I recently built my second PC after a four-year gap, but I'm running into a frustrating issue. My system only boots with one stick of RAM in the A2 slot. I've managed to install Windows and a few games, but whenever I play games like Call of Duty, Battlefield, or War Thunder for more than 10 minutes, the PC restarts unexpectedly. I've tested each RAM stick in the A2 slot, and they both boot without problems. I also ran MemTest86, and both sticks passed the tests. A potential concern is that I accidentally dropped my CPU during the build; it landed on its side and has a little scratch on the edge. I suspect it might be the CPU's fault or an issue with the motherboard's B2 slot. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
It sounds like a classic case of hardware issues. First off, double-check the CPU seating; bent pins or poor mounting can cause problems. Reseat the CPU and make sure there's even pressure on it. Also, a high-quality picture of the CPU socket might help identify hidden problems.
Have you considered downclocking your RAM? Sometimes, running them at their rated speeds can cause stability issues. Reducing their speed might help stabilize your system during gaming.
I turned off Expo to see if that might stabilize things, but the restarting problem persisted. Still trying to find a solution.
I took a look at the pins and they seem fine. I reseated the CPU and used a contact frame, but I'm still experiencing crashes. I'll try to post a picture soon to get more eyes on it.