Persistent Computer Freeze Issue

[AOD_Anvil]

Hi everyone,
In November I got a computer off my workplace. I put a EVGA 1070 in it, and besides for the occasional system lock up maybe once a month, things were good. For the last three to five weeks, my PC frequently locks up, two or three times a night forcing me to hold the power button down until it shuts off and then I start it up again. When it locks up, basically everything stops. Sometimes, if I have music playing, it will just get stuck on one tone and repeat that same tone rapidly (sounds bloody awful on the ears). Most times, everything just stops. My mouse stops, windows stops, Esc or CTRL-ALT-DEL don’t work. Nothing. No responsiveness.

I used CCleaner to clean my registry thinking that it might have been a file issue, done that several times and still have the freezes.

I don’t think it’s a heat issue because it usually freezes shortly after booting, within 15 minutes or less, when my PC is cool.

Sometimes, my PC fans will suddenly whirl up and be running on high speed, sounding like the PC is about to take off a runway or something…when I am not even at my PC doing anything. I am worried my PC is infected with something, or maybe it’s an issue with windows. Windows Defender is enabled and found no threats. When I tried to install Spybot Search and Destroy it just kept giving me an error every time I went to update it, and it wouldn’t let me scan my system until I updated it, making me wonder if something internal has blocked it (like a virus or something)

Any ideas?

Here’s my specs:

Windows 10 Pro 64bit
Lenovo ThinkStation BIOS Ver 60KT45.0
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 980 @ 3.33GHz (12 CPUs), ~3.3GHz
Memory: 24GB DDR3
DirectX Version: DirectX 12
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GTX 1070
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Type: Full Device
Display Memory: 20369 MB
Dedicated Memory: 8085 MB
Shared Memory: 12283 MB
Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (59Hz)
400GB SSD (C:), 124GB free
2TB HDD (E:)
2x 500GB HDD in RAID (G:/H:)
PSU: 1,000W

[effectiv]

Sounds a lot like heat issues. Once you boot your pc up, it's started heating up the CPU. A bad CPU mount can cause what you're experiencing.

Download HWMonitor and get your CPU and GPU temps.

Once you get some good averages of out of game temps, post them up here. (Just leave hwmonitor running).

Also, download bluescreenview. Windows may be logging the crash, but not giving a visual notification. If you find it is a blue screen error, we can take the error codes and gather information.


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[Symsyr]

Anvil, even if you do not think it is a heat issue, I highly recommend changing out the thermal paste (this is a common thing for work PCs and PCs in general, the factory thermal paste sucks) and seeing if that fixes it. Bad thermal paste causes very quick heat build up that will make the computer shut off. Something as small as a bead of thermal paste can save a processor and a computer

[AOD_Anvil]

Okay thanks for the suggestions gents. To clarify Symsyr, my PC doesnt shut off on its own. It freezes and becomes unusable, then I shut it down using the button on the front of my case.

I have HWMonitor down and running now.

[Symsyr]

I read that wrong then, just got done typing up a 2 page memo for a database management class that I am in

[effectiv]

Okay thanks for the suggestions gents. To clarify Symsyr, my PC doesnt shut off on its own. It freezes and becomes unusable, then I shut it down using the button on the front of my case.

I have HWMonitor down and running now.

I think what Anvil and I are trying to say is that heat will cause your pc to crash/shut off similarly to the way yours crashes. What makes me think this COULD be a blue screen error is if the pc stays on (fans still running) after crashing. Bad sound card drivers could be the culprit... but let's rule heat out first.

In HWMonitor you should see a bunch of CPU temps. Should be 8 if you have an i7. Give me the max temp and average temp of each one after letting it run for like 5-10 mins.


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[AOD_Anvil]

I think what Anvil and I are trying to say is that heat will cause your pc to crash/shut off similarly to the way yours crashes. What makes me think this COULD be a blue screen error is if the pc stays on (fans still running) after crashing. Bad sound card drivers could be the culprit... but let's rule heat out first.

In HWMonitor you should see a bunch of CPU temps. Should be 8 if you have an i7. Give me the max temp and average temp of each one after letting it run for like 5-10 mins.


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Now ya'll just messing with me haha!

