System displays blue screen with error after updating cooler for Ryzen 9 5900X, issue unresolved. Otherwise normal.
System displays blue screen with error after updating cooler for Ryzen 9 5900X, issue unresolved. Otherwise normal.
Hello, I've encountered some problems with SteamVR after installing my new Ryzen 9 5900X. My system runs smoothly during gameplay such as SkyrimVR, Blade and Sorcery, or Half-Life Alyx, but after roughly 40 to 60 minutes it crashes with the BSOD code Whea Uncorrectable_Error. Initially, I was using Windows 11, so I switched to Windows 10, yet the issue persisted. I also attempted a full drive wipe and reinstalled Windows 10, but that didn't resolve the problem. I've used the CMOS button on my Gigabyte X570S Aorus Master board to reset the BIOS, as it had previously needed underclocking because my cooler wasn’t powerful enough to keep the processor cool (during which my system never displayed a blue screen). I purchased this CPU and board as a replacement without much consideration, and after a repair at Geek Squad by Best Buy, the situation improved. Outside of VR tasks, my computer functions normally and only crashes when entering SteamVR with that BSOD. I’ve confirmed I have the latest BIOS updates, yet the crashes continue. Stress testing showed no performance issues on the processor, and temperature readings were stable. I’ve also read about AMD software problems in SteamVR, but even after updating drivers to 2021, the crashes still occur. I’m unsure what specifically affected my CPU, but I noticed six of the twelve cores were missing when I was in Ryzen Master. I tried adjusting the BIOS settings by unchecking “Number of Processors,” but it had no impact. I’m seeking advice on potential issues with the 5900X and SteamVR, having followed all standard troubleshooting steps. Thank you for your time. Edit: I’ve pinpointed when my system started blue-screening in VR, after installing the Noctua NH-U12A cooler. I don’t understand why this would matter specifically for VR, since my temperatures in that mode are within normal range (around 60-65°C). Edited March 28, 2023 by Bl00df4rt
I succeeded, which reduced the time to a crash of roughly an hour rather than fifteen minutes.
Progress roughly. Temperatures? Just to confirm. Boot crashes are usually a sign of poor memory. Memtest86 is free. Another reason to run it—something tedious but necessary. Takes a long time, but at least it’s automated. Good to do overnight. Edited March 13, 2023 by Bombastinator
Temperatures usually stay between 60-70 degrees, around the mid-70s in VR sessions. I suspect VR games aren't causing overheating. Running Prime95 pushed it to about 87°C during overnight use. After reinstalling Windows 10 with Memtest86, no problems were detected. I might try again, but it seems unlikely anything will appear. The issue appears only when playing VR content, not during normal operation. I don’t crash after booting, except when launching SteamVR and then a game, which causes a blue screen around an hour in.
Windows includes its own tool for checking memory performance, though I’m unsure how effective it is.
It's well-known for its poor performance in capturing items and its tendency to default to repeated runs. Using memtest increases your assurance through multiple executions. Both options are priced equally. Updated March 13, 2023 by Bombastinator
I also thought about it after installing another RAM stick in my PC and seeing the BSOD appear; it felt a bit too quick compared to what memtest showed.
Under heavy load, idle on desktop maintains around 40-high 30's. Memtest didn’t detect any issues even when left running overnight. Through some research on AMD processors, I see others suggesting lowering RAM speed to 3000 Mhz or less, as mentioned in one post. I’m unsure how to adjust this in my BIOS without risking damage or system crashes. I understand that XMP is usually disabled and FCLK Frequency is set to Auto. Could this be a genuine recommendation or just misleading advice?