Random shut downs and freezing

[bplogan]

Hello, I am a beginner when it comes to hardware troubleshooting so please bare with we. I have just purchased and installed a new Motherboard. When I play Battlefield 3, the PC freezes after about 30 seconds of gameplay. I seem to be able to stay in the menu part of the game without issue, it's just when I start the action the the PC freezes. I did some checking around and wound up trying a stress test using Prime95, and the result after about 1 minute is the computer powering off completely. I had no issue before getting the new motherboard. No other hardware has changed, and I did do a format and reinstall of windows after the motherboard swap. I have no issue when using windows normally, it's just when I'm gaming (doing something that requires alot of

The new board is a Gigabyte GA-990XA-UD3 AM3+
Processor: AMD Phenom X4 965 Black edition
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 CL9-9-9-24
PS: Antec TruePower TP-650 650W
GPU: PNY GTX560 Ti 1GB

Whenever the freeze or power off occurs I boot into the bios and check the CPU temp and it's usually at 49-52 Celsius.
I'm not sure where to go from here, could the new motherboard have some voltage or power related settings that don't agree with my Processor? I have the default settings in the bois, nothing overclocked.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[geekapproved]

You cannot check your cpu temp by going into the bios, by then it's not even close to what it might have been while gaming.

Install CPU ID Hardware Monitor (google) and leave it open while your gaming or running Prime95, it will tell you the min/max temps of all your components during the session.

The max allowable temp for your cpu is 62c.

Then report back with your temps.

Also you mentioned your running default settings in bios. Have you checked your memory is set to the right voltage in the bios according to the sticker on your ram? Auto does not always set it correctly.

 

[jaquith]

Welcome to Tom's Forum!

IF your RAM is actually running at DDR3-1600 Frequency without: 1. CPU Host/Bus Frequency -> 240MHz <or> CPU-NB Frequency -> 2400MHz with your Phenom X4 965 BE it will be unstable.

Next, look at the Event Manger [+] Critical errors and see what Windows reports as the 'error'; see -> http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/Jaquith/Event_Manager.jpg Error codes -> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310123 I assume that you installed ALL of the correct and latest drivers -> http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3901#dl

 

[bplogan]

Ok, I have used the CPUID Monitor and have posted a screenshot I took about 10 seconds before the pc froze up playing BF3. The weird thing about the screenshot is that under the CPU, the temperatures for the core's are all 0's. Above that there are other temperatures that start with the name TMPIN, and the TMPIN1 is 63 degrees. I'm assuming that's my problem as it got to 79 degrees before freezing up. What is TMPIN1?? I also posted a pic of my bios settings, I have set the memory voltage to 1.65 which is what is says on the sticker. Assuming that TMPIN1 is my CPU, why is it getting so hot on this new board and was fine on the previous board?

CPUID Screen:

BIOS Screen:

 

[geekapproved]

Well that's odd the temps show zero......hmmmmm

Maybe try Coretemp then, you can run it while running prime 95, i don't think it'll record your max temp though so you'll have to just watch it.

Why is your system voltage control on manual? Also your 1600mhz memory appears to be running at 1333mhz.

Download CPU-Z, then go to the memory tab and tell me what your dram frequency is.

 

[jaquith]

Most all if not all Corsair Vengeance DDR3-1600 are 1.50v, and all DDR3 running DDR3-1333 is going to be 1.50v. 'TEMPIN' are MOBO temperatures. Generally, whenever I see CPU Temps = 0C it's a BIOS or MOBO problem.

Try Clear CMOS (use Jumper method); see -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdHH9KrceR0

Then IMO if that doesn't correct the problem update the BIOS -> http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3901#bios to 'F9' and only use the Q-Flash method:

FAT-32 formatted Flash Drive

Nice 3-part video:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCCId1Mcrw4
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlx5GBkiaM0
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX78S4qyHu0

 

[bplogan]

Well that's odd the temps show zero......hmmmmm

Maybe try Coretemp then, you can run it while running prime 95, i don't think it'll record your max temp though so you'll have to just watch it.

