Need help finding source of problem (random 2 second freezes)

[Caavo]

Hi all! I recently started encountering these random 2 second freezes (as in my screen, and sound freezes and everything else).

I was thinking it might be RAM? (8gb kingston, changed their places, same thing still happens). Could it maybe be the CPU? Is there any way to find out for sure, any sort of software?

Whenever playing wow, I use up around 60% of my RAM and about 15% of CPU.

[chazus]

1) Specs of system. CPU, GPU, OS (and bit rate)
2) Why the heck is WoW using 5gb of ram??
3) Do you have any antivirus running? That might cause stutters
4) Done a system clean recently?
5) Updated drivers?

[Caavo]

Couldn't quote you, gave me an error saying that I can't post links/images even though I didn't have any, but here's the answers

1) i5 2400 3.10 GHz, MSI 640Ti (recently bought), Windows7 64 bit

2) Wow itself is between 700-1.3gb, around 4gb total used when everything is running (skype/music/background apps etc.)

3) I have kaspersky running, but I have had that for over 3 years.

4) Reinstalled windows about 5 months ago

5) GPU driver is updated, and recently did an automatic update, not sure if there's more to update?

[Deleted]

5) GPU driver is updated, and recently did an automatic update, not sure if there's more to update?

You might want to update chipset, sound and such as well. Just to be sure.

[Caavo]

You might want to update chipset, sound and such as well. Just to be sure.

What would be the best way to update them all? Is there any sort of software that scans all of my drivers and checks if there are any updates? Or do I have to do it all manually through Device Manager?

-EDIT-

According to the Device Manager, everything in there is updated.

[chazus]

According to the Device Manager, everything in there is updated.

Device manager doesn't know if they're up to date or not. I'm not even sure why that functionality exists.

[Caavo]

Device manager doesn't know if they're up to date or not. I'm not even sure why that functionality exists.

Oh alright, could you recommend me any sort of software? I just updated my chipset with the intel driver update utility.

[Deleted]

If you think it's the RAM, then do a memtest. Go http://www.memtest.org/download/4.20...+-4.20.iso.zip and burn the ISO onto disc. If you're using Windows 7, simply right click the file and select Burn Disc Image. Reboot your system and make sure it boots from the Optical (DVD) drive first.

Since you've recently replaced/upgraded your GPU it might be that. The GTX 640 doesn't needed an external power connector, but it might be a power issue. Lower your ingame settings first and see if that resolves any of the issues. If the stutters still occur, but less frequently then it should be a GPU/power issue.

Also try uninstalling the GPU and plug your monitor into the DVI/HDMI/VGA port into the back of your motherboard and use the integrated graphics feature that your chipset supports. Keep all the settings the same in WoW and see if you're still experiencing the same kind of freezes. If the freezes still occur then it might be a power issue.

[Caavo]

I should have mentioned, before upgrading the GPU, I had the same sort of freezes, except instead of the computer freezing for 2 seconds, it'd be a permanent freeze, and I'd need to restart the computer.

But I am going to try the memtest and see what happens.

-EDIT-

Ran Memtest through all 8 stages to 100%, nothing wrong with my RAM.

-EDIT2-

Using Drivergenius 12 to update all of the drivers that the program says I need to update.

-EDIT3-

Updated all of the drivers, computer still stutters. Going to try to defragmenting.

[Deleted]

What's your graphic card ? And your power supply ?

[Killora]

What's your graphic card ? And your power supply ?

Uhm, he said what his specs are, did you even read the topic?

Couldn't quote you, gave me an error saying that I can't post links/images even though I didn't have any, but here's the answers

1) i5 2400 3.10 GHz, MSI 640Ti (recently bought), Windows7 64 bit

[Lemmiwink]

Sounds like a faulty PSU if you ask me, freezing can be a sign of components "overspending" wattage. I'd try and get a hold of a PSU to test that first. I'm assuming you haven't manhandled your motherboard or had any pops coming from it.

I would also like you to download Speed Fan to monitor your temperatures as I would like to know what temp your CPU/GPU/HDD/System is on when you have these freezes. Are they random or only when you do certain tasks that require more power?

[Deleted]

Could always do a fresh Windows install to exclude the possibility of software issue.

[Caavo]

Sounds like a faulty PSU if you ask me, freezing can be a sign of components "overspending" wattage. I'd try and get a hold of a PSU to test that first. I'm assuming you haven't manhandled your motherboard or had any pops coming from it.

I would also like you to download Speed Fan to monitor your temperatures as I would like to know what temp your CPU/GPU/HDD/System is on when you have these freezes. Are they random or only when you do certain tasks that require more power?

They seem to be somewhat random, but usually don't happen until I start playing games. After the first time it happens, it can become totally random, even can happen while in notepad or browsing the internet. I downloaded Process Lasso, and my CPU usage sometimes randomly jumps to 30-50% while doing nothing at all. Is that normal?

[Faithh]

They seem to be somewhat random, but usually don't happen until I start playing games. After the first time it happens, it can become totally random, even can happen while in notepad or browsing the internet. I downloaded Process Lasso, and my CPU usage sometimes randomly jumps to 30-50% while doing nothing at all. Is that normal?

Get rid of that process optimizer. Get an usb stick and let this tool do it's job for you http://www.memtest.org/download/4.20....installer.zip
Reboot pc and boot from usb stick and let it do 5-10 passes and lets see. If you have any errors or freezes, just say bye bye to your ram.

[Lemmiwink]

Do you have an SSD? On a p67 Motherboard? I'm thinking you got a HDD or SSD connected to the marvell sata controller and that's causing your freezes.

[Airlick]

I had exactly the same problem too, twice in fact. Once it turned out to be damaged hard drive, and the other time I had to replace my motherboard. I'd just call a specialist, it's unlikely you will fix this issue on your own.

[Annoying]

There's a utility called "LatencyMon" that I use to find these freezes. Leave it running until you hit a few of them, then find what has "Highest Execution". You'll probably see your graphics driver and some other things. Hopefully you'll find another driver *.sys file that's at fault.

Also, it's great for finding issues with choppy audio/video problems. =D

Good luck.

[Caavo]

Still not letting me quote :S

-Lemmi

I have a ASUS P8H61-M motherboard, and my HDD is Seagate ST31000524AS (1TB), no SSD.


-Faithh

I already used that application, although I burned it to a CD. It passed it without any errors, I did 1 RAM stick at a time too.


-Annoying

Thanks, I'm going to try that out.

[Butler to Baby Sloths]

How much vRAM does the graphics card have?