Help required, regarding system crashes when launching games

[0ptimistPrim3]

Hello

Recently my system started crashing when I launched particular games (specifically: Borderlands 2 and Prototype 2). Other games that are similarly demanding work fine (Sleeping Dogs, for example). Mostly it just restarts without a bluescreen showing, but on one or two occasions i did get a bluescreen. (unfortunately i wasn't prepared and didn't catch the bug code.) I have since turned off auto-restart and got bluescreenview. Sadly, no bluescreens of late, but BSV did repeatedly catch a bug check code upon crashing (0x00000124) with no bug check string.
I've found a lot of similar problems on various forums, but none exactly the same. All drivers are up-to-date. Bios has been updated (FC 19/12/11) Graphics card breezes through 3Dmark without a problem. I've tried many things but to no avail, and with Dishonoured being released soon I am working to a dead-line!

Specs:
Gigabyte 78LMT-S2P rev 4.0;
AMD FX-4170 quad core 4200 Mhz (not overclocked);
8GB RAM (2x4GB) Corsair (PartNo.: CML8GX3M2A1600C9);
Radeon HD 6870;
Windows 7 64bit

Any advice that you can spare regarding this would be deeply appreciated.

Thank you for your time.

[Vezina]

Hi !
Bulldozers need a recent BIOS update that fixes issues with some games.It seems that your motherboard BIOS does not contain the fix.

Ask Gigabyte support for a newer BIOS.
 
Another cause that can generate sudden restarts is a crap/dieing power supply. Swap the PSU for a known to work one and see what happens.

[autotech]

Forget it you are running a 125 watt processor on a 95 top rated board. One you are going to burn the board out ( most likely )  TWO you are going to damage the processor.

Seems like you are one of the people that run an unsupported processor on that board. I have done it but it didnt last too long before i got smart and bought a better motherboard. Even if Gigabyte releases a bios update that CPU  wont be supported. 

Finally my advice is to buy a motherboard that actually supports your processor.

[Vezina]

autotech .is right ,the CPU is 125W TDP and indeed it is not on the CPU supported list  (i ve confused the CPU to the FX 4100 specs  )
 Continuing to run it at the default frequency you may see smoke.
It seems there is a protection kicking in on the mobo ,but first statements still remain valid ,it can be a combination of all.

Until you get a new motherboard you can do a workaround.
Go into BIOS and transform it into a FX 4100.
Set the clock speed manually by reducing the multiplier of the CPU to a value of 18 (X 200 =3600 Mhz) and by the turbo clock to 3800 Mhz , by using the correct multiplier in the specific bios  setting (18,5).

I advice you to upgrade to an AMD  9xx chipset based board to avoid future issues.

[0ptimistPrim3]

Update:

Thank you both for your contributions, they have been very helpful.

I had no idea my CPU was incompatible with my motherboard. The company that sold me my PC (Overclockers UK) is getting a very strongly worded e-mail.

I took your advice, regarding the workaround, and found something surprising/shocking. The CPU clock speed had already been set at 2800MHz, whilst the Core Performance Boost was set at 4300MHz. I hadn't changed these settings myself and they must have been made by the company that supplied my machine.

I was unsure about increasing the CPU clock above what it was set at (to the 3600MHz you suggested), so i left this unchanged, and dropped the Core Performance Boost to 3000MHz. Both of these figures are above the minimum suggested for Borderlands 2, so i figured they would suffice. Sadly, the system still crashes.

I am most likely going to heed your further advice and buy a new motherboard.

If you have any further suggestions before i make this commitment,  please let me know.

Thanks again

[autotech]

The reason it crashes is the unsupported cpu.  By changing it the way vezina said to you are at least keeping it safe. Nothing you can do to play those two games until you get a supported motherboard. Only other recommendation which i can suggest is to email gigabyte support but the reply is going to be please change motherboard.

If a new motherboard is to much can you get a supported CPU might be cheaper that way and then when you are ready to go up you can use this CPU with a new motherboard. Either way you need a cpu or motherboard and i HATE being the bearer of bad news. It happens though.

[0ptimistPrim3]

Update:

I contacted the company who supplied my motherboard and cpu. They accept that they have erred, and have offered me either a new motherboard (Asus M5A78L-M LX), or a 4100 cpu with a refund. I am currently undecided. I assume that the cpu would be the easier option for swapping, but i'm not sure if i want to downgrade.

Also, i recieved a reply from the ticket i raised with gigabyte tech support. It contained a bios update that wasn't available on their webpage for my motherboard (FDa 08/02/2012). I just updated it, and now the games are working. (I kept the dialled-down clock settings that i mentioned in my last update, as suggested.)

Thank you both for sharing your time and expertise. I am always surprised by such kindness from strangers.

 PS: Any thoughts on either the cpu or mobo that i've been offered?

[Vezina]

Just took a look at the motherboard, it s 95W TDP one too They must have more AMD 7xx based chipset boards with 95W TDP support in stock and they wish hard to get rid of them as fast as possible
Those guys at the store are ...

Keep the board and keep the CPU.
Downclock it to a FX 4100 level Mhz by Mhz ,you will still have an advantage over a 4100 FX .The memory controller works at 2200 Mhz in the 4170 opposed to the 2000 Mhz in the 4100.
See if it s stable for few weeks then let it be ,make sure when you reset BIOS you set it where it should be.

If they offer you a 125W TDP support mobo with a AMD 9xx chipset on it ,take it ,otherwise don t..

Don t be surprised

[autotech]

Since it is now working with your games i would let it be. After a few weeks i would probably kick it up a step then let it go for a few weeks more then maybe one more notch up. But no higher as all cpu's can be overclocked some i just wouldnt stress the motherboard.

Venzia is right i wouldnt go with the asus MB either.