Games crashing to desktop/potential issues with parts

[FoxMulder]

Hi there. So my issues essentially only started about 8 months into owning my PC that I purchased through PCS. Randomly games would crash without any warning to desktop, despite everything always running really smoothly. This would happen on anything from bigger games to simple ones. I figured I could try a clean install from scratch with my computer and test things again to see if things still crashed, and after about a day of trying things out it started happening again. I was even starting to get BSOD errors when trying to transfer my files to an external drive AND during the reinstallation of Windows.
When I first went through the process of trying to put things together I tried to look into all the different parts and see if things were compatible, and for some reason I completely didn't even notice PCS had a forum like this until after the fact, which I regret already. Which now leads me to believe I was perhaps fed information that wasn't quite correct or I simply looked in the wrong places for help.
Having read a little on the forums here I'm assuming there's now issues with the i9 I have, potentially due to the cooling system not being up to scratch? Which I also seem to remember looking into people running tests and saying it was fine etc, which is frustrating but again I probably looked in the wrong places and got bad info.
It probably sounds pathetic but the whole ordeal is starting to stress me out and I just... I really need some help.
I don't know exactly what PCS can do to help with returns and fixes for these things, or if I can even upgrade my cooling system enough to compensate or if I can downgrade to a different processor as well or anything like that. I'm only technical to a point and it all starts to get very confusing after a while.

If anybody could help me with potential steps that I can take to start to fix these issues, or tests that I can run to help diagnose if my suspicions are even correct, I'd very much appreciate it, because I really don't think I've got the know-how to sort this out by myself. Thank you, and apologies for the long winded explanation!

Case
PCS PRISM TG WHITE ARGB MID TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i9 24-Core Processor i9-13900K (Up to 5.8GHz) 36MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® ROG STRIX Z790-A GAMING WIFI D4 (LGA1700, DDR4, PCIe 5.0, Wi-Fi 6E)
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB PRO DDR4 3600MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
12GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 4070 Ti - HDMI, DP, LHR
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 3500MB/R, 3300MB/W)
1st Storage Drive
4TB Samsung 870 QVO 2.5" SSD, SATA 6Gb/s (up to 560MB/sR | 530MB/sW)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 850W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead, 1.0mm Core)
Processor Cooling
CORSAIR H100x RGB ELITE HIGH PERFORMANCE CPU COOLER
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
LED Lighting
2 x 50cm ARGB LED Strip
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
ONBOARD LAN PORT
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 11 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence

 

[SpyderTracks]

The case, cooler and cpu are not suitable really from a basic operational standpoint, but then you’ve got a very slow SSD which will severely impact performance and the PSU is severely limiting also.

You’d need a minimum of a 420mm radiator on that cpu which is the H170i, but the case can’t support it.

The cpu is simply defective, nothing you can do about that in the long term, you can get the current one replaced but it’s likely the same thing will happen to the next one

Intel 13th and 14th Gen confirmed defective

So there's been a lot of upset gathering steam on the inter webs with intermittent games crashes on Intel 13th and 14th gen. Workarounds range from underclocking to disabling ecores. BUT, there are a lot of people finding that simply disabling hyperthreading is a proper solution. The findings...

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

 

[FoxMulder]

The case, cooler and cpu are not suitable really from a basic operational standpoint, but then you’ve got a very slow SSD which will severely impact performance and the PSU is severely limiting also.

You’d need a minimum of a 420mm radiator on that cpu which is the H170i, but the case can’t support it.

The cpu is simply defective, nothing you can do about that in the long term, you can get the current one replaced but it’s likely the same thing will happen to the next one

Intel 13th and 14th Gen confirmed defective

So there's been a lot of upset gathering steam on the inter webs with intermittent games crashes on Intel 13th and 14th gen. Workarounds range from underclocking to disabling ecores. BUT, there are a lot of people finding that simply disabling hyperthreading is a proper solution. The findings...

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

Thank you for the reply!

Again strange that when I checked people were saying the PSU would be fine, another frustration for me.
Do you know if there's any way try a lower grade CPU that actually works? Looking into that thread of problems with the Intel ones I wouldn't even know where to start any more.
I know there's a few higher options for cooling that would fit in the case that I could also maybe try as well.
Also, I've not noticed any issues with the SSD yet, of all things, so is there any you could recommend?

 

[SpyderTracks]

Do you know if there's any way try a lower grade CPU that actually works?

Of course, you’d have to buy a lower grade cpu though, likely a 13600k. But at that point IMHO given what else isn’t suitable on the build, you may as well just admit defeat and buy an AMD mobo, CPU and RAM, that’s the only sure way to get a properly working pc.

Again strange that when I checked people were saying the PSU would be fine, another frustration for me.

Who was it who told you it was ok? Wouldn’t have been anyone on this forum?

Unfortunately there’s nothing you can do to get that system working properly without spending a substantial sum of money.

For anyone reading please please please don’t assume you can just throw any components together and get a decent PC, it just doesn’t work like that, get advice if you’re at all unsure of hardware

 

[FoxMulder]

Of course, you’d have to buy a lower grade cpu though, likely a 13600k. But at that point IMHO given what else isn’t suitable on the build, you may as well just admit defeat and buy an AMD mobo, CPU and RAM, that’s the only sure way to get a properly working pc.



Who was it who told you it was ok? Wouldn’t have been anyone on this forum?

Unfortunately there’s nothing you can do to get that system working properly without spending a substantial sum of money.

