Need Help with Either Upgrading PC or Building a New One?

shiraj on 27/08/2015 - 08:01

Hi All

I have a PC that I had built about three and a half years ago with a Quadcore i7, GTX560 and 16gb RAM.

I am currently facing a lot of BSODs for the past few months and think that the motherboard is failing (after a lot of Google searches)

Do you think I should get a new PC built or have the Motherboard changed on the current one and keep the existing parts. I would like a better GPU and a SSD if possible.

Also, best places around south east Melbourne if someone knows any really good (but Cheap - this is Ozbargain) people who can help me out.

Thank you all for your help.

Regards

Computing

Comments

  • MelBourne on 27/08/2015 - 08:30
    +2

    If I was you, I would sell the parts you can, and start looking to build a new beast!

    But that could mean you outlay $1000-$1500 (unless you keep the tower, and maybe the power supply and some peripherals).

    It's really easy to let things get out hand and buy a bunch of new shiny toys.. but your mouse and keyboard are probably fine. Maybe you want a nice new gaming monitor though?

    I have the same GPU as you, and I recently just bought a second, used card, to add them in SLi, so I can a few more games for a while. But if I had a major part like the motherboard fried, I probably wouldnt bother replacing it (because by that point I would have the whole PC pulled apart.. might as well upgrade.. im a bit lazy). Your CPU is probably fine, if you wanted to just replace the board, but im sure there's a more efficient i7 out nowadays so probably best to search for your own bargains.

    This site looks awesome, for guides and part prices: https://au.pcpartpicker.com/
    Then double check prices here: http://staticice.com.au/
    I also visit Reddit, lots of info on this sub, but it's probably based more on USA users: https://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/

  • Cheeper on 27/08/2015 - 09:29
    +1

    Why the BSOD's? Are bios timings too ambitious? Everything seated ok?
    On what evidence are you suspecting the mobo? Have you overclocked the cpu or ram?
    Is the PSU up to the job?

    • ProjectZero on 27/08/2015 - 11:09
      +1

      Why the BSOD's? Are bios timings too ambitious? Everything seated ok?

      If it were those issues, he would of had issues when the PC was put together.

      PSU also shouldn't degrade that quickly, but could be an issue.

    • shiraj on 27/08/2015 - 12:57

      Nup - never overclocked anything - ever. Checked all seatings - all OK. PSU was OK when the computer was assembled - so dont think that is the case.

      • Cheeper on 27/08/2015 - 21:50

        Definitely no leaking caps or other failing components in there?
        Some do deteriorate over time… but the symptom with that is usually immediate shut down with no error msg.
        Have you tried just one stick of ram at a time …??

        Components can be 100% perfect at the time of assembly but unlike what some here think.. they don't always stay that way.

  • daalinz on 27/08/2015 - 10:36
    +1

    Could be memory or hard disk?
    * Try getting a memtest boot disc and scan your RAM. Do a full scan and if no problems, reverse the physical order of RAM and do it again. My last BSOD was due to faulty RAM in my second stick of RAM.
    * Also try finding some hdd tools to check the SMART status on your hard disk.

  • oscargamer on 27/08/2015 - 10:57
    +1

    my guess - bad RAM

    not sure of how many sticks you have, but remove one/two and see if that changes things, if not, move them in and out effectively testing them one at a time

    • shiraj on 27/08/2015 - 12:59

      I have 4 sticks of 4gigs each - will do the tests that PARTYNEXTDOOR is suggesting… when I get home…

  • ProjectZero on 27/08/2015 - 11:08
    +1

    What are the BSOD codes? Might be better to assist you if we can have them. I recently helped a friend with his build as well. It was a 5 y.o. build and found out the main issue with BSOD was memory. It is a possible cause if the BSOD showed memory error.

    • shiraj on 27/08/2015 - 13:06

      It has shown memory errors / System service exceptions / file system errors and a couple I can't remember.

      • ProjectZero on 27/08/2015 - 13:09
        +1

        You can use a program called "whocrashed" to revisit the BSOD codes. It may sometimes tell you where the error occured as well.

        Based on my personally experience, I had an issue with the driver for motioninjoy which caused my PC to BSOD several times. This was only picked up when using whocrashed.

        Regardless, if you have received memory errors on BSOD, it could be a RAM issue as many has pointed out. Do the test and perhaps buy some new sticks of RAM.

        • shiraj on 27/08/2015 - 13:32

          Will do, Kind Sir…. Thanks for the help :)

  • Cheeper on 27/08/2015 - 11:15
    +1

    Try running it with one stick of ram… then the other. Easiest way to find bad ram.
    Could be many things… even software related.

  • PartyNextDoor on 27/08/2015 - 11:56
    +1

    Most likely RAM.

    Run this software to easily view the BSOD error messages and confirm it's memory related http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/blue_screen_view.html

    Trial and error with Memtest to narrow down the faulty stick.

    If it's G-Skill RAM they have lifetime warranty.

    • shiraj on 27/08/2015 - 12:59

      Thanks for the link - will give this a shot when I get home.

      • Cheeper on 27/08/2015 - 21:52

        I have found just booting up with one stick at a time shows up defective ram the best.

        • [Deactivated] on 04/09/2015 - 20:08

          Tbh I've seen bad ram before but it's more likely to be the ram socket in the motherboard or just a bad mobo. If I were you Id probably go the upgrade route, btw cpu's hardly ever fail although they do have good resale so if you find its the socket scrap the mobo, sell the cpu and graphics card and decide what else you want. Pcasegear have good cpu/ram/mb combos if you wanted the new socket that includes ddr4

  • shiraj on 31/08/2015 - 08:49

    Hi All

    It seems the problems lies with my GPU Driver - everytime I install a driver - version regardless, I get a system service exception BSOD within 5 minutes to 30 minutes. If I do a clean installation and remove the existing driver, and do not proceed with installing a new driver - no BSOD whatsoever!

    Can someone help?

    Thanks again

    • ProjectZero on 31/08/2015 - 15:26

      Probably a bunch of junk data left over from when you installed the drivers. Happens from time to time… just do a fresh install of the GPU drivers.

      1) get and install DDU
      2) unplug internet so that it doesn't automatically update when uninstalled
      3) unistall GPU drivers (may take several restarts)
      4) use DDU to get rid of any drivers and it's remnants of the drivers (Geforce and PhysC in your case)
      5) Fresh install latest or chosen driver version
      6) ???
      7) Profit?

      Easy as that… if BSOD still presists, you might have other issues so check BSOD codes again.

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