[SOLVED]Could it be the motherboard?

[RapierRO]

Hello community, I did create a similar thread on Intel's own forum but thought to look for answers here as well.

I bought components for a new PC in November 2023 and since then I had only issues. The config is as follows:

MB: Asus ROG Strix Z690-E Gaming WiFi

CPU: Intel I9 14900KF

RAM: 32GB (2x16GB kit) Kingston Fury Renegade 6400MHz XMP (4800MHz base)

RAM (secondary kit): 32GB (2x16GB kit) G.SKILL Trident Z RGB 6400MHz XMP (4800MHz base)

Drive: Samsung SSD 990 PRO PCIe 4.0 1TB + Samsung SSD 850 PRO SATA III 512GB

Cooling: NZXT Kraken Elite 280 RGB AIO cooler.

Video: Asus TUF RTX 4070ti Gaming OC

Power: Corsair Hxi Series HX1000i, 80 PLUS Platinum, 1000W

Case: AeroCool P7-C1 Tempered glass

Since then, I had constant game crashes with the system untill I found about the SVID setting in BIOS and put it on "Intel Fail Safe". All the other OC settings were explicitly disabled (Asus Multicore Enhancement and Intel Adaptive Boost Technology, also XMP). After that, system was apparently working fine till last week, it was even passing Cinebench R23 multi/single core, all games that previously crashed (mostly Division 2) running fine, temps were under 80 degrees on both CPU and GPU (based on NZXT's display on the pump head), I was happy that all is OK....when I got errors after couple of days from the OneDrive saying my account has issues and to login again. And here it comes again...Windows showed like I was using a "local" account, despite the fact I was using my Microsoft account.

After several failed attempts to remedy the situation, I have finally decided to format the SSD and reinstall Windows...bad choice, all the bad things started to happen again.

I made 3 different install kits from the Microsoft website on 3 different USB sticks. All install attempts were ending in errors/crashes just from the start, right after booting from the USB mostly saying that "Windows installation encountered an unexpected error. Verify that the installation sources are accessible, and restart de installation. (error code 0xC0000005)". After several searches, after trying all the USB kits I had on a laptop and working fine, after also changing the RAM (with the alternate kit) but having same results, I tried with an old USB kit I had, an original retail Windows 10 PRO USB stick.

This version installed without any issues but the problem is that it is so old that nothing works or installs on this Windows version, asking for a newer build. The build no is 1803 (from 2018 I guess) and I tried to upgrade it to a more recent version through Windows Update...all the update tries were failing with errors, nothing was installed. Since there is no direct upgrade path for installing directly 22H2 build over 1803, I tried incremental updates first to 1903 but it failed also.

I tried then by downloading the Microsoft Media Creation Toolkit to update or to make another Windows 10 install kit (with a newer build, ISO are available on Microsoft site). Nothing helped, all my tries were ending in errors and in the end, I could not upgrade Windows at all.

I finaly decided to send the CPU back to the seller (there is no local Intel representative as I know for my country) and opened a service request. Now the CPU is at service and I wait for a resolution but I would like to ask for advice. Don't know how they test it but what do I do if they send it back saying everything is ok (maybe they test it on another board or don't know)?

These kind of errors and BSOD are usualy due to CPU or RAM not motherboard and I already replaced the RAM.

Also by what I've read so far, even if I have a lower quality CPU it should run with the default/optimal settings in BIOS, forcing it to run on "Intel's Fail Safe" SVID settings is not that good and also in BIOS temps were reaching above 77 degrees (regardless of the fact AIO was functioning).

I am open to suggestions...I have paid alot for all the parts, to end up staring at an open case with no CPU inside. Could it be the motherboard? The CPU?

Also if there is a undervolting guide for I9 and Z690 Asus motherboard, please let me know. I found some but were with Z790 and Dark Hero or higher end boards having options I don't have.

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @RapierRO 

Thank you for providing detailed context and explanation.
Did you start encountering this issue continuously since constructing the computer in November 2023?
Based on your description, users in previous discussions have shared the following steps:

1) Legacy Game Compatibility -> Enabled
2) SVID - Intel's Fail Safe
3) In AI Suite 3 -> DIGI+VRM-> CPU VRM Switching Frequency -> Auto -> VRM Spread Spectrum On.

Could you please confirm if these steps have helped resolve the issue for you?
If possible, we suggest cross-testing with another CPU to rule out any potential hardware issues. 

Thank you.

[RapierRO]

The issues occured from start but not so visible. At first just game crashes more or less often till I found the SVID setting and set it to "Intel Fail Safe". After that (which was like 4 weeks ago) I had no crashes till the moment I got the issue with the Windows. Right now I don't have any Windows installed and due to the errors I cannot install any.

Legacy Game Mode has no use, it is just parking the e-cores for the legacy games work properly. For me, it made no difference, was among first things I tried.

I don't have AI Suite 3 Installed so can't test but I did not touched the DIGI+ VRM in BIOS either

CPU was sent to warranty and it is now tested I guess, I did not received any resolution yet.

[RapierRO · Accepted solution]

UPDATE: For anyone that might have been interested whether I solved it or not. Authorised Service decided it is a faulty CPU and sent a replacement unit. I did not received it but I'm pretty sure all these errors will be gone

[Jiaszzz_ROG]

Hello, @RapierRO 

Thank you for your prompt response and update. 
We suggest verifying again and keeping a monitor during usage after replacing the CPU.
If you encounter any further difficulties or have any concerns, please feel free to start another discussion thread or PM me anytime.

Thank you.