PC is behaving oddly, including stuttering with noticable FPS drops in games

[IcyFox]

Hey there, I have been having problems with my pc for the last week and am really lost, so I would really appreciate the help. While odd behaviour on my PC (explorer crashing, random programs freezing, minor FPS drops) have been a problem for more time, the last week has become especially bad. The browser often crashes, and scrolling on the web introduces random stutters (not sure how to explain it, but it just feels like the browser has 15 FPS in sections of a website that is graphically more intense). I also started getting different BSODs (page fault in nonpaged area, irql not less or equal, attempted execute of noexecute memory). The graphical stutters/glitches also sometimes appear in Windows, when moving windows around or opening a tab from the taskbar. Lastly, I have seen significant FPS drops in games, specifically League of Legends. I can start the game with 300 FPS, but as the game progresses it drops down to 100 FPS, even though the PC should be able to handle that. Lowering the graphics settings doesn't help with improving the FPS, hence why I don't think this is a GPU related error.

To sum up the symptoms:

1. Apps crashing on launch or on certain actions (for example when opening a new tab in a browser)
2. Graphical stutters when browsing the web and/or in Windows (when moving windows around, switching between programs using ALT + TAB)
3. Occasional BSODs with different error codes (page fault in nonpaged area, irql not less or equal, attempted execute of noexecute memory) -> I haven't experienced this since turning off Asus Optimized in BIOS and disabling XMP for RAM
4. Significant FPS drops in games, which occur after some time playing (never at the beginning)
5. Occasional I/O disconnects (this is very rare, but my keyboard and mouse sometimes disconnects for a second or two)

PC Specs:

CPU: Ryzen 5 2600

MOBO: Asus Prime B450M-A

RAM: 2x8 GB TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z DDR4 3000 MHz, currently running at 2400 MHz

CPU cooler: SCYTHE Mugen 5 Rev. B

VGA: KFA2 GTX 1660 6GB

PSU: Cooler Master B500 v2 500W

SSD: Crucial MX500 500GB (OS drive)

HDD: WD 1TB Caviar Blue

OS: Windows 10

Steps I have already taken to resolve this myself:

1. Clean wiping GPU drivers with DDU and reinstalling them
2. Updating BIOS to latest stable version
3. Reseating the GPU and checking the cabling
4. Monitored GPU and CPU temperatures during gaming and usage which came out as normal
5. Stress tested the CPU, GPU and RAM with multiple tests, both individually and simultaneously, but apart from the simultaneous test locking up the system until it was done, it all seemed normal
6. Running a 3 hour MEMTEST to check for RAM failures, no errors in 4 passes
7. Running the Windows memory diagnostics test (no errors)
8. Running chkdisk and sfc for possible corruption
9. Reinstalling Windows (had BSOD immidiately after getting back into Windows)
10. Reset BIOS to defaults (disabling both the Asus Optimal profile which overclocked the CPU as well as disabling XMP for RAM)
    1. this seemed to solve (at least for now) the BSOD problem, but the other issues still remain
11. Tried reseating the RAM, running the system with only one RAM stick, trying different RAM slots to no help
12. Inspected the motherboard for any physical damage, but none could be seen

I have narrowed it down to either being a broken motherboard or a PSU problem (the PSU is pretty old), but I'd like to narrow it down completely so I don't waste any money replacing parts. I'm thinking either the Asus overclocking could have killed the motherboard due to it not being a good overclocker, or PSU voltage fluctuations causing shortages to components. I appreciate all the help, feel free to ask any follow up questions.

[JamesTheFolf]

32 minutes ago, IcyFox said:

Hey there, I have been having problems with my pc for the last week and am really lost, so I would really appreciate the help. While odd behaviour on my PC (explorer crashing, random programs freezing, minor FPS drops) have been a problem for more time, the last week has become especially bad. The browser often crashes, and scrolling on the web introduces random stutters (not sure how to explain it, but it just feels like the browser has 15 FPS in sections of a website that is graphically more intense). I also started getting different BSODs (page fault in nonpaged area, irql not less or equal, attempted execute of noexecute memory). The graphical stutters/glitches also sometimes appear in Windows, when moving windows around or opening a tab from the taskbar. Lastly, I have seen significant FPS drops in games, specifically League of Legends. I can start the game with 300 FPS, but as the game progresses it drops down to 100 FPS, even though the PC should be able to handle that. Lowering the graphics settings doesn't help with improving the FPS, hence why I don't think this is a GPU related error.

