PC is freezing when installing 4090

Now that my GPU came in, I have had nothing but terrible problems. When I initially started the computer with all the components, the computer would just freeze. It wouldn't crash, just froze. I reimaged probably 10 times with Win 11 and the same thing every time. I Reimaged with Win 10, now instead of freezing it would crash and reboot immediately after logging in and sometimes would take me to the boot error screen. Someone suggested I remove the GPU and all but one ram card and boot up and verify the card then swap with another to validate the ram card's functionality. Everything worked with the GPU removed, all 4 cards installed, and using the integrated graphics of the CPU everything works beautifully. I have updated everything fully. Windows 11, all motherboard drivers, and the newest BIOS version. The moment I went and installed the GPU again and powered up, it took 5 times longer just to get to the login screen. but everything seemed to work for all of 5 minutes until I tried installing the GeForce experience GPU updates. then it would freeze again. After a few power cycles of trying to install the driver updates it would freeze at the exact same place. now even without trying to update (which was never completed), it freezes seconds after logging in and the blue screens with a Windows stop code of WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR.....I have no idea what to do now.

Side note the built-in Intel Killer wi-fi 6E AX1690i adapter does not work and didn't work on the previous motherboard that I replaced either. I have tried installing updating and uninstalling the drivers for it to no avail.

This is a brand new build that I had help with from users in a different thread. but now this is happening.

Motherboard: GIGABYTE Z790 AORUS Master
GPU: MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 4090 24GB GDRR6X (not installed yet)
CPU: Intel i9 13900k 13 Gen
CPU cooler: NZXT Kraken 120
PSU: EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 GT, 80 plus Gold 1000W
RAM: G.skill Trident Z5 RGB DDR5 6400 16gig (×4)
Storage: SK hynix Platinum P41 2TB PCIe NVMe Gen4 M.2 2280 (×2)
Case: Mycherrytree Borg Cube Full ATX( has 2 other 120 mm off-brand fans)

Someone suggested I undervolt my GPU but i can't do it through BIOS and can't get to the MSI afterburn app before the computer crashes. This would be in an effort to see if the PSU is simply not providing enough juice.

Boomstix said:

I have tried installing updating and uninstalling the drivers for it to no avail.

Click to expand...

I would try this...

First... set Windows to NOT include driver updates, with Windows updates.
Go to... HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
On the right side, create a new 32-bit DWORD value named ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate. Set its value data to 1.
Reboot the computer to apply the changes.








1. Take the vid card out. Download the latest vid card driver from the link below. Save it to your Desktop.
2. Unhook the internet and run DDU in Safe Mode and remove the Nvidia vid card drivers.
3. Put the vid card back in, and while still running on the CPU grfx... install the Nvidia driver without the GeForce Experience.


Below is my copy/paste instructions for Nvidia vid card drivers.
The steps above are the changes I would make... in your case...




I repeat... do NOT install Geforce Experience...



DDU Instructions - Nvidia
1. Get this program, here: Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) | Wagnardsoft ...get the latest version, and save it to your desktop.
2. Get the DCH/Game Ready vid card driver here, use the Manual Search: Advanced Driver Search | NVIDIA ...save this to your desktop.
Unhook the internet completely.
3. Reboot into Safe Mode and run DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) choose the "Highly Recommend Option", and just do what it tells you.
4. After it's done, reboot to normal mode, then just double click the Nvidia driver to install.
[See pics below]. If it want's to reboot, let it.
Rehook the internet.

Give Ghot's graphics driver clean install process a try first. Let's hope that works.

But it could be as simple as a bad video card. Happens.
Do you have another known working discreet video card you can test with? Even if it is an older card. This is to test to check if the motherboard is the problem and the X16 slot is wonky.

Be sure to use DDU as instructed above to remove all drivers before shutting down and switching the cards to test.

Boomstix said:

Someone suggested I undervolt my GPU but i can't do it through BIOS and can't get to the MSI afterburn app before the computer crashes. This would be in an effort to see if the PSU is simply not providing enough juice.

