My computer keeps crashing what could be the issue?

Vithar

Limp Gawd
Joined
Mar 6, 2012
Messages
269
So I built my PC about a year ago and it's been crashing quite often. Today it crashed 3 times mid game.

My parts:
Asus Sabertooth Z77
Intel Core i7 2700K
EVGA GTX 960 FTW
Corsair 750W PSU
12GB Crucial Ballistix RAM
Samsung 850 PRO SSD 256 GB
WD HDD 500 GB

I changed my GPU from an EVGA GTX 480 to a 960 and my SSD from a Corsair Force GT to Samsung 850 Pro, I keep all my video drivers up to date and do regular virus scans with Malwarebytes and Superantispyware. All my temps are normal and my hardware performs just fine in stress testing.

Anyway, when it crashes my entire screen freezes and I get this really loud static noise coming out of my speakers. Today, the driver crashed, then I started playing again and my screen froze and started static then the third time my computer just restated. This has been happening for the past year when I play games and I don't know how to fix it.
 
Run memtest86 and check for memory errors, memory is a big cause of random crashing. If you're overclocking set everything to stock. If neither of those cause the problem to show then remove the GPU and see if you get crashes using the integrated video.
 
Static sounds through the speakers tend to point to EMI issues, I would start checking a proper ground in your house specially in the PC outlet. rare you using a PSU or Power Surge Protector or both?.
 
Microsoft memory diagnostic says no errors.

As for the PSU I'm not exactly sure what you're referring to, could you be a little more specific.
 
I just read up on it and my power outlet where I plug in my extension cord for my entire desk is directly behind my computer, could that be causing a shift in EMI.
 
After doing a search on divice manager I found SM Bus Controller has no diver installed for it.
 
After doing a search on divice manager I found SM Bus Controller has no diver installed for it.

Thats your issue.... You can usually allow windows to install the driver. Thats an Intel driver, and Windows driver update in my experience has never had an issue finding the most up to date drive and installing it through the device manager.
 
Thats your issue.... You can usually allow windows to install the driver. Thats an Intel driver, and Windows driver update in my experience has never had an issue finding the most up to date drive and installing it through the device manager.

I just installed it, we will see if it stays functional.
 
So I built my PC about a year ago and it's been crashing quite often. Today it crashed 3 times mid game.

My parts:
Asus Sabertooth Z77
Intel Core i7 2700K
EVGA GTX 960 FTW
Corsair 750W PSU
12GB Crucial Ballistix RAM
Samsung 850 PRO SSD 256 GB
WD HDD 500 GB

I changed my GPU from an EVGA GTX 480 to a 960 and my SSD from a Corsair Force GT to Samsung 850 Pro, I keep all my video drivers up to date and do regular virus scans with Malwarebytes and Superantispyware. All my temps are normal and my hardware performs just fine in stress testing.

Anyway, when it crashes my entire screen freezes and I get this really loud static noise coming out of my speakers. Today, the driver crashed, then I started playing again and my screen froze and started static then the third time my computer just restated. This has been happening for the past year when I play games and I don't know how to fix it.

I have the same issue.
You can see my computer stats below on my signature.
Now some of the tests that I've already ran:
memtest, prime95 (stable for 2 hours)... <---- realize that I should probably run more... but call me lazy and busy..

I noticed that every time I restart from the similar event you mentioned (static noise/freeze/crash), my cpu temperature reads higher (like 55 Celsius) than other time I come back from sleep (41 Celsius) or from when I normal restart the computer (38 Celsius or so)

I also have SM Bus installed correctly (at least I think I do)
Please tell me if you have yours fixed.
I would love this problem of mine fixed as well.
It happens about once per 4 days or so.
 
Ok it just crashed again so SM Bus wasn't the issue. Could it be a bad motherboard?
 
