Stability issues with i9-14900K

[Ziguard]

Hi there,

I'm opening this topic since, as a lot of people having a i9-14900K, I'm experiencing multiple issues. Quite regular and random BSOD, applications crashing, etc.

I already opened a topic on Tom's Hardware where we discovered that the issue was probably my CPU. I tried to apply the various solutions given here and by Intel, but the issues still persists. Hence, me coming here crying for help since I have these troubles since 8 months TT____TT

Problems/symptoms:

- BSOD, pretty often when I am not in front of the computer (which is freakin' strange as it is quite systematic, but I spent a LOT of time in front of my screen). Logs attached.

- Some applications crash pretty often. Recently MPC crashes once or two times a day. You'll find the error popup attached.

But most of the time it is Thunderbird, Chrome and Firefox. I tend to use a lot of windows and tabs on both of them, but it never has been a problem with my past configs with a lot less power... Tabs crash pretty often (around every 10 minutes, maybe? It's pretty random) and sometimes the whole browser crash.

- It can happen on video games, but it is kinda rare.

Here is my config:
Motherboard - ROG MAXIMUS Z790 HERO
BIOS ver/date - American Megatrends Inc. ver. 2202
CPU - Intel Core i9-14900K
GPU - NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER
RAM - Corsair Vengeance DDR5 2x32GB 6400MHz
SSD - Samsung SSD 960 EVO 1TB
PSU - Corsair AX1600i

What has been done:

I enabled Intel's recommended settings in my BIOS, disabled hyperthreading and tried to set the PPL to what was recommended. I'm at a point where I don't know anymore how my BIOS is tweaked.

I tested my RAM a few months ago with MemTest86, no problem was detected.

I will attach on this post my last 2 BSODs logs

The link to my precedent topic on Tom's Hardware, if some infos on it can help: https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/bsod-kmode_exception_not_handled-with-ntoskrnl-exe.3838128/#post-23213383

I hope you can help me, this problem has been driving me crazy for half a year now, I don't know what to do anymore...

[Phunction]

I am having issues as well with a similar setup. 

ROG Maximus Dark Hero Z790

i9-14900K

RTX 3090

G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB Series 64GB (2 x 32GB) 288-Pin PC RAM DDR5 6800

Samsung 990 Pro M.2

I get about 1 to 2 BSOD per week, usually when I am not at my system. The error usually is Unexpected Store Exception

No overclocking BIOS settings at Intels recommendation that came out a few weeks ago with the update BIOS for the board.

I think these CPU's are just plain faulty with all the issues they seem to be having.

There should be a way to get our money back, replacing a bad cpu with another bad cpu on warranty is pointless.

Intel still hasn't figured out why these CPU's are having issues.

I do run VM Workstation, never have an issue with it on my AMD system, not sure if that is bring out the faulty Intel CPU issues like some games are.

[colorete]

You are right on the refund, i wish i would have gotten the 12900ks instead of 14700k, my purpose is gaming, i know its somewhat an overkill, but i was satisfyed with the results, but im starting to expirience crashes on some games.

I mean i came from an old 6500t to new generetion, and it sucks 10 percent.. Now, hope it doesnt increase more with time

[AWildRattus]

Im having the exact same issues.

When I first built my PC, I was getting BSOD while Windows would try to boot. My out of the box BIOS version was something like F8 which had the dodgy fake Intel Power Profiles. I flashed my BIOS to F14 and chose the Intel defaults which added some stability but noticed some games which used shaders would crash A LOT. I tried various different voltage and cpu settings but have never been able to solve the stability problems. One of the main indicators of system instability for me is playing Counter Strike 2.

I recently flashed my BIOS to F14b and loaded the more optimized Intel defaults which has stopped Counter Strike 2 from crashing, so I thought that my stability issues were finally resolved. Now i've noticed other desktop applications have begun to crash randomly (they never used to, only some games).

Microsoft Teams randomly closes entirely without error.

