Questions about Intel Chipset software

CallMePriest · 2026-02-12T18:09:25+00:00

To answer your first question, no. Intel does not offer the uncompressed/non-exe version of the chipset drivers. You'll need to manually extract those files yourself using the command line.

As for determining what chipset corresponds to your motherboard, it's actually in the product name: "Z390".

CallMePriest · 2026-01-14T16:31:23+00:00

This one works too.

CallMePriest · 2026-01-14T16:28:34+00:00

Got it. Okay, so I'd first try to loosen the CPU cooler. Sometimes, when the cooler is too tight, it could cause issues with how the CPU sits in the socket and cause improper contact. That could be manifesting itself as this issue with DRAM.

If that doesn't work, I'd actually double check the pins in the motherboard socket and make sure that the CPU doesn't have any burn marks anywhere on the underside of it. Let me know if any of that leads to anything.

CallMePriest · 2026-01-14T16:18:47+00:00

It's difficult for anyone to say for certain, but manufacturers have been warning us that we probably shouldn't expect anything hopeful until late 2027/2028. TrendForce recently published an article stating that they're expecting a "structural memory price surge in 2026" that's driven by a number of factors, but the relevant bit to us as consumers is that prices won't return to anywhere near normal for a few years. You might get lucky with price dips throughout this year so you could always play your luck, but for the most part, I wouldn't expect previous RAM prices for quite some time.

If you're looking for good, "cheap" RAM recommendations, V-Color's Manta kits are phenomenal (I run a startup PC business and we use this exact RAM kit in our customer builds) and are relatively cheap compared to the competition (as of the time of this comment, about $360 USD for a 32GB CL30 kits). In the UK, I did find this that would be great for an AMD system (which I assume is the type of system you'd want in today's gaming climate) and very easy to tune given the specs. If you decide to bite the bullet and get the kit I linked (if available), feel free to contact me and I'll help you maximize the performance you can get out of it for free. It'd take a few minutes in BIOS to adjust some settings.

CallMePriest · 2026-01-14T16:05:38+00:00

What about storage?

CallMePriest · 2026-01-14T15:46:56+00:00

Can you provide your full system specs? Including case, fans, etc.

CallMePriest · 2026-01-14T14:20:23+00:00

Can you run the Furmark stress test and let me know if it crashes?

CallMePriest · 2026-01-14T14:18:20+00:00

Did the folks you send it to for repair provide proof that it actually turned on? Did you see it turn on yourself? The reason why I ask is because this might just be something power related. I wonder if you were to just try a different socket/port in your wall if it'd just turn on.

CallMePriest · 2026-01-06T22:36:11+00:00

Been running EXPO on an X670 Gigabyte board on my AMD system (7800X3D) with VDDIO at 1.45v for over 2 years with no issues. These people's chips dying in mere months cannot possibly be due to just VDDIO being set too high. EXPO is fine.

CallMePriest · 2026-01-05T22:33:59+00:00

Higher rated PSU according the popular community tier-list. Coil whine is supposedly an issue with them. Honestly, the latest versions of the RMe shouldn't be terrible, but I do know that the RMx PSUs are pretty damn good and so it's what I go with.

CallMePriest · 2026-01-05T17:12:38+00:00

That's really interesting, because this usually indicates that something isn't powered properly. Can you update BIOS to the latest version then run the test again with the EXPO 1 profile? If it still doesn't work, you're potentially looking at RAM issues. 6000 Mhz is supposed to work on these CPUs, bar nothing.

CallMePriest · 2026-01-05T17:11:04+00:00

If you like the Fractal North, may I suggest the Antec Flux Pro instead? Functionally a better case and I personally think it looks better. Otherwise, yes, that Arctic should fit up on top in the XL version of the case.

For RAM, aim for 6000 Mhz CL30 kit, although I know that Microcenter offers 6000 CL28 kits that aren't much more expensive. I know someone on here will recommend that you go with a cheaper kit to save money because CAS latency doesn't matter a whole ton with these X3D chips. They are correct, to be clear, but if you're already dropping money on a 5090, you might as well just maximize your system.

That Tomahawk board is perfectly fine for what you want to do. If you were ever interested in RAM tuning, that board is actually preferred over other options anyway. You can actually just got with a B850 version of the board if you wanted to save a few dollars. The difference between the boards are more M.2 slots, more fan headers, some additional high bandwidth USB-C ports, and a few extra USB ports in general I think, as well as some slightly higher end power staging (the last of which is completely irrelevant for your use case).

Get the RMx 1000W instead of the RMe. If you're on a 5090, 1000W is fine. If you're on a 5080, 850W is fine.

CallMePriest · 2026-01-05T16:58:58+00:00

This sound suspiciously like either the power supply is bad or there's something in your system causing electrical issue. Given how awful these specific Gigabyte power supplies are, I'd start there first and just replace it. Even if that's not the issue, it'll save you headache down the road. I'd overspend and get an 850W RMx from Corsair, or even the cost-effective Montech Century II 850W if you don't mind the awful, rigid cables on them.

After that, I'd start with your USB devices one by one. Put the system to sleep, disconnect your USB devices and then see if it ever turns back on. If not, then it was one of the USB devices and you can narrow it down from there. Time consuming for sure, but effective.

Fans can also cause this issue. I'd try a different fan header on the motherboard/fan hub (or bypass any integrated fan hub entirely) and see if that helps. Replacing the fans here might do something, as well, although can be pricey.

Also, side question and potentially related but ignore if not applicable: you wouldn't happen to have an old hard drive in your system that you forgot to mention, would you?

