Question Ryzen 5 5600X on MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK - - - instability worsened after BIOS adjustments ?

[Paul921]

Hi everyone,

I’m an IT Technician troubleshooting a Ryzen 5 5600X build that’s experiencing persistent BSODs and freezes. Initially, the system would freeze and BSOD after a few days of uptime, mostly at low load.

We made some adjustments in the BIOS that had reportedly helped others, but instead of stabilizing the system, the BSODs are now happening within minutes of booting, making things worse.

I’m reaching out to see if anyone has insights into what’s going on and potential fixes.

System Specs:​

• Motherboard: MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK (MS-7C56)
• CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
• RAM: DDR4 3200MHz (16-20-20-39 via XMP, 2x8GB kit)

What We Changed:​

1. CPU Core Voltage
2. Switched to Offset Mode and applied +0.0125V, raising total core voltage slightly for stability.
3. CPU NB/SoC Voltage
4. Changed to Offset Mode with +0.0125V, increasing total SoC voltage to ~0.9945V.
5. RAM Settings
6. Enabled A-XMP Profile 1 for DDR4 3200MHz operation.Set FCLK Frequency to 1600MHz (1:1 ratio with DRAM).

Current Problem:​

After applying these changes, the system’s behavior worsened instead of improving:

• Previously, it would freeze/BSOD after a few days of uptime, usually at low load.
• Now, after these changes, it freezes and BSODs within minutes of booting, even under light workloads, suggesting an instability issue caused by the new settings.

What We’ve Ruled Out:​

✅ RAM: Passed MemTest86 without errors.
✅ Storage: Passed CHKDSK and SMART checks.
✅ Temperatures: Stay below 80°C under load.
✅ Drivers & BIOS: Updated to the latest versions.

What I’m Asking:​

• Are these voltage settings making things worse? Should we try alternative values?
• Does this behavior suggest a hardware fault (CPU, motherboard, PSU)?
• Any other BIOS settings we should tweak before considering an RMA?

We’re reaching the point where an RMA might be necessary, but I’d love to hear from those who’ve dealt with similar instability before taking that step.

Any suggestions or insights would be greatly appreciated—thanks in advance!

 

[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

Are these voltage settings making things worse? Should we try alternative values?
Why are you even needing to tinker with voltages? What is the state of the platform while on stock values/voltages?

Motherboard: MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK (MS-7C56)
What BIOS version are you on for your motherboard?

RAM: Passed MemTest86 without errors.
after 10 passes?

Temperatures: Stay below 80°C under load.
Taxed by what?

System Specs:​

Motherboard: MSI MAG B550 TOMAHAWK (MS-7C56)
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
RAM: DDR4 3200MHz (16-20-20-39 via XMP, 2x8GB kit)
When posting a thread of troubleshooting nature, it's customary to include your full system's specs. Please list the specs to your build like so:
CPU:
CPU cooler:
Motherboard:
Ram:
SSD/HDD:
GPU:
PSU:
Chassis:
OS:
Monitor:
include the age of the PSU apart from it's make and model. BIOS version for your motherboard at this moment of time.

a Ryzen 5 5600X build that’s experiencing persistent BSODs and freezes.
Pass on .dmp files for us to take a look at as well.

 

[williamjeremiah]

There are no certain specifications for under or over clocking a system while expecting to maintain reliability.
Any changes made which differ from default settings will always require thorough system testing to ensure system stability.
Yes, the voltage offsets are likely making things worse.

 

[PiersPlowman]

If this is happening when the system is at factory setting, go straight to RMA.

 

[williamjeremiah]

go straight to RMA

I'd update the BIOS if it hasn't been updated already, before diving into an RMA.

 

[Paul921]

Hi all - just an update..

Here's a back story - of what happened - and somewhat of a recap.

Client upgraded his computer had an old Sandy bridge Intel - legacy boot, we simply transferred his SSD over to his new machine, I had to then convert the boot sector to support UEFI, I then cloned what I did over to nvme drive.

I obviously removed all references to the drivers, ensured that latest drivers were installed - I can confirm the latest BIOS drivers are installed. and crashes continued. Although very infrequently. We have tested RAM with memtest x86, as well as the built in Windows tool - both report the RAM to be in good health. NVMe tests also report the drive is in good health.

After we attempted to stabilize the system, and it became worse - we reset the BIOS
to standard factory settings almost immediately.

This machine should NOT be blue screening.

I only jumped into the overclocking settings after I was advised to change something - hence the post, which only made things worse.

Client has actually been very patient with me - I've halted billing till I've been able to figure this out. If I'm unsure of something, I don't like fumbling around while charging people for it.

I got a message from earlier stating
"BSOD overnight (left my computer on); hasn't happened for 2 or 3 days"
so this obviously happening when idle

This issue seems to be fairly well known on this type of CPU.
yet there is no straightfoward fix.


Focus is more on sorting this than being paid.

If RMA should be required - what component should it be - at this point I am unsure if it's the RAM, or the CPU. NVMe I've excluded, but only after vigerous testing.

Thanks in advance - I just want this sorted.
Paul


Reputation above income.

 

[dwd999]

Who advised client to switch from an old Intel to a new Ryzen without a complete re-install of Windows!? Absolutely zero changes should be made to the bios when trying to troubleshoot such issues. Tell client Windows and all software need to be re-installed because of significant hardware change and then do it.

 

[PiersPlowman]

What he said above⬆️.

To that I would add, for diagnostic purposes, remove the client's drive(s) from the build and use one of your own SSDs as the boot drive. Now install W11 from a freshly-minted bootable USB stick.

Now, do the problems persist through this virgin install?

 

[Paul921]

Thanks for the update - Will advise client and go from there.

Thanks guys.

 

[Paul921]

Who advised client to switch from an old Intel to a new Ryzen without a complete re-install of Windows!? Absolutely zero changes should be made to the bios when trying to troubleshoot such issues. Tell client Windows and all software need to be re-installed because of significant hardware change and then do it.

Client transferred the drive over to a new machine - and not being an IT Tech, was concerned about data loss. He was actually concerned that it wasn't bootable, that he had somehow messed up beyond repair, and had actually attempted install GRUB, to recover the bootloader. He was concerned about data loss.

Thankfully I was able to rebuild the boot sector, and confirm that no data loss had occurred.

I swap drives over fairly often - and despite significant hardware change, it eventually works, and is a lot less complicated, and more convenient than a full reinstall, as apps don't need to be reinstalled.



This the first time in about 16 years that I've run into something like this.

I'm a freelancer and this a remote job - me in NZ, client is in the USA, so everything I do, I need to walk him through.

Thankfully he's patient, is willing to do more intense IT work - as long as I walk him through.

I've advised him to do a reinstall - I'll walk him through everything.

Will keep you all posted.

Paul

 

[Paul921]

Client is sourcing a new NVMe - and we will do a fresh install of Windows 11 - will keep you posted.