Hey everyone, I'm experiencing some frustrating random BSODs with the error **IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL (0xA)** and could really use some help from those with experience in kernel crashes. The crashes are happening at random times, sometimes while gaming and other times just when the system is idle. I can't find a consistent trigger for it, so it's pretty bewildering.
The crash details are as follows:
- Bugcheck: `0x0000000A (IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL)`
- When running WinDbg or BlueScreenView, it only points to **ntoskrnl.exe** with no specific third-party driver identified.
Here's some important context:
- I've performed a **clean install of Windows** and wiped all drivers, but the issue still occurs.
- My recent hardware upgrades include a switch from a **Ryzen 7 7800X3D** to a **Ryzen 9 9800X3D** and an upgrade from an **RTX 4080** to an **RTX 5080**, both of which are second-hand.
- Everything else in the system remained the same, and it was stable before these changes.
**System specs:**
- Motherboard: **ASUS ROG Strix X670E-E**
- RAM: **Corsair Dominator Titanium 64GB (32×2) DDR5-6600 CL30**
- PSU: **ASUS TUF 1200W Gold**
Here are the steps I've already taken:
- Clean install of Windows
- Clean GPU driver install
- Driver Verifier (currently disabled)
- No signs of overheating or power issues
- The crashes still happen randomly, whether the system is under load or completely idle.
I've uploaded the [minidump file and a BlueScreenView report](https://filebin.net/yxh3oj8fhk6g29af) for anyone willing to take a closer look at them.
Currently, I suspect it could be a CPU IMC instability, faulty CPU, RAM instability triggered by the new CPU, or a low-level chipset/memory interaction.
I'd love to get your thoughts: does this seem like a CPU/RAM issue rather than GPU? Has anyone seen second-hand CPUs cause IRQL 0xA BSOD without clear WHEA errors? What should I prioritize testing at this point? Thanks in advance for your help!
3 Answers
First off, make sure your UEFI is fully updated. There have been known issues with X3D CPUs, often related to excess voltage, which could definitely be causing these random BSODs. Also, if you're using the EXPO profile on your ASUS motherboard, consider turning that off temporarily to see if it helps. If it does, use the full RAM profile instead of the ASUS optimized one, as that has caused issues for some users.
To get a better handle on these BSODs, it would be great to gather some dump files. Those crash logs provide crucial insights. You can find them in the C:WindowsMinidump folder. Zip them up and upload them using a file-sharing service like catbox.moe or mediafire.com, so we can analyze them.
Have you updated your BIOS recently? Make sure you've got the latest version. Also, I recommend running TestMem5 using the anta777 configuration to check for any memory issues – it's a solid stress test.
I've updated to the latest BIOS version (3402) and have run the memory diagnostic tool, which showed no issues. I’ll look into running TestMem5 with the anta777 settings and keep you updated!
I just ran TestMem5 and encountered an error at test 3. I’m not sure how to proceed with fixing this issue. Any advice?
Thanks! My UEFI is up to date, and I'm using the DOCP II profile, which worked fine with my old setup. The BSODs really do happen randomly, so it's tricky to diagnose anything right now.