I7-980X CPU crashes (dead?)

[Maurice]

I am starting a new thread re. my current FSX PC problems. This was originally posted in the topic "A clarification about me" which is obviously not the right place to discuss this.

Quote from: XOrionFE on Today at 06:42:42 PM

Maurice,  because I know your sense of humor I can't tell from this if you really are having computer troubles or not but if so...don't be too quick to blame the CPU.   Try pulling out some memory chips first as you may have a bad one.   Also try backing out any over clocking first.

If this was more joking then congrats....you got me 

Scott

Unfortunately Scott, this wasn't a joke or the joke is on me. I am 95% sure right now that my CPU is foobar and here is why I think that.
First, I am getting several of these errors in the event viewer:

"A corrected hardware error has occurred.
Reported by component: Processor Core
Error Source: Corrected Machine Check
Error Type: Cache Hierarchy Error
Processor ID: 16

So, I ran memory diags overnight (with overclocking still on) and they ran without any problem (diags load on power up with no OS )
After I killed the diags, the system would no longer boot. Despite many repair attempts, I finally had to re-install a very recent backup image made when the system was working OK. Even with that old image, I'm still getting the errors above and I also ended up with multiple blue screens.

When I was able to run CPU diags with Hot CPU Tester Pro, they would end shortly with a blue screen even after I disabled all overclocking

So I disabled all cores except 1 core and I ran the CPU diags again and they have now been running for a couple of hours with no problems.

Bottom line, the system seems fairly stable so far if using only one core but any more cores and I end up with blue screens. Incidentally, during my testing, I would also end up with blue screens when starting Windows in safe mode.

This all leads me to believe that the CPU is partially defective. Tomorrow, I am going to open a case with Microsoft support and if they confirm the CPU is bad, then I have to make a big decision. The I7-980X CPU is out of production now and getting a replacement is almost impossible since most sites list it as out of stock. Getting an I7-990X instead is possible but at over $1K, I'm really not anxious to go that route for more than purely financial reasons.

Anyway, we'll see what MS Support has to say before I contemplate my sim's future. I don't think a memory problem would happen only when I am using all the CPU cores, so that leaves the CPU as the likely culprit as far as I can tell right now. Isn't this a fantastic hobby though? How else could you guarantee endless frustrations punctuated by a few hours of fun now & then if you are very lucky? 

Maurice

[XOrionFE]

Well given your description I would have to concurr.  Sorry to hear that.   Computers can really be a pain some times.   I have been having loads of fun with my new ones.  By the time I finally got them Up and running I feel as if I need a break from the sim for a couple weeks!

Good luck with your call.

Scott

[Garys]

Yep would have to agree. This is the same system that you had the raptor drive changed on? Any of the symptons similar to last time?
Could also be a heat problem. Try cleaning the cpu fan, and reseating the cpu with new thermal paste. Probably not the problem but anythings worth a shot when the other prospect is a new cpu.

Gary

[blueskydriver]

Hey Maurice,

Did you try removing the CPU and then reseating it? It's possible your chip is loose; I've seen it before... You should give it try.

BSD

[Garys]

Hi BSD, do you even read my posts?

Gary

[Maurice]

Gary & BSD, yes this is my last resort after I talk to MS support. It's not a heat problem because I have water cooling and the CPU temperature is quite low but it might be poor contacts. I guess you never know until you try.

Thanks,
Maurice

[blueskydriver]

Hi Gary,

Yes, I did just now, but if you look at our times, we we're both likely typing at the same time and you hit post before me... The last one I saw was Scott's.

I am finger pecking on my Ipad laying bed.

BSD

[Garys]

No probs BSD, just wondering.

Gary

[Maurice]

After a very painful experience talking to MS support, they confirmed what I was 99% sure about and that is that my I7-980x CPU in my FSX PC is defective and is causing the re-boots and/or blue screens. And yes, I did try to re-seat the CPU & memory modules.

So now, I am faced with a very difficult decision of what to do next. Mothballing my sim for a few months is one of the options I am seriously considering until I decide my sim's future. I can certainly afford to replace the CPU but I have no desire whatsoever to do this right now.

Maurice

[Garys]

Sorry to hear that mau. On the bright side it could be the perfect excuse to upgrade to the latest socket. New K series cpu, motherboard, and faster ram, can be had for less than the price you will pay for a new X cpu and would give you better results. Just something else to consider when the time comes.

Gary

[blueskydriver]

Hi Maurice,

Okay, I won't chase a CPU for you this time...lol...though I'd like to help you out again. You know how I am. So, in that frame of mind, why not just do like you said, take a Holiday from your Sim for a while.

Karen told me to do that once when I got frustrated and wanted to quit it all, so I did that and after 3 or 4 months I missed it. I then came back to it with a renewed spirit for it all. More or less it was a Holiday.

