Troubleshooting a Newly Built AMD System: From First Boot to Unexpected CPU Failure
Building a new personal computer can be an exciting but complex process, often involving unexpected challenges. Recently, I assembled my first custom PC, experiencing a smooth start-up initially, followed by sudden and perplexing hardware issues. This article chronicles the journey, diagnostic steps, and lessons learned from troubleshooting a newly assembled AMD-based system that unexpectedly encountered a critical failure.
System Specifications:
– Motherboard: ASRock B850 Steel Legend WiFi
– CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
– RAM: G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB 6000 32GB
– GPU: ASRock Radeon RX 9070 XT
– Power Supply: Corsair RM850x White 850W 80+Gold, ATX 3.1 (2025 model)
Initial Assembly and Operation:
The assembly was conducted with an experienced friend over a Saturday. Post-assembly, the system successfully completed its first boot, and Windows was installed without issues. Performance benchmarks during initial testing were promising: gaming for extended periods (notably 16 hours playing Final Fantasy XIV) resulted in stable CPU temperatures (~60°C) and high frame rates. Basic profile optimizations such as enabling Expo-8000 and memory context saving were applied; otherwise, settings remained at default.
Early Functionality and Subsequent Issues:
The following day, after installing Windows 11 security updates, the system appeared to function normally in the morning, with regular gaming and work activities. However, subtle issues started manifesting during remote productivity sessions and gaming:
- Periodic lag during remote work sessions involving Citrix Workspace.
- Intermittent disconnections during gaming sessions, with short (approximately five seconds) freezes.
Troubleshooting began with network diagnostics:
– Switched between Ethernet (Realtek network adapter) and WiFi via the motherboard’s built-in wireless.
– Tested with a mobile phone hotspot to rule out router issues.
Despite these efforts, the problems persisted, and the system’s stability deteriorated.
Sudden System Lockup and Power Issue:
While gaming on the hotspot, the system suddenly became unresponsive:
– Mouse and keyboard frozen, unresponsive to input.
– Attempts to force shutdown via keyboard shortcuts failed.
– The physical power button also failed to turn off the system after prolonged pressing.
Power Cycling and Diagnostic LEDs:
Shutting down the power supply and restarting yielded no display output; the motherboard indicated a “CPU
Share this content:
