Question PC crashing after installing new motherboard, CPU, RAM, and a fresh Windows 11?
Question PC crashing after installing new motherboard, CPU, RAM, and a fresh Windows 11?
Hi folks,
At a really, massive stump. Have been trying to resolve this for days!
Hoping someone can help me out.
I have the following setup:
ASRock B650M HDV/M.2 - brand new
AMD Ryzen 5 7500F - brand new
MSI NVIDIA RTX 4070 SUPER 12GB - I have had no issues with this, owned over a year.
750w PSU Bronze 80+ - brand new
2TB Seagate HDD (unplugged currently) - have had this for 5+ years, no issues in previous AM4 install
1TB Samsung 980 PRO M2 SSD (Not installed currently) - had this for around 1-2 years. N
o issues in AM4
240GB Western Digital SSD (Windows 11 is installed here).
Again, have had this for 5+ years, no issues. No problem with AM4 aswell
1x Kingston Fury Beast 32GB DDR5 RAM (KF552c40bb-32) awaiting the second stick but these are also brand new
Corsair Nautilus AIO Cooler 240RS - brand new
Completely fresh Windows install. So all those above drives were completely wiped.
Downloaded
BIOS update, Chipset Drivers, NVIDIA GPU Drivers.
Crashes randomly. Even on idle. Nothing else is installed.
I have checked CPU temps, they are completely fine, around 30-40 degrees.
Checked MemTest86, no issues with the RAM.
EXPO/XMP is disabled, it is set on Auto which sets the DDR5 to 4800MHz I believe.
Unsure what to do. Tried absolutely everything I can think of, reinstalled Windows etc. When I installed Windows this time, I plugged out all of my other drives and only had the SSD installed.
Ran sfc /scannow and did a chkdsk, the 240GB SSD is healthy, I have not even installed the other HDD and SSD.
I don't know if this is due to single channel RAM? This is the only other thing I can think that is causing the problem. In my head, I am thinking powerful components + MOBO being finicky about running Single Channel.
The RAM was installed in the 2nd slot away from the CPU as recommended from the manual of the MOBO. I have tried both slots though. Still both crash. Currently sitting in the one NEAR the CPU.
As a bit more context, yesterday I installed Windows again, plugged in all my other drives, so the HDD and M2 SSD were already installed whilst installing Windows.
Installed the usual drivers, chipset etc. Then tried to install Steam - and I tried a variety of downloads from 1 game being 140GB, another being 45GB - at some point - the PC will crash, within about a minute or so. I tried installing to my M2 SSD, it crashes, tried the 240GB SSD, it crashes, tried the HDD, it crashes.
When these crashes occur, I have checked on EventViewer and a lot of the time it is down to Kernel Power Error 41. Initially I had a 550w PSU installed, thought maybe this is too weak, so to eliminate that I stuck a 750W in. Still getting the Kernel Power Error - though I am aware this is not always down to PSU, I tried this to eliminate the fact.
Right now I have tried
Setting SoC (VDDCR_SOC) Voltage Manually.
Instead of leaving it on Auto, overrode to
1.250 V
to see if stability is any better. Right now, it has been about 17 minutes at the time of writing this and so far so good, but don't know if this is the definite fix. I've also gone into the BIOS -
Power Supply Idle Control,
then change from
Auto
to
Typical Current Idle.
Appreciate any advice.
Don't rely on unrated PSUs.
Spl's Tier List for this kind of equipment. They tend to be very cautious about even Tier B, and it seems many Tier A units have had issues too. It just means they usually work well and a solid warranty can handle replacements.
It's hard to predict what problems quality PSUs might cause, especially with ripple or missing OC protection.
How did you end up with one dimm instead of two in a factory-matched set?
Have you checked the QVL for the board from Asrock? It clearly says:
'Last Update : 2025/9/3
1. Please DO NOT combine DIMMs from multiple kits. Mixing kits, even if they match the same speed, can cause stability problems.'
