I'm running out of steam - my system is freezing and crashing on the entire desktop and all games?
I'm running out of steam - my system is freezing and crashing on the entire desktop and all games?
There, I included the video demonstrating the problem. This has been an issue for me since I got my 14900K.
If it happens when things are loading it could be your drive. Did you try a fresh install on another ssd?
You said you already replaced the RAM many times so it's probably not a memory issue. Also, after you do your fresh install do you install the latest chipset driver for your motherboard? A BIOS update could also help.
I am running a 9800x3d and a 4080 (so similar to your specs) with the latest Nvidia driver and I have zero stuttering, not even micro-stuttering and I play the latest AAA games, so it's certainly not as simple as "Nvidia driver = notoriously bad".
Artifacts in games can definitely be a GPU problem (more likely than the CPU to be honest).
Usb dropouts are common on msi boards and don't limit any single platform. It can be tricky to identify the issue, as it might be hard to distinguish between several signs or separate one or two symptoms from similar ones.
Testing across different ports often helps. If you've tried multiple USB ports, enabling selective suspend on USB in Windows PowerPlan, and adjusting settings in Device Manager, it can make a difference. Still, finding a consistent solution remains challenging.
Having two boards with dropouts is quite problematic. It's worth checking if other USB devices cause similar issues—do they stutter too? If you have any, diagnosing becomes more difficult.
Drive performance seems unaffected by the problem. A board might experience mouse lag or even run Linux Live from a USB port, but still drops the mouse regardless of the port used. This could point to driver issues with the USB controller chip on the motherboard. It's possible that incorrect grounding or a faulty USB port is the cause. Alternatively, another motherboard might be involved.
If you have a USB PCI-E card, try disabling your motherboard's USB and running the mouse from a different USB controller card to help pinpoint the issue.
Regarding graphics-related problems, it could also be a GPU concern. It's often helpful to keep a backup low-power GPU on hand for diagnostics.
Although I wouldn't want to overlook this, it appears highly improbable you'd encounter two CPUs from different makers both failing in the same manner. With the situation clarified somewhat, it might be useful to run HWMonitor or HWInfo, or simply check Resource Monitor to observe CPU activity during this time. This could also point to other system problems.
Yeah, I also had a 990 Pro before and sold it to avoid any chances of it happening again... but it still worked out the same. Just got a fresh Windows installation a few days ago, nothing changed. The chipset drivers are up to date and the BIOS is updated too.
😕
Same problem showed up on my Gigabyte motherboard too. Is this related to a USB dropout if the stutter only occurs when something loads on my PC?
Yes, I replaced the storage device (990 Pro). I kept an eye on both the CPU and GPU during those stutters. The results are consistent—CPU usage, clock speeds, everything stays normal—but the GPU usage drops significantly. I'm trying to figure out if it's a GPU issue, but the drop is happening because of the stutters, making diagnosis tricky. I might need another GPU for testing, which isn't easy for me right now.
The SSD doesn’t reach 100% during these stutters either. The only thing that stands out is the continuous decrease in GPU usage, while everything else remains unchanged. I’ll keep monitoring and see if I missed anything.
It doesn't seem right. A drop in performance every few minutes or so would be clear and bothersome, making it easy to notice if it was intentional.
It remains likely that the CPU and GPU are involved. Power supply issues can't be entirely excluded either. The mouse cursor might hint at CPU trouble, but usually freezing points a CPU issue.
I haven't encountered a CPU stuttering before, though newer models often behave oddly. Still, it's unusual for brand-new components to fail on their own. This could point to manufacturing flaws or unstable power delivery. A CPU is particularly sensitive to heat and voltage changes, so the motherboard's power supply also deserves attention.
If a previous motherboard had power problems, moving it to another board might not fix the issue. Testing with another GPU isn't necessary unless you're curious about performance differences.
CPU issues will likely cause any GPU to behave poorly. You don’t need to invest heavily in repairs; old or faulty parts can damage your system further.
It’s wise to remain cautious and consider buying new components. Friends’ experiences aren’t a guarantee, and third-hand parts are unreliable.
Monitoring tools like hwinfo are useful, but stress testing should be done carefully—overloading power-hungry parts can worsen problems. Understanding normal performance ranges is essential.
Keep an eye out for any clear signs during unboxing, such as missing accessories or seals. Videos on YouTube showing similar setups can help. CPU cases usually have tamper-proof labels, while GPU and power supply details are less certain.