Problem with hardware – games/apps freezing unexpectedly – texture issues
Problem with hardware – games/apps freezing unexpectedly – texture issues
I recently enhanced my PC with an i7 14700k, Corsair Vengeance 2x 6200 32GB, MSI Mag B760 Tomahawk WiFi and a 4070ti.
Functioned smoothly for about a week, but now it frequently crashes programs, textures tear across the screen or disappear entirely in games. I ran the Intel diagnostic and the CPU showed no problems. It was operating between 80-90°C, spiking up to 98°C occasionally.
I also performed memtest86 on both drives and encountered an error on test 7, though each drive passed individually. The system seems to run better with one stick than two. I’ve updated the BIOS, tested components, and performed a clean install. My suspicion is either insufficient power (running at 750W) or incorrect BIOS settings. Any guidance would be valuable.
Additionally, during CPU installation, a few pins appeared bent. I straightened them, and it worked temporarily. After some thorough research, I found articles suggesting the CPU’s IMC might be faulty. If that’s the case, providing concrete evidence could help with an RMA.
Welcome to the forums, newcomer!
When posting a thread of troubleshooting nature, it's customary to include your full system's specs. Please list the specs to your build like so:
CPU:
CPU cooler:
Motherboard:
Ram:
SSD/HDD:
GPU:
PSU:
Chassis:
OS:
Monitor:
include the age of the PSU apart from it's make and model. BIOS version for your motherboard at this moment of time.
Since you mentioned performing an upgrade, please mention a before and after of your specs.
Should also mention that on installation of the cpu, a few pins got bent somehow.
That might very well be the cause of your issue. Might want to take a couple of pictures of the damaged socket and then pass on here after you've hosted the images on a site like Imgur.
Yes, in addition to the bent pins, I performed a complete OS wipe and reinstalled it alongside the new motherboard.
Yes, we completed a clean installation using a USB stick post-installation. The BIOS was also updated to the latest release.
Adjusted some configurations to reduce CPU strain, which appeared to resolve the issue. The system now maintains stability between 4.7 and 5ghz instead of fluctuating above 5.6ghz. No longer experiencing crashes or texture problems. Might this indicate a need for a different power supply? My current PSU is a 750W Corsair model purchased in 2019. Also worth noting
Any fault during a memtest indicates faulty RAM. If the power supply fails to deliver the required energy to the computer, you’ll encounter a shutdown with a black screen similar to a power cut, nothing more. As long as you haven’t faced this problem, the power was adequate. A simple method to verify if bending the pins resolved the issue is to inspect them again after an installation to ensure they remain properly aligned. The challenge lies in the fact that the pins in the motherboard socket press against the pads at the bottom of the CPU. Unlike when pins are placed directly on the CPU, here they sit against the CPU pads. Technically, the sockets are angled to accommodate the pressure from the CPU. If the pins aren’t positioned correctly and at the right angle, they might touch the wrong pads, causing bad memtests and related symptoms. The most straightforward test is using a known good motherboard to confirm whether the problems continue.
In my mind I know where the pins are on the CPU, but I think you're right. I plan to take the CPU out this weekend to check the MOBO. It couldn't be returned for exchange because of a bend, but they said they'd give me a discount on a new one if needed.
Also, I ran memtest as I mentioned and only got errors on test 7 (moving inversion 1/4 passed with 7 errors). When I did it both at once, I still got results. Did you get lucky?
Thanks for the advice.
I would suggest purchasing a new motherboard and checking for comparable problems. Should everything function properly, I would perform another memtest using that RAM and conduct more tests than usual. If any errors appear, return the RAM to a replacement kit or initiate an RMA. If the problems continue, it indicates the initial motherboard and pin issue is unrelated.