Discord randomly closes and restarts.

Google Chrome and tabs will stop running and present strange errors like STATUS_Violation.

I'm very upset that this expensive new PC is causing my issues daily, I just don't know what to do. Im not an electrical engineer or someone with loads of overclocking experience, so I dont really know what I'm doing when changing advanced CPU features. I'm actually concerned that i've caused degredation in my CPU due to it running at incorrect voltages for a few months.

My specs are:

i9 14900KS

64GB Corsair DDR5 6000

Gigabyte z790 Aorus Master

Gigabyte GeForce 4080 Super

1000w Power Supply

[Ziguard]

Oh god, I forgot to talk about Discord. It drives me INSANE.

For a time I thought that switching to the Canary Edition (beta version) solved in part my problem, but today I experiences still a LOT of crashes >< It may reduce your number of crashes, hopefully...

But yeah, I'm kinda saddened that no official Intel team member has come on this topic

[ShunMnzed]

Hi there

Given the troubleshooting steps you've already taken, including adjusting BIOS settings and testing your RAM, it seems like you've covered some solid ground. Given the detailed nature of your problem, community forums like Tom's Hardware can also be valuable for crowd-sourcing solutions from users with similar setups.

But consider this link from Intel: https://community.intel.com/t5/Processors/June-2024-Guidance-regarding-Intel-Core-13th-and-14th-Gen-K-KF/m-p/1607807#M73544

"Intel analysis has determined a confirmed contributing factor to the instability reports on Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen (K/KF/KS) desktop processors is elevated voltage input to the processor due to previous BIOS settings which allow the processor to operate at turbo frequencies and voltages even while the processor is at a high temperature.

However, in investigating this instability issue Intel did discover a bug in the Enhanced Thermal Velocity Boost (eTVB) algorithm which can impact operating conditions for Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen (K/KF/KS) desktop processors. We have developed a patch for the eTVB bug and are working with our OEM/ODM motherboard partners to roll out the patch as part of BIOS updates ahead of July 19th, 2024. While this eTVB bug is potentially contributing to instability, it is not the root cause of the instability issue."

Regards,

Tyler..

[Ziguard]

Thanks!

I'll shall wait for the new Bios update, then. For the time being, I'll try to apply the new settings shown on the topic you linked.

And yeah, I tried to see what other solutions there were on Tom's hardware for similar problem, but nothing proven miraculous...

[14700k]

im having bsod issues as well mainly when im away from the pc it bsod and restarts overnight. i got the 14700k and Z790-AORUS-ELITE-AX-rev-1x gigabyte board. it worked well for about a month and then the problems started happening. i have no overclocking. im currently running tests with the core speed clock multiplier set to 48 through intel XTU to see if that helps. Sucks that we have to deal with these issues as stability is the most critical aspect of any processor. Stability should never be secondary to performance.

[colorete]

Im in a hurry right now... If you upgrade the bios, return to the previous you had, that worked for me.

[tunstep]

I recommend locking your p cores to 5.6 GHz. I currently have locked my 14900K to 5.8 GHz but I have disabled hyperthreading and I have manually undervolted my 14900 K by -0.06.

I am also running my CPU on a custom waterloop where my cinebench 23 temp never exceeds 90 C. I’m using a 420 Corsair radiator and a push pull configuration. I also have my T Force ddr5 7200mhz 32GB @ 7600mhz (34,45,45, 495) @ 4.7 volts. Motherboard is gigabyte z790 master X, Asus rtx 4080 for gpu, Superflow SF1399 LD7 psu, in Corsair XL 7000D case.

if your processor has been degraded, I would recommend doing RMA with Intel.

