New PC troubleshooting - Memtest86 errors or game crashes - what's the main cause?
New PC troubleshooting - Memtest86 errors or game crashes - what's the main cause?
Recently assembled a new PC and have encountered memory-related problems since installation. There have been sporadic BSODs and application crashes. Most issues are resolved except for a recurring crash where every game freezes and closes abruptly after just a few minutes of use.
System details:
- AMD Ryzen 5 7600x
- ASROCK B650M Pro RS WiFi
- Corsair Vengeance RGB 32GB (2x16) DDR5-6000
- Radeon RX 6800 XT 16GB graphics card
- Corsair RM750 W 80+ Gold PSU
- WD SN850X 1TB M.2
- Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE Cooler
- NZXT H5 Flow RGB Case
- Windows 11
I’ve been working through various troubleshooting steps: updating BIOS (from 1.26 to 1.28), checking drivers, reinstalling Windows, searching for and repairing corrupted files. These efforts helped with some problems but the crashes continue. When running a memory benchmark, I encountered recurring errors in test 9.
I’ve swapped RAM twice, changing the type from Corsair Vengeance DDR5 5600 to RGB 6000 (both on QVL). The second set performed worse, with additional errors in other tests. Although it’s unlikely I’d receive multiple defective kits, testing them individually in different slots didn’t help.
The latest RAM unit showed one test 9 error during pass three on default settings. Using Memtest86 consistently revealed a small number of failures, especially in test 9. Adjusting the voltage slightly reduced errors on the first run, but restoring to defaults caused more issues—indicating possible strain from testing.
CPU core involvement remains unclear and temperatures are within normal ranges. I’m unsure whether the problem lies with the CPU or motherboard, but I lack clear guidance on next steps. My research online isn’t providing much clarity.
I’m considering a BIOS update to version 1.30 or reverting it back to 1.24, as some users report better boot stability. There may be other adjustments I can make, but I don’t want to guess and risk further damage by testing another component without proper verification. My search efforts are proving frustrating here.
Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Your device is covered under warranty.
Consider reaching out to Corsair for assistance with this problem.
I've tested three different kits and believe the problem isn't with the RAM. I can contact them, but they might not be able to suggest additional tests since they can't review the hardware directly.
It might be wise to consider a different motherboard. Your response about RAM seems to address your own query.