Need Advice

[Ridoheru]

These are my current specs:

THERMALTAKE SMART BX1 550W

ASUS A88XM-A 

AMD A10-7860K

G.SKILL DDR3 1333MHZ 2X8GB

SAPPHIRE RX 570 4GB

KINGSTON 2.5 SSD 450GB

 

I am wondering why my computer is constantly blue screening. Also why my computer's performance is constantly so bad. I am new to computers, hopefully I forgot something.

 

 

[TatamiMatt]

2 minutes ago, Ridoheru said:

These are my current specs:

THERMALTAKE SMART BX1 550W

ASUS A88XM-A 

AMD A10-7860K

G.SKILL DDR3 1333MHZ 2X8GB

SAPPHIRE RX 570 4GB

KINGSTON 2.5 SSD 450GB

 

I am wondering why my computer is constantly blue screening. Also why my computer's performance is constantly so bad. I am new to computers, hopefully I forgot something.

 

 

Im not sure about the blue screening, but the performance could possibly be the near decade old components running a newer OS.

 

When using it what is your usage on all components?

 

How full is your SSD?

[Ridoheru]

17 minutes ago, TatamiMatt said:

Im not sure about the blue screening, but the performance could possibly be the near decade old components running a newer OS.

 

When using it what is your usage on all components?

 

How full is your SSD?

Yes I'm running windows 10 pro 64 bit.

 

My usage on all components jumps from low to high constantly no matter the circumstance.

 

My SSD is halfway full.

[OddOod]

21 minutes ago, Ridoheru said:

my computer's performance is constantly so bad

Your hardware is *old*. That CPU predates zen architecture an so while it was released only 8 years ago, it's essentially 12 year old tech. The GPU isn't too too bad, but even 1080p60 will be hard. 

 

 

23 minutes ago, Ridoheru said:

why my computer is constantly blue screening

Install BlueScreenView and inspect the dump files. They are pretty informative about what threw the breaking error

 

[Ridoheru]

Just now, OddOod said:

Your hardware is *old*. That CPU predates zen architecture an so while it was released only 8 years ago, it's essentially 12 year old tech. The GPU isn't too too bad, but even 1080p60 will be hard. 

 

 

Install BlueScreenView and inspect the dump files. They are pretty informative about what threw the breaking error

 

My monitors max resolution is 1440 X 900.

It's max refresh rate is 75hz

 

I will see what BlueScreenView shows me

I should note my stop error is different everytime 

[BahnStormer]

6 minutes ago, Ridoheru said:

These are my current specs:

THERMALTAKE SMART BX1 550W

ASUS A88XM-A 

AMD A10-7860K

G.SKILL DDR3 1333MHZ 2X8GB

SAPPHIRE RX 570 4GB

KINGSTON 2.5 SSD 450GB

 

I am wondering why my computer is constantly blue screening. Also why my computer's performance is constantly so bad. I am new to computers, hopefully I forgot something.

 

 

It'll mostly be the CPU as they were unbelievably flaky and unstable, but that windows install also needs to be squeaky clean.

 

Which Windows version? When was it installed? Has somebody tried to upgrade it to a newer version? Was that drive moved from another computer? It needs to be from a fresh install of Windows7 and I'm not sure I'd risk anything more recent than Win7 on that CPU; don't expect an upgrade to work. If you've already upgraded the license key you can probably re-install the newer OS, but needs to be a fresh install.

 

I remember those APU/CPUs well.... they were the Steamroller gen (Kaveri/Godavari)!

 

Despite being from nearly 10 years ago, they are "well remembered" for all the wrong reasons; that generation of AMD CPUs were just about okay for light we-browsing, but really awful for anything involving gaming or FPU calc (Excel).

 

We were still using Excel 32bit at the time, which didn't help, but Excel used to keep reporting that it had crashed, even though it was just running so slowly it thought it had stopped responding.... except if you tried to interfere, then it would bluescreen... there weren't even enough system resources to run an Excel macro and move the mouse without crashing.

 

We ended up rolling people back to i5-3210m laptops (dual core from 2012!) and they thanked us for their Excel running roughly 5x faster (macro went from >5min and unstable to <1min) AND they could multitask again.

 

Crazy to think that AMD started to make Ryzens and Threadrippers a year or two after these chips!

