ROG-THOR-1200P2-GAMING - unable to OC Apex Encore with success

[optiman]

I built a new ROG system with the following:

ROG MAXIMUS Z790 APEX ENCORE

Intel 14900KS

Corsair  DOMINATOR® TITANIUM RGB 48GB (2x24GB) DDR5 DRAM 8000MT/s CL38 Intel XMP Memory Kit 

ROG RYUJIN III 360 ARGB EVA-02 EDITION

Thermal Grizzly - CPU Contact Frame
T700 gen5 4tb, installed in the M.2.2 slot, not the M.2.1.  I want video card to run at x16.
ROG-STRIX-RTX4090-24G-GAMING, at x16
Testing apps include Memtest via bios for initial testing.  After booting to Windows 11 Pro, Karhu and Test Mem 5.  If I ever get past these, I can then test with AIDA64, 3dMark, and FurMark ROG.

First test was to leave everything at defaults and to update to the latest bios 1102.  Memtest and both Windows tests all pasted with no errors.

Note:  I RMA my mb because 2 of the USB ports were not working, so these tests are now on a 2nd Apex mb.  Also had the 14900K prior and now upgraded to the KS.  I share this because I have had the same OC issues with both setups.  This is why I suspect the PS.

MC score is 82 on my new Apex mb and the KS, not bad.

OC changes:  

XMP 1 8000

Multicore - Disabled - Enforce all limits

DRAM mode 2

CPU Loadline Level 4

Memtest past at first.  Ran it again and got 1 error on pass 3.  Didn't bother with Windows yet at this point.

Tried XMP 2, got a few errors in Memtest

Lowered memory speed to 7800 and memtest passed with no errors.

Windows BSOD and would not boot, crashes on bootup.  Tried lowering the memory speed all the way down to 7000, same results.  Tried XMP 2 again with the lower memory speeds, no help, Windows still crashes.  Reinstalled memory, checked all connections.

I needed to use my system so I set everything back to defaults, and this is where it gets weird.  Windows still crashes on bootup.  Decided to boot to my Windows Repair USB drive, crashes on bootup.  Tried my TrueImage Recovery USB, crashes on bootup.  I then cleared the cmos, powered off, turned off the power supply and started drinking.

Next day, booted to bios, again F5 to set to defaults, and then Windows booted up fine.  Tested USB drives, both booted up fine.  Tested Windows with sfc and dism, all confirmed no errors or anything wrong with my Windows installation.  Also check disk the drive, no errors.  So at this point everything is working, ran Karhu  over 10k for about 6 hours, and Test Mem 5 - all pasted with no errors.

Now to the reason I'm posting here.  The only thing I haven't  looked at is the power supply.  Maybe try using some other ports on the PS.  My friend Rodine suggested switching PS to Muli Rail, but not sure my PS can do that.  He is running the same hw with 2 systems and both are running at 8200, both KS and same memory.

I have not tired any other voltage changes in the bios because Rodine didn't have to, so I copied exactly the settings as he did, but mine won't OC without crashing Windows.

How can I confirm that my PS is working as it should?

[optiman]

BTW, did I post this topic in the correct location on the forums ?

[Rodine]

Did you try DRAM mode in Auto or 1 yet? 

[Rodine]

Also, try using a single stick of RAM and try again... test in windows, if it passes, shut down swop ram slots and do it again. If that passes then try the other stick of ram doing the same thing. To rule out a bad ram slot in the board as well as a bad stick of ram. 

[optiman]

 I did not try dram 1 while OCing.   It was set to Auto, along with everything else at default and that worked.

I would like to confirm my PS before doing any more tests, given I have had two motherboards, two cpu's and I forgot to mention that I had gskull memory at first.  The only common thing left is the PS.

As always, thank you Rodine!  maybe one day I will get the same great results as you did

[optiman]

not sure what happened, double posted

[optiman]

After doing some more testing, I have issues with bios settings at defaults, so not a surprise that I cannot OC.  It seems I have a hardware issue, but the only common thing is the power supply.

Some applications crash.  Windows does not crash.  These apps include Prusa Slicer - when trying to generate large g-code and Asus Tweek III overclock scanner, gets to about 80% and closes, and Xplane 12.  Other apps do not crash, Far Cry 6, 3dMark, FurMark Rog edition, and my testing tools TM5 and Karhu both pass with no issues.  Windows Application logs captures these apps when they fault, but the logs are not helpful.  I think the cpu load and temps jump up for these.  When cpu is max, I've seen temps in the low 80c - 82c.  That said, my cooler jumps right in and bring the temp down.  I've removed and reinstalled my cooler cpu block, new thermo paste, didn't help or change anything.

I've taking screenshots to share, in hopes that somebody will spot something.

Given these issues have existed with 2 different Apex motherboards, 2 different memory kits, and 2 different cpu's, the power supply is the only common thing remaining.  I can try using different ports on the ps, or even try a different ps.

Appreciate any help!

[Rodine]

I would say, if you have the ability to try another PSU, then go that route to rule that out. 

I am using an MSI MEG 1300w, My wife is using a Corsair HX1000i - both have the 12VHPWR (600w) cable included 

[optiman]

That will be a several hour project, as I need to uninstall it from my previous system and then do the swap in this one.  That being said, I agree with you re next steps.  I'm assuming you didn't see any low voltage readings or anything else in the screenshots?

Also, Far Cry 6 just froze my system when trying to start 😞

[Rodine]

A Free test, swap your NVME to M.2.1 and try again. 

Don't worry about GPU bandwidth... you're talking about PCIE 5.0 @ 8x. If there is any performance hit I have yet to notice it, nor as my wife. 

Let me know if there is any changes.