Computer freezes randomly

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blaaaaaa

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Jul 10, 2012
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Computer Components:
====================================
NZXT H440 Case
Asrock Z270 Killer SLI/AC
Corsair CX 450 Watt power supply
Intel i5-7600k (OC 4.5Ghz)
Kraken X52 CPU cooler
2 G.Skill Aegis 8GB DDR4
Crucial Mx300 525GB SSD
Western Digital 1 TB hard drive
EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB Single Fan
=====================================

So I built this year and included the power supply and terabyte hd from the previous computer.
I've noticed shortly after the build (like in a week) it froze up.
Ever since then it has continued to happen randomly.
I can be gaming, browsing with Chrome, really doing anything and without a warning it will freeze up.
If my external speakers are turned on they make this terrible sound almost like varying levels of screeching when it freezes. The only solution at that point is to shutdown and restart.
If I recall correctly I believe I might have had the same issue with the previous computer although not as frequent. This leads me to believe that the PSU could be bad.
So what are ALL the steps I should take to fully troubleshoot the hardware and software? What methods can be employed to fully test the PSU?
Thanks!
 
Solution
panathas
Disconnect all those devices but if nothing changes, you should start from the basics and do a lot of troubleshooting.

1)Revert the CPU to its default clock speed.
2)Monitor the CPU/GPU temp and clock speed and make sure that neither of them is throttling.
3)Update the UEFI/BIOS, the SSD firmware and all your system drivers.
4)Run a stress test on your system and test your RAM for errors with memtest.
5)Check all your drives for errors and their smart status. You may need to use software provided by the manufacture of each drive.
6)Check all the software that is running on your system, do a antivirus scan.

If all of the above fail you may need to reset/reinstall windows.
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jankerson

jankerson

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Well run Unigine Valley and see what happens.

Check the temps on the CPU running Prime 95.

Try turning down the CPU to stock speeds also.

If you had the same issues with the last machine with the same PSU it could be suspect. Could be on it's way out possibly. It's not shutting down yet, that would be a sure tell that it's defiantly the PSU>

Other than hooking the PSU up to testing equipment to fully test it no real way to do it at home reliably other than swap it out with a known good unit.

 
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panathas

panathas

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Feb 12, 2014
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Your system isn't stable and the overclock may be responsible. Return the CPU to its default clocks and reevaluate the situation. If nothing changes and if your system doesn't have any temperature issues then the PSU is likely the cause of the random freezes. If you also add the fact that this specific PSU was in your previous system that also had stability problems, then you can almost definitely conclude that the PSU is bad. Especially if your previous system was drawing less power that your new one, thus stressing the PSU less. In fact this specific Corsair model is notorious among internet forums for causing a lot of headaches to its owners. I wouldn't advise you to do stress testing with that PSU, because if it is indeed bad it may cause permanent hardware damage to the rest of your system. If you don't have a spare PSU, borrow one from a friend and then stress test your system with and without the overclock.
 
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B

blaaaaaa

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Thanks for the suggestions. So first I will reset to stock clocks for CPU. I'll monitor and report back. I do agree it might not be such a good idea to stress test when the PSU could be bad. The PSU is one of those "old Green units". If the problem reoccurs I'll throw money at a new PSU. Thanks guys!! One questions though -- What would you recommend as a replacement PSU? I don't want something overkill just enough to power the current hardware.
 
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jankerson

jankerson

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If it's a green unit I recommend getting a new PSU either way.

The Corsair TX550M is nice if you want to say with Corsair.

Or a Seasonic Focus 550W.

Would give enough room to upgrade the Graphics card later.

 
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panathas

panathas

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Feb 12, 2014
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A good value for money alternative is the new Corsair CX550M/CX650M. They are way better than the old green units, and their performance for money is pretty good. Here is the review for the CX650M =>http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/corsair-cx650m-psu,4770.html. Even this site recommends them. The CX550M is based on the same platform.
 
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B

blaaaaaa

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Jul 10, 2012
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I decided to go with Seasonic Focus 550w. Thank you all for the input! Will report back once installed and monitored.

10/17/17 UPDATE

I finally had some time to test the computer again and same symptom.
I guess the best step at this point is to disconnect everything I don't absolutely need connected: 1TB drive, 2nd ssd drive, nvidia videocard, and monitor further.
 
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panathas

panathas

Splendid
Feb 12, 2014
1,108
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30,315
Disconnect all those devices but if nothing changes, you should start from the basics and do a lot of troubleshooting.

1)Revert the CPU to its default clock speed.
2)Monitor the CPU/GPU temp and clock speed and make sure that neither of them is throttling.
3)Update the UEFI/BIOS, the SSD firmware and all your system drivers.
4)Run a stress test on your system and test your RAM for errors with memtest.
5)Check all your drives for errors and their smart status. You may need to use software provided by the manufacture of each drive.
6)Check all the software that is running on your system, do a antivirus scan.

If all of the above fail you may need to reset/reinstall windows.
 
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