Click to expand...

If you're not overclocking the GPU, its maximum power draw is 450W.

If the PSU isn't defective, it should be more than adequate.

By the way, if you're trying to run the RAM at 6400Mhz, the motherboard may not like that with 4 DIMMs. If You're using an XMP, I suggest droppping back to the defaults for testing purposes.

It's not obvious why this would have anything to do with the GPU, but it's another issue. Gskill doesn't list any 4 DIMM configurations as compatible with your motherboard. RAM Configurator - G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd.

Give these drivers a go I always use them they are great.

Just to point out the obvious, as it hasn't been mentioned:

I assume that both power connectors on the 4090 have been plugged in?

Catnip said:

Just to point out the obvious, as it hasn't been mentioned:

I assume that both power connectors on the 4090 have been plugged in?

Click to expand...

A 4090 typically uses a single 12VHPWR cable, not two of the older 6 or 8 pin PCI-E connectors. The MSI card uses 12VHPWR.

The eVGA PSU in the OP's list isn't an ATX 3.0 one, so an adapter or special cable is required. I suppose that the OP might not have enough PCI-E connections to the PSU. I haven't spotted whether the MSI card uses 3 or 4 PCI-E power sockets on the PSU. If it can use 4, I believe it'll also run with 3.

Ghot said:

I would try this...

First... set Windows to NOT include driver updates, with Windows updates.
Go to... HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
On the right side, create a new 32-bit DWORD value named ExcludeWUDriversInQualityUpdate. Set its value data to 1.
Reboot the computer to apply the changes.

View attachment 65221






1. Take the vid card out. Download the latest vid card driver from the link below. Save it to your Desktop.
2. Unhook the internet and run DDU in Safe Mode and remove the Nvidia vid card drivers.
3. Put the vid card back in, and while still running on the CPU grfx... install the Nvidia driver without the GeForce Experience.


Below is my copy/paste instructions for Nvidia vid card drivers.
The steps above are the changes I would make... in your case...




I repeat... do NOT install Geforce Experience...



DDU Instructions - Nvidia
1. Get this program, here: Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) | Wagnardsoft ...get the latest version, and save it to your desktop.
2. Get the DCH/Game Ready vid card driver here, use the Manual Search: Advanced Driver Search | NVIDIA ...save this to your desktop.
Unhook the internet completely.
3. Reboot into Safe Mode and run DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) choose the "Highly Recommend Option", and just do what it tells you.
4. After it's done, reboot to normal mode, then just double click the Nvidia driver to install.
[See pics below]. If it want's to reboot, let it.
Rehook the internet.

Click to expand...

Hello there Ghot, thank you again for helping out with this. So a few things.... firstly, I don't have that registry entry at all. the last matching entry I have is "windows" but not "windows update", I triple checked I was in the right registry branch. So I couldn't do anything there. I moved on and downloaded both the Nvidia graphics driver and the DDU onto the desktop. I unplugged the ethernet, restarted into safe mode, ran DDU followed your directions and it removed everything, and rebooted me into normal mode. I powered off completely unplugged power, installed GPU powered on and it worked fine. Then I ran the driver update as an admin, it went through the whole update and I followed the steps you outlined. the moment I hit finish on the install I got that blue screen again saying WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR. It rebooted a few times then all of a sudden, did not crash. I unplugged the display from the integrated and plugged it into the graphics card without power cycling. It worked for about 3 minutes and I launched Steam and tried to play something but froze before I could launch anything. Mind you, I am still completely disconnected from the internet. Now it goes back to the blue screen crashing as soon as I log in or freezing still, just like it had initially. I have placed an order for a new one just in anticipation of the hardware being faulty but will hold onto this one until the replacement comes in so I can troubleshoot.

TVeblen said:

Give Ghot's graphics driver clean install process a try first. Let's hope that works.

