Question about AMD upgrade/crash/power utility/Starfield
Question about AMD upgrade/crash/power utility/Starfield
Current Build
MSI B450 Gaming Pro Carbon Max WiFi
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
AMD Radeon 7900 XT Hellhound 20GB
64 GB RAM (16GB x 4 sticks)
PSU 850 watts
M2 1TB SSD (ample free space; 200+GB available)
Windows 11
Build Story
I recently replaced my CPU (from AMD Ryzen 5 1600) and GPU (from AMD Radeon RX 580 Red Dragon 8GB). I assembled the system from components, following a custom approach.
Yes, I cleaned the case with duster, ensuring no dirt or airflow restrictions remain. However, the SpeedFan app now fails to detect fans or lets me adjust their speed manually—though it appears the new GPU includes a smart sensor for fan control when needed.
This rig has operated reliably for three years, even during intense sessions like playing Cyberpunk 2077 at full graphics settings (excluding ray tracing or DLSS, which I avoid due to my preference for AMD).
I had to resolve issues by updating the BIOS via Flash, installing drivers for both CPU and GPU, then upgrading Windows 11 and reinstalling drivers to guarantee compatibility.
The system would crash multiple times after playing Starfield. Initially, it would freeze repeatedly, but I managed to run it with half the settings on Ultra for about five hours before it would crash each time I launched the game. I spent a lot of time testing and adjusting until stability returned at lower settings.
Current Problem
Whenever I adjust the AMD Adrenaline GPU settings through the app, or modify BIOS parameters (such as Game Boost and RAM profiles), or set Starfield’s in-game graphics to higher levels than "High," the game will crash my computer into a black reboot—screen going dark or showing no signal. I’ve had to manually restart it.
I don’t experience a full desktop crash, which suggests this isn’t a game-related issue.
Currently, the game runs stably at around 75 FPS with Radeon Chill enabled, using profile 1 RAM and no Game Boost in BIOS, and High in-game graphics (with Ultra on grass and shadows only).
Questions
Given my upgraded hardware and drivers, why does Starfield still cause a black reboot crash?
It seems my current configuration exceeds minimum recommendations, yet it should handle at least a mix of High and Ultra settings.
My main hypothesis is that upgrading the PSU to more than 850 watts (possibly 1300W) might be necessary.
Could my 850W PSU be limiting performance?
Also, does my new GPU support ray tracing? I don’t see an option for it in the AMD Adrenaline GPU manager.
Is there a way to enable it—since technically, my Radeon 7900 XT Hellhound 20GB should have that capability?
I’ve already searched within the Adrenaline manager’s games tab for Starfield, but I suspect it might be missing or require a different method.
If ray tracing isn’t crucial, I’m willing to live with the current limitations.
To confirm, I’ve closed browsers, mod installers, and other background programs via Task Manager while playing Starfield.
In short, my new build appears capable of handling demanding tasks, yet stability remains elusive. The only reasonable conclusion is that my power supply might not provide sufficient capacity.
Reviewed YouTube feedback about Starfield, it appears to be problematic, incomplete, and overly taxing on system resources.
CountMike, it's really puzzling to me since I've upgraded my hardware, but I'm still facing problems. Maybe I should consider upgrading my PSU next, but if it fails completely, it would confirm that the issue is tied to the game itself.
It seems Starfield players are facing a similar development gap as Cyberpunk fans did in 2021. At least some mods now allow better textures without hurting frame rates or straining the CPU.
I’ll likely upgrade my PSU, add extra fans to the case near the GPU for everyday use, and adjust settings to find what works best. Until Bethesda addresses the issues, I’ll have to rely on what I can do myself within the existing limits.
Thanks again for your input!
After further investigation and testing—employing CoreTemp and MSI Afterburner instead of SpeedFan, alongside Ryzen Master and Adrenaline GPU software—I found the problem lies elsewhere. Power levels remain adequate. The issue is cooling. Idle temperatures hover near 38°C, rising to 50-72°C during gameplay, especially at higher settings. Crashing frequently occurs when settings increase. The GPU stays cool, barely exceeding 35°C from idle (smart fans didn’t activate). I installed a new case fan above the PSU and HDD tray, just beneath the GPU. This reduced CPU ambient temperature by about 2-3°C, which helped somewhat. Still insufficient. It seems liquid cooling will be necessary eventually, possibly with a larger case upgrade. In the meantime, I’m planning to purchase USB fans tailored for desk use, direct them toward my system, and consider a larger 4-foot rack with shelves for improved airflow. I’m also evaluating a small refrigerant regulator (Phase Change Unit), priced between $1k and $2k for personal use, or up to $10k for enterprise applications. It’s clear I won’t accept below-average performance, given my hardware’s potential to handle at least half the settings at Ultra—something that worked for me for 4–5 hours before crashes began.
No way a 5600x would require such advanced cooling. Even my 5800x was one of the hottest from the 5000 series, maintaining up to 80°C at full continuous load during benchmarks and often over 70°C (usually around 60-65°C) under normal 360A AIO gaming conditions.
My main thought is that my case isn’t getting enough airflow in its current setup. Also, maintaining a temperature around 73°F during winter isn’t ideal (but it’s necessary to keep the family happy). This is the only conclusion I’ve reached so far; my system really needs improved cooling or a better placement.
The concept of a Phase Changer applies when I have 2-3 rig mods. Right now I have two rigs and am trying to make them run extremely cool for smooth performance.
I’m committed to solving this problem. I won’t accept that my rig keeps crashing to black just by increasing graphics settings. Particularly since it previously handled higher settings for several hours before continuous crashes until I lowered the settings.
If my previous build (Ryzen 5 1600 CPU and Radeon Red Dragon 580X 8GB GPU) could pass a 4k benchmark test without crashing—even with significant lag or reduced FPS—then my current setup (5600X CPU and 7900 XT Hellhound 20GB GPU) shouldn’t be too far behind.