Computer freezing - FX 8150
Computer freezing - FX 8150
I acquired some second-hand components from a reliable acquaintance – an ASUS Sabertooth 990 motherboard, an AMD FX 8150 processor, and 16 gigabytes of Corsair DDR memory. To ensure everything functioned properly, I purchased a NZXT 550W 80+ Bronze power supply and a 1TB WD Caviar Blue SSD where I installed Windows 10.
I also had an MSI GTX 950 from my previous machine, so that was already in use. After assembling the system inside the NZXT S340 case, everything operated smoothly. I replaced the CMOS battery to reset all settings to defaults, then entered BIOS and configured optimized parameters.
My friend shared that he previously used the "performance" EZ BIOS setting, which kept the processor at 3900 MHz continuously for turbo boost. I adjusted that setting accordingly.
Beyond that, the build includes several 120 mm fans, a PCI WiFi card from TPLink (which I’m aware isn’t particularly reliable), a USB mouse and keyboard.
I downloaded the latest drivers directly from nVidia and tested the system by installing World of Tanks. The game ran smoothly, maintaining a consistent frame rate above 60fps without any noticeable drops. However, after about an hour, the screen and audio suddenly froze, causing me significant frustration. The issue was unclear, with no error messages to point to a specific cause.
I cursed and restarted the system, then resumed playing. This time the problem resolved more quickly. During this third attempt, I barely completed one match.
Eventually, I decided against continuing with the game and ran FurBench to monitor component temperatures using HWMonitor. The graphics card stayed below 65°C. I then executed Prime95 in torture mode; the CPU remained under 40-45°C, suggesting thermal issues were unlikely.
I performed both stress tests simultaneously, and the system didn’t freeze as it did during gameplay. Still, I experimented with BIOS settings, but I hadn’t overclocked beforehand—just tried the Performance mode as suggested by my friend.
My main concern remains the power supply. Is a 550W unit sufficient for this build? The graphics card isn’t a major power consumer and even has a 6-pin connector. I also question the card’s condition, noting it had no issues for a year on my previous machine.
I’d appreciate any advice or steps to troubleshoot further.
I noticed your temperature information too. For AMD CPUs, I suggest opting for an AMD cooler rather than a drive cooler and keeping an eye on the thermal margin while using Prime 95. You can find more details here: Most programs struggle to accurately read CPU temperatures, so unless you have a premium liquid cooler, a 40-45°C rating might not be sufficient for the FX chip under heavy load. I’d recommend sticking to default settings and avoid relying on automatic overclocking from the motherboard unless you’re comfortable with it.
I received a Zalmann model with a V-shaped cooler:
https://quietpc.nl/images/products/cnps7x-led-large.jpg
(it might not be the exact version but resembles it)
The top 120mm fan also directs air directly over it... but I will follow your advice once I get home.
CPU stress tests returned without any issues. I accessed the BIOS and adjusted the memory manually to 1600, turned on APM and Cool n' Quiet. I attached a screenshot showing the system statistics from AMD OverDrive. The clock frequency is now reported at 4200 MHz. I didn’t change any overclocking settings other than setting the memory to its default value (Auto would have set it to 1333).
It appears the PCI WiFi was the cause of the freezes. Very strange. After fixing it, I experienced a faint pop during dinner and found the motherboard completely dead. My NZXT Hale82 V2 550W PSU seems to have failed after two weeks. No luck with any progress.