[SOLVED] Tried many RAM kits and BSODs/crashes galore... issue with my CPU?

[Nanofaux]

Recently I got a kit of 32 GB Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 3600CL18, and at first everything was fine however I started to get instability when playing games.

Loading into the computer was just fine, but playing games of any sort would randomly either crash me to desktop, or even worse a BSOD with stuff like "UNEXPECTED_KERNAL_MODE_TRAP", "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL", "CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT ", and "DPC_WATCHDOG_VIOLATION".

My specs are an i9-9900k, Gigabyte Z390 Aorus Elite, and an RM850x PSU.

I've reinstalled Windows about 3 times already (fresh install), and I have also put in replacement kits of ram (must have touched 4 sets of the same RAM by now), but all lead to the same issue.
I tried with 1 stick, two sticks, and heck two full sets in at once, but all lead to the same issue of either BSODing, or the game a severe crash to desktop.

I tried all of this with both a 5GHz OC as well as stock, and the same issue happened to matter what. I also tried increasing the DRAM voltage up to 1.4V, and the VCCIO/VCCSA voltage up to 1.3V.

The only way I can get this issue to go away is if I clock my ram to 2666MHz or lower... but why am I not able to clock it to its rated XMP speeds? I've tried at least 4 kits... all the same issue, and tried it with and without a CPU OC.

 

[Nanofaux]

Actually I just tried 2666MHz and I got a "BAD_POOL_CALLER" BSOD

 

[Third-Eye]

First, set the ram back to 2133 with all automatic settings, then run memtest86 to see if you get errors. If you get zero errors after minimum one full pass with memetest86, boot into Windows and run a system file check to fix corrupted system files. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...ndows-10-365e0031-36b1-6031-f804-8fd86e0ef4ca

You might also need to pull the CPU out of the socket and check the pins if you still get errors at 2133. There might be a problem with a pin so check it thoroughly from different angles with a good light source. Place the CPU back in the socket if no pins look bent or broken and try running a ram test again.

 

[Nanofaux]

First, set the ram back to 2133 with all automatic settings, then run memtest86 to see if you get errors. If you get zero errors after minimum one full pass with memetest86, boot into Windows and run a system file check to fix corrupted system files. https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/using-system-file-checker-in-windows-10-365e0031-36b1-6031-f804-8fd86e0ef4ca

You might also need to pull the CPU out of the socket and check the pins if you still get errors at 2133. There might be a problem with a pin so check it thoroughly from different angles with a good light source. Place the CPU back in the socket if no pins look bent or broken and try running a ram test again.

Set to 2133 MHz, ran a system check and memtest86, no errors or anything were shown. However even on 2133 MHz I can't play a game without it crashing consistently. I also checked the socket for any bent pins/etc, and everything looked completely normal.

 

[Third-Eye]

Set to 2133 MHz, ran a system check and memtest86, no errors or anything were shown. However even on 2133 MHz I can't play a game without it crashing consistently. I also checked the socket for any bent pins/etc, and everything looked completely normal.

Try resetting the bios to factory defaults and leave it all on default and try running windows to se how long it takes to crash a program or BSOD. You might also be using old drivers or one of your programs is causing the crashing.

 

[Nanofaux]

Try resetting the bios to factory defaults and leave it all on default and try running windows to se how long it takes to crash a program or BSOD. You might also be using old drivers or one of your programs is causing the crashing.

Tried everything with factory defaults and the program crashed maybe after about 1 minute in.
Any easy way to check for bad drivers? I've already re-installed Windows a ton and would rather not have to go through that again.. especially considering it didn't fix the issue previously apparently.

 

[Third-Eye]

Tried everything with factory defaults and the program crashed maybe after about 1 minute in.
Any easy way to check for bad drivers? I've already re-installed Windows a ton and would rather not have to go through that again.. especially considering it didn't fix the issue previously apparently.

Where are you getting the drivers that are installed? If you're not using the drivers from the manufacturer support webpage for the motherboard and only from Windows update, it may be part of the problem.

