Super Final Edit (for real this time?): Turns out I don't have a buggy bios, my windows installation was just having lots of trouble with the USB Hub that I had plugged in. With the hub plugged in it didn't know what to do with itself. I've been having some weird driver problems. Anyway, so long as no USB devices change spots, she boots right up.

---original edit with incorrect solution--- Edit [Solved]: Whenever I changed the CPU ratio in BIOS, I would use the "Save and reboot" option. Today I started getting crashes before even seeing the Windows startup animation. The solution was to instead save the configuration and use the physical power button to shut down from BIOS. Give it a few seconds and start the computer, and no stability issues. Writing this with 4.4GHz at 1.3v, ready to do some stress testing.

Thanks everyone, seems like I don't have a dud chip, just a funky BIOS bug.

------original post-------- I just got the $100 microcenter bundle, wich an MSI Z97 PC Mate, and the Intel G3258.

I've looked at all sorts of guides and videos on overclocking with this specific combo, but everyone elses results are much much better than what I'm able to get.

The max multiplier I'm able to use is 39, which is stable at 1.250v, although I haven't invested much time in trying lower voltages.

As soon as I try 4GHz, it doesn't matter what voltage I try, Windows will crash. I went as high as 1.500v and gave up. Other folks are getting 4.3-4.6GHz etc, with lower voltages.

Did I just get a dud? Am I overlooking something? As far as I know all of the drivers and BIOS are up to date.

Thanks!

Edit: added some units Edit2: I should add that I can overclock using MSI Command Center, no problem. 4.3GHz at 1.250v, not seeing any problems as long as I boot into windows lower than 4.0GHz.