ASUS ROG Maximus z790 formula random freezing

[Tweek_Mcfffly]

Against my better judgement, I gave ASUS a last try with my most recent build.  But this time, I went all out.  ASUS ROG Maximus z790 Formula -Special Edition-, Intel i9-14900k, 128gb Kingston Fury RAM 4x 32GB (DDR5 5600MT/s CL40-40-40 1.25v XMP), ASUS ROG 4090 OC edition, Crucial 2TB NVMe SSD (OS), Crucial 2TB NVMe SSD (games), Kingston 4TB (full back-ups and random data) ASUS ROG 1600W TITAN PSU, ASUS ROG Hyperion case (white), a custom water loop, running Windows 11 PRO. 
My start up freezes at the "PIN" window for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, just after the ROG logo.  When the PC freezes, audio still works, but it's laggy.  When I play Helldivers II, and make a screen change, you'd swear the ****** thing had a stroke.  Everything freezes on the screen and takes about 1 minute to clear up.  Randomly freezes during FFXIV game play.  Random freezing when running Steamlabs OBS.  This is my second ROG build and I've already had to replace the motherboard, PSU, and FAN/RGB board in the back of the tower.  Original PSU wouldn't power up the board.  Once that was replaced, the MB couldn't load into the BIOS.  And the module had broken pins in the RGB headers.  No XMP profile, stock CPU voltage settings, stock timing and memory settings.  Nothing OC'd yet.

This build was the most expensive build I've ever created, and it's the worse at the same time.  If I can't get this freezing under control, I won't be able to sell this thing and create a new PC. 

[JohnAb]

Very nice build - I suspect the issue is poor RAM stability because you're using 4 sticks. Try running some stability tests and if you get errors, try using 2 sticks and see if that's any better... 

If you really want/need 4 sticks, then try running the RAM at lower speeds and see if you can get it stable that way. You might be able to get stability with higher voltages as well, but 4 sticks are almost always difficult.   

The other possibility is that the CPU/cooler is too tight and distortion is causing poor contact, but my money is on the 4x sticks. 

[Tweek_Mcfffly]

Thanks for the response!!  I thought it was RAM as well.  I looked up the RAM that I was using and it was NOT on the approved list for this mobo.  So I bought a 128gb set so I can run with either 4 or 2 and still have waaayyyy overkill lol.  I swapped out the Corsair Dominators (2x32gb) with these Kingston 4x32gb (which are on the approved list), checked the timing and made sure XMP was turned off. 

The water block on the CPU is an EKWB as well.  I torqued the screws down until they stopped spinning and didn't go any tighter.  I'm using a Kryo-sheet instead of thermal paste with it so I wouldn't have to worry about conductance/non-conductance materials getting over the plate and making a mess.  Temps are on point at 32C when idol and around 56C when gaming and really pushing it.

I'm still getting the same issue... so I'm going to take what you said and apply it.  I'm pulling A1/B1 modules and leaving in A2/B2 to see if that does anything.  

Thanks for the help!!!!  I need any assistance I can get.

[JohnAb]

Sure, good luck. DDR5 stability is a horror show as evidenced by the constant stream of posts with people having problems. The old RAM you got, 5600, was a sensible choice. I'd be very surprised if 2 sticks don't work on XMP. At 5600, you might even be able to get 4 sticks to work with a lot of tuning, but unless they came as a set of 4 sticks, it's likely that you'll struggle.  

If using two sticks, make sure they are in slots 2 and 4 counting from the CPU - yes, A2 & B2 like you said. 

Having said all of that, I would expect that a 14900K on a Z790 board should be able to manage 5600. If not perhaps you've been very unlucky with a weak memory controller. 

[Tweek_Mcfffly]

Tried a couple of more things with the RAM.  As you recommended, I reduced the RAM modules from 4 to 2 which gave me 64gb (2x32gb) of RAM to play with.  PLENTY of RAM at that lol.  It acted the same way.  I checked the ASUS website again and there was a new BIOS update.  So I flashed my board...... again...... and tried the RAM steps all over again.  Even tried with one RAM module at a time.  Still the same results.  I switched my PCIe switch to gen 5 then gen 4, then back to auto.  Still no change.  Swapped out NVMe's and loaded windows on another NVMe.  Windows 11 loaded no problem, but when it came time to post, it froze again!  So I'm still stuck where I was.  But your help will help me later on in the future when I come across issues later down the line.  Thank you very much for your assistance and your input!!!  It is greatly appreciated!!!!

[catsmoke]

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If you really want/need 4 sticks

Multiple sticks perform better. For example, two 8 GB sticks will run faster than one 16 GB stick.

[FixItWorse]

Have you tried going into the event viewer to see what might be taking place just before or during these lockups?

[Tweek_Mcfffly]

Actually... no, I haven't.  I didn't even think about that tbh.  I will get in there and see what I can find.  I also ordered another board and will be returning this one if none of this works.  Thanks for the heads up!  I will return if I find anything in the event logs with what they say.

[JohnAb]

Horribly frustrating after spending all that money and it doesn't work. Try a complete power off at the PSU, no harm in trying. If a new board doesn't help, then it could be the CPU. Not likely, but I have seen the occasional person on these forums with a faulty CPU. 

If you can, find another system and start swapping parts. It's the only reliable way of isolating where the problem lies. Maybe a local computer shop could help with that? I wish you well and hope you get somewhere soon.  

[Tweek_Mcfffly]

Found a couple of things in there that I cleaned up, but no relief to the freezing.  I ordered another one (3rd one) and will bench test that one before slapping it in the tower.  Thanks for the suggestion, this did clear up other issues I didn't even know I had!