I've been experiencing some serious issues with my PC lately, including BSODs and corrupted game installs as well as problems extracting zip files. I've already reinstalled Windows, made sure all my drivers are spot on, and updated the BIOS. My setup includes a Ryzen 5 5500, an RTX 2060 6GB, 32GB of DDR4-3200 RAM, and a 550W PSU. However, when I run the OCCT CPU stability test, I'm getting hundreds of thousands of errors per second on one core (specifically physical core #4, logical cores 8 and 9). Before jumping to conclusions about a faulty CPU, is there anything else I should check?
3 Answers
First up, it would be helpful to gather some dump files if you're getting BSODs. These logs can provide crucial insights. If you can get into Windows normally, check the C:WindowsMinidump folder for any dump files. If you find some, zip them up and share. If you don't have zip software, just right-click the folder and select to compress it. You can upload it to a file sharing site like Catbox or MediaFire. Having multiple dump files is best, but if you only have one, you can use a guide to create smaller memory dumps.
I recommend testing your RAM using memtest86 or memtest86+. This can help identify any memory issues that could be causing instability. Additionally, you can stress test your CPU with a Prime95 torture test to see if it holds up under pressure.
This sounds more like a hardware issue rather than a Windows or driver problem. Here’s how to troubleshoot:
1. Reset your BIOS to defaults—disable PBO, Curve Optimizer, and turn off XMP to run RAM at JEDEC speeds. After that, rerun the OCCT CPU test.
2. Test your RAM with MemTest86 for at least one full pass to spot errors.
3. Run OCCT Memory test for about 15-30 minutes at JEDEC; it'll quickly catch timing issues.
4. Check the Event Viewer for WHEA-Logger errors which can indicate CPU problems.
5. Verify your storage with CrystalDiskInfo. If issues are flagged, consider replacing the drive.
6. Your 550W PSU should be sufficient, but run an OCCT Power test to ensure it's stable under load.
7. If errors continue on the same core, it might be a failing CPU core or motherboard issue. RMA the CPU first since it's easier to prove faulty.
I already have everything set to JEDEC and ran MemTest86+ for 14 passes over 20 hours. Plus, the drive I reinstalled Windows on is brand new and showed 100% health. I might just look into getting a used 5800X to swap in. Thanks for sharing your insights!