PC is able to execute benchmarks, yet game loading results in crashes?
PC is able to execute benchmarks, yet game loading results in crashes?
Out of nowhere, my computer crashes to desktop when loading games. With repeated tries leading to black screens or a rare BSOD. The weird thing is, running Unigine's Superposition benchmarks both in Performance as in Game mode does not lead to crashes. Every other game I try to load, it either does not load or gets to the main menu but can't load maps. Before, I could run every game with reasonable settings without issues, which makes sense if you look at my specs.
When the games crash to desktop, usually they refer to an issue with the video memory or video device.
I can replicate the crash by using Prime95 to stress test the CPU.
Specs:
CPU: Intel Core i9-13900KF
GPU: MSI RTX 3070 Ti Ventus 3X OC
RAM: 2x Kingston FURY Beast 16 GB 5200 MHz DDR5
MoBo: GIGABYTE Z690 AORUS ELITE AX
PSU: Seasonic Focus GX-850
SSD: Samsung 980 Pro 2TB M.2 NvME
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
What have I already done? (not in chronological order)
Reseated GPU
Gave GPU independent PCi-e cables (before it was a single bridged cable)
Ran memtest86 with 4 passes 0 errors
Reinstalled Windows 10, upgraded to 11, reinstalled (not clean) back to 10
Updated GPU Drivers
Reinstalled GPU Drivers (DDU)
Confirmed PSU Wattage is sufficient using NewEgg's PSU Calculator
The 2 BSOD errors were irql_not_less_or_equal.
Analyzed the only 2 BSOD minidumps
First one mentioned something with Intel.sys
Second one mentioned an Nvidia driver
Ran Intel's Processor Diagnostic Tool without issues
DISM Restorehealth and sfc /scannow
Monitoring temperatures during benchmarks (CPU Avg 90 C GPU Avg 65 C)
Ran SeaTools Short, 2 min generic and Long Self tests with 0 errors
Updated Bios to most recent version F27
What have I done in the past 6 months?:
Reapplied CPU thermal paste
Got a new CPU, because my previous one was faulty
I have nothing else to troubleshoot. I want to be sure I have tried everything I can to identify if it's a hardware issue - and if so, which part - so that I know what steps to take to fix this issue. I just can't imagine the CPU being faulty. That would mean two CPU's I have bought in short succession are faulty. The chances of that happening are slim as I've read in other threads.
Any help would be appreciated.
When you start a game, your storage devices, CPU, and RAM are taxed. After loading, the graphics card becomes active. It's strange that you have only one RAM stick, but it shouldn't cause problems unless there are unusual issues. Check if your storage devices show abnormal performance or operation.
What version of Windows is installed?
The latest motherboard BIOS?
The CPU is running at a high temperature.
VRM Mos barely reaching 40 C
All fans operate within normal RPM ranges. I also attempted Prime95 with all fans at full speed in Bios, but the crash persisted. This time, a BSOD appeared. Using WinDbg, I found:
SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION (3b)
An exception occurred during a system service routine execution.
Caused by: GenuineIntel.sys (IP_MISALIGNED_GenuineIntel.sys)
The second BSOD of the night pointed to ntkrnlmp.exe