But it could be as simple as a bad video card. Happens.
Do you have another known working discreet video card you can test with? Even if it is an older card. This is to test to check if the motherboard is the problem and the X16 slot is wonky.

Be sure to use DDU as instructed above to remove all drivers before shutting down and switching the cards to test.

Click to expand...

Unfortunately, this is a brand-new build and a first for me. I wanted to go all out after saving for a while. Why god has cursed me only he knows. I don't have any other GPUs to test. I have had problems with this build since July 13 when all my parts finally came in. When the freezing first presented itself, I assumed the motherboard was at fault, and had it replaced already. Now that I see the same issue as before I think it might be safe to rule it out as the cause. I was praying it wasn't the GPU since it's the most expensive item and the one that takes the longest to arrive.

bobkn said:

A 4090 typically uses a single 12VHPWR cable, not two of the older 6 or 8 pin PCI-E connectors. The MSI card uses 12VHPWR.

The eVGA PSU in the OP's list isn't an ATX 3.0 one, so an adapter or special cable is required. I suppose that the OP might not have enough PCI-E connections to the PSU. I haven't spotted whether the MSI card uses 3 or 4 PCI-E power sockets on the PSU. If it can use 4, I believe it'll also run with 3.

Click to expand...

The GPU comes with this special 3 to 1 plug/dongle, I am sure that is what you are talking about. I have 3 VGA cables from PSU plugged into that special dongle and then into the GPU which only has the one special slot. I have tried straight VGA cables and even y-VGA cables, plugging the double side into the PSU effectively connecting all 5 available VGA ports from the PSU to the GPU (not sure if it even works that way or not. but I have tried all combinations of the cables with the same results).

bobkn said:

If you're not overclocking the GPU, its maximum power draw is 450W.

If the PSU isn't defective, it should be more than adequate.

By the way, if you're trying to run the RAM at 6400Mhz, the motherboard may not like that with 4 DIMMs. If You're using an XMP, I suggest droppping back to the defaults for testing purposes.

It's not obvious why this would have anything to do with the GPU, but it's another issue. Gskill doesn't list any 4 DIMM configurations as compatible with your motherboard. RAM Configurator - G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd.

Click to expand...

So this is what I found on the Gigabyte page for support. I see what you are saying about the 4 DIMM support not being stated. I will say that I have tried running with only 2 cards and get the same results.

@Boomstix


Here... use the reg file in Option #2, step #3...

Try with just ONE RAM stick, in the 2nd slot, counting away from the CPU (to the right).
If things still don't work, then try the RAM stick in each of the slots.
I don't think the RAM is the issue as the computer works when on the CPU grfx.

Lastly, I don't like the vid card power dongle thingy setup you described. I'm guessing your problem lies in that arrangement, somehow. Maybe "call" MSI tech support and ask about that.
In the past... every time I've heard of people using Y (or tri), dongles, for vid card power... they had problems.
But for all I know... your RTX 4090 may "require" the dongle. Best to ask MSI directly.

Here is a link to Nvidia's page detailing the power requirements of the RTX 40 series cards:

MSI should be following the same specs on their build, but always good to check.

But the card is designed to use either a 12 pin adapter connected to two-three-or four 8-pin PCIe connectors, or a dedicated 12 pin PCIe Gen5 power connector from a newer ATX3.0 power supply. Either should work by design.
The Gen5 connector was created to help with neat cabling - just one cable to the GPU instead of 3 or more - not for any special power requirements.

Always a good idea to re-check the cables, both plugged into the power supply and into the adapter and into the card. Make sure you are using the 8 pin PCIe ports on the PS, and make sure everything is tightly attached. Take special care sliding the power supply into the case so the cables do not come loose.

bobkn said:

It's not obvious why this would have anything to do with the GPU, but it's another issue. Gskill doesn't list any 4 DIMM configurations as compatible with your motherboard. RAM Configurator - G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd.

Click to expand...

