11-14-2025 12:58 AM
Hi everyone,
recently built a brand new PC and I’ve been running into random crashes where the screen suddenly goes black and the system either freezes or restarts on its own. It happens during gaming or while working on projects. What’s strange is the inconsistency, sometimes the PC can run for a few hours with no issue, and other times it crashes in less than an hour.
A few important notes:
I’m not using XMP/EXPO or any overclocking features. Everything is running at default settings.
I’ve already updated to the latest BIOS (Version 2201).
All drivers are up to date as well.
Here are my full system specs:
CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 285K
Motherboard: ASUS ROG STRIX Z890-E GAMING WIFI
GPU: ASUS ROG-STRIX GeForce RTX 5070 Ti
RAM: CORSAIR Dominator Titanium 64GB (4 × 32GB = 128gb) DDR5-6600
Model: CMP64GX5M2X6600C32
If anyone has suggestions, troubleshooting steps, or has experienced something similar, please advise. I’d really appreciate the help this is a brand new system and I want to make sure everything is running correctly.
Thank you!
11-14-2025 02:04 AM
Hello anhviethoang
It's not a good idea to combine memory kits.
I'll suggest to shut down your pc and unplug the power supply cable.
Remove all memory sticks and pair each kit by the serial numbers.
Install one memory kit in the A2-B2 slots (2nd & 4th slots from the cpu.)
Press and hold the clear cmos button for 3 seconds.
Boot up your pc and see how it goes. If all is well, try enabling XMP and test some more.
11-14-2025 02:14 AM
Hi Nate
Just to confirm are you saying it’s not recommended to run all 128GB on this board, and that it’s better to stick with 64GB using only one matched kit? For reference, I actually purchased both RAM kits together same model, same specs so they should technically match.
I’ve also done a fresh Windows reinstall, but the crashing still happens. Based on what you mentioned, do you think the instability is coming from running four sticks (quad channel) rather than just a dual channel?
Thanks again for the guidance. I’ll try the steps you suggested and update you on what happens.
11-14-2025 04:09 AM - edited 11-14-2025 04:11 AM
@anhviethoang wrote:
Hi Nate
Just to confirm are you saying it’s not recommended to run all 128GB on this board, and that it’s better to stick with 64GB using only one matched kit? For reference, I actually purchased both RAM kits together same model, same specs so they should technically match.
Memory Kits - Overclocking and What You May Not Know
Combining and mixing memory kits isn't supported by memory or motherboard vendors. If you combine memory kits, the overclocked settings in which the kit is validated for XMP/EXPO are no longer valid. Purchase a single kit validated for the density and frequency you are trying to run. This is because memory vendors bin and validate the memory kit in the density in which it is sold. Whether we combine a kit with the same part number, frequency, timings or voltage the advice remains the same.
In your case, however, whilst the kit is running at JEDEC, I would remove one kit to reevaluate regardless.
11-14-2025 11:09 AM
As Silent_Scone posted, it's not recommended to combine memory kits.
What happens is, you're doubling up on the capacity at the same frequency, it then becomes too much for the cpu's memory controller to handle.
Always purchase a single kit when choosing memory kits.
You can still use it, but you'll have to settle for a lower frequency. If your pc is for work, the lower frequency isn't that important. If your pc is for gaming, stick with one kit for that higher frequency, 64GB is more than enough for gaming.