Hey guys, as most of you know, I built an i7 computer earlier this year. For the last few months (3 or 4), I've been experiencing a lot of slowdown. It started occurring a little while after my computer got hurt in a power outtage (didn't yet have an UPS...). It caused a lot of problems, namely I couldn't get any video and had a lot of error codes. Finally, I figured out that my PCI-E slot that fits my gtx295 was fried, and I needed a new motherboard. So, EVGA replaced it.  Once I put it together, I noticed my CPU core temp had risen from ~43C (which is not that bad really for this computer build) to reading 83-84C. I took it back apart, reapplied my thermal paste, and when it POSTed, I got the same temperature reading. Perhaps a sensing probe problem? Maybe not... well, regardless. Little by little, my computer has started getting slower.

It got so bad, I started thinking maybe it was just corrupt system files (easy fix, no money involve *crossed fingers for it*), and about 4 or 5 days ago I upgraded to Windows 7 64-bit.  It behaved pretty well for a while, but starting last night (about 12 hours ago), it started showing more and more slowing down. Basically, it is taking longer to load a site, because I'll see it lagging between updating (the little circle next to a loading tab keeps freezing, then continuing, over and over). Then, it started getting slower when I was opening multiple programs. About 20 minutes ago, it even froze Windows Explorer, while I was opening a program.  Even the background on the desktop went white because it was so (stressed?) slow.  I finally had to do a hard reboot. Upon logging in, it took like 5 or so seconds to even load the icon pictures for my desktop, and to get my startup programs working.  Just now, I opened up a second tab, however, and it took about 6 seconds to load the page, and while I was waiting for it to, I went back to this tab, and everything slowed down and started stopping and starting for about 3 or 4 seconds, until the page in the other tab loaded. However, a second ago I wasn't seeing it as much.

When I first built my computer, it handled multitasking so well, it didn't even break a sweat.  I've scanned it for malware multiple times, but am not coming up with anything that I couldn't fix, except for a couple trackers on AVG.  I will attempt to get rid of them with spybot S&D.

Do you guys think it might be a processor problem? I had to reformat my C: drive, an SSD, and put install W7 on it, because I was using my D: drive for a while, because I was testing to see if maybe it was the hard drive that was faulty.  Now, I am not so sure it would be hard drive.  Before I go out of my way to try putting in a new processor, or even to get it checked by a professional, I thought I'd run it by my family at EP first.  What do you guys think?

I'm really hoping to get this fixed! Thanks, E-people!

If you;re still getting problemas after a re-install of Win7 then it sounds like a hardware issue. Try doing some tests on each of the components. Maybe an overnight stint of Prime95 torture test to check the CPU isn't misbehaving. Maybe some Memtest86 to check that your RAM is doing it's job properly. Use SpeedFan to monitor your fans, temps and voltages.  I'm not sure what you could do with the graphics (not really into graphics cards much).

You say you had a power outage. It might be worth checking your PSU. All the voltages should be within +-0.5v of the specified voltage. (i.e. the 12v rails should read between 11.5v and 12.5v.) Any more deviation and your PSU is flaking and needs replacing before anything explodes.

Test, test and test some more! Everything is probably still in warranty (unless you bought OEM components) so don't worry yourself too much. Just make sure everything is backed up so you don't lose anything if it does go bang.

Hmmm. Ok. I'll try those suggestions. Wasn't sure if stress testing would be a good choice ahead of time. I just wanted to hear it out of another's mouth. Alright, downloading now.

Alright, so far I've checked speedfan, and here's what has come up




Notice, the temperatures are out this world, and the the 12v rail is at ~10.5. I learned very little about the rails when I was researching the build, but I just know that a single 12v rail is most often preferred for gaming computers. Really that's the only reason I got this PSU. It has an amazing 12v rail.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...&Tpk=850tx

Quote:Type  

ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91
Maximum Power

850W
Fans

140mm Thermally Controlled
PFC

Active
Main Connector

20+4Pin
+12V Rails

Single
PCI-Express Connector

4 x 6+2-Pin
SATA Power Connector

8
SLI

Ready
CrossFire

Ready
Modular

No
Efficiency

> 80%
Over Voltage Protection

Yes
Overload Protection

Yes
Input Voltage

100 - 240 V
Input Frequency Range

50/60 Hz
Input Current

12A
Output

+3.3V@30A, +5V30A, +12V@70A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@3A
MTBF

>100,000 Hours
Dimensions

5.9"(W) x 3.4"(H) x 5.9"(L)
Features
Connectors

1 x Main connector (20+4Pin)
1 x 4-Pin/8-Pin EPS Connector
4 x PCI-E
2 x Floppy
8 x Peripheral
8 x SATA Power
Features

Guaranteed to deliver rated specifications at 50°C

80%+ energy efficiency at 20%, 50% and 100% load condition for less heat generation and lower energy bill.

Active Power Factor Correction (PFC) with PF value of 0.99.

Dedicated single +12V rail offers maximum compatibility with latest components.

Supports the latest ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 2.91 standards and is backwards compatible with ATX12V 2.01 systems.

I'm going to go on to a stress test on prime95, and try to find Memtest86, as I am having trouble locating it *ahem* in my usual way. I'll find it though, so no worries. Also, here are those numbers typed out, since it is kind of hard to see them in pic:

GPU: 63
GPU: 63
Temp1: 83
Temp2: 57
Temp3: 34
Core0: 97
Core1: 97
Core2: 86
Core3: 87


VCC3V: 3.31V
Vcore: .82V
VRAM: 2.10V
VChipset: 1.39V
+5V: 4.62V

+12V: 10.56V
VCC1.5V: 1.30V
VSB3V: 3.28V
Vbat: 3.18V

Locating it??


Memtest86+ is free, why would you need to "locate" it

And make sure you do get 86+ over 86

Saw it for 9.95 on their site...

Ah, I see the free version now. Thanks for bringing my attention to that.  I have found the + edition at another site.

That's memtest86, not 86+, and that's for a shipped CD

The download of it is free

Damn! Those temp readings are something else! Also where did you hear that a single rail was better than multiple rails? More rails are definately tha way to go. If you've got a high load on one rail (e.g. the graphics card) then it doesn't effect upon the rest of the system. You end up with far more stable power. The fact that your 12v rail is at 10.5v is cause for serious concern. Replace that power supply now! Preferrably with a multi rail pwer supply.

I was reading around and people have suggested using IntelBurnTest instead of Prime95 for the i7, since people are saying I'd need to run 2 instances of Prime95 to properly use the hyperthreading. I have been running it on max settings, and been making it through all the passes. I am still unsure about how to make sure Prime95 would be run, with everyone being vague and just saying to have 2 instances of it open, and that's it.  

I'll be likely to get a new PSU, then. Thanks guys.