CTD issue - seems to be specific to main PC

[Zakoriz]

I've been having a CTD that happens on planet surfaces (exterior only). Most often it happens when landing, but can happen when exiting an interior area, or using the NAT or sometimes just walking along.

I've done some extensive troubleshooting to try and figure out what is causing it. I've tried several different driver versions for GPU, fresh install of the game after deleting the entire game folder (install location and documents area) and brand new character with no mods installed. I also ran tests on CPU/GPU and RAM and got no errors. I most recently formatted and reinstalled windows just in case.

I've had monitoring software keeping an eye on the system and nothing is getting hot, and it isnt filling up RAM etc.

I played for about 18 hours on a fresh save and game install on my laptop with zero crashes. However, on my main PC, I had 3 crashes yesterday, and one today within 20 minutes or so of launching the game. (also fresh character/save)

Main PC (w/crashes) CPU i7 13700k, GPU RTX 4080, RAM 32gb. Everything on M.2 drives.
Laptop (no crashes) CPU i7 9700H, GPU RTX 2060, RAM 16GB.

Both are on the same version/update of Win 11. Both are on the same Nvidia driver (have tried several versions too)

I did find in the DMP file that the crash is always the same, but I cant seem to find info on it.


relevant snips from the DMP file:
ExceptionAddress: 00007ff7ca769e9b (Starfield!ffxFSR2GetCommandListDX12+0x0000000000001a5b)
ExceptionCode: c0000005 (Access violation)
FAILURE_BUCKET_ID: NULL_CLASS_PTR_WRITE_STACK_POINTER_MISMATCH_c0000005_Starfield.exe!Unknown

The odd thing is, it looks like its accessing something FSR related but I am not using FSR (or any other upscaling method).

Update: I played that new character on Nvidia driver 528.24 since 8/3 until late on 8/14 and had zero crashes. In the process I did every quest in the initial universe, and about half of the quests again in the first NG+.

Today (8/15) I updated to the latest Nvidia driver (560.81) and played a few more hours and have just had a CTD when walking on the surface of a planet. It did take longer than the previous CTDs usually did, but they were not always super predictable. The dmp file analysis looks the same as the previous ones.

[tkwoods]

Interesting.

I have an I7 13700K, 4070TI.

My GPU Driver is version 528.24 if that helps.

[HeyYou]

How old is the proc in your desktop? There are potential issues with 13th and 14th gen procs....

[Zakoriz]

Originally posted by HeyYou:

How old is the proc in your desktop? There are potential issues with 13th and 14th gen procs....

I got it Feb 2023. I havent had any issues in other games (even CP77 runs fine).

[HeyYou]

Beth games have a tendency to be MUCH more demanding on hardware..... I don't know if there is a test you can run.... Maybe use prime95 to beat the crap out of the proc for a bit, and see if anything interesting happens.

A question I DO have though.... Why does this thread randomly appear/disappear on me? I have tried to reply a couple times, only get an error, but, when I refresh the page, this thread has simply vanished. Refresh a couple more times, and there it is again..... Steam being weird?

[Zakoriz]

Originally posted by HeyYou:

Beth games have a tendency to be MUCH more demanding on hardware..... I don't know if there is a test you can run.... Maybe use prime95 to beat the crap out of the proc for a bit, and see if anything interesting happens.

A question I DO have though.... Why does this thread randomly appear/disappear on me? I have tried to reply a couple times, only get an error, but, when I refresh the page, this thread has simply vanished. Refresh a couple more times, and there it is again..... Steam being weird?

I did extensive CPU, GPU and RAM tests and got no errors.
Starfield is barely touching the system. Its running much cooler and less 'stress' than CP77 for example.
Not sure on the post disappearing thing.

[HeyYou]

Just steam being weird then. :D

A search didn't turn up much.... I suspect that what is calling the FSR command there is choking on the results..... but, I would have no clue just what that would be....

The c000005 thing is a generic hardware error.... no help at all.

What about background processes? Anything odd running there?

