The computer locks unexpectedly with no alternative but a full reset.
The computer locks unexpectedly with no alternative but a full reset.
This system was recently assembled and I've encountered a problem where it frequently freezes unexpectedly (especially when using Ctrl+Alt+Del). Pressing Restart usually doesn't resolve it; it just stays on the reboot screen for extended periods. The D.O.C.P. remains active even when the system is powered off. So far, I can't trigger the issue intentionally, so I'm waiting to see it occur naturally. It seems more likely when the PC is actively used rather than idle. No blue screens have appeared yet. I've recorded a video demonstrating the occurrence. Below are the specifications:
-AMD Ryzen 5500 3.6 GHz
-ASUS B5 50M-A WIFI II
-Kingston NV2 2TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0
-MSI MAG A550BN 550W Power Supply
-G.Skill RipJaws V Series DDR4 32GB 3600MT/s
Recent troubleshooting steps:
- Updated BIOS to latest version
- Reinstalled Windows through Windows Updates (effect uncertain)
- Installed newest driver packages
- Adjusted RAM voltage from 1.35V to 1.2V (mistaken move, unclear impact)
Disable docp/xmp, secure CPU at 4GHz (multiplier 40), set Vcore to 1.2v, run a RAM stress test using tools like prime95 largeffts. If issues arise, your RAM may be defective and you should return it.
Adjusted settings for better performance: enabled precision boost, set VDDCR voltage manually, applied CPU voltage override at 1.2, and changed core ratio to 40.00. I’ll check back later to see if it helps. Regarding your question, overclocking can sometimes resolve stability issues by giving the CPU more control over its operations.
I believe your RAM is in bad shape, so it’s best to replace it and get a new one. It seems like the CPU is actually slowing down compared to its intended performance at those voltages—likely around 4.3 to 4.4 volts per core. Make sure there’s a clear gap to ensure full stability, since CPU reliability is something you can easily confirm with a safe setting.
The session feels too brief; I’d treat 12 hours as the minimum but 24 hours is more reliable for stability. Exceptions might exist for certain high-frequency overclocks that can be unstable due to tight RAM/IMC/Mobo limits. A relevant example is the DDR3 3200C13 4 stick board, which appears at both RAM and IMC limits during the last check—around the 101-hour mark (5 days + 7 hours). Away from home, it’s probably not a problem since the SoC supports DDR4 4600 if the motherboard allows. If it’s limited to DDR4 4000+, you’d likely see around 5000 with an IMC limit. At speeds of 2133-2666 with DOCP off and 3600 MHz, you’re far from those benchmarks. You might try lowering the CPU to 3.6GHz instead of 4GHz just to rule out the CPU as the cause. It’s possible Windows is unstable sometimes—consider a fresh install on another drive. If it works, the issue is likely hardware; otherwise, something else is at play.
It's possible an external hard drive could be the reason for the freezing. I'm wondering if it might happen under similar conditions, like when using a virtual machine on that drive. I was thinking of suggesting something else as the cause since I'm still trying to figure out what's behind it.
It's interesting to see... did Op really accomplish this? You mentioned setting a multiplier and static Vcore, but perhaps it's just an ASUS issue while on MSI boards the override isn't the same. Did you even run Prime95 at all? From what I know, Prime95 is excellent at stressing unstable systems, not just RAM—definitely effective for about five minutes! Also, are you connecting an external hard drive?
I’m not sure about the overclocking process, so maybe I made a mistake. I tried it for about 30 to 40 minutes but wasn’t sure about the timing. I think I should run it for 12 to 24 hours. Let me know if this doesn’t help or if you need more details. Also, just to clarify, you’re using a Seagate 1TB One Touch External HDD connected via USB.