It's possible you just have a defective motherboard and some component on it is causing an issue or maybe one of your other system components. I'm inclined to think it's probably still an issue with the CPU socket pins. I had a Z77 motherboard that was running 24/7 and had slightly similar issues. The issues it was having were caused by two slightly melted CPU pins, so the board was unusable and I just replaced it with another Z77 board that used to be my main system.

I would take another look at the CPU pins, because it can be difficult to notice any issues, it took me three different lights, a magnifying glass and about an hour to actually discover the defect. You can probably RMA the motherboard for a replacement and you might consider getting another motherboard to test with incase it's actually your CPU that is defective.

 

[Nanofaux]

Where are you getting the drivers that are installed? If you're not using the drivers from the manufacturer support webpage for the motherboard and only from Windows update, it may be part of the problem.

It's possible you just have a defective motherboard and some component on it is causing an issue or maybe one of your other system components. I'm inclined to think it's probably still an issue with the CPU socket pins. I had a Z77 motherboard that was running 24/7 and had slightly similar issues. The issues it was having were caused by two slightly melted CPU pins, so the board was unusable and I just replaced it with another Z77 board that used to be my main system.

I would take another look at the CPU pins, because it can be difficult to notice any issues, it took me three different lights, a magnifying glass and about an hour to actually discover the defect. You can probably RMA the motherboard for a replacement and you might consider getting another motherboard to test with incase it's actually your CPU that is defective.

Yes, I have only gotten my drivers from my motherboard (Gigabyte)'s website, and windows update. I'll take another look at the pins but I don't think I saw any issues beforehand. Could it be my CPU, like the IMC?

 

[Third-Eye]

Yes, I have only gotten my drivers from my motherboard (Gigabyte)'s website, and windows update. I'll take another look at the pins but I don't think I saw any issues beforehand. Could it be my CPU, like the IMC?

Unless your overclock broke the CPU somehow, I don't think the CPU is at fault, but it's still possible.

 

[Nanofaux]

Unless your overclock broke the CPU somehow, I don't think the CPU is at fault, but it's still possible.

Yeah... the pins and contacts look perfectly fine. I don't see any sort of physical damage, I only picked up the motherboard and CPU a few months back, so it's not like it's had years to somehow develop a major problem of any. Everything worked flawless on my old RAM (A kit of Vengeance LPX 32 GB 2400MHz), but now it seems no matter what set of RAM I put in now, it will crash, even at 2133MHz.

 

[Third-Eye]

Yeah... the pins and contacts look perfectly fine. I don't see any sort of physical damage, I only picked up the motherboard and CPU a few months back, so it's not like it's had years to somehow develop a major problem of any. Everything worked flawless on my old RAM (A kit of Vengeance LPX 32 GB 2400MHz), but now it seems no matter what set of RAM I put in now, it will crash, even at 2133MHz.

RMA the motherboard for replacement, exchange or refund with the retailer you bought it from.

 

[Nanofaux]

RMA the motherboard for replacement, exchange or refund with the retailer you bought it from.

Well it was several months ago on Amazon (just before they imposed the "Everything returnable until Jan 31" thing anyway so wouldn't have made a difference); I guess I will have to go through Gigabyte's support center then and I've heard their support is not the greatest so I suppose wish me luck then 😂

 

[Third-Eye]

Well it was several months ago on Amazon (just before they imposed the "Everything returnable until Jan 31" thing anyway so wouldn't have made a difference); I guess I will have to go through Gigabyte's support center then and I've heard their support is not the greatest so I suppose wish me luck then 😂

Hopefully it's something they will either fix or replace the board for you. I've only dealt with Gigabyte support twice and didn't really have any issues, but that was years ago.

 

[Nanofaux]

Hopefully it's something they will either fix or replace the board for you. I've only dealt with Gigabyte support twice and didn't really have any issues, but that was years ago.

Okay well I just got an i5-9600KF off Amazon (Cheapest unlocked SKU I could get for this cihpset that also was shipped/sold by Amazon themselves), and turning on MCE, XMP to 3600MHz, etc. and the issue is completely gone! So I guess it was my CPU after all...? I only picked it up this past Black Friday, when it was on sale for $320. I guess I will have to RMA that with Intel.