Installed a quad-core cpu and now my PC freezes at the desktop almost immediately

-Specs-
mobo: asrock a790gxh/128m
video: his hd 4670 iceq 512mb
ram: mushkin enhanced blackline 2x1gb ddr2-1066; 5-5-5-15
psu: 350w
bios: the latest & everything is at default

CPU is a Phenom II x4 940 BE 125w AM2+ with stock hsf and thermal pad (connected correctly). pc boots up normally until it gets to the desktop. I'm able to move the mouse for 3 seconds and then freezes. half the time when it freezes a distorted screeching sound comes out the speakers. I'm positive the psu has nothing to do with it. the previous cpu was 125w too, and it never did this. I don't think this is a temperature issue since I tried underclocking to 2.7ghz it in the bios. Is there a certain voltage to have it on? North Bridge voltage? Idk. I've been excited to get this cpu for 3 days so I can run gta4 and crysis better. Now I'm stuck using my old emachines, playing f.e.a.r. on minimum and 640x480. Feels like I just got thrown into a time-machine set for 1 year ago. :x:

 

are you absolutely, positively sure that your motherboard does support your CPU?

Does the computer freeze also when you're in BIOS? What are the temps of the mobo/CPU?

 

Yes, it's supported.
No freezing in the BIOS. Only a few seconds into the desktop.
The cpu's temp was 48C... I think.

 

48 degrees? that doesn't sound right... I would say it's the temperature causing the freeze.

if so, you'll have to resettle the cooler. (clean off current paste + apply new one).

how's your cases airflow doing? is the air moving or stagnant (ie any active case ventilation?) Try to take the side lids off your case and see what happens.

 

Maybe it was 46 degrees. Can't remember. Yesterday I took my pc to a hardware store and the people there will tell me what the problem is (for a small fee), but it will take about a week. So right now I don't have the system.

If I clean off the paste, wont that void the warranty? This cpu has a very strict return policy.
Arctic Silver 5 paste coming in the mail this afternoon.

There's enough airflow. Only one side lid can come off; had it off the whole time after the cpu was installed.

 

well, anyway - 40+ degrees sounds kind of too much. especially in BIOS, where the CPU isn't utilized almost at all;

will be interesting to hear what the tech guys have to say about it.

 

True.

I'll let you know what they say next week.

 

Well, turns out this wasn't a heat issue. There was a program in Startup called "memsave.exe" causing it. It got removed and now everything is working. Gta4 is amazingly smooth now. Crysis is studder-free on medium. So glad I bought this cpu. Tomorrow I'm probably gonna use the AS5 paste. That little sucker was $10. The package it came in was so light that I could possibly move it by blowing through a straw.

It was nice talking to you.

 

hell. That's kind of unexpected, since your mouse froze as well. That's usually and indication of some hardware fault. But good to know - will have to keep this in mind.

 

Yeah, keep that in mind. Here's something else unexpected - it's overclocked to 3.37 GHz and temps are looking pretty good so far. cpu 40-44C; mobo 36-38C. No paste is being used. I'd OC higher, but idk how much more the ram can take. ddr2-1066 @ 900mhz w/timings of 4-4-4-12.

 

48 degrees is not a problem at all..my CPU has been runnin at 70 under load for over 6 months now without any problem be it crash/restart/freeze/BSOD

Different CPUs can run at different maximum temperatures and they are usually quite high..you can check this out for more information : The Heatsink Guide - All about PC cooling