PC Crashing? Error 31, RAM, And EXPO Troubleshoot

by Luna Greco 50 views

Hey everyone!

So, I've finally taken the plunge and built my very first PC! I was super stoked, spent ages researching parts, watched tons of build guides, and thought I'd nailed it. But, of course, something's gone wrong (isn't that always the way?). I’m getting consistent crashes, and the error code 31 keeps popping up. I've done some digging, and it seems like it might be related to my RAM or the EXPO (Extended Profiles for Overclocking) settings, but I’m honestly not 100% sure, and my return window for some of these components is closing fast!

I'm really hoping some of you awesome, experienced builders can lend me a hand before I end up sending parts back that are perfectly fine. Troubleshooting this stuff is a real headache, especially when you're new to the game. I'm going to lay out all the details of my build, what I’ve tried so far, and the exact errors I’m seeing. Any insights or suggestions you have would be massively appreciated!

My Build Specs:

  • CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
  • Motherboard: ASUS ROG Strix B650E-F Gaming WiFi
  • RAM: G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5-6000 CL30
  • GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 (pulled from my old PC, known working)
  • SSD: Samsung 980 Pro 1TB NVMe
  • PSU: Corsair RM850x (850W)
  • OS: Windows 11

Okay, so that’s the core of my system. I think I’ve got a pretty solid build, and everything should be playing nicely together. I made sure to check compatibility before buying anything, but maybe I missed something. The key components I'm suspecting are the RAM and motherboard, especially given the potential EXPO issues.

The Crashing Issue:

The crashes are pretty consistent, and they happen under various loads. Sometimes it’s while I’m gaming (which is what I primarily built this PC for!), other times it’s when I’m running benchmarks, and occasionally even just browsing the web. There doesn't seem to be a single application or task triggering it, which makes it even more frustrating to diagnose. The error code 31 usually accompanies the crash, and the system just freezes or gives me a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death).

Error Code 31, as far as I understand, is a pretty generic error that can point to memory issues. This is why I’m zeroing in on the RAM. But I’m also aware that it could be other things, like driver problems or even a faulty CPU, although I’m hoping it’s not the latter!

What I've Tried So Far (The Troubleshooting Gauntlet):

I’ve been scouring forums and watching troubleshooting videos for days now, and I’ve tried a few things already, but nothing has completely fixed the issue. Here’s a rundown:

  1. MemTest86: I ran MemTest86 overnight, and it came back with zero errors. This is a bit confusing because it should rule out the RAM being faulty, right? But the crashes persist.
  2. Windows Memory Diagnostic: I also ran the built-in Windows Memory Diagnostic tool, and it also didn’t find any issues. Again, this makes me question if the RAM is really the problem, but the error code 31 keeps nagging me.
  3. Driver Updates: I’ve updated all my drivers – GPU, chipset, everything. I made sure to download the latest drivers directly from the manufacturer’s websites to avoid any potential issues with Windows Update versions.
  4. BIOS Update: I flashed the BIOS to the latest version from ASUS’s website. This was one of the first things I did, hoping it would resolve any compatibility issues between the RAM and the motherboard. It didn't.
  5. EXPO Disabling: This is where things get interesting. I disabled EXPO in the BIOS, which means the RAM is running at its base speed (4800MHz) instead of the advertised 6000MHz. The system seems more stable with EXPO disabled, but I’m still getting crashes, just less frequently. This makes me think the EXPO profile might be part of the problem, but not the entire problem.
  6. Reseating Components: I’ve reseated the RAM, the GPU, and even the CPU just to be absolutely sure everything is properly connected. No dice.
  7. Checking Temperatures: I’ve been monitoring CPU and GPU temperatures, and they seem perfectly normal, even under load. So, I don’t think it’s a thermal issue.

EXPO and My Concerns:

The G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RAM I bought is specifically designed for AMD Ryzen 7000 series CPUs and supports EXPO. EXPO is AMD’s version of XMP (Intel’s Extreme Memory Profile), which allows the RAM to run at its advertised speeds and timings. The kit I have is rated for 6000MHz CL30, which is a sweet spot for Ryzen 7000 performance.

However, I’ve read that sometimes EXPO profiles can be unstable, especially on early motherboard BIOS versions. This is why I updated my BIOS, but the issue persists. The fact that the system is more stable with EXPO disabled suggests there might be something going on with the profile itself or the way the motherboard is handling it.

I really want to run my RAM at its advertised speed, but I also need a stable system. The reduced frequency is impacting performance, especially in games. I'm worried that if I can't get EXPO working reliably, I'm not getting the performance I paid for. This is a significant concern, and I'm hoping there's a solution that doesn't involve sacrificing performance.

The Clock is Ticking (Return Deadlines!):

Here’s the really stressful part: my return window for the RAM and the motherboard is closing in a few days. If I can’t figure out what’s going on, I might have to return one or both of them, which is a huge pain. I really don’t want to go through the hassle of RMAing components, but I also don’t want to be stuck with faulty hardware.

That’s why I’m reaching out to you guys! I’m hoping someone has experienced something similar or has some brilliant troubleshooting ideas I haven’t thought of yet. Any help you can offer would be a lifesaver. I'm open to any suggestions, no matter how small or technical they might seem. I'm willing to try anything at this point. I need to figure this out ASAP!

Specific Questions I Have:

  1. Has anyone else experienced similar crashes with a Ryzen 7000 series build and G.Skill RAM, especially with EXPO enabled?
  2. Could the error code 31 be pointing to something other than RAM, even though MemTest86 passed?
  3. Are there any specific BIOS settings I should be tweaking related to RAM or EXPO?
  4. Is it possible that the RAM is partially faulty, meaning it can pass MemTest86 but still cause instability under certain loads?
  5. If I have to return either the RAM or the motherboard, which one is the more likely culprit in this scenario?

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide! I’m really eager to get this build running smoothly, and I appreciate any insights you can offer.