Game freezes at 42% RAM usage...

Elronds_Eyebrows

Recently while playing Destiny 2 (Microsoft PC version), I discovered my computer doesn’t appear to be utilizing all its RAM. The game freezes consistently at 41% usage. Here is my build:

i5 12600

Gigabyte B760M Aorus Elite AX

Corsair Vengeance 32GB (2X16GB) 5600MHz DDR5 (I realize my chip supports 4800MHz)

Corsair RM750 ATX fully modular PSU, 80 plus gold

Crucial 500GB PCIe 3.0 M.2 SSD (used for OS)

Crucial 1TB SSD

2 Corsair SP140 RGB Elite case fans 

Noctua NH-U12S

Intel Arc A770 Sparkle Titan OC 16GB GDDR6 

Notes:

• No profiles set under Intel Graphics Software, except for allowing fans to run at a consistent 35%
• Within Windows Graphics settings, all games are set to use my graphics card
• Running Windows 11 (24H2….I’ve heard there are some issues with this update)
• Drivers are all up to date
• BIOS is most recent (F22B)
• Only BIOS settings that have been touched are fan failure warnings, Acoustic Noise Mitigation enabled (fast/4), C-State Control enabled (but have not touched anything there; all is set to auto) 

Here is what I have done so far:

I began to test each stick individually in the same slots (settings in-game remain the same). As recommended by my mobo’s manual, I have put the RAM in A2 and B2. I ran Windows Memory Diagnostic with no errors found on either individually. D2 freezes consistently around 72-80% RAM usage on either stick in both A2 and B2 slots. 

1. Ran MemTest86 free version (only allows 4 passes): no errors found
2. Swapped the RAM to A1 and B1, got a warning in BIOS about improper arrangement, swapped back
3. Reseated/repasted CPU
4. Turned off background apps and startup applications I don’t use/need
5. Closed unnecessary apps sneakily running in the background in Task Management 
6. Cleared CMOS
7. Changed graphics settings around in game from higher to lower and then from lower to higher
8. Things appear well ventilated
9. Checked multiple times that sticks where properly seated
10. Triple checked if my RAM was indeed compatible with my board and would work with CPU
11. Uninstalled the couple games I play from Steam and reinstalled them from Microsoft Store, client’s actually website, etc. thus eliminating the background usage of the Steam client. 
12. Ran a full virus scan; nothing found

No change. The rest of my computer appears to function fine, it’s just the application that freezes/crashes. I will mention, when I open Task Manager when the freezing happens, it has show the usage of my CPU being at 80%+, but then instantly pops’s down to somewhere in the 20% range. I have an onscreen performance monitor while gaming and it has not shown anything close to 80% CPU usage, thus idk why it’s briefly showing that in Task Manager (unless that could be my culprit?)

However, although an older game, I have yet to experience a crash in the Lord of the Rings Online, even when maxing out my graphics settings. When both sticks are slotted, RAM sits around 31% usage so hasn’t gotten close to 42% where the crash is happening in Destiny. Never had an issue with the other games I’ve played, but I’ve never bothered to monitor them nor play as long as I have on LotRO or Destiny. 

I am aware that memory leaks are not uncommon within D2. The RAM usage continues to climb the whole time I play which ends up being 1-2hrs before its inevitable freeze. It only falls by about 1-3% when in orbit OR if I stand in one place for about 3-5min without doing anything. However, this same type of freezing occurred once while playing a game through Discord. I could still hear my Discord call, move my mouse around, etc. except for the application itself; completely frozen. It eventually worked itself out (unlike Destiny where I have to force it to close every time). My brother has not experienced any of these issues. He has the following build:

AMD Ryzen 5 5600X (with stock cooler)

ASUS DUAL RX6500XT O4G

Corsair Vengeance 32GB (2X16GB) 3200 DDR4

Corsair RM750 fully modular ATX power supply

ASUS Stix Rog B550-F Gaming

Samsung 870 EVO 500GB SSD

• He runs/uses most of the same applications as myself. 
• Windows 11
• Drivers up to date

My biggest fear is that it’s either my motherboard OR the CPU getting too hot…but I want to rule everything else out first before considering the possibility of a replacement/upgrade. All the parts in the computer are about a year old (all purchased new), except for the PSU, which I’ve had for about 2 years and came from my first build (which died due to a motherboard failure). 

Any help or guidance would be appreciated as I’m at a loss of what I should try/do going forward…