Hi all, I’m here cause I’m in desperate need of help with a new build, below a TLDR issue description and a detailed list of all the test that I’ve done.
TLDR Issue description: system freeze 2 to 5 seconds after windows start 99% of the time. This only append when a GPU is installed in PCIE1 socket. Without an external GPU installed OR with an external GPU installed in PCIE2* slot the system works fine and never freezed/crashed. Double checked all components except for RAM and CPU.
*Tested only wit 1st motherboard (details of all tests below)
Events history & Test performed:
- Assembled PC with following specs:
- CPU: Amd Ryzen 7 7700X 4,5GHz AM5 100-100000591WOF
- MB: Asus TUF GAMING B650-PLUS WIFI
- Ram: DIMM DDR5 32GB G.skill Trident Z5 Neo 2*16 CL36 RGB Nero [F5-6000J3636F16GX2-TZ5NR]
- Drive: M.2 - SABRENT SSD 500 GB, SSD interno, Rocket SSD NVMe PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280
- PSU: LC-Power LC8850II V2.3 Arkangel
- VGA: nVidia Zotac GEFORCE RTX 4080/16GB/GDDR6
When everything has been assembled I’ve enabled EXPO profile in BIOS, installed windows 10, all mobo/chipset drivers, all windows updates, HWinfo to monitor temps and played some games. All worked fine for about 2 hours, all temps looked good, happy with the result. Shut down the system.
30 minutes later I’ve turned on PC, windows started, and suddenly freezed 3 or 4 seconds after PIN input and desktop has been loaded. This is the constant behavior that I’ve experienced from that moment on.
Disabled EXPO in BIOS: no differences.
Installed windows on a different drive (SATA 500gb Samsung SSD): 1st boot ok, installed drivers and updates, after 1 or 2 restart same problem.
Installed windows 11 instead of 10: same behavior as above.
Tested ram using MEMTEST: full cycle – 0 errors.
Fresh windows install, no windows updates: no differences.
Updated bios to latest non beta versions, default settings, fresh windows install: same as above
Enabled EXPO: no differences (all 3 EXPO profile available in ASUS BIOS has been tested)
Removed Nvidia 4080 from PCIE1 port, plugged DisplayPort into MOBO: system stable for hours, multiple restart / shutdown->powerup cycles NO ISSUES
Plugged in old 1050ti in PCIE1 slot: same behavior as with the 4080 (freeze few second after desktop is shown)
Disabled integrated VGA from BIOS: no differences.
Removed 1050ti: system works fine for hours again.
- At this point I’ve thought it could have been a PSU failure; it was old (I know I should have purchased a new one) so I’ve ordered a new one: MSI MPG A850G PCIE5
The following day it has been delivered, installed and nothing changed, exactly the same issue.
- Got in touch with ASUS Tech support they asked to make 2 more tests:
Set “GEN 3” in Bios>Advanced>Onboard Devices Configuration>PCIE Link Speed>PCIEX16_1 Link mode: nothing changed.
Try to plug the VGA in PCIE2 socket (the one that in the manual is referred as AMD B650 Chipset instead of AMD Ryzen™ 7000 Series Desktop Processors: system stable for hours, played some games, multiple restart / shutdown->powerup cycles NO ISSUES
- At this point ASUS Tech support called Possible bad PCIE1 slot and asked to return the card (purchased through ASUS EShop). Also explained they can’t provide a replacement MB at that moment so offered a full refund.
- Ordered a new (different brand and chipset) MOBO that has been delivered yesterday: X670 AORUS ELITE AX
Assembled (this time on a test bench for superstition reasons) MB, CPU, COOLER, M.2 drive, RAM, PSU and 4080 VGA; updated bios to last version, default bios setting (EXPO OFF) fresh windows install: EXACTLY the same behavior as with the other MB (feel the pain).
Removed 4080, plugged HDMI into MB: NO ISSUE as with the asus MB.
- Done some more desperate tests whit no results as you can imagine:
Booted system with 1 RAM stick installed at a time, tried all 2.
Enabled EXPO. (limited VCORE SOC to 1.25v).
Disabled Integrated VGA in BIOS -> fresh windows install (to be sure to avoid IVga driver installation)
Fresh windows install -> avoided to install nvidia driver and let sys run with default windows VGA driver.
Conclusion (and desperate help requests): At this point the only components that I’ve not double checked are RAM and CPU. I doubt that both RAM sticks are faulty (and I’ve multiple MEMTEST cycle completed with 0 errors) but never say never. My next step is to ask for RMA for the CPU but before doing this I’m here asking for help / advices / insults if I’ve done something terribly stupid ecc.
Also I would like to know from your experience how is AMD RMA process. My fear is that as the CPU is somehow working in some specific conditions the RMA will be refused and I will just waste my and their time. On the other hand I’ve tried everything I can / know without any results and I honestly don’t know what else to do.
Thanks a lot to everyone who will take time to read this and will try to help! It would be greatly appreciated!
PS: sry for my English
Luca