Why is your system voltage control on manual? Also your 1600mhz memory appears to be running at 1333mhz.

Download CPU-Z, then go to the memory tab and tell me what your dram frequency is.

Hey, it's on manual just to show what the values are. On Auto, it hides what the values are set to. The Phenom 965 doesn't support 1600MHz ram without overclocking. Was the same situation with my last board.

Anyways, I now can't boot into windows, when the "Starting Windows" screen comes up, I get a BSOD that flashed very quickly and my system restarts....This is with no settings changed in the BIOS, I tried loading the defaults again, and same thing.........

 

[bplogan]

Most all if not all Corsair Vengeance DDR3-1600 are 1.50v, and all DDR3 running DDR3-1333 is going to be 1.50v. 'TEMPIN' are MOBO temperatures. Generally, whenever I see CPU Temps = 0C it's a BIOS or MOBO problem.

Try Clear CMOS (use Jumper method); see -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdHH9KrceR0

Then IMO if that doesn't correct the problem update the BIOS -> http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3901#bios to 'F9' and only use the Q-Flash method:

FAT-32 formatted Flash Drive

Nice 3-part video:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCCId1Mcrw4
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlx5GBkiaM0
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EX78S4qyHu0

Thanks, I just updated the BIOS to F9 successfully. I still cannot get the PC to boot any more however. It BSOD's when it's "Starting Windows".

 

[geekapproved]

Have you tried booting to your windows cd/dvd and select repair? (set bios to boot from cd/dvd first)

Make sure your cpu fan is spinning, if the cpu is overheating on boot it will shut down and restart.

It sounds to me like either overheating or your memory is bad, try taking a stick out and boot with just one, if that doesn't work take that one out and try booting with the other.

 

[bplogan]

Have you tried booting to your windows cd/dvd and select repair? (set bios to boot from cd/dvd first)

Make sure your cpu fan is spinning, if the cpu is overheating on boot it will shut down and restart.

It sounds to me like either overheating or your memory is bad, try taking a stick out and boot with just one, if that doesn't work take that one out and try booting with the other.

Hey, I tried the repair, and it said that it could not be repaired. Tried the system restore and it didn't help.

I tried each individual stock of ram and got the same blue screen with each. Also, I had the description of the ram wrong, it's actually Corsair Dominator DDR3 1600Mhz 1.65V. I hope that doesn't change anything...

The CPU does spin during the entire boot process.

I'm going to re-install windows quickly and see what happens. Thanks for all your help!

 

[bplogan]

The Phenom 965 doesn't support 1600MHz ram without overclocking. Was the same situation with my last board. http://www.uklv.info/g.gif

No it doesn't but it still works as the RAM is just clocked down to 1333 automatically. (by my motherboard anyway)

 

[jaquith]

I tried each individual stock of ram and got the same blue screen with each. Also, I had the description of the ram wrong, it's actually Corsair Dominator DDR3 1600Mhz 1.65V. I hope that doesn't change anything...!

Even the Dominator at DDR3-1333 SPD is 1.50v.

Make sure the RAM is in the same colored DIMM slots -- either White x2 or Blue x2:
CPU | blank | RAM | blank | RAM |
CPU | RAM | blank | RAM | blank |
Both are acceptable.

Next, I don't know what changes you made in the BIOS, but I recommend that you Load Default and on Gigabyte MOBO's Load Optimized.

Further, if you used SATA = AHCI then often ... BIOS = AHCI <=> Start = 3 BUT it should be BIOS = AHCI <=> Start = 0; see below. Loading Defaults sets the SATA -> IDE on most MOBO's except the LGA 1155 and LGA 2011.