[Zakoriz]

Originally posted by HeyYou:

Just steam being weird then. :D

A search didn't turn up much.... I suspect that what is calling the FSR command there is choking on the results..... but, I would have no clue just what that would be....

The c000005 thing is a generic hardware error.... no help at all.

What about background processes? Anything odd running there?

Nothing but default windows stuff and steam running now that its been formatted and reinstalled. I only reinstalled steam, the game, and drivers to test.

I was on Nivida 552.12 driver (same as my laptop) to test, but that didnt seem to help. I've downgraded even farther to 528.24 that the other post listed to see if that makes a difference.
I also tried some of the old FO4 related stuff, such as disabling auto saves and running on 'low' graphics preset. (still on Low currently, does not seem to have made a difference)

[HeyYou]

Originally posted by Zakoriz:

Originally posted by HeyYou:

Just steam being weird then. :D

A search didn't turn up much.... I suspect that what is calling the FSR command there is choking on the results..... but, I would have no clue just what that would be....

The c000005 thing is a generic hardware error.... no help at all.

What about background processes? Anything odd running there?

Nothing but default windows stuff and steam running now that its been formatted and reinstalled. I only reinstalled steam, the game, and drivers to test.

I was on Nivida 552.12 driver (same as my laptop) to test, but that didnt seem to help. I've downgraded even farther to 528.24 that the other post listed to see if that makes a difference.
I also tried some of the old FO4 related stuff, such as disabling auto saves and running on 'low' graphics preset. (still on Low currently, does not seem to have made a difference)

Where is steam installed on each machine? Could it be UAC biting you in the keester?

[Zakoriz]

Originally posted by HeyYou:

Originally posted by Zakoriz:

Nothing but default windows stuff and steam running now that its been formatted and reinstalled. I only reinstalled steam, the game, and drivers to test.

I was on Nivida 552.12 driver (same as my laptop) to test, but that didnt seem to help. I've downgraded even farther to 528.24 that the other post listed to see if that makes a difference.
I also tried some of the old FO4 related stuff, such as disabling auto saves and running on 'low' graphics preset. (still on Low currently, does not seem to have made a difference)

Where is steam installed on each machine? Could it be UAC biting you in the keester?

On my D: drive. I havent seen anything in the event logs suggesting a permissions issue. I've also tried running steam and the game as admin, but that made no difference either.

[HeyYou]

I got nuthin'.... Sorry man. There is just zero information about that variety of crash that I can find anywhere. If you search on the file name, I get two results, one of which is this thread.... and the other... I can't really decipher what it is they are talking about, but, it sure ain't a game.

[Gamefever]

Alright so,

Uh you have a 13th gen intel CPU (also effects 14th gen).
So it effects all 13th and 14th gen intel cpu, got that from reading a doc.
Sorry dont have link, I have 12th gen so it was only interesting to me because I had thought about upgrading my CPU.

So basic search on YT provides information on the problem, though we have been getting answers on what, how, why in snipets over the last 6 months. So as you might imagine at first we thought it was this and only that, over time kept changing.

Intel has released a statement about 13th and 14th gen CPU's.

The gist, these all suffer from degradation, meaning permanent damage over time. Culprit is over voltage, been established for a while actually it was voltage related however since the issue keeps updating well there may be other issues I am not aware of again, I lost interest in getting a new CPU so stopped following.

What does it mean to have a CPU that is suffering from degradation?
Well it means your CPU is becoming permanently damaged with use.
This will certainly ruin computer performance and will have many issues such as poor performance, unable to achieve proper clock speeds, have proper RAM speeds/timings, CTD's, Blue Screens, Lock Ups, Freezes, etc.
These CPU's are known to end up becoming completely unusable. IE computer stops working altogether.
How likely are you to have this problem?
Um last I looked it was in the area of 99% chance, basically in the area of absolutely certain you are more likely to have the problem than not have the problem.
How soon does this happen?
Well that is the thing uh under 2 months or so is about what I have heard about basically sooner rather than later unfortunately is the trend. Chances are you most certainly are having an issue with CPU.