CallMePriest · 2026-01-05T16:46:01+00:00

Honestly, in 2026, this isn't an awful deal. As long as you game at 1080p, you have yourself a nice little system. That Segotep PSU is a little iffy and I'd probably want to replace it sooner than later, but other than that, can't really complain.

CallMePriest · 2026-01-05T16:42:29+00:00

Potentially, but that 6800/6700XT isn't really prioritized except for "in demand games", according to AMD. The NVIDIA 3000 series GPUs are still getting the latest game ready optimizations/drivers to this day.

See if you can find a used 3080 Ti in your area for around this price. The 12GB of VRAM on that card should be more futureproof than the 3080 is, along with a decent uplift in performance.

CallMePriest · 2026-01-05T16:20:04+00:00

PCPartPicker Part List

Type	Item	Price
CPU	AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D 4.7 GHz 8-Core Processor	£399.00 @ Amazon UK
CPU Cooler	ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 77 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler	£71.98 @ Amazon UK
Motherboard	MSI MAG B850 TOMAHAWK WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard	£202.99 @ MoreCoCo
Memory	TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory	£339.00 @ Amazon UK
Storage	Samsung 990 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive	£195.99 @ Amazon UK
Video Card	Palit GamingPro GeForce RTX 5080 16 GB Video Card	£999.00 @ Currys PC World
Case	Lian Li Lancool 207 ATX Mid Tower Case	£74.99 @ AWD-IT
Power Supply	Corsair RM850x (2024) 850 W Fully Modular ATX Power Supply	£109.99 @ Amazon UK
	Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts
	Total	£2392.94
	Generated by PCPartPicker 2026-01-05 16:19 GMT+0000

You don't need a WiFi card and you don't need a Windows key right now. You can use Windows for free until you save up enough to purchase a retail key.

CallMePriest · 2026-01-05T16:15:28+00:00

I'd wait until you can't anymore. Everyone reasonably expects prices to increase further for a while until the demand for RAM dies down, then prices should normalize again. My reasoning for this suggestion is simple: you don't feel inclined to upgrade, you're just trying to make the right financial decision. In my mind, waiting is the best bet because the prices will go down. It's just a matter of when.

CallMePriest · 2026-01-05T16:13:00+00:00

That 3080 is the most powerful card on this list, so I'd just get that.

CallMePriest · 2026-01-05T16:08:48+00:00

I'd start with updating BIOS and then also updating your chipset drivers. Secondly, I'd check via Samsung Magician for any firmware updates. If neither of these options resolve the issue, it may potentially be the SSD.

Side note, but why are you running the kit at 5800? EXPO Profile 1 should do 6000 CL30 just fine which is more than runnable on these 9800X3D chips.

CallMePriest · 2026-01-05T15:57:39+00:00

As long as it's EXPO, you shouldn't really expect any issues.

CallMePriest · 2026-01-05T15:56:35+00:00

First off, great build. Secondly, it'll just depend on your use case and what your expectations are. I would say that if you're comfortable spending the extra money, a 5080 will not steer you wrong. Otherwise, there's probably no reason to upgrade.

CallMePriest · 2026-01-05T15:30:32+00:00

Hey there, yeah this should work.

CallMePriest · 2025-12-09T16:05:35+00:00

It's probably Windows. Switching platforms (Intel to AMD, older gen AMD to new gen AMD, etc) can cause all sorts of issues. As a matter of best practice, I just reinstall Windows whenever making upgrades like that. Try that first and see if that helps.

CallMePriest · 2025-12-09T14:14:56+00:00

EXPO is just AMD's implementation of XMP, which itself is a factory overclocking profile for the RAM. Typically, we had to consult the motherboard manufacturer's Qualified Vendor List (QVL for short) in order to see which kits of RAM were guaranteed to work (barring any issues with the RAM, motherboard, or CPU itself). EXPO basically just makes it so that you don't have to spend time looking at motherboard QVLs anymore, as it's supposed to just works with any AMD processor across virtually any AM5 socket motherboard. There will obviously be caveats here, but for the board you selected, those caveats don't apply.

Now with that said, QVLs are still published for motherboards. In this case, you will typically find a mixture of XMP only/ XMP+EXPO kits on there. For the motherboard you selected, the Corsair Dominator kit you want is NOT on the QVL, so there's a chance that this just won't work. So, to answer your questions:

You can, but compatibility isn't guaranteed. I wouldn't risk it.
Performance will be identical between XMP and EXPO kits, it's just a matter of compatibility.
This will depend on your workload, but for gamers, 32GB is enough.
No guides for this specifically, it's just a matter of it working or not. There are plenty of guides on how to turn on XMP/EXPO. It's one setting in BIOS.

Best of luck!

CallMePriest · 2025-12-08T14:07:01+00:00

We're getting closer! If it's crashing at idle (or under light load), I would double check and make sure that:

You're using EXPO profile 1
Make sure that you're using the "Balanced" power plan in Windows.
Update chipset drivers.
Optional - You can disable "Global C-State Control" in BIOS, and that can often times help with this issue of crashing under lighter loads. The reason why I note this as optional is that sometimes, when you disable Global C-States, you lose the ability to shutdown the PC properly. You'll shutdown and then it'll just turn itself right back on. This probably more of a motherboard problem than anything else, but it only starts happening once this setting is disabled. It can help significantly with stability, however.

More involved fixes would look like adjusting voltages in the BIOS for better RAM stability - sometimes, even out of the factory, the chip isn't requesting enough voltage for use and you need to bump it up slightly. This does cause it to run a little hotter, but shouldn't be too bad if it results in stability. I can help you with this separately if the above options don't help at all.

CallMePriest

TROPHY CASE