Periodic CPU Usage Spikes / Audio Skipping

Red5 · 04-17-2007

You guys keep a pretty good forum. I browsed all 16 pages of the Processor section and found a lot of possible causes of my problem. After further research, I "think" I figured it out. I was hoping for an expert opinion as confirmation (or not).

I recently upgraded my Shuttle SB61G2 HTPC from a Northwood 2.4 to a Northwood 2.8 I got from a friend. Before the upgrade, everything worked great. After the upgrade, I have had problems with spikes in CPU Usage as well as sound skips (or no sound at all). It appears that the system runs out of resources and then stutters.

I'm still a bit of a novice when it comes to PCs, but after doing some research tonight, my thinking is that my 200Mhtz RAM and the 2.8 Mhtz CPU's 133 FSB don't like each other so much and it is causing a bottleneck. If I read correctly, I may be able to overclock the FSB on the 2.8 and underclock the RAM some to maybe meet somewhere in the middle to get a 1:1 ratio. If I am right, I am a little sketchy as to whether it's a good idea. I don't know much about overclocking as I have only dabbled a bit.

Also, before coming to the above conclusion, I also updated the drivers for the chipset, audio, video, and lan drivers to the latest as well as flashing the Bios to the latest version. I also installed ProcessorExplorer in order to monitor the apps that were 'causing' the issue, but it did not appear to be any one application. I have not specifically gone looking for viruses yet since I stumbled on to my theory.

Here is my hardware:
BAREBONES PC: Shuttle Model SB61G2 / 478 Intel Pentium 4 / Celeron Intel 865G Barebone
Motherboard: FB61, v1.3 / Manual: ftp://ftp.shuttle.com/Manuals/en/fb61/fb61en.zip

OLD CPU: Model BX80532PG2400D, Intel Northwood 2.4GHz 512KB L2 Cache Socket 478, 800 FSB
NEW CPU: Model RK80532PE072512, Intel Northwood 2.8GHz 512KB L2 Cache Socket 478, 533 FSB
RAM: TWINX1024-3200LLPT, Corsair 2 X 512 Meg DDR400
VIDEO CARD: Radeon 9600PRO AGP 256 Meg
SOUND: Onboard S/PDIF Out

Also, I am not actually using the stock shuttle case here. Since I am using the rig as a HTPC (and game machine), I transplanted the whole thing into a Silverstone case to get a better look and a lot better cooling. I am still using the stock cooler (called ICE) with two 90mm fans and get around 38 to 40 degrees on average load. I think I have some room to overclock if needed.

I am pretty sure I am on the right path here, but any suggestions would really be appreciated.

GaRHaR · 04-17-2007

Hi Red, welcome to the PCHF!

To be honest, the behavior kind of sounds like malware issues to me personally.
Can you follow the prework link in my signiture and post the resulting logs for the security team to look at?

Lebowski · 04-17-2007

Firstly. try running memtest86 to confirm or disconfirm your susprisions, or try some ram of the correct speed.

Secondly there is the malware issue as GaRHaR stated.

And have you checked the temps? i seem to remember the northwood being a fairly hot cpu.

And lastly what do you mean by 'transplanted' if you mean just stuck the case inside it the airflow will be terrible and may be what's causing the problem.

Red5 · 04-18-2007

GaRHaR:
I have started with your suggested steps. We will see if I find anything.

Lebowski:
I forgot about memtest86. Good idea.

The Northwoods are actually pretty cool processors. The Prescott are the hottest followed by the older Williamette.

As for the transplant...when I say I transplanted the whole thing, I mean that I removed all the components from the Shuttle case (discarding the case) and installed everything to the Silverstone case. My main point to this is that the increase in space and the configuration of the new case REALLY helped in being able to direct the in and out of the case. MBM5 is reporting temps of 34 for the CPU and 38 for the Case right now at medium load.

Red5 · 04-22-2007

Here are my scans. There wasn't much to find except for a few cookies.
I could not find a log export for AVG for some reason. Hopefully the screen print works.

I still plan to memtest86.

Red5 · 04-23-2007

I also put the original processor back in so now the FSB is running at 800 and the RAM is showing up as DDR400. I am not seeing the spikes like I was seeing before, but am still getting audio skips on games and programs.

The odd thing is that the HTPC front end I am using to record and play back video (Meedio) never gives me audio problems.

ih8bills · 04-23-2007

Unfortunately-- the FSB Multiplier on P4's are locked-- can't be oc'ed like AMD chips. So your original should give you better performance.
Are you sure about that FSB-133 in your first post ?
I don't beleieve I've ever seen a P4 with one that low. Maybe 533 ?

