I just finished building my new PC last night. Ill list all the parts...

XFX nFORCE 780i 3-Way SLI mobo 1333fsb
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 @2.66ghz
4gb DDR2 1066mhz memory (2 stick kit of Patriot Memory)
Two EVGA GeForce 9800 GTX 512mb graphics cards SLId
1000w coolmaster power supply
2 Raptor 150gig 10k rpm SATA drives in raid 0
Vista home 64 bit

So... the problem I am encountering. The computer loaded all software fine, updated windows fine.

The computer will totally freeze during use. Ctrl+alt+del does not fix it, I have to physically press the restart button. It has done this 4 times total since I built it last night. Once when running kaspersky antivirus, 3 times while running WoW.

Some other strange things... the memory in the BIOS says its only running at 800mhz even though its rated for 1066. Can I just set the BIOS to 1066? The mobo is rated to 1200...

My main question is about the freezing. Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this? Its extremely frusterating (duh), but especially frusterating because there are SO many components that could be causing this.

Also, one time it looked like it was going to freeze. The screen locked while in WoW, and then it started to flicker / flash for about 10 seconds, then the game jumped ahead to where I should actually be and it was fine. Every other time it has frozen it has just 100% locked up.

It only seems to do this when running a big process like virus scan or WoW, not just browsing the internet or downloading software.

Thanks in advance...

The first thing that I personally would check, would be the RAM. Try running the memtest86 diagnostic on it, you can download it here... http://www.memtest86.com/download.html .

I had a similar problem on a computer once, and I don't think I ever figured out the problem. It seems to have stopped now that I've rebuilt it with a new mobo, CPU, and hdd.

Nice system, btw

Hi... thanks for the advice

I had come across the memtest, but I am a noob and dont quite understand how to run it. Do I need to put it on a floppy or a CD and have my system boot from that disk?

Thanks!

Download the Memtest86 v3.4a ISO image (zip) and use a burning program like Nero and burn the Memtest ISO file as an image on a CD. Reboot your computer with the CD in and the test will automatically start.

EDIT: You can try something like PowerISO or MagicISO

This post has been edited by kamille316: May 23 2008, 02:36 PM

Sounds like you haven't adjusted the memory voltages as your memory is running at the SPD values. Am I correct to assume you have not adjusted the voltages?
James

I have adjusted the memory voltage to 2.1v which is what the mfg website says. The mobo was originally running it at 1.85v.

Since my post last night I have also updated the mobo drivers... updated bios.

Its still freezing

Have you installed the included fan for the NB on the 780i? This NB naturally runs VERY hot.
James

This post has been edited by james_8970: May 23 2008, 08:36 PM

I installed the little square fan that came with the mobo if thats what you mean... it went on a little heat sync looking block just next to the processor, right? Im not sure of what the NB is. I ran a utility someone on majorgeeks recommended called Everest, heres the results from the "sensor" report...


Sensor Properties:
Sensor Type Winbond W83627DHG (ISA 290h)
GPU Sensor Type Driver (NV-DRV)
Motherboard Name nForce 680i SLI / 680i LT SLI / 780i SLI Reference Board
Chassis Intrusion Detected Yes

Temperatures:
Motherboard 36 °C (97 °F)
CPU 23 °C (73 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #1 44 °C (111 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #2 31 °C (88 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #3 28 °C (82 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #4 28 °C (82 °F)
MCP 53 °C (127 °F)
GPU1: GPU 60 °C (140 °F)
GPU2: GPU 54 °C (129 °F)

Cooling Fans:
CPU 2446 RPM

Voltage Values:
CPU Core 1.21 V
+3.3 V 3.25 V
+5 V 4.99 V
+12 V [ TRIAL VERSION ]
+5 V Standby 4.92 V
VBAT Battery 3.02 V
3.3V Dual 3.25 V
FSB VTT 1.09 V
DIMM 2.11 V
Debug Info F FF 45 FF FF FF
Debug Info T 27 23 36
Debug Info V 95 D4 CB CB 88 C3 E6 (01)

Run two instances of orthos (it's a dual core program, we want to stress all 4 cores).
Please download the program here
Keep everest open and watch the CPU temperatures, MCP and motherboard temperatures closely.
James

This post has been edited by james_8970: May 26 2008, 03:29 PM

Heres the results I got when I was running two instances of orthos. I do notice the CPU jumped up 17 degrees, when I was watching it in everest it would go as high as 20 degrees hotter than the original results when running orthos.

Are you thinking this is a heat issue? I am using this fan for the CPU... http://www.zalman.co.kr/ENG/product/Product_Read.asp?Idx=277

Im going to go into my BIOS and set the fan to run at 100% all the time and see what happens then.

Any more ideas?

Sensor Properties
Sensor Type Winbond W83627DHG (ISA 290h)
Motherboard Name nForce 680i SLI / 680i LT SLI / 780i SLI Reference Board
Chassis Intrusion Detected Yes

Temperatures
Motherboard 34 °C (93 °F)
CPU 32 °C (90 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #1 44 °C (111 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #2 41 °C (106 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #3 31 °C (88 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #4 30 °C (86 °F)
MCP 52 °C (126 °F)

Cooling Fans
CPU 2446 RPM

Voltage Values
CPU Core 1.19 V
+3.3 V 3.25 V
+5 V 4.99 V
+12 V [ TRIAL VERSION ]
+5 V Standby 4.92 V
VBAT Battery 3.02 V
3.3V Dual 3.25 V
FSB VTT 1.09 V
DIMM 2.11 V
Debug Info F FF 45 FF FF FF
Debug Info T 25 21 34
Debug Info V 8E D4 CB CB 89 C3 E6 (01)

Hi again...

I just finished running memtest, and everything came back OK.

I have also reformatted my drives and reinstalled vista and I am still encountering the freeze issue, making me think its not the install of vista thats doing it.

I am considering installing XP and seeing if I still encounter the freeze issue...

Any more advice?

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Is this system overclocked?
Try removing on of the video cards, it's possible there may be a driver issue due to the fact that you are using a 64bit OS.
Do you know the temperature of your GPUs?

Download this tool to diagnose your hard drive. It can be located here
James

This post has been edited by james_8970: May 26 2008, 03:29 PM