Run memtest86+ for about 12-24h, start with that and report back.
//Danne
 
Run memtest86 and check for memory errors, memory is a big cause of random crashing. If you're overclocking set everything to stock. If neither of those cause the problem to show then remove the GPU and see if you get crashes using the integrated video.

This is the correct method to troubleshoot this.
Set everything to stock speeds, no overclocking until you have a stable system.

Use memtest86 for memory testing, I'm not confident that the MS memory tests are thorough enough for sniffing out difficult intermittent memory faults. At least 5 full passes, but a 24hr test may be needed sometimes.

If the memory tests clean, I agree that the GPU is the next place to look. Pull it and try another card or the internal video.

It's true that the PSU (power supply unit) or the motherboard can also be the cause of intermittent crashes.

Intermittent failures are the worst kind of problem to troubleshoot. You need to be patient and methodical in your testing though. Stick with it and you'll find it.

It helps if you can find some way to "make it fail" instead of having to wait for it to fail. That helps you speed up the testing and takes a lot of the frustration out of it.

Use things like Prime95 or other diagnostic software to try to make it fail quickly.

Try the trial version of Burnin: http://www.burnintest.com/

You can Google and find dozens of hardware diagnostic programs. Download the
popular and highly rated ones and try them.

Check for any loose or missing screws, wires, etc. It's important that all of the motherboard mounting screws are in the proper places and they are tight (not crazy break things tight though). All cards in slots must have their screws in place. The PSU should have all 4 mounting screws and be tight. Nothing sloppy.

It also helps greatly if you have a second system (working system) to test with.
Swap the PSU and GPU and then test both systems at the same time.

Good luck dude, let us know what you find.
 
Most do not have the luxury of a testbed machine, makes troubleshooting so much easier.
 
I met this problem few times.:
1. problem was psu with bad capacities.
2. motherboard conflicting case (ground i think was the cause, reinstalled motherboard by myself and all went good).
3. As always high temperatures and overvoltage.
4. Undervoltage on old cpus is frequent cause too.
 
I met this problem few times.:
1. problem was psu with bad capacities.
2. motherboard conflicting case (ground i think was the cause, reinstalled motherboard by myself and all went good).
3. As always high temperatures and overvoltage.
4. Undervoltage on old cpus is frequent cause too.

thanks for that quick outline!
I've restored my overclocked setting for my cpu back to default 3.9 mhz with 1.46 (ish) volts down to 3.4 mhz with 1.36-1.49 volts (it fluctuates according to CPU-Z).
And now I don't seem to have the crash anymore.

I would still like to overclock, any idea from any kind sirs how I can overclock and still maintain the stability?
 
Stick with vcore max 1.4, bigger can cause processor degradation. Make it manual.
VCCIN Voltage 2.2, CPU Core Voltage 1.4 , CPU Ring Voltage 1.4, CPU SA Voltage Offset +0.2, CPU IO Analog Voltage Offset +0.2, CPU IO Digital Voltage Offset +0.2 and look for max frequency stress testing with prime95 or linx 0.6.5 AVX. After finding max stable freq, go ahead in decreasing vcore and ring v.
Something like that. You can read manuals for 1155 (k) overclock, this is short recommendation.
 
http://imgur.com/a/VGKKK

I apologize in advance, if I'm not allowed to post img link.
I'm a newbie, and I'm not allowed to do lot of stuff.
I do have it water cooled and do not have issues with temp.
I also don't have as many options as Prophecylife mentioned above.

Half the thing that was mentioned, I didn't even see nor touch during my overclocking.
Please help.
Above are the photos for my bios.
 
I'm sorry, i thought its topic starter asking about overclock. For am3 this is a bit different, but rules are pretty same.
Turn off dynamic core and find stable frequency for 1.4v.
And whats inside cpu core control on last screen?
 
Inside CPU core control:
Automatic mode
One core per processor
Two cores per processor
Three cores per processor

I'm not exactly sure what that are. :(
 
Back
Top