I recently built a new PC, but Battlefield 6 is the only game that runs normally. Counter-Strike 2 usually closes immediately with a "failed to parse" message, while Call of Duty through the Xbox app and most other Game Pass titles either fail to launch or show a generic error or access-violation message. Windows also sometimes crashes during startup with an internal crypto library error and occasionally refuses to download files.
I have reinstalled Windows 11 several times using different installation media on four separate NTFS SSDs, tested the RAM with Windows Memory Diagnostic, replaced the motherboard, updated the BIOS, tried another graphics card, reinstalled drivers and games, reseated the CPU, tested different Microsoft accounts and administrator profiles, changed file permissions, underclocked the RAM, and tested multiple wired and wireless networks. The RAM is a matched kit installed in the A2 and B2 slots, and the problems occur at reduced speeds, default SPD settings, and XMP. The current system uses a PNY RTX 5080 rather than the RTX 5090 shown in the original parts list. What should I test next to identify the faulty component?
4 Answers
This strongly points to unstable memory or the CPU’s integrated memory controller, even if a basic RAM test passes. Games can stress the CPU and memory subsystem in ways Windows Memory Diagnostic does not. Run a proper CPU and memory stress test, such as OCCT, Prime95, or y-cruncher, while monitoring for errors. Test with XMP disabled and the RAM at its exact SPD settings; if it still fails there, test each stick separately. If one stick or the whole kit fails across multiple systems, replace the RAM. If both sticks pass individually but fail together, the CPU or its memory controller becomes a serious suspect.
Verify the BIOS is completely stock for testing: disable XMP, CPU overclocking, curve optimizer, memory timing tweaks, and any automatic enhancement features. Also confirm the RAM is a matched kit rather than two separately purchased modules. No diagnostic LEDs does not rule out an intermittent CPU, RAM, or power problem, so testing with known-good memory and possibly another power supply would help narrow it down.
Try booting a Linux-based gaming environment or a live Linux USB and run a few games or hardware tests there. If the same crashes happen outside Windows, that effectively rules out Windows corruption, Microsoft accounts, and most driver issues. If Linux is stable, then investigate firmware, Windows-specific drivers, security software, or the installation media. You can also test with a different SSD and a clean operating system as a controlled comparison.
I’ve only used Windows so far, but I’ll try a Linux test if the CPU and memory stress tests don’t reveal anything.
Since you have already tested several SSDs, reinstalled Windows multiple times, replaced the motherboard, and tried another GPU, storage and graphics hardware are less likely. The CPU is still common to every test and could have a defective memory controller or another fault that only appears under certain workloads. Check CPU temperatures, core stability, and whether the system reports hardware errors in Event Viewer or WHEA-Logger. If stress testing produces errors at stock settings, testing with a known-good CPU would be the most useful next step.
The failures happen at below-default speed, default SPD settings, and XMP, so I’ll run dedicated CPU and memory stress tests rather than relying on the Windows diagnostic.