I recently upgraded my CPU from an i3-12100f to an i9-12900k, along with switching to G.Skill 32gb 6000mhz 36cl RAM due to instability with my previous setup. My motherboard is an Aorus Z690 Ultra. The seller of the i9 claimed it was in perfect condition as he moved to an AM5 system. However, I'm encountering a CLOCK_WATCHDOG_EXCEPTION error when running CPU tests in OCCT, even though the RAM passed a 30-minute test without issues. Also, my motherboard exhibits noticeable coil whine, and activating CSM Support leads to a low-resolution display where nothing boots. I'm currently only using one 8-pin CPU power cable since I'm not overclocking and prefer stability over performance.
1 Answer
It seems like you might have a faulty CPU. If you're experiencing consistent crashes during stress tests, that's usually a sign. Have you tried undervolting? It can sometimes help improve stability. There are plenty of tutorials online that can guide you through the process if you're new to it!
A bad CPU is the last thing I wanna hear, I've never done any underclocking. Do you have any specific tutorials you recommend?