04-17-2007	#1
Red5 Bronze Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7	Periodic CPU Usage Spikes / Audio Skipping You guys keep a pretty good forum. I browsed all 16 pages of the Processor section and found a lot of possible causes of my problem. After further research, I "think" I figured it out. I was hoping for an expert opinion as confirmation (or not). I recently upgraded my Shuttle SB61G2 HTPC from a Northwood 2.4 to a Northwood 2.8 I got from a friend. Before the upgrade, everything worked great. After the upgrade, I have had problems with spikes in CPU Usage as well as sound skips (or no sound at all). It appears that the system runs out of resources and then stutters. I'm still a bit of a novice when it comes to PCs, but after doing some research tonight, my thinking is that my 200Mhtz RAM and the 2.8 Mhtz CPU's 133 FSB don't like each other so much and it is causing a bottleneck. If I read correctly, I may be able to overclock the FSB on the 2.8 and underclock the RAM some to maybe meet somewhere in the middle to get a 1:1 ratio. If I am right, I am a little sketchy as to whether it's a good idea. I don't know much about overclocking as I have only dabbled a bit. Also, before coming to the above conclusion, I also updated the drivers for the chipset, audio, video, and lan drivers to the latest as well as flashing the Bios to the latest version. I also installed ProcessorExplorer in order to monitor the apps that were 'causing' the issue, but it did not appear to be any one application. I have not specifically gone looking for viruses yet since I stumbled on to my theory. Here is my hardware: BAREBONES PC: Shuttle Model SB61G2 / 478 Intel Pentium 4 / Celeron Intel 865G Barebone Motherboard: FB61, v1.3 / Manual: ftp://ftp.shuttle.com/Manuals/en/fb61/fb61en.zip OLD CPU: Model BX80532PG2400D, Intel Northwood 2.4GHz 512KB L2 Cache Socket 478, 800 FSB NEW CPU: Model RK80532PE072512, Intel Northwood 2.8GHz 512KB L2 Cache Socket 478, 533 FSB RAM: TWINX1024-3200LLPT, Corsair 2 X 512 Meg DDR400 VIDEO CARD: Radeon 9600PRO AGP 256 Meg SOUND: Onboard S/PDIF Out Also, I am not actually using the stock shuttle case here. Since I am using the rig as a HTPC (and game machine), I transplanted the whole thing into a Silverstone case to get a better look and a lot better cooling. I am still using the stock cooler (called ICE) with two 90mm fans and get around 38 to 40 degrees on average load. I think I have some room to overclock if needed. I am pretty sure I am on the right path here, but any suggestions would really be appreciated. Last edited by Red5; 04-17-2007 at 05:33 AM.

04-17-2007	#2
GaRHaR Tech Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Western Australia Posts: 6,068 PC Experience: Elite PC Guru	Hi Red, welcome to the PCHF! To be honest, the behavior kind of sounds like malware issues to me personally. Can you follow the prework link in my signiture and post the resulting logs for the security team to look at? __________________ < Prework \| PSU Calculator \| PCHF Rules \| Microsoft Knowledge Base \| Guru 3D \| Toms Hardware \| Blackle.com - Spread the word! >

04-18-2007	#4
Red5 Bronze Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7	GaRHaR: I have started with your suggested steps. We will see if I find anything. Lebowski: I forgot about memtest86. Good idea. The Northwoods are actually pretty cool processors. The Prescott are the hottest followed by the older Williamette. As for the transplant...when I say I transplanted the whole thing, I mean that I removed all the components from the Shuttle case (discarding the case) and installed everything to the Silverstone case. My main point to this is that the increase in space and the configuration of the new case REALLY helped in being able to direct the in and out of the case. MBM5 is reporting temps of 34 for the CPU and 38 for the Case right now at medium load. Last edited by Red5; 04-18-2007 at 06:39 AM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

04-17-2007	#3
Lebowski Elite Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: England Posts: 1,076	Firstly. try running memtest86 to confirm or disconfirm your susprisions, or try some ram of the correct speed. Secondly there is the malware issue as GaRHaR stated. And have you checked the temps? i seem to remember the northwood being a fairly hot cpu. And lastly what do you mean by 'transplanted' if you mean just stuck the case inside it the airflow will be terrible and may be what's causing the problem.

04-23-2007	#6
Red5 Bronze Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 7	I also put the original processor back in so now the FSB is running at 800 and the RAM is showing up as DDR400. I am not seeing the spikes like I was seeing before, but am still getting audio skips on games and programs. The odd thing is that the HTPC front end I am using to record and play back video (Meedio) never gives me audio problems.

04-23-2007	#7
ih8bills Tech Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: coastal Rhode Island Posts: 4,633 PC Experience: More Stubborn than any PC	Unfortunately-- the FSB Multiplier on P4's are locked-- can't be oc'ed like AMD chips. So your original should give you better performance. Are you sure about that FSB-133 in your first post ? I don't beleieve I've ever seen a P4 with one that low. Maybe 533 ?