CPU halted. Can't get to installer

9700k, ROG Strix z390-i, 1080ti, Klevv Bolt 16gb 3600hz, OC 0.6.7

Ive made an installer for High Sierra maybe 4 or 5 times, once with macrecovery.py, and also with gibmacos both with windows and a VM Catalina. I make sure to triple check the folders and sanity check the config.plist.

Every single time the verbose does it's thing and eventually says 'CPU halted' and just turns itself off before reaching the installer.

I thought perhaps the USB stick was to blame and have tried a few with no success.

Also tried a different opencore version, no help there.

I must be missing something painfully obvious but not sure what it is.