Component Abnormalities

Vesper

Vesper

Vesper

Associate
Joined
30 Apr 2011
Posts
126
Location
London, England
Hello!

Recently, i've been having very...abnormal effects on my PC after a recent purchase I made for my PC after some suggestions from members on this forum.

I recently bought, and added a Radeon HD5850 to my PC and it's been performing alright but I feel that it can perform a lot better (Or so I was told).

The issue i'm having is that a lot of games tend to stutter, freeze up, and lock, sometimes my entire computer has just, shut off when playing a game (i.e. Witcher 2) and I have no clue whats causing this.

I had a look at my ram, and noticed it's acting very strangely, the RAM frequency is about 1066MHz as it states on the sticks themselves, but when I used CPUID to check what its running at, it tells me it runs at about 500MHz (Give or take). Is this a typical sign of RAM failure? Or is it something else that can be easily solved.

I was told it could be a BIOS issue, and noticed my BIOS is version F5, the latest being F7, but I haven't a clue on how to flash my BIOS to accept the latest version.

Also, I'd like to know if there's any air filters I can get for my case:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-237-CM

The fans are 230mm and I don't see any type of filter that can fit it.

I'm going to perform a full case "Spring clean" in the next week or so, and re-wire my entire system, so if I can get suggestions on potential hardware fixes/tips, that would be appreciated as I can plan that in my clean out.

Thanks!

System Specs

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 @ 2.66GHz

Mobo: Gigabyte 965P-DS3P - Chipset P965/G965 - BIOS: F5 - PCI-Exp x16

Memory(RAM): Corsair Ballistix DDR2 3x 1GB - Speed 1066MHz

GPU: Click

PSU: Hi-Power Black 800W Modular 13.5cm Fan PSU - 4x PCI-E, 20+4pin, 6x SATA
Click to expand...
 
Your ram is double data rate so you need to double what CPU-z shows, your running 1000 MHz.

Your PSU does not fill me with confidence.

What GPU were you running before, all drivers removed.
 
RJC said:
Your ram is double data rate so you need to double what CPU-z shows, your running 1000 MHz.

Your PSU does not fill me with confidence.

What GPU were you running before, all drivers removed.
Click to expand...

I was running a GeForce GTS250 1024MB, I was told it was a renamed 9800GT or something of that nature.

and im not sure why my PSU "Does not fill you with confidence", 800W from what I've been told, is more then enough for the current hardware i'm using.
 
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I recently did a temperature check on my CPU and GPU, my GPU is running fine at around 30-50c (While in use), but my CPU is showing this:



the current readings is "Idle", with just a few programs open (Skype, steam window etc), the high readings is when I had a game open, could this be why my game earlier just randomly shut down my PC?

I just purchased some thermal paste, so I hope that could do the trick, but any suggestions is appreciated.
 
Another point i'd like to make on this, is that my current heatsync is stock, so if anyone can suggest a good heatsync as well, that would be great!
 
Vesper said:
I recently did a temperature check on my CPU and GPU, my GPU is running fine at around 30-50c (While in use), but my CPU is showing this:



the current readings is "Idle", with just a few programs open (Skype, steam window etc), the high readings is when I had a game open, could this be why my game earlier just randomly shut down my PC?

I just purchased some thermal paste, so I hope that could do the trick, but any suggestions is appreciated.
Click to expand...

Yeah maybe seeing as they are nearly 70C idle and +100C loaded...maybe the (!) symbol gives it away a bit as well.....
 
While 800W is certainly 'more than enough', it's the reliability of the hi-power units that's in question...

You'd be better off with a better branded psu (corsair for example) as they are more efficient at keeping a steady output under heavy load

Cheaper PSUs are one of the main causes of PC death

And the only thing I have to say about the CPU temp reading is ':eek: OMFG' That is probably why things are turning off... What CPU cooler are you using? ...do you even have one? lol
 
Use this cooler: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-010-TI&groupid=701&catid=57&subcat=1395

Your CPU could be throttling due to the high heat, hence might cause it to stay on idle clocks.


As for the PSU, it may state 800w but a cheap brand will usually not live up to what it states, as the components inside could be cheap and won't be able to handle too much power, causing it unable to power the system fully or in worse case, explode. Depending on what components used in the PSU could also take out the rest of the system...
 
Even if you're using the stock cooler those temperatures are ridiculous.

Likely the cooler isn't seated properly on the CPU.

Remove it, reapply thermal paste and refit.

Or get a new cooler.
 
Surveyor said:
Even if you're using the stock cooler those temperatures are ridiculous.

Likely the cooler isn't seated properly on the CPU.

Remove it, reapply thermal paste and refit.

Or get a new cooler.
Click to expand...

I've ordered new paste, got some MX4 Thermal paste, and i'll get a nice new heat sync as well to go with it.

As for the PSU, i've had that for about a year and a bit now, didn't pay much for it, and so far it's served me very well, so I don't feel I need to change that (Just yet...).

Thankyou for the suggestions.
 
Vesper said:
I've ordered new paste, got some MX4 Thermal paste, and i'll get a nice new heat sync as well to go with it.

As for the PSU, i've had that for about a year and a bit now, didn't pay much for it, and so far it's served me very well, so I don't feel I need to change that (Just yet...).

Thankyou for the suggestions.
Click to expand...

What's a 'heat sync'? :p

I've heard of a heat sink before though. ;)
 
Another question I had was about filter systems for my case, I'd rather not use a widely suggested pantyhose as a filter system for dust, is there any alternative or an actual filter made specifically for HAF cases?
 
Vesper said:
Sorry, been doing stuff that involves syncronisation, tends to stick on the mind.
Click to expand...

When you get your new heatsink and still have the problems, I can almost guarantee it will be the PSU. Your unit has a 800W rating, but it is very unlikely it can sustain 800W for any prolonged period of time.
 
There's no actual filter ready-made for the HAF932... not unless the filter for the HAF-X will fit and you can botch them into place...

The only filter I've ever seen that comes close is one on eBay for £15 and that's only 200mm, not 240mm unfortunately
 
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