To sum up the symptoms:

1. Apps crashing on launch or on certain actions (for example when opening a new tab in a browser)
2. Graphical stutters when browsing the web and/or in Windows (when moving windows around, switching between programs using ALT + TAB)
3. Occasional BSODs with different error codes (page fault in nonpaged area, irql not less or equal, attempted execute of noexecute memory) -> I haven't experienced this since turning off Asus Optimized in BIOS and disabling XMP for RAM
4. Significant FPS drops in games, which occur after some time playing (never at the beginning)
5. Occasional I/O disconnects (this is very rare, but my keyboard and mouse sometimes disconnects for a second or two)

PC Specs:

CPU: Ryzen 5 2600

MOBO: Asus Prime B450M-A

RAM: 2x8 GB TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z DDR4 3000 MHz, currently running at 2400 MHz

CPU cooler: SCYTHE Mugen 5 Rev. B

VGA: KFA2 GTX 1660 6GB

PSU: Cooler Master B500 v2 500W

SSD: Crucial MX500 500GB (OS drive)

HDD: WD 1TB Caviar Blue

OS: Windows 10

Steps I have already taken to resolve this myself:

1. Clean wiping GPU drivers with DDU and reinstalling them
2. Updating BIOS to latest stable version
3. Reseating the GPU and checking the cabling
4. Monitored GPU and CPU temperatures during gaming and usage which came out as normal
5. Stress tested the CPU, GPU and RAM with multiple tests, both individually and simultaneously, but apart from the simultaneous test locking up the system until it was done, it all seemed normal
6. Running a 3 hour MEMTEST to check for RAM failures, no errors in 4 passes
7. Running the Windows memory diagnostics test (no errors)
8. Running chkdisk and sfc for possible corruption
9. Reinstalling Windows (had BSOD immidiately after getting back into Windows)
10. Reset BIOS to defaults (disabling both the Asus Optimal profile which overclocked the CPU as well as disabling XMP for RAM)
    1. this seemed to solve (at least for now) the BSOD problem, but the other issues still remain
11. Tried reseating the RAM, running the system with only one RAM stick, trying different RAM slots to no help
12. Inspected the motherboard for any physical damage, but none could be seen

I have narrowed it down to either being a broken motherboard or a PSU problem (the PSU is pretty old), but I'd like to narrow it down completely so I don't waste any money replacing parts. I'm thinking either the Asus overclocking could have killed the motherboard due to it not being a good overclocker, or PSU voltage fluctuations causing shortages to components. I appreciate all the help, feel free to ask any follow up questions.

Did you turn off the overclocking and then see if it is a little better?

[IcyFox]

1 hour ago, jrhaberland said:

Did you turn off the overclocking and then see if it is a little better?

It slightly improved it, but I can't say that it fixed it. It did fix BSOD problems, but the stuttering persists

[JamesTheFolf]

Just now, IcyFox said:

It slightly improved it, but I can't say that it fixed it. It did fix BSOD problems, but the stuttering persists

Well I'm glad it slightly improved it. You'd have to try your system with a new psu to see whether its the psu or some other component.

[IcyFox]

1 minute ago, jrhaberland said:

Well I'm glad it slightly improved it. You'd have to try your system with a new psu to see whether its the psu or some other component.

Might try it tomorrow with a GPU I have that doesn't require additional power leads. If I understand this correctly, it could be that the rail to the gpu is not delivering enough power, so a GPU like that could minimization that problem... 

[JamesTheFolf]

1 minute ago, IcyFox said:

Might try it tomorrow with a GPU I have that doesn't require additional power leads. If I understand this correctly, it could be that the rail to the gpu is not delivering enough power, so a GPU like that could minimization that problem... 

That's entirely possible, you'll eventually figure out what it is. It'll just take some time to troubleshoot all the different things it could be.

[IcyFox]

Just now, jrhaberland said:

That's entirely possible, you'll eventually figure out what it is. It'll just take some time to troubleshoot all the different things it could be.

It's just that I would have to buy a PSU and if that's not the problem it's kind of a waste. 

[TheGamingGeneral]

Had very similar issues with my old rig. It was the PSU. If you have a computer repair shop near you (and its open), you can usually ask for them to put a working psu in for testing. The shop I went to diden't even charge me but YMMV.

[IcyFox]

4 hours ago, TheGamingGeneral said:

Had very similar issues with my old rig. It was the PSU. If you have a computer repair shop near you (and its open), you can usually ask for them to put a working psu in for testing. The shop I went to diden't even charge me but YMMV.

What kind of issues did you have? 

[IcyFox]

Here is a video of the stuttering I have been getting: 

 

[TheGamingGeneral]

On 2/1/2021 at 2:26 AM, IcyFox said:

What kind of issues did you have? 

The symptoms you describe in the post.

[IcyFox]

8 minutes ago, TheGamingGeneral said:

The symptoms you describe in the post.

Thanks, just ordered a new PSU and will see how it goes!