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Question

Does Windows 10 dislike dual-core processors?

May 28, 2019 11:46AM PDT

I recently built a desktop rig for a family member that now freezes regularly requiring a restart to recover. I've been told that Windows 10 64-bit doesn't always play well with dual core processors. Anyone know if this is true? I see where Ryzen 3's have dropped in price recently but I'd like to get a consensus before I rush into an upgrade. The point was to build a basic general purpose desktop at a low cost for web browsing, email, personal finance, etc. Here are the main components of the build:

cpu: AMD A6-9500 dual core processor w/ Radeon R5 integrated graphics
mobo: MSI B450M Pro-VDH, socket AM4
RAM: Geil EVO Potenza 8GB (2x4GB) DDR4-2400
SSD: Inland Basic 128GB M.2 2280 (for OS only)

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Small world.
May 28, 2019 11:51AM PDT

The oldest laptop we had W10 on (the laptop was then stolen) was a dual core 32 bit Intel in a Dell e1505 with 1GB RAM and 120GB SSD. It would boot in 35 seconds showing the Chrome web page loaded with Yahoo.com. To me this was proof that W10 could run on not only dual core but some really low end hardware well.

Now about your system. We know that the 350 and 450 AMD boards can be cranky for a lot of reasons. Most of the time it's an outdated BIOS or incompatible RAM.

Be sure those areas are addressed.

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Answer
Re: dual core
May 28, 2019 11:54AM PDT

It seems strange and unlikely, but I experienced nearly the same (not a freeze, but a BSOD for an unavailable kernel module) on an old PC, upgraded from Windows XP. I had to go down to Windows 7 to use it. MSI didn't have any Windows 10 drivers for this old motherboard, so my guess was that that was the cause.

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Answer
No Problem Here On Two Older Intel CPU's
May 28, 2019 1:15PM PDT

Although these definitely are gaming machines, they're fairly old and quite basic. One if an older VAIO Ultrabook which started with Windows 8, then 8.1, then Windows 10 Pro, with the processor in the link below:

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/72057/intel-core-i3-3227u-processor-3m-cache-1-90-ghz.html

The other is a custom made desktop which started with Windows 7 and went straight to Win10 Pro, with the processor below:

https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/ark/products/65690/intel-core-i3-3240-processor-3m-cache-3-40-ghz.html

Both are basic computers using integrated graphics only, but they've run just fine.

Hope this helps.

Grif

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Answer
Update
May 28, 2019 2:33PM PDT

Just to update this post, the computer boots just fine and the user begins to do whatever. At some point while in use the PC will freeze and the only way to recover is to hit the reset button (we've tried simply waiting as long as 30 minutes but no dice). So far our investigation can't tie the freezing to any specific application, it happens at random regardless of what is running - an MS Office program, web browser, etc. I've double-checked drivers and all appear to be updated and current. Interestingly, PCPartPicker.com now shows this mobo/cpu combination as incompatible but didn't say so back when I built it. When I try to swap mobo's I no longer get any AMD 450 boards regardless of price. However, if I try to swap to a Ryzen 3 2200G processor I get no compatibility issues. This is starting to suggest that the incompatibility between the A6-9500 and AMD 450 boards is something recently discovered. I'd like some opinions on a possible swap to the Ryzen 3 2200G. It was almost $200 back when I did the build but is now well under $100 at most vendors and gets excellent reviews.

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Are you swapping CPUs without a clean OS install?
May 28, 2019 2:38PM PDT

That's known to be problematic.

As to lockups on 350 and 450 boards, there are thousands of posts about that. Mostly BIOS, RAM, settings and the old "I swapped CPU or motherboard without a clean install."

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No, if CPU gets swapped I would clean install Win10
May 28, 2019 2:49PM PDT

A clean OS reinstall goes without saying when changing the CPU.

BTW, as part of my troubleshooting process I did perform a clean reinstall of Windows 10. Fortunately the family member using the PC has been consistent about backing up his data. After the OS was installed I gradually reinstalled apps, one at a time, and let them run a day or so before adding the next one. Freezing still occurred regardless. Basically, the thing freezes with just the hardware and OS running and all drivers updated. To me this says that there's either a hardware issue or Win10 doesn't like the configuration.

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That's just part of what it takes to get Windows up.
May 28, 2019 3:11PM PDT

Your post may have omitted the work required after Windows 10 is installed.

I have only your posts to work with but see no mention of the BIOS being current OR a version the motherboard maker has told you to use. After that step I install Windows 10 then I'm back to the motherboard maker's site for chipset drivers, audio, video and so on.

A lot of folk skip that and end up with unstable PCs. Then again these 350 and 450 boards are known to be twitchy with a lot of memory issues. To make matters more fun, MEMTEST86 and such rarely give you a clue that it is that issue. For memory issues I'm back to the motherboard maker's forum to ask what BIOS and settings I should try with the RAM I selected.

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PS. I too have found
May 28, 2019 3:20PM PDT

That APUs can really push the memory system over the edge. That is, usually OK for web and general use but not gaming.

-> Even for web work, often you find you have to "disable hardware acceleration" for the browsers.

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Answer
That appears to be a clean build
Jun 20, 2019 5:33PM PDT

Try a different PSU and monitor temps on the CPU fan, also.

Pull one of the RAM sticks out and allow it to run overnight on only 4GB. Sometimes the SSD may be the issue as well. But then again, any physical hardware component can be the culprit of the underlying issue.
Practically, you'd have to swap parts until stability sees itself clean, or find out which drivers are problematic.

Windows 10 is known to push hardware to its limits at times. Often around the web, individuals are reporting that Windows 10 "destroys" hardware. Perhaps, worded differently, not all computers are optimized for Windows 10, and not all computers have to run Windows 10.

Try a different OS and burn test the rig?

Linux Pro's, unite..