I have a question regarding the Speccy output for your two SSDs..
Code:
Samsung SSD 970 EVO Plus 2TB (SSD)
Manufacturer: SAMSUNG
Interface: Unknown
Capacity: 1863 GB
Real size: 2,000,398,934,016 bytes
RAID Type: None
S.M.A.R.T S.M.A.R.T not supported
Partition 0
Partition ID: Disk #0, Partition #0
File System: FAT32
Volume Serial Number: 18A63DF9
Size: 96 MB
Used Space: 26.5 MB (27%)
Free Space: 69 MB (73%)
Partition 1
Partition ID: Disk #0, Partition #1
Disk Letter: C:
File System: NTFS
Volume Serial Number: 7EA77321
Size: 1862 GB
Used Space: 329 GB (17%)
Free Space: 1532 GB (83%)
Partition 2
Partition ID: Disk #0, Partition #2
File System: NTFS
Volume Serial Number: 70E20AE8
Size: 529 MB
Used Space: 445 MB (84%)
Free Space: 84 MB (16%)
WDS500G3X0C-00SJG0 (SSD)
Manufacturer: Western Digital
Form Factor: GB/2.5- to 3.5-inch adapter
Interface/Connector: ATA with 33-pin connector (zero insertion forceZIF)
Interface: Unknown
Capacity: 465 GB
Real size: 500,107,862,016 bytes
RAID Type: None
S.M.A.R.T S.M.A.R.T not supported
Partition 0
Partition ID: Disk #1, Partition #0
File System: FAT32
Volume Serial Number: 9ABB1709
Size: 96 MB
Used Space: 26.6 MB (27%)
Free Space: 69 MB (73%)
Partition 1
Partition ID: Disk #1, Partition #1
Disk Letter: F:
File System: NTFS
Volume Serial Number: 08ABF3BC
Size: 465 GB
Used Space: 110 MB (0%)
Free Space: 465 GB (100%)
Partition 2
Partition ID: Disk #1, Partition #2
File System: NTFS
Volume Serial Number: 68B28AAC
Size: 508 MB
Used Space: 424 MB (83%)
Free Space: 84 MB (17%)
Is that WD drive the original WD drive that you had Windows installed on? It seems to have the same three partitions (EFI, Windows, Recovery) as the 970 EVO? I can see that drive F: (the old Windows partition?) is empty, but the EFI and Recovery partitions are not. Since it appears that there is nothing on drive F: can you please disconnect that drive and see whether the problem persists? I know that having two drives with Windows installed can cause problems, I'm wondering whether even having two Recovery partitions and two EFI partitions might be causing problems...?
Yes, that is the original drive. I know the WD isn't at fault as I had it taken out for a long while, last few months or so, and just put it back in when the new CPU got here since I had it opened up anyways. That is odd that it still has the recovery partition on it as well, but I'm not sure how to get rid of it. I know I've formatted it since, but perhaps it's only formatting the New Volume (F). I've done enough swapping, taking out, etc. to know that neither of the drives are an issue, and all of my drives including the SSD's also test 100% healthy.
In addition, the WDS500G3X0C-00SJG0 (SSD) is an NVMe drive using an M.2 socket, so what is this all about?...
Code:
Form Factor: GB/2.5- to 3.5-inch adapter
Interface/Connector: ATA with 33-pin connector (zero insertion forceZIF)
I've no idea what that all means for an M.2 NVMe SSD? An NMVe SSD uses the PCIe interface. There seems to be something unusual about that WD drive (in addition to appearing to having an old Windows system on it). It's not plugged in to a SATA M.2 port is it?
I don't know a whole lot about the NVMe/M.2 space. I believe the ports are Samsung = M.2-3; WD = M.2-4. Again, I've switched these around, and nothing has made a difference. From what I'm reading, either M.2 slot should be fine for these SSDs. "*When M.2_4 is operating in SATA device, SATA6G_2 will be disabled." <- not sure if that plays a role.
The storage ports for your motherboard (from the manual are these)...
Later Update: I also checked that your RAM is on the QVL list for that board and it is, but it's listed as 3600MHz, is there a reason why you're only running it at 2666MHz?
I've ran the RAM sticks both at stock (2666MHz) and at 3600MHz as it is right now. Doesn't seem to make a difference.
You're on the latest BIOS but there is an IntelME update, dated 21st April 2023, that seems to fix a security risk but which it might be worth installing. It's here:
ROG STRIX Z590-E GAMING WIFI.
I'll add an update on this shortly, thanks
I'm no hardware expert, but I wonder whether there is some BIOS setting that isn't optimised? Others can help with this I hope....?
As far as I know everything seems to be optimized fine. I have zero experience in "clock speeds" or anything of that nature, but everything always says just hit load optimized defaults with this motherboard and you'll be fine, so that's what I've always had it on other than running XMP 1 for 3600MHz.
The difficulty I have with this issue is that the PC appears stable in Safe Mode, which suggests that the problems are with a third-party driver (because they're not loaded in Safe Mode). However, you have enabled Driver Verifier for all third-party drivers (you did follow my instructions for Drvier Verifier?) and it didn't BSOD at all. That suggests that your third-party drivers are good. These two tests (Safe Mode and Driver Verifier) are giving conflicting results, which is confusing.....