I suggest you immediately stop trying to play games on your computer,
Look up the issue right away online,
Figure out what you are going to do about it.
There are supposed to be new BIOS settings, there should or might be a code update for 13/14th gen CPU's.
IF you suspect your CPU is in fact damaged, well you may want to immediately begin an RMA process with the manufacturer or if pre-build PC you should begin it through the builder of the PC. Check in your warranty on how to go about getting the CPU replaced.

Will the provided solution of BIOS or Code update solve the problem?
I honestly have no idea, it has not been deployed very long and I stopped tracking the issue.
IF it were me, I would just get a i9 12900K install that an move on with my life, a lot of comments from people that owned 13/14 gen CPU people declared they were doing just that, didnt trust that solutions other than that would work for them. A lot of people mentioned RMA the old CPU replace with new 13/14 gen and apply bios solution.

Thing is ultimately you will have to address this in some way if you are going to keep using that PC.

Sorry I dont have all the details and more importantly this is an evolving issue so some of the things I have said here may be now incorrect or misleading because the nature of the issue is not or was not fully figured out when I was tracking it.


EDIT,

IT will not take you much time to figure out that I am telling you the truth.
Simple internet search on
"Intel 13/14 gen CPU issue"
Should yield results right away.

Sorry about your situation.
Please address it soon.

Again suggestions,
Get Bios update from motherboard
Look at Intel Website for firmware update for CPU
DO an RMA like right away to get a new CPU

Highly consider replacing the CPU with uneffected i9 12900 CPU because well might be the cheapest solution and 12th gen is not effected by the issue to the best of my knowledge.

[HeyYou]

Originally posted by Gamefever:

Alright so,

Uh you have a 13th gen intel CPU (also effects 14th gen).
So it effects all 13th and 14th gen intel cpu, got that from reading a doc.
Sorry dont have link, I have 12th gen so it was only interesting to me because I had thought about upgrading my CPU.

So basic search on YT provides information on the problem, though we have been getting answers on what, how, why in snipets over the last 6 months. So as you might imagine at first we thought it was this and only that, over time kept changing.

Intel has released a statement about 13th and 14th gen CPU's.

The gist, these all suffer from degradation, meaning permanent damage over time. Culprit is over voltage, been established for a while actually it was voltage related however since the issue keeps updating well there may be other issues I am not aware of again, I lost interest in getting a new CPU so stopped following.

What does it mean to have a CPU that is suffering from degradation?
Well it means your CPU is becoming permanently damaged with use.
This will certainly ruin computer performance and will have many issues such as poor performance, unable to achieve proper clock speeds, have proper RAM speeds/timings, CTD's, Blue Screens, Lock Ups, Freezes, etc.
These CPU's are known to end up becoming completely unusable. IE computer stops working altogether.
How likely are you to have this problem?
Um last I looked it was in the area of 99% chance, basically in the area of absolutely certain you are more likely to have the problem than not have the problem.
How soon does this happen?
Well that is the thing uh under 2 months or so is about what I have heard about basically sooner rather than later unfortunately is the trend. Chances are you most certainly are having an issue with CPU.

I suggest you immediately stop trying to play games on your computer,
Look up the issue right away online,
Figure out what you are going to do about it.
There are supposed to be new BIOS settings, there should or might be a code update for 13/14th gen CPU's.
IF you suspect your CPU is in fact damaged, well you may want to immediately begin an RMA process with the manufacturer or if pre-build PC you should begin it through the builder of the PC. Check in your warranty on how to go about getting the CPU replaced.

Will the provided solution of BIOS or Code update solve the problem?
I honestly have no idea, it has not been deployed very long and I stopped tracking the issue.
IF it were me, I would just get a i9 12900K install that an move on with my life, a lot of comments from people that owned 13/14 gen CPU people declared they were doing just that, didnt trust that solutions other than that would work for them. A lot of people mentioned RMA the old CPU replace with new 13/14 gen and apply bios solution.