[OddOod]

4 minutes ago, Ridoheru said:

I should note my stop error is different everytime

That usually says to me dying mobo or RAM. But it could be a bugged windows install, how old is the install? Try a DISM/SFC run, though you end up needing a full reinstall to fully lock it down as a hardware error. 

 

7 minutes ago, Ridoheru said:

My monitors max resolution is 1440 X 900.

It's max refresh rate is 75hz

This is not really relevant, but sure, the hardware should run WXGA+ acceptably. 

[BahnStormer]

On the plus side the GPU, SSD and PSU are re-usable and it'll be ~$100 for a Ryzen 3, 16Gb DDR4  and entry level motherboard.... or maybe just pick up an i7-3770 and H77/Z77 motherboard and re-use the RAM? 

[BahnStormer]

12 minutes ago, Ridoheru said:

I should note my stop error is different everytime 

start with a fresh windows install....

 

after than I'd look to replace at least the motherboard (and CPU while you're at it!)....

[Ridoheru]

3 minutes ago, BahnStormer said:

It'll mostly be the CPU as they were unbelievably flaky and unstable, but that windows install also needs to be squeaky clean.

 

Which Windows version? When was it installed? Has somebody tried to upgrade it to a newer version? Was that drive moved from another computer? It needs to be from a fresh install of Windows7 and I'm not sure I'd risk anything more recent than Win7 on that CPU; don't expect an upgrade to work. If you've already upgraded the license key you can probably re-install the newer OS, but needs to be a fresh install.

 

I remember those APU/CPUs well.... they were the Steamroller gen (Kaveri/Godavari)!

 

Despite being from nearly 10 years ago, they are "well remembered" for all the wrong reasons; that generation of AMD CPUs were just about okay for light we-browsing, but really awful for anything involving gaming or FPU calc (Excel).

 

We were still using Excel 32bit at the time, which didn't help, but Excel used to keep reporting that it had crashed, even though it was just running so slowly it thought it had stopped responding.... except if you tried to interfere, then it would bluescreen... there weren't even enough system resources to run an Excel macro and move the mouse without crashing.

 

We ended up rolling people back to i5-3210m laptops (dual core from 2012!) and they thanked us for their Excel running roughly 5x faster (macro went from >5min and unstable to <1min) AND they could multitask again.

 

Crazy to think that AMD started to make Ryzens and Threadrippers a year or two after these chips!

Windows 10 pro 64 bit, I installed it under a month ago, No, No, I have already activated it.

 

Sorry if my reply is dry.

 

[Ridoheru]

5 minutes ago, OddOod said:

That usually says to me dying mobo or RAM. But it could be a bugged windows install, how old is the install? Try a DISM/SFC run, though you end up needing a full reinstall to fully lock it down as a hardware error. 

 

This is not really relevant, but sure, the hardware should run WXGA+ acceptably. 

The motherboard, CPU and GPU are the only parts that are second hand.

 

The install is under a month old.

[Ridoheru]

4 minutes ago, BahnStormer said:

On the plus side the GPU, SSD and PSU are re-usable and it'll be ~$100 for a Ryzen 3, 16Gb DDR4  and entry level motherboard.... or maybe just pick up an i7-3770 and H77/Z77 motherboard and re-use the RAM? 

I think choosing the ryzen 3, 16gb ddr4, entry level mobo is my best bet. Thank you.

 

 

 

[Somerandomtechyboi]

42 minutes ago, Ridoheru said:

These are my current specs:

THERMALTAKE SMART BX1 550W

ASUS A88XM-A 

AMD A10-7860K

G.SKILL DDR3 1333MHZ 2X8GB

SAPPHIRE RX 570 4GB

KINGSTON 2.5 SSD 450GB

 

I am wondering why my computer is constantly blue screening. Also why my computer's performance is constantly so bad. I am new to computers, hopefully I forgot something.

 

 

those apus get crushed by 1st gen 1156/1366 and not even running the thing at near 5ghz and 2600-3000 ddr3 would save it

 

just resell and get yourself a p67/z68/z77 and a 2500k/2600k which will crush that apu while still being able to reuse the ram

 

if your country has good used am4 deals then a 3100/3300x/3500(x) should be ~30$ or a 3600(x) at 50$ and used midranger b3/450 like the tomahawk or equivalent around 50$ or less, will crush those old intel cpus even if overclocked let alone this a10

[Ridoheru]

5 minutes ago, BahnStormer said:

start with a fresh windows install....

