I believe I won't be revisiting AMD again.
I believe I won't be revisiting AMD again.
I'm not the specialist you think I am, but after many years using Intel without issues (except for some failed MicroCenter setups), and after my AMD PC freezing incident, I'll be choosing Intel next. The only reason I bought an AMD was because it was more affordable and several popular YouTube tech channels suggested this specific Ryzen model (AMD Ryzen 7 3700 8-core 3.6 ghz). All my previous systems, going back to 2003, still function, although some haven't been used for a long time.
The crashes might not be directly caused by AMD. It could actually be related to the Corsair RAM. After finally uninstalling the old CPU today, programs have loaded much faster, almost as if a system with 128 gig of RAM should perform that way.
A few of the freezing discussions on the first two or three pages share two points: AMD and Corsair RAM. And this is the first PC I've ever owned with full RGB lighting. I don't really miss the RAM lights up, and I can't see it clearly from under the desk either.
Which Intel processor would be a close match to the Ryzen 7? I won't be using Gigabyte for the motherboard in my next PC, whenever that happens. I don't want to risk it.
Which forum is best for asking about my Soundblaster AE-9? The live recording playback audio has always been a bit shaky, but the final result looks fine.
The chances are high that you wouldn’t face the same problem again if you chose AMD once more. These situations are unpredictable yet uncommon. Even less likely is encountering such an issue twice in a row. I believe you’re secure enough with AMD this time. If you switch to Intel, there’s a higher risk of trouble—hard to say for sure. Check out reviews, especially trusted ones. Talk to forums. Make a well-informed decision. (Still possible, but the risks are higher)
Full list of components your pairing
CPU/GPU/PSU (wattage of PSU? ram/ ?)
How many RAM sticks are you planning to use?
Type of cooler you're using with the CPU?
Ryzen is quite sensitive to memory brands. It's improved, but Ryzen still outperforms Intel in better value designs. I've used Ryzen from 1/2/3/5 Ryzen 1-3 models, and they didn't like certain sticks on some gigabyte boards. MSI isn't reliable for either side, as their boards make up half of the most common complaints I see.
As I mentioned before, I didn’t need to be a top-tier PC specialist, yet I took a few months to choose the parts. I also checked Microcenter for a price estimate.
Regarding my other concerns, here’s what I shared from my previous discussion about the freezes:
I have a Cooler Master case, a video card (Asus GeForce GTX 1050TI with 4GB), a Gigabyte X570 Aorus Master motherboard (AMD), 128 GB RAM (Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro DDR4 at 3200mhz), two RGB softwares, one basic one for the case, another for the keyboard, and possibly another for the RGB keyboard. I’ve been thinking a lot about whether these could be contributing to the issue, especially with so many different RGB options available.
My processor is an AMD Ryzen 7 3700 8-core at 3.6 GHz. I use a Soundblaster AE-9, a solid-state drive (SSD) with one gigabyte, and about two-thirds of it empty. My onboard storage is a WD 4 TB drive, which hasn’t been used much. The main storage is in two NAS boxes, each with four HDs. I moved those from my previous setup. My power supply is 750 watts and I’m running Windows 10 Pro.
That’s a thorough answer to the question.
For future reference, QVL lists should be checked during a build. The one for your motherboard can be found here.
It’s wise to consult manufacturer specifications before relying on anecdotal advice, even though such sources can still be helpful—just not always trustworthy.
RGB protocols often cause compatibility problems, as do the low-quality shovelware provided by some motherboards and third-party vendors trying to manage RGB.
Ryzen has its own set of issues (such as USB problems), and Intel is no exception (like P and E core scheduling). Both have faced DDR5 challenges within the past year or so since their releases.
Here are the tips you shared.
I understand everything about Roman emperors, but I can't go into that topic.
I’m familiar enough with PCs to heed instructions, and a long time ago I assembled a kit PC. Fortunately, the motherboard was already connected. That would have been my weakness.
If it starts freezing within a few days, especially in the 'danger' mode, then I’ll remove the basic Cooler Master RGB software. It uses very little space in Task Manager and usually just shows up as one of the main CPU consumers.
Should this freezing issue ever be resolved, I’d like to investigate the AE-9’s live recording monitoring flange problem further. It made recording tasks nearly impossible, which is why I had the PC built.
Regarding audio, the AE-9 works well. I listen using headphones.
Below is the thread with detailed information about the crash symptoms and my actions (no extreme optimization software has been added since the crashes).
The 'basic' RGB software included with Gigabyte is RGB Fusion 2.0.
CoolerMaster MasterPlus drives the keyboard. I used it for around a year on my old Windows 7 system without any issues, before switching to this keyboard. The only drawback is that the space key tends to stick.