OCZ Gold Edition 2GB DDR3 1033 (Total of 8GB)
HD: Seagate 1TB 64mb
Mobo: Asus M5A78L LE

Installed Windows on it 2 days ago, and I'm having a lot of trouble with this computer, for two reasons:

  • - It gives BSOD frequently
    - I have a poor gaming performance

About the BSOD

Most frequent error: MEMORY_MANAGEMENT
Click here to see a log from WhoCrashed

Second most frequent error: IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
I don't have a log for this one

BSOD that showed up one time: WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR
Click here to see a log from WhoCrashed

Installed Drivers (Organized by Manufacturer name, all bellow are Microsoft's)
RZmJVh1.png


Gaming Performance:

I get mixed results when it gets to this point, wich leaves everything even weirder.

GTA IV:
Low/Medium - Average 40 FPS with a LOT of lag spikes going to 15 FPS, making it unplayable

Skyrim:
High - Average 40 FPS with some lag spikes, mainly when there's creatures or in Cities

Killing Floor:
Low - 50 FPS with some monsters on screen
High - 20 FPS with some monsters on screen

I used to play Killing Floor on High with my old Q8400 and 9800GT 512MB, there's something clearly wrong.

Temperatures while gaming are around 60ºC for GPU and around 50ºC for CPU

My guess:

I think this motherboard sucks and the memories too, I would blame a bottleneck on one of those.

The BSOD seems to be AMD drivers related. Already tried uninstalling it and installing the BETA drivers, still get a few BSOD.

Benchmarks

Memory and Cache
h8FYXov.png


GPU/CPU
NellBfu.png


Hard Disk - Read
NLQqeXs.png
 
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Frana1965

Frana1965

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Just an opinion: try changing the RAM to 2x4GB. Use a well-known brand that is certified compatible (or take a risk with an uncertified Kingston ValueRAM) - some RAM will not work in some boards.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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Hi,

1) Your MAIN problem is probably an issue with the DDR3 memory, either a stick is defective or there is some timing conflict.

You need to run MEMTEST to eliminate this as the issue: www.memtest.org

a) burn a Memtest DVD (or use USB)
b) boot to the DVD/USB (may need to change boot order in BIOS so DVD for example is first before the Windows drive)

c) run a Full Pass (roughly 30 minutes) or until errors
d) if errors exist then test each stick one at a time (see motherboard manual for placement of a single stick)

2) Game Performance:
a) GTA IV sucks so I can't comment there - I've had major frame rate capping issues on three different computers before giving up

b) SKYRIM - That's probably normal numbers. I thought they were low at first, however Skyrim does poorly with AMD's CPU's.

On HIGH, 1920x1080, Skyrim gets 75FPS average using an FX-8150 + GTX680 so your results would be lower at the same settings (Vanilla; no mods).
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fx-8350-vishera-review,3328-14.html

You may wish to avoid most MODS, and play with some of the quality settings to raise the frame rate.

3) Motherboard?
Unlikely a significant issue. It's your CPU and Graphics card that are the performance. A much better motherboard might only be at most 3% difference.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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Update:
1) I assume you have either Windows 7 64-bit, or Windows 8 64-bit?

2) Also, confirm you have installed the following drivers:
a) Main Chipset, audio etc. (motherboard site). Not all are needed.
b) Video (direct from AMD)

3) Also, update your motherboard BIOS if it's not up do date.
 
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Lucas Bustamante

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@Deuce65
Yeah if I can't solve these problems I'll surely do it.

@photonboy

1) Windows 7 64-bit

2a) Good idea, installing them now
2b) Yup, I have it. First installed the normal version, got some BSOD, made a full uninstall with AMD Clean Uninstall Utility and went for the BETA drivers to see if it changes something. Same results.

3) Did it as soon as I installed windows

About the memtest, I've been there, ran Memtest for 10 hours... Take a look
9GXxo.jpg


And about GTA IV, benchmarks says the HD 7850 holds average 65 FPS on High @ 1920x1080, I can't get even a fraction of it on Low!
 
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itixmix

itixmix

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I had the same problem a few minutes ago, and i had the bsod error "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL"
and another one under "DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE"

I have a fresh install of windows 8.1
similar pc specs as you, and those frame times are pretty much similar to the ones I got in GTA IV
(its a really unoptimised console port), skyrim is similar

my question to you is, do you happen to have a blue snow ball microphone or a usb webcam (basically usb accessories?)
 
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Lucas Bustamante

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@itixmix

My USB devices:

- Mouse Logitech M100
- Keyboard Logitech Wireless K270

You gave me a good idea though. I have two PCI devices, I'll remove them and see if the BSOD stops:

- PCI board for Wireless Connection
- PCI board for Ethernet Connection (I don't know why it's there, since the motherboard has ethernet, but I'm using it)

Just tested Far Cry 2

Very High: 20 FPS
Medium: 30 FPS

According to Benchmarks of HD 7850, it should be:

Ultra High: 122 FPS Average, 76 FPS Minimum

So I ask - WTF is wrong with my computer?

This weekend I'll replace the memory modules with the person who sold me this - Then I'll try to install Windows again, if that doesn't work I'll give the PC back.

Another try: sfc /scannow
nebbPbT.png
 
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Lucas Bustamante

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A light at the end of the tunnel

Got a FPS boost after doing some things:

Average FPS (Before - After)

Far Cry 2 - From 25 to 55
Skyrim - From 60 to 90
Mass Effect 2 - From 55 to 60 (V-Sync)
GTA IV - From 35 to 61 (low/medium) and 30 (everything maxed out, with very few lag spikes)
Killing Floor - From 20 to 91

Test Results, reissued:

Memory and Cache - v2
rLvCBVi.png


GPU/CPU - v2
Fa0ISY1.png


HD - v2
jCnKs54.png


So, what did I do?

Well, believe it or not: REFRIGERATION.

Although all temperatures were normal for CPU, CPU, Hard disk and Motherboard, something was heating up, I don't know exactly what, but I guess it was memories or the PSU. Now I have the following refrigeration build:

7tTCV7w.gif


PS: The CPU cooler airflow looks weird, but that's the stock 412 cooler. Don't ask me why.

PS 2: At the same time I added those fans, I've disconnected the following pieces of the computer:


  • - Wireless PCI Card
    - Ethernet PCI Card
    - DVD reader
    - Hot Swap Sata Slot

So I actually don't know if it was the refrigeration or the removal of all that crap, it was all at once.

I feel the PC isn't 100% yet, but it's certainly an improvement. The only problem is that it's noisy as hell. I'll buy a silent cpu case, wich acoustic isolation.

Most likely solution for noise NZXT H2 SILENT http://www.nzxt.com/product/detail/103-h2-case

What I'm gonna do next:

- I'll replace the memories and see if I get even better results
- I'll replace the PSU for testing too

Of course I won't pay for these lol, I'll do it with the guy I bought the PC with, he has some spare parts.

One thing I still don't understand. Even with the obvious gain in performance, why do my test results don't change pretty much? The only thing that seems to have changed substantially is the L1, L2 and L3 Cache latencies

Thank you all!
 
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itixmix

itixmix

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When you reinstall windows, do it without some of your accessories connected, then plug them in one by one once windows has installed
(you might have to manually find the drivers for some of those things)

When I had the "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" bsod error it was caused by my blue snowball microphone, ever since I unplugged it, my pc
has been booting up perfectly and shutting down nicely. Before it would take about 5mins just to shutdown (even on an ssd)
 
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