Question System instability and game Crashes

Debonair

Honorable
Jul 23, 2019
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10,510
I built this PC last month, and since day one, I've been dealing with system instability. It all started with bad stuttering when the system woke up from sleep. Then, it would give me a BSOD. I looked into some possible causes and figured it might be some GPU driver issues, so I used DDU and rolled back to a driver from May. The problem still existed, but the system was stable outside of games as long as I didn’t put it to sleep. Last week, I updated to the latest driver for the Battlefield beta, but nothing changed in terms of stability.

I get good results from stress tests, and my CPU and GPU temperatures stay below 70°C, but in games, the system is pretty unstable. I can play for several hours without any problems, but randomly, I experience instability when starting a new game session. For example, games like Baldur's Gate 3 have extreme stuttering, and I can't load a save in Crusader Kings 3 without worrying that it will freeze the system, forcing me to hard reboot. However, simple tasks like browsing the web or watching Netflix work just fine.

Specs:
CPU: Ryzen 7 9800X3D
CPU Cooler: ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 240
GPU: RTX 5070 Ti 16GB (MSI Ventus)
MOBO: MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi (Bios 7E51v1A65)
RAM: 64GB (2x32GB) G.SKILL Trident Z5 Neo DDR5-6000
PSU: Super Flower Leadex III 1000W Gold
Storage: SABRENT 1TB NVMe (boot), SK hynix P31 2TB NVMe, WD Blue 6TB HDD
OS: Windows 11 Pro ( version 24H2 Build 26100.4946)

I have done some troubleshooting myself here is a list of some of the thing i have already done.

Multiple 3DMark stress tests → temps always <70°C, no crashes.
SFC/DISM checks → clean.
DDU + clean GPU driver installs.
Tried older Nvidia driver (May 2025) and latest driver → same issues.
Disabled PCIe link power saving, using Ultimate Performance power plan.
BIOS at stock settings, no overclocks.
Uninstalled RGB/overlay software.
Event Viewer shows power state BSODs (DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE). But again if i don't sleep/hibernate the system this is avoided.

note: I used some AI software to help me format this post. If that is a problem I can rewrite it.
 
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Then, it would give me a BSOD.
Pass on .dmp files for us to look through. Host said files on DropBox or their ilk and then pass on a link here on this thread.

I get good results from stress tests, and my CPU and GPU temperatures stay below 70°C, but in games, the system is pretty unstable.
What OS are you on and where did you source the installer for the OS? Can you list all titles that you've taxed the system with and experienced the instability you've mentioned above? Where did you source the installers for asked games?

MOBO: MSI MAG X870 Tomahawk WiFi (Bios 7E51v1A65)
https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MAG-X870-TOMAHAWK-WIFI/support
at the time of writing, the BIOS you're on is superseded by another BIOS version, version 7E51v1A67. Make sure you're on the latest chipset driver for your motherboard, then update the BIOS to version 7E51v1A67.

DDU + clean GPU driver installs.
Ideally you should use DDU in Safe Mode to remove all GPU drivers(intel, AMD and Nvidia) then manually install the driver of your choice(try latest first) in an elevated command, i.e, Right click installer>Run as Administrator and see if things change.

Make and model of your monitor and how it's tethered to your discrete GPU?
 
Here are the two most recent .dmp files. Although these are over 20 days old because I have not let the system go to sleep in some time, so that this issue doesn't come up.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5sof...ey=u8p8bnyu9bqmgjahuee3pn411&st=bem1ws11&dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/obrk...ey=6bew9822f0jj9n8b2azgxylg1&st=9bcc65r2&dl=0

my OS is Windows 11 Pro ( version 24H2 Build 26100.4946) downloaded from the windows webpage. I got the dl link from the upgrade page in windows update on my laptop. put it on a usb esc. esc.

I have always used DUU in safe mode just like you said, but I should have clarified that I'm sorry

Everything I use has came from Steam. all the games and even the software I have been using. like 3DMark for the stress testing. The games that I have played on this system are, Baldurs gate 3, Crusader kings 3, Call of Duty, the battlefield 6 beta, Starfield, Stardew Valley, and Total War Warhammer III. the instability could be described as slowdowns and hitching. Lag like when a video is buffering on youtube and in the extream the whole system will lock up. No artifacts or visual glitches though, but as I said stability is hit or miss I can go a week or longer with no real issue.

my monitor is a LG Ultragear 27GL850 I use a Display port cable to connect it to my GPU.

I have always been told not to update your Motherboard drivers unless instructed to or if something is wrong. I guess this is that something huh? I will update them.

I get that my issues seem vegue and that im not really good at articulating all that is going on.
Im about ready to pull my hair out, so I genuinly apriceate any and all help you give me. If you need more information please ask. Thanks.
 
I have always been told not to update your Motherboard drivers unless instructed to or if something is wrong. I guess this is that something huh? I will update them.
You should always use the latest chipset driver from the AMD website, especially if you experience instabilities. A BIOS update could help too.

What you describe really looks like a RAM issue. As driivinfast247 said, disabling expo could give you a hint. If it gets stable at default (expo disabled), it's because your motherboard can't handle the RAM clock speed and timing of the expo profile. Sometimes it's because the RAM kit is actually an XMP kit (Intel) instead of expo so the timing values and voltage are not optimal for an AM5 system. For example, XMP profiles usually work at 1.35 V while expo profiles often require 1.4 V. Disabling expo should give you an answer.