Recommend a New Motherboard/CPU (Bluescreens Unable to Fix) ?

Geekomatic on 06/07/2016 - 21:43

Hi all,

My son's PC has developed a weird blue-screen/restart issue.

We've run the gamut— everything under the sun sans CPU/MB change-out (don't have any).

Ran numerous crash id-er's, crash-dump readers, etc…for a few weeks, when it happens…nothing.

PSU is a new & good brand- overkill for the hardware (1st thing I changed).

Swapped GPU, same. RAM never came up as the issue, but ran memtest overnight anyway— nothing.

We're now down to restarts in some gaming situations.

I finally said, eff-it, life is short & this is an older board.

I'd love a deal, if possible. Or, at the least, good value for money?

Thanks OZB folks!

:)

Computing

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 06/07/2016 - 21:46

    What is the CPU model please

    Generally speaking, you can spring for 'as cheap as possible' so long as your needs are fairly basic and you don't overclock.

    And you might not be able to buy anything that's obsolete — computer shops generally don't stock anything older than Haswell generation mobo's. If you're using LGA1155 for example, you might have to turn to the second-hand market.

  • Geekomatic on 06/07/2016 - 21:49

    AMD Phenom II X6 1055T 2.8Ghz

  • Geekomatic on 06/07/2016 - 21:52

    Can buy new.

    I'm very tight with $ but this boy is a good kid who works hard at uni & deserves his little down-time.

    Ta

  • Geekomatic on 06/07/2016 - 22:09

    I'm not needing to stay with the CPU, as I cannot narrow down the cause (could be CPU) so looking for a current, good, reliable bundle. No over-clock just stable.

    I'm not a PC-pusher myself (as far as someone eking-out performance), so I don't ever see this to trouble-shoot.

    That being said- happy to but new board/CPU/RAM to get things back on track.

    He has SSD/HDD/Palit 4GB Graphics. (Bluescreens were happening w/the old GPU, as well),

    Ta

    • scrimshaw on 06/07/2016 - 22:15

      Then I'd say it's not economical to continue to spend money attempting to figure out whether you have a bad motherboard or processor.

      You might as well bite the bullet and budget for an entirely new CPU/Mobo/RAM.

      You have two options:

      Skylake — must buy CPU / Mobo / RAM

      Haswell — only need to buy a CPU and Mobo, as your current DDR3 memory might be compatible.

      so looking for a current, good, reliable bundle.

      CPU's and motherboards are seldom sold in a value bundle. Shopping Express Trifecta perhaps, or maybe a good deal on Amazon and taking advantage of the low exchange rate. Latest deal

  • Geekomatic on 06/07/2016 - 22:20

    Assuming newest tech (M.2, etc) + USB 3.1…?

  • Geekomatic on 06/07/2016 - 22:22

    Sorry- I'm a repair tech who helps (basically) the "oldies" get along. I, personally, don't require much of my own machines beyond Windows V M's & remote support.

    Ta, for your much-more-current advice.

  • Geekomatic on 06/07/2016 - 23:01

    Right.

    So my query has been, best current buy?

  • enzioFirenze on 06/07/2016 - 23:14

    I think you'll do well with a Intel Core i5-6400 2.7GHz Quad-Core Processor and ASRock Fatal1ty H170 Performance/D3 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard, with these, you should be able to keep your old RAM

    • scrimshaw on 06/07/2016 - 23:19

      That's a DDR4 board.

      • donnot on 06/07/2016 - 23:31

        It's the /D3 model.

        • scrimshaw on 06/07/2016 - 23:36

          It is too. My bad.

  • Geekomatic on 06/07/2016 - 23:26

    DDR4 is fine.

    Unless you can find USB 3.1 + DDR3

    • TheOneWhoKnocks on 07/07/2016 - 15:30

      Hey mate, to make it easier when you're replying to someone, click the reply button under the users name so they can see that you've replied directly to them.

  • Geekomatic on 06/07/2016 - 23:27

    Shame is, we have 12GB DDR3

    • scrimshaw on 06/07/2016 - 23:36

      Is it 1600mhz RAM?

      If yes: continue to use it with your new build, buy a mobo that supports the RAM.

      If the RAM is slower than 1600mhz, that's going to neuter the performance of a modern processor, or it might be too slow /old / incompatible and you should probably sell it off on eBay or Gumtree and buy DDR4 instead.

      DDR4 is very cheap nowadays — $39 dollars will buy you a 8GB module, which is all you need for a gaming system.

  • Geekomatic on 06/07/2016 - 23:28

    So many OZB geeks- surely there must be some in this situation even if only upgrading?

    • donnot on 06/07/2016 - 23:43

      As scrimshaw said, you could just buy a new 970 board. The chance of the CPU being fried is close to nil.

      But if you're willing to spend a bit more, an i5 6500 and a H110 board would do nicely and last well into the future. DDR4 is cheap ($39 for an 8GB stick).

  • FeRGan on 07/07/2016 - 02:28

    Did you try a registry cleaner and loading bios defaults?

  • mattyman on 07/07/2016 - 08:25
    +1

    Usually when a computer BSOD's it gives an indication of what DLL caused it in the onscreen message. Googling the DLL will give you an indicator as to what driver caused the problem.