Use Fix It or manually change, when or if you can boot into Windows -> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976
AHCI:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Msahci
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\IastorV

If you still have a failure then Clear CMOS as I posted above. IF the Date and Time did NOT reset then you didn't Clear CMOS.

 

[bplogan]

Even the Dominator at DDR3-1333 SPD is 1.50v.

Make sure the RAM is in the same colored DIMM slots -- either White x2 or Blue x2:
CPU | blank | RAM | blank | RAM |
CPU | RAM | blank | RAM | blank |
Both are acceptable.

Next, I don't know what changes you made in the BIOS, but I recommend that you Load Default and on Gigabyte MOBO's Load Optimized.

Further, if you used SATA = AHCI then often ... BIOS = AHCI <=> Start = 3 BUT it should be BIOS = AHCI <=> Start = 0; see below. Loading Defaults sets the SATA -> IDE on most MOBO's except the LGA 1155 and LGA 2011.

Use Fix It or manually change, when or if you can boot into Windows -> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922976
AHCI:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Msahci
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\IastorV
http://i1013.photobucket.com/albums/af254/Jaquith/AHCI_Start_0.jpg

If you still have a failure then Clear CMOS as I posted above. IF the Date and Time did NOT reset then you didn't Clear CMOS.

Ok, I cleared the CMOS just for the heck of it, loaded the defaults in BOIS. Still blue screen when I try and boot to Windows so I re-installed windows and re-installed all the latest drivers. I then bought a new Thermaltake Frio heatsink and installed it. I have been running Prime95 for about 20min now and have included a screenshot of the results so far. I'm going to run a memtest after this to see what I get. The CPU temperature seems very high to me especially with the new heatsink, what do you think?

 

[geekapproved]

Yes it's high but P95 loads your cpu pretty hard, much harder than gaming. It seems your new fan runs at a much slower rpm than your old fan, over 600rpm lower.

Did you use the thermal paste that came with the cooler? Just asking, it's fine, just wondering if you applied it yourself.

How hot is the room temperature? What is the configuration of your case fans? I mean something is wrong for sure.

You should be able to lower your voltage to 1.35v, that should lower your temps, you may even get away with 1.30v, that would make a significant difference, but try 1.35v first to make sure it's stable.

 

[bplogan]

Yes it's high but P95 loads your cpu pretty hard, much harder than gaming. It seems your new fan runs at a much slower rpm than your old fan, over 600rpm lower.

Did you use the thermal paste that came with the cooler? Just asking, it's fine, just wondering if you applied it yourself.

How hot is the room temperature? What is the configuration of your case fans? I mean something is wrong for sure.

You should be able to lower your voltage to 1.35v, that should lower your temps, you may even get away with 1.30v, that would make a significant difference, but try 1.35v first to make sure it's stable.

Ya I noticed the new fan rated slower in CPUID, not sure if that reading is correct as the fan has a manual dial on it to jack up the speed. (I had it on full). The fan itself is also much bigger than the previous one.

I did put thermal paste on the CPU that came with the cooler.

The room temperature is always about 25 degrees celcius

My case has 2 120mm fans on the front, one 120mm fan on the back, and a 200mm fan on the top. You can see it here:
http://www.ncix.com/products/?sku=21123&vpn=NINE HUNDRED&manufacture=Antec&promoid=1314

I'll try the voltage change and report back.

 

[geekapproved]

Try TWO 120mm on the back and ONE 120mm fan on the front.

Your exhaust fans can pull in all the air they need passively, you don't need 2 intake.

Make sure you intake is down low and your exhuast is high as possible.

I asked about the thermal paste because most coolers come with thermal paste on the hsf already, you didn't add more did you?

 

[bplogan]

Best answer selected by bplogan.

 

[bplogan]

Thanks for your help everyone, I appreciate it. I was able to borrow a different Phenom II 965 Black Edition CPU and had to issues with it. When I put mine back in I get the heat issues again. So It looks like my CPU is crapping out!