The games are experiencing frequent crashes during play.
The games are experiencing frequent crashes during play.
I just upgraded my setup: specs include an Asus z-690 E gaming motherboard, 12700k RAM, 32GB DDR5, RTX 3080, and Windows 10. I updated the BIOS to the latest available version. I’m unsure where to start. My previous system was a 10700k with a Z490 M.2 slot; it worked fine then. Now I’m facing crashes in the new rig. Certain titles like God of War, Cyberpunk 2077, and Elden Ring keep crashing to desktop. RDR2 and AC Odyssey run smoothly. At first, I suspected XMP settings, but that didn’t help. I also tried disabling VPN and device manager, but nothing changed.
I checked the hardware list and everything seems to be functioning properly. The SSD is in good condition—no visible scratches, temperatures are normal, and files are accessing correctly. It’s not DRM-related since I removed CP 2077 from GOG. My system runs at 30s–40°C, which is fine.
The issue might lie with background processes or the SSD itself. The gold pins on the M.2 slot appeared slightly bent during installation, but no damage was found. The RAM RGB isn’t being detected by the CPU, though it now works. I disabled the SPD Write to False because it wasn’t showing RAM, but that affects performance.
Could the SSD’s minor scratches or the DDR5 memory speed (4800MHz) be too much for the 12700k? I thought CPU could influence RAM speed based on various factors. Playing in Ultra settings might trigger this problem if the CPU is managing RAM differently. Updating the BIOS seems like a possibility, but I’m not sure it would break the M.2 slot.
I’ve looked up solutions and tried fixes, but the crashes persist. The newer games seem more stable on my older 10700k with DDR4, which makes me wonder why they behave differently now. Should I consider a BIOS update? It’s usually recommended to apply it only once at the start of a build.
Any suggestions or insights would be really helpful. Thanks a lot!
Review your processor's RAM model and SKU against the board's specifications. Many claim this isn't necessary, but it can matter. Keep in mind that simply stating speed or DDR4/DDR5 isn't enough anymore. If you suspect a compatibility problem, providing details like brand, series, part number, timing, and voltage can assist us. In several instances, RAM has evolved beyond basic memory. I learned this the hard way after repeatedly disassembling a build for three months and encountering a blank screen at startup due to DRAM failure. It turned out my RAM wasn't listed in the initial board or troubleshooting setup. Both systems failed until I swapped it with the correct part from their QVL lists. At minimum, you might have an unreliable DIMM or even a unit that didn’t meet the manufacturer’s requirements. Edited August 20, 2022 by An0maly_76 Updated further
You're likely onto something, but I wasn't sure what it was. My 12700k had some problems lately, and I accidentally misplaced a screw. It got stuck under the heatsink and caused a short during most games. Finding it was tricky because of a dark screw on a dark PCB surrounded by dark heatsinks. It might happen to others if you have too many spacer nuts beneath the motherboard. I'm not sure what else could be causing issues. Could it be a faulty GPU or ray tracing?
Hey everyone. Thanks for your support. I explored several fixes—updated BIOS, reinstalled GPU and RAM, tried high performance mode—but nothing resolved the issue. I examined the crash logs but couldn’t make sense of them. Eventually, I found a potential culprit: the HD audio software for RealTake might be interfering. I suspected it because my previous setup worked fine, but this new hardware could be the problem. I disabled the RealTake audio device in Device Manager and everything improved significantly. Benchmarks ran smoothly for games like Cyberpunk 2077, Gears of War, and Elden Ring. Restored XMP settings and tested with my gaming speakers to rule out a speaker issue. No problems after five tests. It seems a small software component caused the crash. Hope this helps others facing similar challenges.