Of course, if you don't come back to it, then it's meant too be. Besides, you've likely hit the Burn-Out stage of the hobby like most of us here have done in one hobby or another due to frustration. I am sure you know your CPU would only take a few mintues to pull out and put a new one in, and you say you have the money, but without the desire, it's best to take a Holiday.

Maybe you and your wife should go on a road trip or just get away, you are more than welcome to come visit Karen and I, but that means you are not really getting away from it, you're just going too another crazy sim nuts house with three sims sitting around to remind you of your very own!

Although, we have been busy elsewhere trying to clean up the acre or more worth of tree branches left behind by the loggers that went on a tree killing spree! So, you're more than welcome to come and grab a rake or drag some branches to the wood chipper...just don't jump in!...lol (By the way, Karen was standing over my shoulder when I typed this, so it's not all me, it's that crazy Simlady too).

John

[Maurice]

Sorry to hear that mau. On the bright side it could be the perfect excuse to upgrade to the latest socket. New K series cpu, motherboard, and faster ram, can be had for less than the price you will pay for a new X cpu and would give you better results. Just something else to consider when the time comes.

Gary

I can get an I7-990x for $999.00 so I doubt that a new K series cpu, motherboard & ram would be cheaper than that or give me better performance. But even if it did, that would also mean re-installing all the software instead of being able to use my current image which is something I can avoid I think if I stay with a close relative of my current CPU.

Thanks for the suggestion anyway and who knows, there might be even better options in a few months when/if I get back into it.

Maurice

[Maurice]

Hi Maurice,

Okay, I won't chase a CPU for you this time...lol...though I'd like to help you out again. You know how I am. So, in that frame of mind, why not just do like you said, take a Holiday from your Sim for a while.

John

I knew the thought would come to you but no need to chase anything this time since I can easily get a CPU replacement .  And what you said is exactly what I intend to do, enjoy the summer outside instead of living in my basement. After a few months, I should know if a temporary separation was all I needed or whether a divorce is the only option that makes sense 

I was almost going to go to Oshkosh again this year but I decided that my last 30 visits or so were enough especially since I know I will never build a homebuilt aircraft. I did start building a Murphy Rebel many moons ago but I got laid off after completing the first partial kit (all control surfaces) and never started again. But if I change my mind and head to Wisconsin, I will surely contact you although I'm scared to be infected by sim disease one more time or get any mad ideas like building an F16 

Thanks for all your help over the years. You are indeed one of a kind and I mean that in a good way 

Maurice

[Bob Reed]

Hi Maurice, just because you are taking a break from the sim does not mean you can take a breal from us!! lol Just kidding but not 100%! Have a great summer...

[Maurice]

Hi Maurice, just because you are taking a break from the sim does not mean you can take a breal from us!! lol Just kidding but not 100%! Have a great summer...

Unfortunately, you may have to put up with me a bit longer. My wife won the battle of the wills and convinced me I should not pack it in just yet. So I just ordered an 17-990X which has the same socket type as the 980x and in theory at least, I should be able to just swap the CPU and not have to do anything else.

However, if that does not solve my original problem, then you will have to cover your ears because there will be some really heavy duty bitching and my sim will be up for sale shortly thereafter. Let's hope it does not come to that.

Maurice

[jackpilot]

Ah!  Good.
Was worried for a while....

[Nat Crea]

Holding my breath...

Nat 

[Trevor Hale]

Hi Maurice, just because you are taking a break from the sim does not mean you can take a breal from us!! lol Just kidding but not 100%! Have a great summer...

Unfortunately, you may have to put up with me a bit longer. My wife won the battle of the wills and convinced me I should not pack it in just yet. So I just ordered an 17-990X which has the same socket type as the 980x and in theory at least, I should be able to just swap the CPU and not have to do anything else.

However, if that does not solve my original problem, then you will have to cover your ears because there will be some really heavy duty bitching and my sim will be up for sale shortly thereafter. Let's hope it does not come to that.

Maurice

This really sucks bud.  I hate hearing these troubles your having.  Regardless, don't expect to be able to just swap the CPU. I would think you will need to run the windows second repair if the machine won't boot, but give it a go.  CPU Change may cause windows to crap itself..

Just a heads up!  I really hope though that this solves your issues.

Trev

[Maurice]

This really sucks bud.  I hate hearing these troubles your having.  Regardless, don't expect to be able to just swap the CPU. I would think you will need to run the windows second repair if the machine won't boot, but give it a go.  CPU Change may cause windows to crap itself..

Just a heads up!  I really hope though that this solves your issues.

Trev

You are right about that. I had a few mild coronaries after I installed a new I7 990x  . But I somehow managed to get it going again without doing a full image restore. Does not work any better than it did with the 980x but I did not expect any improvements anyway; it's just that the 980x is really hard to get these days since it is out of production.

So, I'm back in business until I receive a new GPU (GTX 590) and then the fun begins again 

Maurice