[David113]

I recently upgraded my motherboard and CPU, swapping out a Asus M2N32 and an AMD X2 6000+ for a GA-MA790X-UD4P and a X4 965. After swapping out and reinstalling vista, I began to notice intermittent CPU spikes typically to about 80%, though some went to 100%, causing the computer to freeze up for half a second, before continuing on. The spikes occurred when streaming video, playing itunes, starting games and programs and occasionally during games. Sorting processes by max peak time showed svchost as the culprit, and go to service gave
Windows Driver Foundation - User-mode Driver framework,
Portable Device Enumerator Service,
Diagnostic System Host,
Desktop Window Manager Session Manager,
Distributed Link Tracking client,
Tablet PC Input Service,
Superfetch,
Program Compatibility Assistant Service,
Network Connections,
Human interface Device access
Readyboost
Offline files
Windows audio endpoint builder

I'm not sure what half of those are, and I don't know what could be causing the issues with the CPU. After this had gone on for about a week the computer randomly shut itself off and reboot itself a few times. I had read somewhere that overheating might be the problem, so opened the case up, pulled the cooler , reapplied the thermal grease, and put everything back together. I think I've made things worse though, as now the computer seems to reset itself off anytime there's the slightest impact around it. The computer will literally reset if I step on the ground to close as I walk past it. I'm assuming there's a loose wire or dust bridge somewhere, but I have no idea where it could be to cause this, or if the two problems are connected. The cpu spikes themselves have diminished, though that might be from the fact that I haven't been using the computer as heavily.

 

[Tumbleweed36]

Re: Cpu spikes and random restarts.

Let's look at some things to check before we get too far.

First of all, when you swapped the motherboards, did you do a repair install of that hard drive and load the new chipset drivers for the new board? If not, you need to do that if using the same hard drive.

The second thing is that you need check the temperatures and voltages in the bios and report them back here.

The third issue, you need to list your specs including the video card and the power supply brand name and wattage so we know what the rig contains. That info always helps us to troubleshoot if we know the product you have.

The fourth issue, do you have the newest bios loaded, because when you upgrade, some times you have to upgrade the bios for the newer CPU's.

The last concern, did you follow these instructions for cleaning and reinstalling thermal paste, because too much paste is worse than not enough?

Applying Artic Silver Thermal Paste​

 

[David113]

Re: Cpu spikes and random restarts.

Thanks,
I did install the drivers that came with the new motherboard when I installed it, but I didn't update the bios. It was version F6, I've updated it to version F9, which according to their utilities the latest version.
My Power supply is Coolmax CUG-950B 950W ATX12V V2.2 and my graphics card is a Nvidia 260 GTX.
The Voltages and temps according to the BIOS are:
Vcore 1.392
DDR2 1.8V 1.936V
+3.3V 3.344V
+12V 12.048V
Cpu temp after startup in bios was 38-40 C and system temp was registering as 40C
Looking at the pdf you referenced, I'm pretty sure I used too much thermal grease.
Hope this helps

 

[Tumbleweed36]

Re: Cpu spikes and random restarts.

Well, let's change that thermal paste and see if that helps. The other news that concerns me, is that Coolmax is about as bad of a power supply as you can buy. They are simply just are terrible and don't put out nearly what they claim to do. How old is that power supply?

If changing the paste doesn't help, then I would test that power supply with a multimeter, because the minute I heard that name it become a prime suspect.

 

[David113]

Re: Cpu spikes and random restarts.

It seems to have worked, at least partially. I redid the thermal grease the right way, and my computer is no longer resetting itself at the slightest touch, though I may have just jarred something loose opening and closing it. The CPU spikes are still present, though they've decreased as well, and are only showing up after gaming for a few hours.

 

[Tumbleweed36]

Re: Cpu spikes and random restarts.

Artic Silver will get better after a few hours of operation after it cures. Let's just hold until you get a chance to use it for a week or so and then let us know how it is doing. Have a great week.

 

[David113]

Re: Cpu spikes and random restarts.

Well, the resetting issue has not reappeared all week, and the CPU spikes have decreased, but they still occur from time to time. Something I just noticed, and should have noticed earlier, is that whenever the CPU spikes and the computer lags for a second, the computer makes a clicking noise. Listening for it makes me think its coming from one of the hard drives. You said earlier that coolmax power supplies were unreliable; if insufficient power was being given to the hard drive, could it cause this? Or is the hard drive failing?

 

[Tyree]

Re: Cpu spikes and random restarts.

It would be normal for the CPU usage to increase as the Hdd is working. If the Hdd is the source of any abnormal noise I would back up any important data and run he Hdd manufacturer's diagnostics on the drive.

 

[David113]

Re: Cpu spikes and random restarts.

I ran the Seatools diagnostics, both short and long on my hard drive and found no errors. I think that it might have been the grease curing after all, I haven't gotten any spikes recently. Thanks for the help

 

[Tumbleweed36]

Re: Cpu spikes and random restarts.

Glad you are up and running, let us know if we can help further.