 

after than I'd look to replace at least the motherboard (and CPU while you're at it!)....

I installed windows under a month ago.

 

What ryzen 3 should I pair with my GPU?

[Ridoheru]

Just now, Somerandomtechyboi said:

those apus get crushed by 1st gen 1156/1366 and not even running the thing at near 5ghz and 2600-3000 ddr3 would save it

 

just resell and get yourself a p67/z68/z77 and a 2500k/2600k which will crush that apu while still being able to reuse the ram

 

if your country has good used am4 deals then a 3100/3300x/3500(x) should be ~30$ or a 3600(x) at 50$ and used midranger b3/450 like the tomahawk or equivalent around 50$ or less, will crush those old intel cpus even if overclocked let alone this a10

Sell my motherboard, CPU and ram?

 

My best bet is am4, what CPU should I pair with my GPU?

[Ridoheru]

13 minutes ago, OddOod said:

That usually says to me dying mobo or RAM. But it could be a bugged windows install, how old is the install? Try a DISM/SFC run, though you end up needing a full reinstall to fully lock it down as a hardware error. 

 

This is not really relevant, but sure, the hardware should run WXGA+ acceptably. 

Well I'm looking at the dump file... Not sure what the hell I'm looking at.

[Somerandomtechyboi]

1 minute ago, Ridoheru said:

Sell my motherboard, CPU and ram?

 

My best bet is am4, what CPU should I pair with my GPU?

country?

budget?

any usecases aside from gaming?

 

depends on your used market, sometimes 3100/3300x/3500(x) are worth getting but sometimes its only worth getting a 3600(x) used or even a new 5500 if aformentioned options are overpriced

 

and avoid new lowend garbage a520 when used b3/450 exists and are much better boards for the price

[Ridoheru]

2 minutes ago, Somerandomtechyboi said:

country?

budget?

any usecases aside from gaming?

 

depends on your used market, sometimes 3100/3300x/3500(x) are worth getting but sometimes its only worth getting a 3600(x) used or even a new 5500 if aformentioned options are overpriced

 

and avoid new lowend garbage a520 when used b3/450 exists and are much better boards for the price

Australia 

$360

Nope

I'll keep that in mind, thanks 

[BahnStormer]

I'm in Europe, so not certain on best places for Australia PC parts, but here's what I found with 10mins searching....

 

RAM: Corsair LPX 2x8Gb DDR4 3600 CL18: AUD75 on Amazon.com.au: LINK

.... or similar Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3200 CL16 (price is similar though and the 3600MT/sec will be better if you upgrade to something like a Ryzen 5 5700X3D later).

 

Motherboard: Something like a MSI B550M ProVDH: AUD185 on Amazon.com.au: LINK 

 

.... or alternatives like a MSI Gaming Gen3 B550: AUD200 on Amazon.com.au: LINK similar, but more pricey

 

 .... or if you're desperate to cut costs, then something like a ASUS Prime B450M-K II for AUD110 on Amazon: LINK, cheaper, but not really worth the savings as this may struggle with future upgrades as the VRMs (power conversion on the motherboard) isn't as good for the higher end CPUs. This is also slightly older spec B450 - with the other two (B550) you'll get better features to support a future GPU upgrade and better VRMs as standard. That said it's no worse than my son's B450 (ASUS Prime B450M rev1), where I was running a 5900X for a while before I gave it to him and it's been running a 5800X3D in that for several hours of gaming every day for the last 2 years! 

 

 

CPU: eBay/Gumtree.... aim for around AUD100 for a Ryzen 5 3600, like this: Gumtree in Sydney, which includes a stock cooler, which is fine for this CPU... seen a few others for AUD100-AUD110 for this CPU - just make sure it is the CPU and cooler.... not just the box and cooler - some people try some very cheeky sales!!

 

RAM @ AUD75 new from Amazon + Mobo @ AUD185 new from Amazon + CPU @ AUD100 2nd hand = AUD360

 

I suspect you could save a little on the RAM and Motherboard with a 2nd hand bundle, but probably still AUD200, which would give you a little more wriggle room on the CPU.... but not enough spare for the next meaningful step up Ryzen 5 5600 - R5 5500 or any of the 5#00G CPU's will be a steo sideways from a R5 3600).... plus having the RAM and motherboard as new will be a nice re-assurance that if anything is wrong with the CPU, you have a good level of confidence that that the other components are good.

