What causes my new PC to crash during every game?
What causes my new PC to crash during every game?
PC Specifications
Model: ROG Maximus Apex Encore
Processor: i9-14900KS
Graphics: 4070 TI Super
Memory: 48GB (2 x 24GB) T Force Delta DDR5 8200 MHz
Power Supply: 1200W Thermaltake
BIOS: Default settings applied; fast boot disabled, latest BIOS update installed (version 2107), most recent chipset driver, and Intel management Engine interface from ASUS.
XMP not enabled as attempting it would prevent booting, currently running at 5600 MT/s (MHz).
Gameplay: Experiences crashes after a few minutes during gameplay or in pre-game menus.
Additional Info: If further details are required for better assistance, detailed instructions such as benchmark logs will be necessary.
I performed a stress test on XTU and right away it reported power throttling, thermal throttling, and then again multiple times. Yet it still indicated passed. Then I watched a video at the provided link. After adjusting the default settings, by default they were already set to what he recommended. When he adjusted "internal cpu power management" to 400A and 253W, my settings showed 320W. I switched Intel’s default from Extreme to Performance, which lowered my wattage but kept less than 400A. Another XTU stress test confirmed the same pattern. Throttle, throttle, throttle – pass. I’m unsure what I’m actually seeing and it doesn’t matter how much I research or watch, even after years of doing so; I can’t seem to grasp or remember anything. Maybe I’m just too confused to own a computer these days. I can’t even adjust the graphics settings—I don’t know what to set first or what they mean. Everyone seems to have different answers, and I keep getting obsessed until I finally give up and cry.
Someone will suggest using this setting, while another says to use it but do it in the NVIDIA control panel or app. I searched on Google about whether NVIDIA app settings take precedence over the control panel, but they overlap, and the answer said yes. However, when both are open and I change something in the app, it doesn’t update the control panel setting unless I restart it.
So I’m unsure about the correct order if I can’t trust changing the NVIDIA app settings first. Should I try changing them in the control panel first, or vice versa? And why does it still matter if there are settings in the game that aren’t in the games settings at all? But clearly, it does matter because there are settings in the NVIDIA app and NVIDIA control panel that aren’t in the games themselves. Still, this doesn’t change anything since no games actually work.
What type of cooler is available? Although the 14th Gen components require significant power, cooling should be feasible under limited power conditions. Power throttling isn't a major concern, but thermal performance remains a concern. I wouldn't anticipate running memory at that speed without making adjustments. Fine-tuning on RPL might help, and there could be a slower XMP profile to consider. When crashes occur, are there any error messages, a desktop crash, or system lockup? Finally, how long have you been using this system? Did you install it from scratch?
After many hours studying various settings and their functions, I changed the IA TDC to "intel's defaults" instead of "motherboard capabilities." This allowed me to survive a TestMem5 with Extreme@anta777 configuration at 8200MT/s.
All in all, I switched from:
- "Intel's default profile" [Extreme] → [performance]
(which adjusted ICCM from 400A to 307A and lowered PL1/PL2 from 320W to 235W)
- "IA TDC" [Motherboard's capabilities] → [Intel's defaults]
MCE was already turned off. I spent a whole year gradually reducing the core ratio from 59x to 56x and avoided using XMP, keeping RAM at its default speed of 5600MT/s. Big W. The key takeaway was that you shouldn't rely on the Apex Encore motherboards' default BIOS settings, as they might assume special status—either because I mistakenly believed I was unique or because I bought an overclocking board without proper knowledge. My goal was to get an overclocking board so I could run non-overclocked systems (except XMP) and avoid stressing it.
You might find additional information about the "crashing" in Reliability History/Monitor and Event Viewer.
Both tools could record error codes, warnings, or events leading up to crashes.
Begin with Reliability History/Monitor—it’s more user-friendly and the timeline format can highlight trends.
Event Viewer demands more time and effort but offers a wider, more precise perspective.
In each tool, selecting any entry will give further details about the incident, though their usefulness may vary.