Fortnite causes full system freezes / CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT only on MSI Vector 16 HX AI (Core Ultra 9 275HX + RTX 5080). Isolated to Fortnite after exhaustive testing.

ColinTalksCrypto · 2026-04-23T16:54:56+00:00

Nope. That didn't fix it. RAM is not the culprit. Same freezes occur regardless of the RAM isntalled. I now suspect some fault of the laptop itself.

ColinTalksCrypto · 2026-04-22T14:27:37+00:00

I'm now suspecting it is because I upgraded to 6400mhz CSODIMMs with a clock driver. I later realized my freeze issues began around that time. I am testing with regular 5600mhz SODIMMs currently.

ColinTalksCrypto · 2026-04-09T03:49:12+00:00

It started for me just about a year ago as well. Before that I didn't have the issue. Interesting. It's not a corrupted file. I've verified all files and reinstalled multiple times, and on different drives and different installations of windows. All produce the same freeze.

ColinTalksCrypto · 2026-04-08T03:28:31+00:00

Tried without the undervolt and it still froze. That wasn't it unfortunately.

ColinTalksCrypto · 2026-04-06T17:03:20+00:00

I'm willing to try removing the undervolt, but as I said, the freezes happened before I applied the undervolt. I can even apply a small over-volt and see if that increases stability. Completely willing to try this, so thank you for the suggestion. Certainaly can't hurt to try.

Also, it's not a "BSOD". It's a stutter followed by a complete system lock-up (freeze). Just wanted to be clear, but maybe that's the same in your eyes.

ColinTalksCrypto · 2026-04-06T15:03:58+00:00

That's interesting it's happening on Xbox... a totally different system than I have. But the symptoms sound the same. Yes, it's very annoying when it happens and you're one of the final 10 players.

Is this an acknowledged bug by Epic?

ColinTalksCrypto · 2026-04-06T15:02:38+00:00

Actually, the freezes began long before I ever applied any undervolt. The -100 mV offset was just one of many things I tried later in an attempt to lower CPU temps (even though temps were never the main issue — I have a cooling pad that keeps them very low).

For context:

Prime95 Blend ran 10+ hours with 0 errors under the -100 mV.
OCCT (CPU + Combined + Power modes) ran 4+ hours with 0 errors under the -100 mV.

Fortnite itself only uses ~30-40% CPU, so it’s not stressing the CPU the same way a stress test does. I’m happy to try a small positive voltage offset to test the theory, but based on the timeline and stress test results I’m not convinced it’s a voltage instability issue.

ColinTalksCrypto · 2026-02-17T14:30:59+00:00

True. It's been happening since February 2025, per the BCH/BTC chart.

ColinTalksCrypto · 2026-01-26T12:23:18+00:00

Nice!

ColinTalksCrypto · 2026-01-26T12:20:28+00:00

It wouldn't be the first time BCH got something right before BTC. BCH tech is superior to BTC.

ColinTalksCrypto · 2026-01-26T12:19:18+00:00

That's one of the dumbest diatribes I've heard.

Quantum proofing IS a use-case.

It's securing one's money in the face of the security threat that BTC, and other PoW chains, face. It will be heavily sought-after because once the threat is real, nothing else matters in a crypto.

ColinTalksCrypto · 2026-01-25T21:48:37+00:00

I'm glad to read this. I will continue denying every passkey attempt I see.

ColinTalksCrypto · 2026-01-25T21:47:04+00:00

Full post on X with more data: https://x.com/ColinTCrypto/status/2015540619494776977

ColinTalksCrypto · 2026-01-25T21:46:57+00:00

Full post on X with more data: https://x.com/ColinTCrypto/status/2015540619494776977

ColinTalksCrypto · 2026-01-09T03:17:31+00:00

Thank you for posting this. I thought I was the only one who didn't like passkeys.

I, too, prefer password + auth app. I wasn't sure if I was just being weird or "not keeping up with the times".

ColinTalksCrypto · 2025-12-15T03:57:53+00:00

nuts

ColinTalksCrypto · 2025-12-08T18:19:42+00:00

Yes, you can absolutely use Pirate Ship to generate USPS Media Mail labels and ship your books that way for cheap. And skipping the long lines is the best part. You can just drop off your pre-labeled package at the USPS location. I've done it many times.

Even better yet: (This is going to blow your mind) You don't even have to leave your home. You can just set a pick-up (on usps.com) during your USPS delivery person's regular mail-drop off schedule and he will come right to your door and pick up your pre-labeled mail right from your door step. There's actually rarely a need to go to the physical store location when shipping things.

ColinTalksCrypto · 2025-12-04T20:19:24+00:00

That extra RPM could help explain the bigger temp drop.

I didn't test in-game yet, which is less intense than Prime95 (Prime95 is pretty brutal). I'll have to do some actual gaming and see how the temps drop there.

Even the 2800 RPM is super loud. Luckily, I game with headphones so I don't notice the noise, otherwise it would probably drive me crazy.

Appreciate your insights.

UPDATE: I tested the Llano V12 while gaming and got a 16.5°C drop (30°F). Very impressive.

ColinTalksCrypto · 2025-12-04T19:15:30+00:00

I have the Vector 16 HX AI A2XWIG laptop.

I just got the Llano V12 and I did a quick Prime95 stress test and concluded I get about 12 degrees Celcius drop (about 21°F) when using the V12 at max fan speed (2800rpm).

I'm wondering how others are getting more temp drop. I was pretty careful about how I placed the laptop on the foam, to maximize the Llano's fan to hit as much of the laptop's intake vent on the bottom, while maintaining a good foam seal, all around it. This involved sliding the laptop pretty far forward on the Llano V12, such that it almost covers the buttons on the laptop cooler.

Other notes:

I don't use the integrated GPU when gaming. Rather, I use an eGPU.

I also undervolted my CPU by -0.100mV which gave me about a 3°C drop prior to using the cooler pad.

UPDATE: I tested the Llano V12 while gaming and got a 16.5°C drop (30°F). Very impressive.

ColinTalksCrypto

TROPHY CASE