Continuous crashing, both expected and randomly

[W4ffleKing]

I bought the parts from Novatech recommended by my friend, who built it for me just before Christmas:

GPU: XFX AMD Radeon HD 6770 1024MB GDDR5

CPU: AMD Bulldozer FX-4 Quad Core 4100 Black Edition 3.60Ghz (SocketAM3+)

MOBO: ASRock 880GMH/U3S3 AMD 880G (Socket AM3+)

RAM: G.Skill Ripjaw 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Dual Channel Kit

Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
32” HDTV (1360x768) and 20” monitor (1680x1050)
600W PSU

I had been experiencing crashing issues around that time, but altering the RAM settings in BIOS seemed to fix the problem for around a month. Recently it has begun crashing again, both randomly and expectedly (as soon as I log into Skype or launch Portal 2 are the only occasions that I have noticed). Sometimes I can go all night without a crash but sometimes only a couple of hours, and crashes can be during intensive gaming or while browsing the internet. A mess around with RAM settings doesn’t help, neither does a bios reset to default. I have not over/under clocked anything and have the latest GPU drivers.

Any ideas would be appreciated, and apologies if I missed out any useful/important information.

Thanks

 

[QuietPC]

Psu brand?

Do you have the latest bios for the mobo/cpu combo?

What is the voltage of the ram and does it match the bios setting?

 

[W4ffleKing]

The quick reply is appreciated.

PSU is CIT, Model 600UB

The RAM voltage should be between 1.5-1.65v, and I have tried at all settings with no luck (1.5, 1.55, 1.6 and 1.65).

As for bios version, it is currently at 'p1.70', and the newest version for the mobo is '1.80'. Would you recommend installing '1.80'?

 

[vrumor]

GOnna take a stab in the dark and probably guess it is the budget POS PSU. Just a guess. Or could be the memory, use memtest86.

 

[W4ffleKing]

Ok cheers, I'll give memtest86 a go.

 

[QuietPC]

You can look to see what the newest bios does in the way of changes before trying to install it. Changing psu's is worth a shot so long as you know the 2nd one is good quality.

 

[W4ffleKing]

Memtest gave no errors after 2 passes and the latest bios descriptions offer 'Modify AM3+ CPU voltage setting' and 'Improved UCC function' - could that help or not really?

Also if I had to get a new PSU, what affordable brand would you suggest?

 

[vrumor]

memtest is something you generally run overnight. Its a stress test of your RAM.

 

[W4ffleKing]

Ooooooh I assumed it would be fine over a short period like FurMark, well I might give it another run tonight...

 

[QuietPC]

Memtest gave no errors after 2 passes and the latest bios descriptions offer 'Modify AM3+ CPU voltage setting' and 'Improved UCC function' - could that help or not really?

Also if I had to get a new PSU, what affordable brand would you suggest?

So there is a newer bios? If it alters the cpu voltage settings that could be the culprit. Suggest you do a bios update to see if that solves the issue.

 

[W4ffleKing]

I updated the bios with no improvement. However, I was in a skype call earlier during a crash, but the call continued and I could both hear and talk to my friend. A GPU problem...? :|