Yes, CPU undervolting with PBO can lead to game crashes if it causes instability or overheating.
Yes, CPU undervolting with PBO can lead to game crashes if it causes instability or overheating.
I adjusted the voltage for the Ryzen 5900X using PBO and everything passed the synthetic tests without any crashes. In most games it ran smoothly, though a few caused random freezes. There was a brief screen freeze yesterday followed by a reboot, but otherwise the performance was stable. I was able to test with a -25 negative curve, which worked fine in tests, but some games still crashed when graphics were pushed to maximum.
The issue might not be related to the GPU, as a reboot could stem from other factors. The sudden crash when adjusting the CPU from -25 to -15 might indicate a stability problem with the system under those settings.
You mentioned other games still freeze at -15, so resetting the curve to zero might help. Your PSU seems fine for your GPU?
I believe the default configuration for Seasonic PX 850 Platinum with Ryzen 5900X and 4070 Ti is fine. My PC can handle around 520W from the wall, but including the monitor it becomes unrealistic and could stress both GPU and CPU. I plan to turn off PBO since I have a trash cooler, but I’m considering undervolting because the 240A AIO is having trouble managing the heat. Upgrading to a better air cooler would be a good idea—quality units cost between $300 to $350 and an air cooler with a fan should perform better than the current one. Another concern is that top-of-the-line coolers are often very large and bulky.
Have you explored temperatures in gaming? Since testing synthetic temperatures requires full-core usage, gaming often relies on fewer cores.
Using my 5900X, I recommend setting the curve to -26 for all cores, applying a boost override of +200, and adjusting PPT/TDC/EDC to 260/170/190. I notice strong boost during light loads and better performance under heavier loads, utilizing the full 260W. Stock conditions feel a bit underwhelming; it really thrives when pushed.
I checked with 0 and the game still crashes, though less often. Now I’m confused about whether the issue lies with my CPU or the game itself. Setting -25 causes constant crashes, while 0 crashes only occasionally. I’ve tried various graphics settings from low to high, but it seems the problem isn’t related to graphics. Some people mention frame generation can lead to crashes, but without it, I can still hit 60 FPS.