What a terrible motherboard!
What a terrible motherboard!
Hello! I’ll be clear about what I’m aiming for. Here’s a simplified version of my situation:
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X 3.9GHz, 8-core (16CPU)
- Graphics: Nvidia RTX 2060 with 8GB RAM
- Memory: 8GB RAM + 4GB RAM
- Power supply: Njoy TITAN 500 500W
- Storage: Kingstone SSD 500MB M.2, WD HDD 1TB
- Operating system: Windows 10 PRO 64bit
- BIOS: UFEI 5606 (last updated July 13, 2021)
- Motherboard: ASUS Prime A320M-K
A few months back, my PC would freeze during games like Warzone, Apex, or PUBG. When trying to restart, I got a warning saying “an operating system wasn't found” and had to disconnect drives. After rebooting and entering BIOS, all boot options were corrupted, but it worked once I powered it back on. The issue only appeared during gameplay, not in other programs.
I reinstalled the OS on both drives, tried disconnecting one at a time, but nothing helped. I disassembled everything, checked for loose connections, and even found no obvious faults. Surprisingly, after reassembly, the problem disappeared.
Recently, it started again, so I’m wondering if the issue is with the motherboard. I plan to visit a specialist, but I’m not sure. I might buy a new one now and ask for advice before making the change. Thanks in advance!
I believe your motherboard is adequate. It boots into BIOS and can run basic tasks even briefly under stress. Your power source falls short of the graphics card's requirements—it suggests a minimum of 550 watts. (This advice also considers a system with a less power-hungry CPU.) Besides that, you have everything else to support it. Adding a 750-watt unit would likely help. I’m surprised it shut down so abruptly; the lag might stem from insufficient power for components during heavy use. Also, mixing RAM sizes and types could affect performance. It functions, but using matching sticks may improve stability and speed. I’d recommend upgrading to a 650w or 750w power supply to prevent this issue.
The system has several issues: inadequate VRM on the motherboard for the 3800X, a weak power supply, and subpar RAM setup. Upgrades are necessary for optimal performance. A solid PSU would be a good start. Regarding RAM, could you share your current specifications? Also, let me know your location for more tailored advice.
Ram seems unlikely to be the main problem. Probably running about half speed in this setup, though it shouldn’t lead to serious issues except for a slight drop in FPS during games. The first step should be checking the PSU; fixing that might remove any freezes while gaming. While the RAM choice isn’t ideal, it probably won’t affect stability much unless it fails. Concern about CPU/GPU temps under heavy use?