[Alcatraz2840]

I'm also facing problems with my current configuration,

Processor: i9-14900k
MB: Asus Strix Z790-E Gaming Wifi
RAM: 16x2 - 32 GB Corsair DDR5 6000 Mhz

It started with game crashes, they closed on me, until I decided to reinstall the operating system, and what was the surprise, blue screens, and it doesn't even let me reinstall the system, it returns me to the initial installation screen or generates a death screen. I almost replaced the configuration before realizing that the processor was bad, it didn't even cross my mind that this could happen to an intel processor.

[mrBaker]

System Specs:

• Motherboard: Asus ROG Strix Z790-E Gaming Wifi II ATX
• Processor: Intel Core i9-14900KS 2.4 GHz (32MB Cache)
• Cooling: Corsair H100x RGB Elite Liquid Cooler 280mm
• RAM: Crucial Pro 64GB (16GB x 2 * 2 kits) DDR5-6000
• Storage: Samsung 990 Pro 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (Primary), Samsung 980 Pro 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (Secondary)
• GPU: PNY GeForce RTX 4080 Super PCIe x16
• PSU: eVGA 1000 GQ 1000W 80+ Gold
• OS: Microsoft Windows 11 Pro 64-bit

---

I've been dealing with system crashes that have worsened significantly over the past 45 days. When I first built the system in June 2024, everything ran smoothly, but recently the crashes have become more frequent, to the point where yesterday the computer became completely unusable.

Issues I'm Facing:

1. Frequent BSODs with errors such as:

   • PAGE FAULT IN NONPAGED AREA
   • SYSTEM SERVICE EXCEPTION
   • EXCEPTION_ON_INVALID_STACK

2. The crashes occur during both gaming and regular tasks. While I only play Battlefield 4, I've also seen the crashes in applications like Visual Studio, Chrome, Teams, and my security camera software.

3. I've updated the BIOS with no effect on the issue. I haven't closely monitored CPU temperatures, but with the Corsair H100x water cooler, overheating should not be a problem. Additionally, I ran memory tests, and the 64GB of RAM (16GB x 2 * 2 kits) has passed without any issues.

4. Recently, the issue has progressed to the point that the system crashes even during a Windows 11 reinstall attempt. The crash occurs before the installation can even start from the flash drive.

Current Thoughts:

Given everything, I strongly suspect the Intel i9-14900KS as the root cause. The fact that crashes occur across a wide variety of applications and even during system setup points to a possible CPU fault. I’m in the process of getting a replacement CPU from Intel, hoping that this will resolve the issue.

Did replacing the processor help resolve the problem? I have concerns since Intel hasn't release an RCA. 

[Ziguard]

I had these exacts errors on my BSODs for nearly one year.

Sounds like your CPU is already doomed. You have done well doing the replacement procedure.

So far it works for me, only time will tell, sadly ^^"

[Ziguard]

Hello there!

*General Kenobiii~*

Erm.

So just to say. I did the RMA procedure and sent back my problematic CPU, got one back pretty quickly. So far it works like a charm with Intel default settings.

If I ever get new problems, I'll get back here to tell you all about it.

[Isoitiro]

Hi, I'm currently in the process of an RMA with Intel and was wondering how things have been going for you over the past month since your replacement. Have any issues returned?

[mrBaker]

Since the CPU was replaced, I have had no issues. Not a single crash.

[Ziguard]

Glad to say that, so far, I had no new problems of instability with my CPU!

[tunstep]

I’m gonna tell you when you get your RMA on your processor to lock all your cores to 5.8 GHz. Be certain that your motherboard has the latest Biles update with the latest Intel patch. I have locked my cores @ 5.7 GHz on my 14900K, under volted . I have not had any issues

[Phunction]

I just replaced my 3rd 14900K. I have a new mother board, new memory as well. The board has the latest microcode.

I am still getting crashes on any unreal 5 game and BSOD's. I am running all the basic defaults as well as the intel recommended settings.

I am at a loss of what to do, either they sent me a re-furbished CPU that was already damaged or the latest microcode fixes are not fixing the issue.

Is there any way of running a for-sure test that can definetely say that it is the CPU that is causing the issue?