Here's the CPU details you asked for:

[Symsyr]

I think his may only show 6, since he states that it is a 12 core (6 actual cores hyperthreaded to make 12)

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[Master Butters]

If, by chance, it isn't the heating issue, you could try removing the battery for your motherboard and putting it back in. I've had problems in the past (though it's usually a booting issue) and I've fixed them by just pulling the battery out for a second and putting it back in.


Is it overclocked at all?

[effectiv]

Now ya'll just messing with me haha!

Here's the CPU details you asked for:

Imgur is blocked at work. I'll have to look at it when I get off in an hour. If you want to post the max temp I can tell you off the top of my head if your pc is running hot.

If it's below 55-60c at your desktop, out of game, it should be fine. The temp that i7s shut down at is normally very high (I'm sure it's around 90-110c, but that is extremely hot and will degrade its lifespan over time).

Edit: just saw the replies and just noticed you have an i7-980. TBH I didn't even look at your processor after i7 and assumed it was an ivy bridge or newer. My bad.


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[Symsyr]

Max is between 91 and 98 Celsius

Seems to be running 69 - 74

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[effectiv]

Max is between 91 and 98 Celsius

Seems to be running 69 - 74

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If that's just on the desktop, it's time to look into a new cooling solution because it's almost certainly heat.

Do you have an aftermarket cooler on the CPU? If so what kind? Also, when was the last time the thermal compound was re-applied?


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[Symsyr]

If that's just on the desktop, it's time to look into a new cooling solution because it's almost certainly heat.

Do you have an aftermarket cooler on the CPU? If so what kind? Also, when was the last time the thermal compound was re-applied?


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I think effectiv there is starting to confuse himself. Anvil is having the issue, I'm just relaying what it from the imgur post

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[effectiv]

I think effectiv there is starting to confuse himself. Anvil is having the issue, I'm just relaying what it from the imgur post

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No, that's how I took it. The questions were directed at the OP. Thank you for the relay.


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[Symsyr]

Since that processor had End of Life back on 2011, I am guessing that it has never had a thermal paste reapplication, since it was a business machine

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[ZED]

Now ya'll just messing with me haha!

Here's the CPU details you asked for:

whoaaaa!!!
What ya trying to cook there? Eggs and Bacon? If so, can you make me some too.

Your CPU is cooking there big time. I bet that it hits 100+ C and just Freezes. You Seriously need to replace thermal paste and check if even CPU fan is spinning. Also, just simply upgrade your CPU cooling. Since you picked it off the work, I assume it has stock Intel CPU, which is a total shit.

Also, that 159C cough, motherboard melting, cough, cough.

[Symsyr]

For air cooling, Hyper 212 Evo for about 35 USD and you cannot go wrong

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[effectiv]

I guess the next question would be... how tech savvy are you?

Have you ever messed with a processor before? I think all us can agree that heat is causing your freezes.

That's where I'd start, anyway.


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[Symsyr]

whoaaaa!!!
What ya trying to cook there? Eggs and Bacon? If so, can you make me some too.

Your CPU is cooking there big time. I bet that it hits 100+ C and just Freezes. You Seriously need to replace thermal paste and check if even CPU fan is spinning. Also, just simply upgrade your CPU cooling. Since you picked it off the work, I assume it has stock Intel CPU, which is a total shit.

Also, that 159C cough, motherboard melting, cough, cough.

Zed, haven't you heard that 150+ is the new cool?!?!

But in all seriousness though, I would start with a thorough cleaning, new heatsink and fan, and new thermal paste. You can get all of it for about 55 USD or cheaper.

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[ZED]

Zed, haven't you heard that 150+ is the new cool?!?!

But in all seriousness though, I would start with a thorough cleaning, new heatsink and fan, and new thermal paste. You can get all of it for about 55 USD or cheaper.

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Yeah, lol! 150+ is the way to go now.

Yeah, deffo need to replace thermal and most likely upgrade CPU fan since this is going to be a gaming PC not the office PC.
Moreover, PSU is at 159C, it either needs fan replacement or just simply get a new one.

AOD_Anvil where in Canada are you located? I can give away an AIO 120mm cooler. It served me well for a year on my i5 6600k. I gotta check tho if it is compatible with your CPU socket tho.