Instability even after undoing undervolting changes

[RMR]

I am running an i7 12700K processor in a ROG Strix Z690-I mobo in a small form factor rig a built last year. I clearly lack sufficient cooling as I'm relying entirely an a 280mm Kraken X63 AIO; I plan to move it into a larger case with more fans long term.

In the interim was hoping to undervolt to keep temps a bit lower while gaming (Path of Exile & BG3 push it really hard -- sustained temps north of 80, sometimes 90C).

I made changes following the tutorial including -50 (49.8) to the CPU Core and P & E Caches. Everything seemed stable at first. Bumped it up to -75. Seemed OK. Bumped it up to -100 and started BSOD'ing. So I backed it down to -50 and it proceeded to BSOD. So I undid the changes and deleted the .ini file. I'm no longer getting any BSOD. However, when it is put to sleep or left to sleep on its own, I invariably come back to find the machine fully shut down.

Could the undervolt still be in place even though I reset it? Could the BSOD have caused some other corruption (memory?) that's leading to the current issue? Could there be a conflict with the BIOS settings (I had previously toyed around with voltage in the BIOS settings, but since reset those).

I've read 12th gen can be sensitive to changes to the cache voltage, so I'm open to trying to undervolt again -- but I want to get this shut down issue resolved first. Welcome any ideas.

 

[unclewebb]

When you undervolt I think you only need to undervolt the P core and P cache. Leave the E cache at default +0.0000.

Could the undervolt still be in place even though I reset it?

Post a screenshot of the FIVR window. The monitoring table will show if an undervolt is still being applied. Include the main window and the TPL window too. Problems are easier to solve with "too much information" compared to including no screenshots with your question.

The biggest stability issue with 12th Gen is caused by the cache running too fast. I would limit the cache to the base frequency of the CPU which is the 36 multi for a 12700K. Adjust the Cache Ratio Max value in the FIVR window to control this. If you are stable here, then you can try slowly increasing the cache speed. Most people with stability issues start off by trying to run their cache at max speed.

 

[RMR]

Thanks. Wasn't sure which screenshots would be helpful given that everything had been reset to default. Here you go. FWIW, I just ran Windows 11 memory diagnostic and found no issues there.

 

[unclewebb]

The voltages are all showing +0.0000 in the monitoring table so your voltages are at default values.

I mentioned in my previous post that the biggest stability issue for 12th Gen CPUs is trying to run the cache too fast. Instead of running the cache at 46 times, try running it at 36 times. If that is 100% stable then you have probably found your main problem. Maybe 40 times for the cache will be 100% stable or perhaps 42 times. Once you find a stable cache speed then you can try lowering the P core and P cache voltages -50 mV. That can help reduce maximum temperatures and should still be stable.

I prefer to let Windows control the Speed Shift EPP value. I do not check this box on the main ThrottleStop screen. Use the Windows High Performance power plan if you want your CPU to run at max speed when lightly loaded and use the Windows Balanced power plan if you want your CPU to slow down when lightly loaded.

 

[RMR]

Thanks. I changed the Cache Ratio and it did not address the shutdown-on-sleep issue. I'll look to include that when I go back to undervolting. But my shutdown issue apparently lies elsewhere.

 

[unclewebb]

However, when it is put to sleep or left to sleep on its own, I invariably come back to find the machine fully shut down.

That is usually caused by your Windows power plan settings. Have a look for any setting that might be causing that problem.

 

[RMR]

That is usually caused by your Windows power plan settings. Have a look for any setting that might be causing that problem.

View attachment 310657

I previously went through all the power management settings (as pictured) and ran the power management troubleshooter to no avail.

 

[unclewebb]

Sleep issues are sometimes a BIOS issue and these issues usually get fixed sooner or later with BIOS updates. Are you using the latest BIOS version?

 

[mql]

I previously went through all the power management settings (as pictured) and ran the power management troubleshooter to no avail.

Are you sure that the windows files are not damaged?
Run cmd with administrator rights and copy this

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /AnalyzeComponentStore
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth
Sfc /ScanNow

 

[RJARRRPCGP]

Are you sure that the windows files are not damaged?

That would sound more like malware and the system can't be trusted if malware infested Windows, even with those commands.

That is usually caused by your Windows power plan settings. Have a look for any setting that might be causing that problem.

View attachment 310657

You may need to disable hybrid-sleep due to a bug. powercfg -h off should do that. That's very likely the issue, if you always come back to a new "Critical" event log entry for Windows not being shut down properly.