Computer Stuttering

I built a new computer a little ways back and I have run into some problems with the computer stuttering every few seconds (little pauses or freezes, then it resumes running normally). It seems to happen when watching videos, listening to music, or playing games. It is very frustrating as I am not computer illiterate (though I am far from advanced), but I just cannot figure out what the problem is. Another odd thing is that the stuttering will usually subside after playing certain games for a while, but I have noticed it seems to come back after I use my CD drive. I'll list the specs below, please let me know if you need any additional information. I would appreciate any help y'all could offer.

Specs:

• WD Caviar Hard Drive - 1TB

• WD Caviar Hard Drive - 500GB

• HT Omega Striker 7.1 Sound Card

• XFX GX285NZDFF GeForce GTX 285 1GB 512-bit GDDR3 Video Card

• Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor

• G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 x 2 (I have heard having all the slots occupied can result in problems. Thoughts?)

• PC Power & Cooling 750W Power Supply

• Vista 64-bit SP1, XP 32-bit SP2, Ubuntu Operating Systems (stuttering occurs in all of them)

• Antec Twelve Hundred Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

• SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F

 

Wow the first thing I see is that you only have a 750W PSU!?

I'd say you'd need at least 1000W PSU. However that shouldn't be the issue if you've had it for a bit and you're only having the issue now. I'd definitely start off with updating your Video Card drivers from the NVidia website. Also, download Furmark and run the Stability test that it has inbuilt. Run it for about 30 minutes to an hour and monitor the temp. (Furmark has an inbuilt temp monitor and graph).

Has the card ever been OCed?

 

Hey Drizzles, thank you for your response. I do only have a 750W PSU. I was told that it would be more than enough; in fact, some thought it was overkill but allowed room for expansion. I also ran my components through a few online power calculators and I always had about a 100W cushion. However, I have had the issue pretty much since the computer was built, so maybe your idea has merit. I won't rule out the idea, and if I can come across a better PSU I will definitely throw it in there. I will run the stability test tonight and report the results. Nothing has ever been OCed on this machine.

Thank you again.

 

Yer the mistake some people make is alot of PSUs have multiple rails. (in laymans terms a certain set of capacitors etc for a certain bundle of wires) and if you go over the amount one rail supplies it can cause issues ... I'm not sure how many power connectors your Graphics Card requires but try changing them around, and the other components to ... swapping rails etc ...

 

Interesting. One of my friends mentioned that to me the other day too, that I may have too many components plugged into one PSU cable. I didn't understand how that would affect it until your explanation. I will definitely give that a shot. You may be right, my Graphics Card isn't getting enough power.

Thank you for the great suggestions, Drizzles.

 

NP :-D :cool :major

 

Just wanted to stop by and let anyone who may be following this thread know that my sound card seems to have been the culprit in this problem. I yanked it and I no longer have any audio or video glitches. Hopefully that takes care of the situation permanently.

Also, thanks again Drizzles for continuing to offer advice. While I pulled my sound card I also rearranged some of my PSU cables, so that may have helped alleviate the problem as well.

 

Not a problem dude

Thats what were here for :major :-D