Hey folks! I'm struggling with issues on my very first PC build and could really use some advice. Here are my specs:
- **Motherboard:** MSI B650 Tomahawk
- **CPU:** Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- **GPU:** Radeon 9070XT OC
- **RAM:** 2x16GB Crucial DDR5
- **PSU:** Gigabyte UD850GM (I know it has a mixed reputation)
- **Storage:** A mix of SSDs plus an old 5-year-old HDD that I originally had connected.
I faced issues right from assembly, with my motherboard flashing red and yellow LEDs, and no display. I managed a temporary fix with a BIOS flash and it booted up fine. Fast forward two weeks, and now it's back to crashing and random restarts. I even clean-installed Windows 11, which worked for about 6 hours before the problems resumed. I've reseated everything and removed the old HDD, which allowed it to boot again after some tweaking.
After rechecking, I flashed the BIOS to the latest version (yeah, it's beta), but the crashes keep happening—now I'm back to those flashing lights and no boot.
I've noticed the crashes to be random; sometimes it can run for hours, and sometimes it dies quickly. I suspect the PSU given its rep but unsure how to confirm. The motherboard's flashing lights usually point to DRAM or CPU issues.
I have a few questions:
1. How can I diagnose what might be failing: PSU, RAM, or motherboard?
2. Is the beta BIOS a common cause of instability? Should I revert to an older version?
3. Could the old HDD have been part of the initial problems?
Any insights and suggestions would be hugely appreciated. This whole process has been quite stressful for a newbie like me! Thanks in advance!
2 Answers
Sounds like a possible memory issue. Try disabling EXPO in the BIOS first. If that helps, it means your RAM might not be stable at its EXPO settings. You could also test each stick of RAM individually to rule out a faulty one. If it's the PSU, typically it would fail under heavy load rather than random timing. Don't forget to check your SSDs too; if they’re older, using a tool like CrystalDiskInfo can help you check their health! And I recommend sticking with the non-beta BIOS unless you know the update fixes a known bug causing crashes.
To troubleshoot, simplify your setup: only keep essential components—one stick of RAM, one SSD, and remove the GPU by connecting your monitor directly to the motherboard. If it crashes, it could be the RAM, CPU, motherboard, or even the PSU, but it’s less likely for the PSU if it happens without the GPU. After testing, you can reintroduce components one by one to narrow it down. Stress tests for CPU and RAM may also help identify any issues!
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