DDR5
Kingston
5600
5600
16GB
KF556C40BB-16
Hynix M-die
SS
v
2
v
1.16
You currently have:
1x Kingston Fury Beast 32GB DDR5 RAM (KF552c40bb-32)
Not a perfect fit. Are you sure this isn't a mismatch? You seem to have a system with a non-QVL 1 dimm setup and are thinking about combining two units together.
That's essentially what they advise against.
I'm not sure. If you were a paramedic trying to stop bleeding (even ants can bleed) and stuffed with bandages, you'd still need major surgery and a transfusion.
Maybe the motherboard has pending BIOS updates either. That won't help much if your system gets overwhelmed by transients from the GPU. Atx 3.1 PSUs now support handling 200% load on the 12V rail for short periods.
Scrolling through the QVL carefully, I don't see an exact match for (KF552c40bb-32).
Have you noticed that scene in Flatliners where they stop their hearts to see what's ahead? --^==^-- buh bip beep beeeee....
Welcome to the forums, newcomer!
At first I had a 550w PSU, thinking it might be insufficient, so I upgraded to a 750W one. However, I’m still encountering the Kernel Power Error. Although I know this isn’t always caused by the power supply, I tried it to rule out that possibility.
The wattages you mentioned are the advertised values for the units. Could you provide the make and models of the PSUs you’ve used?
For clarity, what BIOS version are you currently using?
Regarding the operating system, just a bit more detail would help.
Yesterday I reinstalled Windows, connected all my other drives, and the HDD and M2 SSD were already installed during the process.
It’s recommended to install the OS in offline mode, leaving all drives disconnected except the one you want to install.
I expect to receive the other RAM stick today—it was borrowed to a friend who is also assembling his setup. It should match the current one, just needing installation (which should happen soon). I think it could improve stability, though it isn’t listed on the QVL. To be honest, I only discovered the QVL recently; in my previous AM4 build I used Corsair RAM, which I don’t believe was the original MOBO A320M-K.
I know the QVL doesn’t have this option, but I found something from Kingston. The RAM I have is listed under "Compatible Upgrades For Your System."
Currently, the PC still operates after adjusting BIOS settings. Thanks!
The BIOS version for your motherboard wasn't noted. Regarding your memory, the referenced datasheet is available at the provided link. I would consider returning the kit. A dual channel DDR5-6000MHz with low latency fits AM5 systems well. Given your current situation, performance could be compromised. Additionally, I'd explore RAM options featuring AMD's E.X.P.O branding to ensure compatibility.
Sorry, BIOS is at Version 3.40 - as per here.
I should mention the RAM. To be honest, I'm quite new to the AM5 platform—I haven't properly opened my PC in about five years, so a bit of rust has built up!
From what I've read online, EXPO/XMP probably won't really matter? But it's not a guarantee that it will run at the advertised XMP speeds.
OK - it seems the RAM issue is fresh. I'm quite new to the AM5 platform and haven't used my PC for about five years, so I've got some build-up. Where are you from? Do you have a specific budget in mind for your RAM upgrade? If I were you, I'd consider replacing the PSU as well. If you're still within the return period, going for a higher-tier model would be wise (see the link below). MSI's PSUs in the GL range are decent. If you're on a tighter budget for your PSU, we can assist in choosing a suitable unit.
OK - will attempt this, haven't experimented much with these voltages before.
Sorry - I overlooked editing the post but then cleared all drives again, removed the M2 SSD and HDD, and reinstalled Windows solely using the 240GB SSD. I can still share a screenshot if needed; the other drives remain disconnected.
Black screen appears, ASRock splash loads, then restarts to the Windows login screen to enter my PIN.
CPU and GPU temperatures appear normal, around 30-40 degrees.
I'm based in the UK. To be honest, budget isn't a major issue now, but I definitely don't want to waste money without results. I've already invested about £500+ trying to resolve this and am left with a non-functional PC.
🙁
Someone should have kept my original AM4 setup instead of rushing into upgrades.
The PSU is fine; I'll check the tier list provided. Thanks for your assistance so far.