Possible memory problems after boosting performance, system operates normally but games frequently crash.
Possible memory problems after boosting performance, system operates normally but games frequently crash.
Hi. I attempted to boost my CPU and memory a bit yesterday. The CPU ran at about 200 MHz and RAM at 100 MHz. Later I added: I’m not very familiar with overclocking. I assumed it would be safe since the changes were minor. The system functioned well afterward, staying stable for general desktop tasks. However, when launching a game, it would crash after a short period (10 seconds to a minute). This made me reconsider overclocking altogether. After restarting everything to its default settings, the RAM speed dropped to 2133 MHz instead of the expected 3200. Still, crashes occurred—games froze for 10 to 60 seconds before either freezing or shutting down. I tried resetting the RAM through BIOS/UEFI, but it didn’t resolve the problem. It seems the issue might be with the RAM itself, possibly due to overclocking via UEFI settings. I also experimented with XMP profiles and found they behaved similarly, so I left them unchanged. What I did yesterday included installing Ryzen Master, enabling auto-overclocking on the CPU, and manually adjusting RAM speed to around 100 MHz higher. I’m a bit concerned Ryzen Master could be contributing, especially since everything worked fine before installation. Right now, I’m left with limited options and a frustrating experience. My PC is no longer suitable for gaming.
If you're hesitant to seek help, then venture off the path confidently. This situation could have been prevented by looking for guidance on the topic. Ryzen Master isn't as smooth as using the BIOS to boost performance now. Zen 1 and Zen+ offer some benefits, but you already have a B550 board with Zen 3. Enter safe mode and perform a thorough uninstallation, preferably using Bulk Crap Uninstaller. If you have time, consider a fresh Windows install, especially if your C: drive contains critical files.
I tried removing the software first because reinstalling Windows is usually frustrating. It didn’t work in Safe Mode, probably blocking the bulk uninstaller. Every attempt failed. I removed everything named after AMD and the extra files afterward, but games still crash. Should I adjust the BIOS settings to reset the CPU or should I reinstall Windows? I’m leaning toward the CPU issue based on what you mentioned.
You haven't tried that yet, probably. XMP might not be the problem, but if it still fails, try setting it to 2133. It would be odd if anything completely stops working on the RAM or CPU since you didn't mention adjusting the voltage.
I need to adjust the settings accordingly. The base clock for the CPU is 3.7GHz, and prior to this setup it typically reached 4.4-4.5GHz. Updated March 8, 2025 by TacticalSpaghetti421T
I didn't make any changes to the voltage settings. I kept running sfc several times as soon as the issue began, and it consistently reported everything was fine. Also, it works perfectly when I open CPUZ and put stress on the CPU—about 20 minutes of testing with no problems. Running two full system benchmarks didn’t cause any crashes either. How could a game crash under those conditions?
Ensure all PSU cables are properly connected to the motherboard and GPU, and that they are securely in place. Verify the GPU drivers are fully reinstalled—my GPU driver got corrupted during an RAM overclock. Download the newest drivers from Nvidia or AMD and Display Driver Uninstaller, launch it, and disconnect the PC from the internet during the restart. Once back in Windows, open the driver installer and follow the standard installation steps. Keep in mind you’ll lose all GPU configuration settings.