Processor stuck at 10% Speed

[Senkusha]

I'll double check in a little bit, but I know the BIOS is really slow too. I did manage to enable my overclocking (Mode 2), and that helps a little bit, but it still takes like two minutes for the Start Bar to appear when I boot into Windows. Everything I've read online suggests that my Power Supply Unit is going bad. We did experience a Brown Out shortly before I noticed the problem, so perhaps indeed, my PSU is not capable of delivering the necessary power levels to the motherboard. Looks like I may have to spend $219 for a new power supply next month.

There goes my website, since I can't afford both a renewal and a new PSU. Not that it matters, I've only got like one or two members that occasionally show up anyway. I'll probably take the time to restructure my website, possibly get a different domain name and relaunch in a different direction (after I gain an [interested] following member base).

 

[TwitchisMental]

I'll double check in a little bit, but I know the BIOS is really slow too. I did manage to enable my overclocking (Mode 2), and that helps a little bit, but it still takes like two minutes for the Start Bar to appear when I boot into Windows. Everything I've read online suggests that my Power Supply Unit is going bad. We did experience a Brown Out shortly before I noticed the problem, so perhaps indeed, my PSU is not capable of delivering the necessary power levels to the motherboard. Looks like I may have to spend $219 for a new power supply next month.

There goes my website, since I can't afford both a renewal and a new PSU. Not that it matters, I've only got like one or two members that occasionally show up anyway. I'll probably take the time to restructure my website, possibly get a different domain name and relaunch in a different direction (after I gain an [interested] following member base).

Do you have a multimeter to test the PSU? It is certainly a possibility. How much power do you need? 219$ seems kinda high . A decent 600w bronze rated is around 80$ right now.

 

[Senkusha]

Unfortunately, I have to get a Dell power supply, because Dell in their infinite wisdom decided to use proprietary parts. Sure I could go to Microcenter and pick up a 1000W PSU for $119, but there are two problems: One, the current power supply and space for it is uniquely smaller. And second, from what I've read online, the motherboard connectors are different.

My only other option would be to invest in a new motherboard, PSU, and case (because if I'm going to go standardized, I should go all the way), and take the RAM, HDD, CPU, and GPU out, but then I probably also have to invest in cooling stuff too, and the last time I actually worked on a PC's hardware/guts, was like 15 years ago.

Also, I don't have a multi-meter, and I don't have a clue on how to even test the PSU.

I did do some digging through the Event Viewer in Windows, and on the day of the brown out (April 20), I noticed that about half an hour before the outage occurred Firmware throttled my Processor Cores. I was probably testing something in Unreal Engine, but that tells me that my internal temps spiked. Unfortunately, when the brown out occurred, I was away from my desk using the bathroom.

I'm not sure if it's the power supply that's being limited, or if a part inside failed, or if the BIOS has a flag that's been set because of the above mentioned power throttling, but I can seem to find anywhere in the BIOS that would reset such a flag. As a recap some of the things that I've done are:

• Drained any residual power in the machine by unplugging the power supply from the surge protector, removing the CMOS battery and attempting to power on the machine for 15 minutes. A second attempt at this was done while I was at work on a following day (approximately 12 hours).
• Disabled all Power related settings inside BIOS.
• Flashed BIOS.
• Updated all Windows Device Drivers.

 

[TwitchisMental]

You could also try reseating the RAM.

However with the information provided I do suspect a PSU issue.

Out of curiosity, have you tried making a bootable linux drive and seeing the problem still occurs there?

 

[Senkusha]

Even BIOS is REALLY slow and sluggish (moving around in the Interface). I highly suspect that the throttling is occurring at POST. But, no, I haven't tried a Linux boot.

I finally got enough money saved up to order a new PSU, so after June 10th, I'll get to install it and hopefully my issues will be fixed. Now i really want to invest in a Uninterrupted Power Supply. But I'll probably have to wait a couple of months to save enough money for that, and hopefully none of my Necessity Bills increase any further during this time.