 

[Ridoheru]

On 4/18/2024 at 9:34 AM, BahnStormer said:

I'm in Europe, so not certain on best places for Australia PC parts, but here's what I found with 10mins searching....

 

RAM: Corsair LPX 2x8Gb DDR4 3600 CL18: AUD75 on Amazon.com.au: LINK

.... or similar Corsair Vengeance LPX DDR4 3200 CL16 (price is similar though and the 3600MT/sec will be better if you upgrade to something like a Ryzen 5 5700X3D later).

 

Motherboard: Something like a MSI B550M ProVDH: AUD185 on Amazon.com.au: LINK 

 

.... or alternatives like a MSI Gaming Gen3 B550: AUD200 on Amazon.com.au: LINK similar, but more pricey

 

 .... or if you're desperate to cut costs, then something like a ASUS Prime B450M-K II for AUD110 on Amazon: LINK, cheaper, but not really worth the savings as this may struggle with future upgrades as the VRMs (power conversion on the motherboard) isn't as good for the higher end CPUs. This is also slightly older spec B450 - with the other two (B550) you'll get better features to support a future GPU upgrade and better VRMs as standard. That said it's no worse than my son's B450 (ASUS Prime B450M rev1), where I was running a 5900X for a while before I gave it to him and it's been running a 5800X3D in that for several hours of gaming every day for the last 2 years! 

 

 

CPU: eBay/Gumtree.... aim for around AUD100 for a Ryzen 5 3600, like this: Gumtree in Sydney, which includes a stock cooler, which is fine for this CPU... seen a few others for AUD100-AUD110 for this CPU - just make sure it is the CPU and cooler.... not just the box and cooler - some people try some very cheeky sales!!

 

RAM @ AUD75 new from Amazon + Mobo @ AUD185 new from Amazon + CPU @ AUD100 2nd hand = AUD360

 

I suspect you could save a little on the RAM and Motherboard with a 2nd hand bundle, but probably still AUD200, which would give you a little more wriggle room on the CPU.... but not enough spare for the next meaningful step up Ryzen 5 5600 - R5 5500 or any of the 5#00G CPU's will be a steo sideways from a R5 3600).... plus having the RAM and motherboard as new will be a nice re-assurance that if anything is wrong with the CPU, you have a good level of confidence that that the other components are good.

 

I ended up getting:

 

ASUS Prime B550M-K Motherboard.

AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Desktop Processor.

G.Skill Ripjaws V 32GB (2x16GB) PC4-28800 (3600MHz) DDR4.

 

I am now saving for a better GPU and SSD 

[BahnStormer]

Nice work! That will be a really decent step up!

 

For anybody else looking to emulate this upgrade - IF the build is mostly for gaming, see if you can get the Ryzen 5 5600: the 5500 is still Zen3 (Ryzen 5000 series), but it is quite a large step down from the 5600 as it only has 16Mb L3 cache, so half the 32Mb on a 5600. So purely for gaming, a lot of the time it will be closer to the 3600 although tit will still have a slight IPC (instructions per clock cycle) lead.

 

5600 would also give you PCIe4 instead of the PCIe3 on a 5500. Only really relevant for future GPU/storage upgrades, only a real downside in very specific GPU upgrades (especially RX6500XT!). 

 

In most other usage, the 5500 will beat the 3600 and be very close to the 5600.... and it will be WORLDS ahead of the A10 7700K which only has 4Mb L2 cache and zero L3, not to forget the higher TDP (thermals/power), much lower IPC AND lower clock speeds! I try not to be too nasty about older rigs, but the FM2 generation is a time that AMD would probably rather forget.... and a lot of people have forgotten, given how much of a step up AM4 was!

 

Welcome to the AM4 club

[BahnStormer]

RE: the future upgrade plans - M.2 is great, but won't make any difference for gaming. Be careful not to overspend as you will be restricted to PCIe3 speeds, but still compatible with PCIe4, so go for that if the prices are similar.

 

RX570 sits between a GTX1050Ti and GTX1060, so you should be fine for most 1080P gaming now... I think you should hold out for at least a GTX1660Super, which will be nearly 50% faster and come with some nice extra features... a RX5600XT would be a slightly bigger step up and the RX6600 is currently the bang for buck king (and roughly double the performance of the RX570), but 

 

Don't be tempted by the RTX4060 or RX6500XT as they have reduced PCIe lanes and need PCIe4 to avoid being bottlenecked.