Problems with BIOS, RGB settings, startup issues, and Windows corruption. Software or hardware concerns?
Problems with BIOS, RGB settings, startup issues, and Windows corruption. Software or hardware concerns?
I assembled a new PC in August. Over the past year, I faced several problems, the most prominent being two RAM modules failing repeatedly. After replacing them at the store, I remained cautious about potential complications such as issues with the motherboard or power supply, even though they were marked as compatible. I chose not to configure the RAM to the advertised 6000MHz and opted for 4800MHz in the BIOS just as a precaution. This approach seemed effective.
Last week, I installed an update from Armoury Crate to obtain new drivers for my GPU. Unfortunately, this caused a system crash with a BSOD (kernel error, memory issues) and forced me into Windows recovery settings. I couldn’t restore previous backup points or boot normally because some essential system DLLs were missing. It appears my Windows installation became corrupted.
I later reinstalled Windows 11, restored my software, and ran Memtest86 to verify RAM stability. The test passed without errors. After reapplying Armoury Crate, the same crash occurred: BSOD and inability to boot. I discovered online that Armoury Crate often receives negative reviews, potentially risking system failure. That was a valuable takeaway.
I then reinstalled Windows 11 once more, removed my programs, and ran a GCC check. The PC would restart without rebooting after each reboot, but the RAM lights remained on continuously—no cycling between CPU and RAM indicators as before. A cold boot resolved the issue. I reset CMOS, used Revo Uninstaller to remove GCC, and everything now appears stable. Still, uncertainty remains about what might be causing these events.
My memory seems intact this time (possibly due to not enabling XMP for the latest batch), and I suspect avoiding GCC and Armoury Crate could help. However, experiencing three significant issues in such a short period suggests there may be a deeper problem—either software-related or hardware-based.
You don't really require GCC for your motherboard. Keeping the software or BIOS updated isn't necessary, and frequent driver updates seem to be the cause of instability. As you mentioned, stopping these updates resolved the issues. I hope Asus didn't push armory crate for RGB, but you might want to try OpenRGB—it's a free RGB control tool that works on Windows and Linux, and I've used it since G.Skill Trident Z Control stopped working. Regarding your memory, turn on XMP then adjust the RAM speed settings manually to something around 5600, which allows proper timing settings while still offering a noticeable speed boost over 4800.
Essentially it's about making sure you get good value for your money. Based on what I'd expect, the RAM isn't listed in the QVL and didn't pass validation by Gigabyte during testing. That doesn't mean it won't work, but it also doesn't confirm it will. After assisting my brother with his PC, he faced the same issue—his DDR4 3600 is stuck at 3466 and won't boot with any higher speed. It seems you're in a comparable situation. I believe trying different RAM speeds gradually is worthwhile; keep testing until you find the highest stable setting that keeps your system running smoothly without crashes during intense gaming.
Fair point. I have to say that 4800 is more than enough for now, or at least I don't notice the difference, so I keep it as is. Is there any way to make sure that my RAM is stable? I'm kinda worried that my MB might be causing the issues (seeing how it is currently causing the boot-from-restart issue) with my RAM dying twice in the last year.
It would be best to operate the system without the software first to check its stability. If it runs smoothly over an extended period without issues, it suggests the RAM is functioning correctly.
I assume your hardware is working well. The problems you faced stemming from the malware you attempted to install—Armory Crap and ICue You—have been resolved. You don’t need any software to update your BIOS; instead, consider using a free fan software such as OpenRGB or SignalRGB.
I wish I'd understood the problems with those apps before losing two RAM sticks. iCue is essential for me because openRGB doesn't support the Commander Core XT, and SignalRGB prevents adjusting its brightness settings.
I'll attempt that once I reinstall Windows. It seems that deleting GCC didn't resolve the problem of being unable to boot after a restart, so I suspect it's related to a software issue. Appreciate the assistance!
It's good to hear. The recent February 2024 changes from iCue and AC really improved compatibility, which was a positive outcome. However, the upcoming update will reset everything. Appreciate the guidance—I’ll avoid AC and GCC moving forward.