Freezing + RAM

[Shiny]

My custom-built computer (which normally runs extremely fast), has had a bit of an issue freezing as of late. The sound buzzes loudly, and the computer freezes. On a reboot, everything is fine and nothing (software-wise) is broken or running less than optimally. I also think I am having an issue with RAM. Since the freezes have been happening, I've noticed my RAM usage seems slightly higher than usual - 50%. Right now, Windows 7 Home Premium is running, with Firefox with TIF and facebook open. I regularly clear the cache of both Firefox and Chrome. In my idle programs I have WDSmartware (for my external - I want to rid of it) and plugin-container[Caution: Executable File] hogging the most resources besides. Does this seem okay?

 

I've run several MSE scans for viruses, but nothing has come up.

 

If someone would be able to help me diagnose my problem, I'd be grateful. I want my computer running as fast as possible and as cleanly as possible. My builds specs:

 

AMD Phenom II X4 3.0GHz

4GB RAM

1TB WD Green HDD

Radeon 4870HD card.

 

Oh, and on a side note, if I was to run SLI with my card, would I need another 4870, or could I got with a newer card? Does SLI also support dual monitors, and would I, for example, be able to play TF2 across 2 monitors, with one gfx card powering one monitor and the other gfx car powering the other monitor?

[Sbrideau]

Crossfire is the Ati equivalent of the Nvidia SLI. If you go dual video cards, with crossfire, you're going to have to plug both screen on the same card. If you have a 4870, I believe it's already sufficient to play TF2 on dual screens. As for the RAM usage problem, I will think of what could be doing that. It could be a lot of things. Did you only scan with MSE? I believe a scan with Malwarebytes as well could be a good idea.

[Shiny]

Sorry, I meant crossfire in my original post. I couldn't remember which brand went to which name.

 

Scanning with Malwarebytes now.

[indy500fan]

Yeah you shouldn't have too many problems playing a lot of games with that computer, that is basically what mine is. I would worry about the HDD before adding another video card though. Caviar greens are great from a storage/price ratio point of view, but I would never have it as the only HDD in a computer, they are just too slow. Get an SSD for your OS+main programs, then a caviar black or equivalent to install games on, and keep the caviar green for stuff that HDD speed doesn't matter on (music, movies, TV files). I'm going perfectly fine right now with a 40gig SSD and 320gig install drive for this computer. I save everything else on my media server and stream it here, over LAN there is no loss of quality or wait times.

 

But yeah, if you do that you will get a noticeable speed increase. If this fixes your problem also then you know it was either a HDD or software issue (since you will have to reinstall windows). Though from what you described I'm not sure it is.

[Sbrideau]

I just thought of one thing, if you can go to the task manager and see what takes most memory, it could help here.

[Shiny]

Yeah I did, that's how I came up with those first three things. Ran Malwarebyte - 3 things of malware came up, and were promptly removed.

 

@indy - I don't have a problem with the HDD speed, or playing games. It is more the fact that my computer is freezing, and RAM usage seemed high.

[jasignhagj]

Is your ram Oc'd? Check the BIOS, it may be unstable.

 

There was a chart somewhere, for xfire the cards don't have to be the exact same, just the same series. But for you, getting another 4870 would be a good idea.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121376 - only $129.99

[Shiny]

Nah, the RAM is not overclocked. I think the trouble lies within software running on my computer.