Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in

Reply to this thread

Forum question

Started by doublefelix921 | | 11 answers
Why does my newly built windows computer freeze often?
Frequently, my programs will freeze for 30 secs-3 mins (with no blue screen), and continue working just fine afterwards for a bit. Not every program freezes at once, but once one has already frozen, others are likely to as well. It happens more often with programs that take a lot of computing power, but also happens when I just have chrome open with <5 tabs. Windows explorer also freezes. I was watching the CPU usage and at least one of my processors spikes the instant a freeze happens, but quickly goes back down.

I actually built the computer about a year ago, but haven't fixed the problem until now, and it has always done this.

I tried updating my graphics drivers, no success. Also used every feature on CCleaner. Worried that it might be a hardware issue.

specs:
AMD FX 6300 3.5HGz 6-core processor
8GB RAM
Windows 7 64 bit, Ultimate
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660
  • By posting on this site, I confirm I am over 13 years of age and agree to abide by the site’s rules.

October 13, 2014 12:18:36 AM

sparestuff said:
Try putting a larger Watt PSU, see if that helps rectify the problem, sounds like the computer isn't getting enough power to run some programs. I would suggest at least 550W.


How could I tell that this is the case before I go buy one?
October 12, 2014 11:57:08 PM

Try putting a larger Watt PSU, see if that helps rectify the problem, sounds like the computer isn't getting enough power to run some programs. I would suggest at least 550W.
October 12, 2014 9:31:16 PM

Stennersaurus said:
Maybe it's not spiking high, but it's increasing gradually but you can't see it because it's frozen?


It's somewhat interesting... I was wondering if what you said is the case. I figured that if it's just frozen and that's why it's not showing high CPU usage, then there would be no change in the CPU usage, it would just be flat while frozen. But each of my cores had minimal usage until the instant everything unfroze, and then most or all of them went up to 60%+ for a few seconds, then back to normal.
October 10, 2014 9:58:26 AM

doublefelix921 said:
Just realized what happens: the CPU usage is low, but the instant it UNfreezes, it spikes very high. I don't know if it's just me but it seems like the internet also messes up around the time of a freeze. I don't know if this is significant in the diagnosis...

I just downloaded chipset drivers and it's still happening.

I didn't defrag my SSD if that's what you're asking. I just cleaned up the registry and deleted a bunch of stuff.


Maybe it's not spiking high, but it's increasing gradually but you can't see it because it's frozen?
October 8, 2014 6:41:05 PM

Just realized what happens: the CPU usage is low, but the instant it UNfreezes, it spikes very high. I don't know if it's just me but it seems like the internet also messes up around the time of a freeze. I don't know if this is significant in the diagnosis...

I just downloaded chipset drivers and it's still happening.

I didn't defrag my SSD if that's what you're asking. I just cleaned up the registry and deleted a bunch of stuff.
October 6, 2014 10:38:02 AM

Hmm, the CPU temperatures seem very good. 450Watt Powersupply is quite weak, that supports my theory about lack of power, although a GTX 660 does only consume 140Watts. Not too sure then :/ 
October 6, 2014 10:30:48 AM

Try getting the newest Bios for your mobo to start. Download chipset drivers for Win7 also. You have an ssd and ran ccleaner on it?

-LiveBacteria
October 6, 2014 10:17:56 AM

Stennersaurus said:
It sounds like it might be a hardware issue, not sure whether you can repair it or get a replacement. I'm assuming that it's not faulty wires to the screen, as that should be irrelevant to your CPU usage. Your cooling seems sufficient, and as long as you're using the newest drivers it should be fine.

Have you done anything recently (purposely or accidentally) that may have affected the hardware, or even something within the software that may affect hardware? You could try reinstalling the operating system to ensure there's nothing wrong with the software.

Also, what power supply do you have? If your PC freezes on more demanding tasks, then the PSU might not be able to supply enough power for the required tasks, which could cause it to just freeze.

The only reasons it could be happening are:
- Too high temperatures (try doing something intensive and watch the temps)
- Hardware damage/incompatibility
- Software settings corrupted
- Not enough power from power supply
- Loose/broken cables for the monitor (least likely though).

I would try reinstalling graphics and CPU drivers though. If none of this works, you are probably stuck with faulty hardware. :( 


I haven't done anything that might have affected the hardware. It has been doing this since I built it (about a year ago). It's annoying but doesn't make the computer unusable. I could try installing ubuntu as a dual-boot to see if the same thing happens there...

Power supply: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004IZN3K2/ref=pe_385040_30332...

I downloaded a temperature checker for my CPU. All cores stayed around 10C, with the occasional peak to 16C.
October 6, 2014 8:47:35 AM

It sounds like it might be a hardware issue, not sure whether you can repair it or get a replacement. I'm assuming that it's not faulty wires to the screen, as that should be irrelevant to your CPU usage. Your cooling seems sufficient, and as long as you're using the newest drivers it should be fine.

Have you done anything recently (purposely or accidentally) that may have affected the hardware, or even something within the software that may affect hardware? You could try reinstalling the operating system to ensure there's nothing wrong with the software.

Also, what power supply do you have? If your PC freezes on more demanding tasks, then the PSU might not be able to supply enough power for the required tasks, which could cause it to just freeze.

The only reasons it could be happening are:
- Too high temperatures (try doing something intensive and watch the temps)
- Hardware damage/incompatibility
- Software settings corrupted
- Not enough power from power supply
- Loose/broken cables for the monitor (least likely though).

I would try reinstalling graphics and CPU drivers though. If none of this works, you are probably stuck with faulty hardware. :( 
October 5, 2014 2:00:37 PM

EDIT: What happens: the CPU usage is low, but the instant it UNfreezes, it spikes very high. I don't know if this is significant in the diagnosis...

Stennersaurus said:
What sort of cooling do you have on your CPU? Is it overclocked? And have you installed the drivers for your CPU and graphics card?


CPU cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

processor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

SSD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

It is not overclocked. And I did install the CPU and graphics drivers. I recently reinstalled the graphics and I will reinstall the CPU driver as well. Was having some difficulty finding it at first.

See all answers