EDIT: I can't find the thread I was thinking of, so I am going to strike this comment for now.
There is a discussion thread on the MSI motherboard site where we are talking about this issue. The group recommendation at this point is that these newer Intel 790 chipset boards can only handle 2 RAM slots populated.

Definitely a good idea to test the system with just 2 sticks installed (or 1, then 2).
RAM problems could cause any number of odd behaviors when you consider the new PCIe lane configurations.

Boomstix said:

Unfortunately, this is a brand-new build and a first for me. I wanted to go all out after saving for a while. Why god has cursed me only he knows. I don't have any other GPUs to test. I have had problems with this build since July 13 when all my parts finally came in. When the freezing first presented itself, I assumed the motherboard was at fault, and had it replaced already. Now that I see the same issue as before I think it might be safe to rule it out as the cause. I was praying it wasn't the GPU since it's the most expensive item and the one that takes the longest to arrive.

Click to expand...

Believe me - I know.
The reason I just "went there" right away is that your symptoms sound a lot like the ones I was having dealing with a bad video card some years back. It gave me the shivers!

Best to do all the basic (cheap and fast) diagnostic testing being offered here first, but just be aware that it could be the thing we don't want it to be.

Ghot said:

@Boomstix


Here... use the reg file in Option #2, step #3...

Enable or Disable Include Drivers with Windows Updates in Windows 11 Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable including drivers with Windows Updates in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows Update will include drivers when available in Windows 11 by default. You can enable the Do not include drivers with Windows Updates policy to not include drivers...

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Try with just ONE RAM stick, in the 2nd slot, counting away from the CPU (to the right).
If things still don't work, then try the RAM stick in each of the slots.
I don't think the RAM is the issue as the computer works when on the CPU grfx.

Lastly, I don't like the vid card power dongle thingy setup you described. I'm guessing your problem lies in that arrangement, somehow. Maybe "call" MSI tech support and ask about that.
In the past... every time I've heard of people using Y (or tri), dongles, for vid card power... they had problems.
But for all I know... your RTX 4090 may "require" the dongle. Best to ask MSI directly.

Click to expand...

I am gonna give the single RAM card a shot. In the included pictures is what I mean by the special 3 to 1 dongle, There is no other input on this 4090. Also, the different ways I was using the y splitters simply because I only have 2 straight-through VGAs and was forced to use at least one y splitter. I have used them with only one plug on the double side being used and tried it with both on the double side of the Y being used on the PSU (effectively 5 VGA slots to three cables to the dongle down to one cable) hope that makes some kind of sense lol. Either way same result. I removed the other cables for the visual clarity of the pictures.

Boomstix said:

In the included pictures is what I mean by the special 3 to 1 dongle

Click to expand...

Yeah... I'd do some serious research into the best way to wire that up.
In case you don't already know... if/when you call EVGA tech support, have your PSU serial number handy.
The computer will ask you to type it into the phone... then will connect you direct to "premium" tech support.
This works for any EVGA product.

Now if/when you call MSI... you'll probably need a loaded shotgun to get decent service.

Boomstix said:

I am gonna give the single RAM card a shot. In the included pictures is what I mean by the special 3 to 1 dongle, There is no other input on this 4090. Also, the different ways I was using the y splitters simply because I only have 2 straight-through VGAs and was forced to use at least one y splitter. I have used them with only one plug on the double side being used and tried it with both on the double side of the Y being used on the PSU (effectively 5 VGA slots to three cables to the dongle down to one cable) hope that makes some kind of sense lol. Either way same result. I removed the other cables for the visual clarity of the pictures.

Click to expand...

I'm confused.

Are you really not using the PSU's outputs (labelled "CPU") to connect to the two 8 pin CPU sockets?

I don't know whether they're wired any differently than the PCI-E connectors, I admit.

Boomstix said:

I removed the other cables for the visual clarity of the pictures.

Click to expand...

@bobkn he removed them for "visual clarity".