For anyone reading please please please don’t assume you can just throw any components together and get a decent PC, it just doesn’t work like that, get advice if you’re at all unsure of hardware

No unfortunately I hadn't realised the forums here worked the way that they did, and I spoke to people who work locally, who even suggested this website to get it built, and apparently got sold on some pretty bad advice.

It sounds like, essentially, I'm just stuck with things as they are until there comes a time I can even think about trying again. I doubt I can even return all the parts that still work perfectly either.
Thanks for the help though, apologies if this has wasted anybody's time.

 

[Ekans2011]

No unfortunately I hadn't realised the forums here worked the way that they did, and I spoke to people who work locally, who even suggested this website to get it built, and apparently got sold on some pretty bad advice.

It sounds like, essentially, I'm just stuck with things as they are until there comes a time I can even think about trying again. I doubt I can even return all the parts that still work perfectly either.
Thanks for the help though, apologies if this has wasted anybody's time.

PCS works perfectly, but they are only a system integrator. They assemble whatever the customer requires. Always seek advice if you're unsure about the hardware.

 

[FoxMulder]

PCS works perfectly, but they are only a system integrator. They assemble whatever the customer requires. Always seek advice if you're unsure about the hardware.

I have no problem with PCS or what they built, I'm sure everything they do is great. Seems my problem and mistake was trusting the info given to me from local computer guys, who are essentially family friends, and thinking they knew enough to point me in the right directions.

 

[SpyderTracks]

No unfortunately I hadn't realised the forums here worked the way that they did, and I spoke to people who work locally, who even suggested this website to get it built, and apparently got sold on some pretty bad advice.

It sounds like, essentially, I'm just stuck with things as they are until there comes a time I can even think about trying again. I doubt I can even return all the parts that still work perfectly either.
Thanks for the help though, apologies if this has wasted anybody's time.

You can’t return anything, they’re working as designed, the only part that’s faulty is the processor, you can’t return that but you can get it replaced under warranty. But the same thing will likely happen with the replacement, that’s the point.

But even if you get the processor replaced under warranty, you’d have to correct the parts mentioned above, and even then, the processor will still deteriorate.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Anyone recommending a 240mm radiator for a 253w cpu has zero clue about hardware

 

[FoxMulder]

I'll have to let them know how much they misled me the next time I get to speak to them. Which should be an interesting conversation to have to have...
Again thanks for the help.

 

[steaky360]

I have no problem with PCS or what they built, I'm sure everything they do is great. Seems my problem and mistake was trusting the info given to me from local computer guys, who are essentially family friends, and thinking they knew enough to point me in the right directions.

There could be an avenue of resolution if you've already raised these issues with PCS. When your PC started misbehaving did you contact PCS at all to resolve the issue? I know you're not blaming anyone or anything like that, but PCS are really very good at handling issues and finding resolutions.

If you've already brought it up with them back 8 months ago when your problems started, it might be worth getting back in touch with them to see if they have any advice or potential solutions. Might not be the ones that you want in fairness, but its always worth a shout.

I my mind, I'd still suggest this even if you haven't gotten in touch with PCS previously. If the PC is misbehaving at all, its worth giving them a call to discuss.

Worst case scenario (in my mind at least) is they can inform you of what it could cost to adjust a few items in the PC which might help.

 

[FoxMulder]

There could be an avenue of resolution if you've already raised these issues with PCS. When your PC started misbehaving did you contact PCS at all to resolve the issue? I know you're not blaming anyone or anything like that, but PCS are really very good at handling issues and finding resolutions.

If you've already brought it up with them back 8 months ago when your problems started, it might be worth getting back in touch with them to see if they have any advice or potential solutions. Might not be the ones that you want in fairness, but its always worth a shout.

I my mind, I'd still suggest this even if you haven't gotten in touch with PCS previously. If the PC is misbehaving at all, its worth giving them a call to discuss.

Worst case scenario (in my mind at least) is they can inform you of what it could cost to adjust a few items in the PC which might help.

Probably a good idea to still make enquiries just in case yeah, thank you! Though it's all likely outside my current budget for a while, it always seems everything breaks at the same time because we're currently having to replace the clutch on the car as well!

 

[SpyderTracks]

Probably a good idea to still make enquiries just in case yeah, thank you! Though it's all likely outside my current budget for a while, it always seems everything breaks at the same time because we're currently having to replace the clutch on the car as well!

You can get the CPU replaced free under warranty, that's fully covered.

 

[Scott]

I'm not suggesting this is what you do, below is simply what I know I would do in this situation.

If this were me I would look to have the CPU replaced. Once that was done I would attempt to sell the system on as a whole to cut my losses. The money gained from the sale I would then put to a new build.

Anytime you're after a new build in future pop on the forum. Happy to discuss any thoughts or advice from others. Most people (I would argue all people to be honest) have good intentions when they are giving advice so noone has deliberately set out to mislead you in my mind, you will likely find that the information was out dated and presumed to still be relevant. Things move soooo fast in the PC sector, things happen and turn on a tuppence.

Most of the regulars on this forum have had many discussions and collaborations over the years where we have seen this Intel upset coming. I don't think any of us seen the parts all out failing due to stressing too much..... but the downfall has been on the horizon for a while as antiquated processes and temperature stressing has been an issue for a long time. My last Intel PC was a 9900k and I think it was probably the only decent chip since. You could argue the 10900k was OK as well, but it was yet another rehash. The only reason I went with the 9900k was that I was changing up from a 3770k (older than old) and AMD wasn't quite there yet.

I don't have money to burn so I always spend countless hours digesting what's going on. I still do it for the sake of the forum and to scratch my geek itch regardless, Many of us are the same in our own particular niche interest fields so you can always get advice on just about any tech strand here