Attempted RAM Upgrade - CPU Usage spikes to 100% - Now Sluggish

So - I checked out Memtest, and the latest version AFAIK was released 9/27/13. I see no mention of DDR4; it very likely isn't supported. So I don't think that would work regardless.

I think you are correct.

Is there any other way I can check these new sticks before Windows gets its hands on them?

I'm going to ask the group. Look for my post and keep your eye on it.

And, TV, in your wisdom, do you think these Crucial sticks are bad?

Only a test could tell for sure.

Or user error during installation (I'm pretty sure I did this part wrong)? Or a mismatch with the factory sticks?

I doubt it is something you did wrong. The specs match. Only if you didn't seat them all the way, or dropped cookie crumbs in the slots! Mismatched sticks could be a possibility. But the RAM test would uncover those errors.
I too have mixed and matched without problems. But as I said, some RAM is just real cranky.

rhodes732 said:

I did a bit of research, and it turns out that an Adobe Premiere CC 2014 Memory Leak is well documented and widespread. Happens on both Mac and PC. Adobe has been "fixing" it for months. People with up to 64 GB of RAM report the same exact problem. Amazing, right?

That is unacceptable. A memory leak is just poor programming. It is a line of code that is not finished (open ended). It should be corrected in days, not months!