Problem with the boot loop on a recently assembled PC built by a professional technician?
Problem with the boot loop on a recently assembled PC built by a professional technician?
Hello
I recently acquired this brand new PC construction, assembled by a professional builder, and I used my previous PSU for that setup. After a few weeks, it began looping once before powering up, which made me suspect the PSU was faulty since all other components were fresh. The same technician replaced it with a DeepCool 750w model.
I’m uncertain about the cause of the issue because I tested numerous solutions.
Tomorrow I plan to test different power outlets and skip any extensions using the new PSU.
I also experimented with other power sources using the old PSU, but the problem persisted.
Initially, that professional took you for a loop by matching that CPU with a very poor motherboard. It has a bad voltage regulation system and lacks heatsinks. I’d suggest starting by testing one RAM stick at a time to check if there’s an issue with the RAM. Also, make sure your BIOS is current.
And where exactly is that "professional"? Any guarantees? Be cautious about your actions since that "professional" might argue you broke the warranty conditions.
Is the seller still capable of assisting with warranty? If not, and you're handling it alone, consider our recommendations. If not, have them repair it. Initially, check if it can clear the boot loop—possibly due to BIOS issues. It may take 5-15 minutes for it to progress to OS or BIOS. If unsuccessful, try removing one RAM stick from a slot before booting (test both slots).
In this situation, you might only need to install a BIOS update or reinstall the BIOS to restore default settings. Have you tried both options?
I notice from the RAM details that it's likely being clocked at 1596MHz. Because of how DDR4 operates, the Double Data Rate part means data is sent on both sides of each clock cycle, resulting in an actual data rate of 2 x 1596MHz = 3192MT/s (Mega Transfers per second).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DDR4_SDRAM
Operating DDR4 at a typical speed of 3200MT/s requires turning on XMP (eXtreme Memory Profile) in the BIOS, which is essentially overclocking your memory.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_pre...file_(XMP)
In certain cases, using DDR4 at 3200MT/s can cause instability. While faster RAM improves performance, instability can harm the system.
The 14600KF is certified for DDR4-3200 by Intel, so it should handle 3200MT/s without issues, though uncertainty remains.
https://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_i5/Intel-Core i5 i5-14600KF.html
Another point is that when powering on the machine, it may attempt to "retrain" memory, which can cause delays and repeated reboots.
If you're comfortable and familiar with BIOS settings (usually by pressing Del or F2 repeatedly during startup), you might try disabling XMP temporarily to assess stability.
If unsure, consult the person who assembled your PC; they could verify if the RAM passed stability tests using a bootable USB drive like MemTest86. This tool runs without interrupting Windows and evaluates RAM health over time. If errors appear, it suggests instability and likely requires lowering the XMP speed.
When MemTest86 reports issues, it usually indicates RAM instability, meaning you may need to reduce the overclock to 3000MT/s and recheck with the same test.
https://www.memtest86.com/
I concur with @logainofhades that the AsRock H610M-HVS/M.2 isn't the best match for the 14600KF, which has a nominal 125W rating.
According to this site, the 14600KF can handle up to 181W without heatsinks and with fewer voltage regulator stages, potentially causing overheating.
https://www.techreviewer.com/tech-specs/...600kf-tdp/
Nevertheless, since the H610M BIOS supports the 14600KF, it should boot normally. However, running demanding applications or long rendering tasks for extended periods could be risky due to possible VRM overheating (up to 100°C) without proper cooling.
This image illustrates typical VRM heatsink designs on a motherboard.
An H610M is more budget-friendly than boards with B760 or Z790 chipsets and multiple phases, but in this configuration it remains suboptimal.
If you're okay with occasional boot delays, diving into the BIOS might not be advisable, especially if you're new to these settings.
Good luck.