    Find that DLL and update it/delete it/remove the hardware that's causing it and it should fix the BSODs.

    If you didn't get any info from the BSOD check out Event Viewer and have a look at the dump files located in the following folders.

    C:\Windows\Minidump
    C:\Windows\MEMORY.DMP

  • peteru on 07/07/2016 - 12:32

    If the board is good enough to run an overnight memtest without issues, I'd be suspecting the operating system before the hardware.

    Try booting a Linux LiveCD of some sort and using it for a day or two of web browsing. If the hardware continues to function without issues, then you know you need a Windows re-install rather than new motherboard.

    • Geekomatic on 07/07/2016 - 15:46

      It was a fresh reinstall w/all newest drivers. There were bluescreens before that, as well.

      I run Mint on my own desktop— but unless I can run something "like" Dark Souls III, I don't think I'll get a repeat.

      Ta

  • Geekomatic on 09/07/2016 - 13:57

    So, I've been browsing the web for 970 boards, in stock….

    Is it just me, or does it seem that every frigging mobo has about 25% of them showing DOA/dead within a year/slow & buggy?

    Yeesh.

    Ok, what would you all choose, trying to stay at around $200 or less? Looking especially for those who have purchased & run an AM3 board.

    Ta!

    • scrimshaw on 09/07/2016 - 20:17

      does it seem that every frigging mobo has about 25% of them showing DOA/dead within a year/slow & buggy?

      You're wondering if 25 percent of AMD motherboards out there will break down within 1 year of use? That's a pretty bold statement.

      Is that based on scientifically accurate statistics or are you just reading anecdotal evidence (i.e. people writing to complain on a forum will generally just voice complaints, rather than sing words of praises about how long their gaming rig has lasted).

      • Geekomatic on 16/07/2016 - 02:15

        Truth be known, I do place value on the folks who have actually purchased, installed, & run a board.

        newegg is a very good source for reviews.

        And yes, sometimes reviews are lop-sided, but newegg mostly shows techie-types.

        Ta

        Edit: no, not only the whingers— those happy are well represented, too.

  • Enzalicious on 09/07/2016 - 20:45

    CPU not over heating?

    • Geekomatic on 16/07/2016 - 02:17

      Don't have any evidence of it, no.

      I'll likely toss some $$$ at a current AM3 board and see what happens.

      Ta

  • Punkboy on 17/07/2016 - 10:33

    My nephew had a similar situation where he managed to kill his AM3 mobo. In our case, we went with new intel Skylake as theoretically Intel will be sticking with socket 1151 for three generations. I was fortunate enough to have registered for Amex deal ($30 back from $100) https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/252728.

    We ended up going with a B150 based motherboard which range from $100-$130+, a stick of 8GB DDR4 for $39 and a i5-6500. We re-used existing case, PSU and HDD.
    Total was about $400ish (including lucky 2x Amex rebates) at UMArt.

    We didn't need M2, and USB 3.1 seems to be a bit of a scam. From what I can tell, the USB specs have renamed USB 3.0 to USB 3.1 (Gen1) and what was formerly known as USB 3.1 to USB 3.1 (Gen 2). Almost all boards support Gen 1. It's 5Gbps vs 10Gbps however there aren't too many devices coming close to 5Gbps let alone 10Gbps.

    Depending on money, I'd go with a B150 based mobo choosing between DDR3 for re-use or DDR4 for increased memory density and bandwidth, and an i5.

    This mobo seems like a good spec:
    https://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?hidden=yes&main_page=pr…
    We went with:
    https://www.umart.com.au/umart1/pro/Products-details.phtml?i… (maybe find a board with SATA Express for future SSDs)

    Nephew loves how quiet skylake is compared with the old AMD kit, and its really fast.

    • scrimshaw on 17/07/2016 - 13:21

      Processors and motherboards don't have moving parts… they don't make noise!

      It's the cooling fans that do.

      • Punkboy on 17/07/2016 - 13:23

        Yes of course however power consumption of skylake is much lower than old AMD meaning that stock coolers have to do less work and are now typically quieter

  • Punkboy on 17/07/2016 - 10:35

    For bang for buck, another person recommended a haswell pentium overclock solution. Would suit your DDR3 situation.
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/3853019/redir

  • Punkboy on 17/07/2016 - 10:40

    And possibly a good deal from Shopping Express:
    http://www.shoppingexpress.com.au/buy/gigabyte-b150m-d3h-mat… - mobo $119 ssems to have m2 and other stuff you need
    http://www.shoppingexpress.com.au/buy/intel-core-i5-6500-3.2… - i5 6500 $272

    Mobo and CPU bundle deal $20 off above = $391 (not sure on shipping)
    http://www.shoppingexpress.com.au/Gigabyte-Gaming-Pc-Parts-I…

    • Punkboy on 17/07/2016 - 12:35

      Oops I mean $371 with $20 off

  • Geekomatic on 24/07/2016 - 01:19

    I ended up going with the Gigabyte 970 Gaming. Should see it arrive this coming week (fingers-crossed).

    Will let you know how it goes once it's all put together.

    Thanks for the help everyone!

    :)

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