Running CPU at a higher power setting will cause PC to Freeze when clicking something

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
W

Welstead

Commendable
Mar 5, 2016
16
0
1,510
CPU: AMD FX 8350 Eight Core Processor
Motherboard : Asus m5A97 LE R2.0

Recently I have been changing the minimum processor state in the processor power management in the power options to allow my PC to run without freezing. Changing the minimum processor state to 5% makes the CPU run at 1400 MHz and no freezes occur.
This is what it looks like
https://gyazo.com/8360163385443bb9945ae272bd147e59

However, if I was to change the minimum processor state to a much higher amount, such as 50/60/70 %, my PC will freeze when I carry out a process, such as clicking a link on a web page, clicking a button on a program, etc.
If I was to turn up the minimum processor state and play a game, as long as I stay inside the game and don't click on anything else outside of it, it will be fine for hours. This leads me to believe that it isn't a temperature issue, or anything overheating.

As a sort of temporary fix for this, I am just changing the minimum processor state when coming in/out of games. Does this definitely mean that the CPU is the problem? If so, is there any fix for this without having to buy a new CPU/Motherboard.
 
Solution
DonkeyOatie
All of the symptoms you are describing indicate a power delivery problem. Some of it may not be thermal throttling, but a single 'fragile' phase or component, that falls over when stressed suddenly.

You could move your CPU to a friend's system and see how it works there, you can run Memtest86 to ensure that your memory is running properly, you can test your GPU. These tests will help identify what is, and what is not associated with your problem.

There is no 'magic bullet'.
Sort by date Sort by votes
W

weberdarren97

Glorious
Aug 10, 2015
8,137
6
45,615
I believe that the problem is actually temperature related, seeing as there actually isn't that much for the CPU to do in modern games, the GPU will handle most of it. I would download CoreTemp from www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/ and just let it run off to the side where you can see it and when you do something that usually causes it to freeze, take a look at the temps right before, during, and after (if it's still running afterwards).

Please reply back with any results.

Also, according to the Asus website, you need BIOS version 1006 or later to be able to properly use that processor. If you press Win+R at the desktop and type in msinfo32, you should see a category that lists your BIOS version. If you do not have a new enough version, reply back and we'll guide you through what to do about it.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

Champion
Sep 16, 2014
12,141
1
50,960
I think I mentioned this problem in another thread with you. That motherboard has a power delivery system (VRM) that can overheat when stressed and may throttle your system down to stop, or cause it to 'freeze'. Zip tie a case fan to blow on the VRMs and see if this helps. There may be another issue also but deal with this one first.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
W

weberdarren97

Glorious
Aug 10, 2015
8,137
6
45,615


Yes, use DonkeyOatie's solution first, I actually for some reason didn't remember that issue, but I have seen it before on this site.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
W

Welstead

Commendable
Mar 5, 2016
16
0
1,510


I just found it extremely strange how it is completely fine in a game for hours on end, then I tab out of the game to open something and then it goes. I don't have to have a game open for it to do it, sometimes, the PC has frozen before even booting up windows, this is when the CPU is booting up at a higher power setting, so I have to make sure to lower the power before I shut down the PC

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
W

Welstead

Commendable
Mar 5, 2016
16
0
1,510


So you're saying opening google chrome or simple program is 'stressing' it but running a game for hours on end isn't?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
W

Welstead

Commendable
Mar 5, 2016
16
0
1,510


I have a desk fan at full power pointing towards the motherboard, it hasn't helped.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
W

Welstead

Commendable
Mar 5, 2016
16
0
1,510


I play World of Warcraft, which is extremely reliant on the CPU, it is unplayable while my CPU is running at lower than 3.4GHz
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

Champion
Sep 16, 2014
12,141
1
50,960


I don't know where that came from, but it is simply not true. Some games absolutely hammer the CPU, while others rely much more on the CPU.' Otherwise, all you would have to do to play modern games is plug in the best GPU you can afford, ad we could all run on i3s and Athlon 860Ks.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
W

Welstead

Commendable
Mar 5, 2016
16
0
1,510


https://gyazo.com/96fd36eb9c5b3b09126972664f463c3a I updated my BIOS recently
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

Champion
Sep 16, 2014
12,141
1
50,960
All of the symptoms you are describing indicate a power delivery problem. Some of it may not be thermal throttling, but a single 'fragile' phase or component, that falls over when stressed suddenly.

You could move your CPU to a friend's system and see how it works there, you can run Memtest86 to ensure that your memory is running properly, you can test your GPU. These tests will help identify what is, and what is not associated with your problem.

There is no 'magic bullet'.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
W

Welstead

Commendable
Mar 5, 2016
16
0
1,510


Power delivery problem sounds about right, as this all started happening again after a power cut in my house last friday
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
DonkeyOatie

DonkeyOatie

Champion
Sep 16, 2014
12,141
1
50,960
Yes, I know, I read the other thread. My best guess is a dodgy capacitor(although it cold be a MOSFET too) somewhere on your motherboard in the power delivery system. Hours of testing and checking of temperatures of individual components might allow you to find it.


I've been working with PCs since the beginning (early 70's) so I have a lot of 'been there, done that, and scars have healed up nicely thank you'. this sort of problem is very challenging to pin down.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom