Baffled!! System unexpectedly shuts down and loses input/output connections while building a new PC.
Baffled!! System unexpectedly shuts down and loses input/output connections while building a new PC.
I recently assembled my PC at the beginning of August. Below are my specifications: Intel i5 12600k, ASUS ROG Strix 3060ti, 32GB Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro SL 3200MHz, CL16 Asrock Z690, Steel Legend Wifi 6E Edition, Thermaltake Toughpower GF1 850W (80+ Gold), Lian Li Galahad 240mm AIO, Corsair 4000d Airflow 6, Lian Li AL-120 fans, 256GB Sandisk SSD, OS drive 2TB, Game drive 1TB WDBlue HDD, plus misc. drives. The build looks great, but I’m facing a persistent issue. My computer occasionally freezes for just a second, accompanied by static noise in whatever audio I’m using. This occurs randomly, whether I’m streaming or playing games. During Discord calls while gaming, the freeze disrupts audio input/output, forcing me to power cycle my headphones to reconnect. Other devices like my Astro A40TR Mix amp work fine when connected via USB. After moving my 3060ti and storage from an old build, I haven’t encountered similar problems. In my previous setup, I’d restart after a freeze, but now it’s smooth. I’ve tried everything—memory tests, driver updates, storage scans, power supply checks, and changing USB ports—but nothing resolves the issue. If anyone has insights or solutions, I’d really appreciate it!
Do you own a surge protector power strip? If not, it makes sense to acquire one. This is somewhat common in North America due to the generally lower quality of the electrical grid, but it’s a solid choice everywhere. The buzzing sound might indicate an electrical issue or faulty hardware. The concern lies in identifying what’s causing it and where. Such problems could show up in system logs, though they may be subtle. Have you checked your system logs during these incidents? If I were to randomly test components without any intention, I’d begin with the power supply unit. Though it’s possible it isn’t the root cause. Edited September 11, 2022 by Bombastinator
Initial verification – verify your RAM’s SKU (part number) on the board’s Qualified Vendor List. Some RAM not listed can cause the motherboard to malfunction, regardless of voltage and timing settings. Let me explain how I found this. https://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Z690 Steel Legend WiFi 6E/index.asp#Memory Also, confirm your XMP configurations are recognizing the right timings and voltage. It’s not automatic. I faced problems for months until I discovered the QVL factor. Even after swapping in a kit recommended by the manufacturer, the DOCP didn’t match the required settings, so I had to adjust them manually. That resolved the issues completely.
I just verified if your RAM matches the QVL for your motherboard, but it doesn’t appear to be listed. The SKU you provided is cmh32gx4m4e3200c16. That suggests you might need to replace your current RAM if it doesn’t fit the specifications. You weren’t even aware of this before, were you?
I experienced the same problem for four months with inconsistent no-video POST errors and no clear reason. Using two distinct sets of the same RAM SKU led to varying issues in three different builds. The RAM from the QVL list resolved the problems in two out of three cases, while the other remains unresolved since I haven't had a chance yet.
Same issues occur on your Z690 Aourus Elite AX DDR4 setup. I experience stutters, audio cracks, and desync during startup, especially on the first boot of the day. After rebooting, the problems disappear. Your build and components seem fine, but the RAM SKU isn’t listed in the motherboard’s support. It works with XMP and shows no crashes. Is this a genuine concern?