Thing is ultimately you will have to address this in some way if you are going to keep using that PC.

Sorry I dont have all the details and more importantly this is an evolving issue so some of the things I have said here may be now incorrect or misleading because the nature of the issue is not or was not fully figured out when I was tracking it.


EDIT,

IT will not take you much time to figure out that I am telling you the truth.
Simple internet search on
"Intel 13/14 gen CPU issue"
Should yield results right away.

Sorry about your situation.
Please address it soon.

Again suggestions,
Get Bios update from motherboard
Look at Intel Website for firmware update for CPU
DO an RMA like right away to get a new CPU

Highly consider replacing the CPU with uneffected i9 12900 CPU because well might be the cheapest solution and 12th gen is not effected by the issue to the best of my knowledge.

Yeah, I mentioned this earlier in the thread.... (I think it was this thread....) As I understand it, the code allows too much voltage to the CPU, which damages it. There is an update that solves the underlying issue, however, it won't fix an already damaged CPU..... the damage is permanent..... Given the his game runs just fine on his ninth gen proc, but not on the more recent one...... I would not be at all surprised if this is indeed the problem

[Zakoriz]

Originally posted by HeyYou:

Yeah, I mentioned this earlier in the thread.... (I think it was this thread....) As I understand it, the code allows too much voltage to the CPU, which damages it. There is an update that solves the underlying issue, however, it won't fix an already damaged CPU..... the damage is permanent..... Given the his game runs just fine on his ninth gen proc, but not on the more recent one...... I would not be at all surprised if this is indeed the problem

If it is that issue, I'd expect it to be unstable in other games. Especially games that use the CPU more than Starfield does. I'll look into it though.

[catch22atplay]

If only it worked that way. It's more about where the cpu is being addressed. You can try downclocking or locking the multiplier. And just to rule out stuff. Did you at some point have a framegen or dlss mod installed? Noting this as you referenced fsr and dlss mods used that file. If you did you need to figure out what files you changed. If you can't figure it out uninstall reinstall the game. Also note that if you want to test your ram use OCCT as it finds faults where others never do and usually within 5 min. But i'd suggest running 15 min.

But ya c0000005 error seems to come up a lot with 13th and 14th gen cpu. I hope you don't have a bad one. My 13600kf so far is doing great. I can't overclock it for crap though. But at least default speeds work fantastic.

[Gamefever]

If I was in your shoes,

My steps would be to stop blaming Starfield or any other game.

Confirm that the issue is in fact a real issue.
Get my paperwork for my CPU warranty.
Contact the dealer, insist that they replace my CPU with a i9 12900K CPU or similar price range.
IF they wont do that,
RMA (pointless in my opinion)
Install the new CPU
Apply the motherboard BIOS and Firmware update for CPU.

Hope that I didnt get a dud from my RMA (which is exactly why I would just order a i9 12900K from an online dealer and install that instead).

There is nothing else you can really do that is meaningful.

You could play the game of well its this games fault,
Then you could go blame Nvidia and actually a heck of a lot of people did blame Nvidia and Nvidia looked into it which is why it came out that 13th/14th gen CPU's were in fact defective because Nvidia took so much flak for it.
You could blame Motherboard, you would not be the first because Intel blamed the Motherboard manufacturer's.

Playing blame or saying its gotta be something else at this point is completely pointless because so many other people have already played that game.
The problem has been identified and we are just waiting around for Intel to actually do something other than say they have a micro-code update.

Meanwhile best solution is to get rid of that CPU and replace it with something that is know to work.

Because from now on, all of 13th gen and all of 14th gen may as well be toxic waste, no one is going to want them no one is going to want to have in the back of their head oh is my CPU finally failing on me.


EDIT,
Ultimately,
Does not matter if you like it, that CPU will eventually outright completely fail.
Does not matter if you only surf youtube video's.
Those CPU's are known now for just failing while in idle.
99% of the time.