I'm running a high-end PC setup with an i9-13900k processor, an MSI MPG Z790 Carbon WiFi motherboard, and four 16GB G.Skill Trident Z5 RAM sticks running at 6400 MHz. I've never had issues for the three years I've had this configuration, but recently I'm experiencing memory crashes while gaming or even just idling.
I've always had my RAM set to XMP at 6400 MHz without a hitch, but now when I test all four sticks together, I'm getting error codes. I can run each stick individually at the rated speed with no issues, which makes me question if my CPU might be degrading and if I should consider a replacement (it's still under warranty).
I've heard having all four sticks at 6400 puts extra stress on the memory controller, which makes me think lowering the speed might be necessary. Is this common, or should I be investigating a CPU replacement before it causes more issues?
1 Answer
Having four sticks does tend to reduce stability, but it’s odd to see an instant change after three years. You might want to check the VCCSA voltage settings in your BIOS. Sometimes it’s set too high, which can lead to degradation issues over time. If your CPU cores are degraded, you'd likely see stability problems even with just two sticks, so there's a chance it's just a memory controller strain issue.
Oh, and how are you checking the VCCSA settings? If you're unsure, I can help with that!
Thanks for the tip! I’m still getting familiar with the BIOS settings, but I managed to find where to check the VCCSA. What should I look for specifically?