Question Computer Crashing - Not sure what cause

[freeyorick]

My friends computer has been crashing for the past few weeks, however has been crashing more frequently recently. Its at the point that he crashing just loading up chrome now. I will try to relay as much information as i can get from him, it just may be delayed as he somehow doesn't understand how computers work despite being a software engineer. Its often like pulling teeth to get it out of him. Any help would be appreciated, just let me know what info you need to better assist. Might i add this was built roughly an year and a half ago.

His PC Specs:
CPU - AMD Rysen 9 5900x 3.7 GH
Motherboard - MSI B550-A PRO ATX AM4
RAM - G.Skill Ripjaws V 32 GB (2x16) DDR4-3200 CL16
GPU - EVGA XC3 ULTRA GAMING GeForce RTX 3070 8GB (USED)
PSU - EVGA SuperNOVA 650 GA 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular
Case - Phanteks Esclipse P300A Mesh ATX Mid Tower
Storage - Seagate Barracuda 4TB & Samsung Evo Plus 500GB SSD

 

[Lutfij]

By crash do you mean the system reboots with a BSoD or the system just locks up being unresponsive to any input?

No offense, but if you want your troubleshooting process to go smoother, the system needs to be in your possession to avoid as much latency as possible.

BIOS version for your motherboard at this moment of time? You've stated the GPU is used, what was in the build prior to the RXTX3070? How old is the PSU in your build? X.M.P enabled in BIOS? Rams populating slots A2 and B2 on motherboard?

 

[freeyorick]

By crash do you mean the system reboots with a BSoD or the system just locks up being unresponsive to any input?

No offense, but if you want your troubleshooting process to go smoother, the system needs to be in your possession to avoid as much latency as possible.

BIOS version for your motherboard at this moment of time? You've stated the GPU is used, what was in the build prior to the RXTX3070? How old is the PSU in your build? X.M.P enabled in BIOS? Rams populating slots A2 and B2 on motherboard?

I understand its much easier if i had access to the system myself, but sadly i don't have physical access. When i say crashing i mean fully shutting off. BIOS version is E7C56AMS.AB0. He has no clue as he purchased it secondhand online, PSU is new when built so roughly 1.5years. X.M.P appears to be enabled, ram is in slots A2 and B2.

 

[Misgar]

he somehow doesn't understand how computers work despite being a software engineer

As a hardware engineer, I found some software developers weren't concerned about the intricacies of hardware setups, so long as they worked. A bit like a person who doesn't want to get their hands dirty with car maintenance. You don't need to know what goes on under the hood to drive a car. For my part, I only had a vague inkling as to how they created ASIC code.

He has no clue as he purchased it secondhand online

For a start, that's worrying. I've purchased many second hand items and some required remedial work. Most parts worked fine, others were failing, some were dead on arrival. A bit like buying a used car. Caveat emptor.

If your friend is unable to dive into the BIOS and comprehend exactly how to adjust settings, he really should get a local expert in to check things over. Trying to help a novice user by remote control is fraught with problems and likely to fail, due to misunderstanding.

X.M.P appears to be enabled

That's the first thing I'd disable. Set the BIOS back to the Jedec default, probably 2400MT/s for DDR4

G.Skill Ripjaws V 32 GB (2x16) DDR4-3200 CL16

If your friend insists on running XMP at 3200MT/s, try loosening the CL (CAS) timing from 16 to 18. Adjusting CL allowed me to run at DDR4-3000 on an AMD 2600X rated at 2933MT/s max. The system was unstable with XMP enabled at 3000MT/s, until I loosened CL.

CPU - AMD Rysen 9 5900x 3.7 GH

Is PBO enabled on the Ryzen 5900X? If so switch it off.

GPU - EVGA XC3 ULTRA GAMING GeForce RTX 3070 8GB (USED)

Any GPU overclocks with OverDrive? If so, switch them off. Stress test the GPU with FurMark or similar. A second hand GPU might have been used for BitCoin mining, or heavily overclocked by the previous owner.

crashing for the past few weeks

Run "sfc /scannow" from the Command Prompt with Administrator's rights.
Run "chkdsk c:" without the /F /R command at first
Run dism (see below)
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/7808-use-dism-repair-windows-10-image.html

At the moment, it's difficult to tell if it's a hardware fault, an inappropriate BIOS setting, or an Operating System fault. To prove the latter, install Windows on another SSD.

 

[geofelt]

What might have changed since all was well?

Hardware does not usually break by itself.
I would look to software issues.
Might he have contracted a virus or malware.
Possibly a less than good windows might have been installed.

Consider using system restore to reset back to a time when all was well.
( do first take a user checkpoint in case you need to get back to where you are now.)

And... does he have external backup?