CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT error DELL T7600

Question

I bought a used T7600 Dell without a GPU. I did the following:

Installed an MSI Geforce 1080 GPU
Installed an SSD
Installed windows 10 pro

From the getgo, I have been getting the clock watchdog error after the PC has been running with a relatively heavy load (python data science) for 10 minutes to an hour. I have tried the following:

Installed all possible DELL drivers
Installed the NVIDIA drivers
Passed the Intel CPU diagnostics
Ran Furmark GPU stress test with no problems
Ran DELL stress tests on CPU, RAM, GPU with no problems
swapped out RAM with some new RAM
put in a new PSU
reinstalled windows

all to no avail

I am ready to get a replacement motherboard as a last resort but I am at wit's end. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

fireberd · Accepted Answer

I did some internet searches for that error. The CPU seems to be the most suggested error point.

Considering this is a used machine, and who knows what has transpired with it prior, the CPU would seem to be a good candidate for a problem.

I once had a similar problem with an Intel i7 3770 CPU. It passed all hardware tests, including the Intel CPU diagnostics. As I do PC repair and had spare parts I started changing parts one at a time. I changed power supply then the motherboard but still had the problem. I had a spare i5 3550 CPU (compatible with the CPU socket) and tried that and the problem was gone. The i7 3770 was replaced under warranty by Intel.

zeebee888 · Answer

Thanks.

Well I tried fiddling with the BIOS and I turned off Intel Turbo Boost on the CPU and now it appears to be running without the errors. So I'm guessing it's either a heat issue (temps decreased about 5 degrees C with the switch) or one of the CPU chips is erratically performing like you suggested.

I am going to add a couple of slot fans to see if I can lower the temperature inside and go back to Turbo Mode.

zeebee888 · Answer

So you were right, after replacing the second CPU in the PC all is well. It has been running eight hours under load with no blue screens. Replacing the CPU was much cheaper and easier than trying to replace the motherboard, so thank you very much!

fireberd · Answer

Unfortunately, many CPU problems are not detected by hardware diagnostics (even the Intel CPU diagnostics) and require replacement to troubleshoot.  But, good to hear you got it sorted out.

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CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT error DELL T7600

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