Maybe the capacity of the PSU was exceeded, or the PSU is faulty? Or the GPU has too high overclock?
This is not typical, and not something software should even be able to cause. 'Normal' failure behavior is a crash to menu or desktop, with or without some sort of error reported by the game, not a system shutdown.
Your computer is experiencing a hardware fault. Most likely your power supply can't handle the strain, but it could also be overvolting, undervolting, too high temperature or any other hardware issue. This can be caused by incorrect or badly configured driver settings, particularly when it comes to overclocking.
Upon reading this, your first reaction will most likely be defensive, and you'll want to reply with something like "it never happened before", or "it doesn't happen in other games!", or as you already stated "it doesn't happen in pancake mode!".
But this is squarely in the realm of hardware issue and you should investigate and consider removing any overclocking on the CPU, Memory or GPU.
Thanks all for taking the time to reply.
So at this point I've spent a LOT of time (days) testing and here is what I've gotten and why I feel it's some sort of driver+Elite issue.
First, this is not a new system or build. I just decided I needed to make the driver update move for other applications/games.
I'm running an AMD 3900X CPU, 12 cores. And a 1200W Thermaltake power supply.
I've tested the PP as much as I am capable and it seems that both rails, all of the voltage limiters, and the thermal limiters are all responding correctly.
Tested the CPU and GPU both with OC settings and non-OC. Manual and in-built OC settings. Under multiple game and driver configurations, and with 3rd party software.
(The CPU does throw a overvoltage trip on core 7 when running Folding@Home using more than 12 threads after about 30 minutes of work. This might be a processor issue but unverified.)
During testing, none of the monitoring software I have or any of the loggers shows or records anything out of the usual. But the error does seem to be a overvolt threshold trip triggered by the CPU. But whatever it is, nothing is logged out of place on any of the loggers across any core of the GPU or CPU. I've also live monitored everything and nothing even comes close to hitting a limit.
I have tested both 22.5.1 and 22.11.2 drivers. All crash issues are only on the 22.11.2 driver. For testing purposes I'm on a borked planet, docked in an underground hanger at a planetary port under thargoid attack.
Using the 22.5.1 driver I can run the game under maximum settings with my preferred OC settings, in VR with Steam set to 100% resolution at 144hz and the ingame HMD at 1.0 and the upscaler set to CAS at 1.25. No issues other than running 45-60 FPS while at port.
Using the 22.11.2 driver, the system crashes under those settings upon game load/login of the ship/port 17 seconds after login. It seems to be loading the last planetary details and shaders. All crashes using the 22.11.2 are at the same point.
Same for OC and non-OC system settings of any configuration.
Same regardless of Steam resolution setting (I've done 20%-150%).
Same with in-game settings at VR low or VR Ultra.
(During all of this testing I did finally get a proper game crash and error reporter that I submitted to FDev. 1 out of over 30 cycles.)
(I've reverted back to the 22.5.1 multiple times throughout all of this testing and it's always fine and stable.)
But here is the kicker... Late yesterday after I made my original post I found a stable setup...
System can be OC or not, no effect. But I'm currently using my preferred OC settings. Steam rez at 100% 144hz. Game settings at maximum with HMD at 1.25 and upscaler on FSR (I'm using balanced for visual preference right now, but have tried all four settings). Game runs fine. Getting about 75FPS around the planetary port. The planet is borked and I can do the relog near the planet surface to correct it. I can fly around and do everything in the AX CZ around the port, dock, launch, land on the surface with no issues.
But the FSR is less attractive and readable than the CAS at 1.25.
The moment I switch back to CAS or to the 'normal' upscaler setting under game settings, system crash. CAS uses a lot more power than the FSR and drops my frame rates to the 45-60 range in the testing area. The system is definitely under more stress. But everything is well within tested levels. I just can't figure out how/why the CAS triggers it on a planet. It's fine in space and at orbital ports of any variety. Whatever it is with planet tech/lighting/shaders in combination with 22.11.2 causes it on CAS and not on FSR. 22.5.1 is fine in the planetary scenario and 22.11.2 is fine off planet but not on with CAS. 22.11.2 on planet is fine with FSR.