I prevented all possible startup apps, which did successfully show the missing Chip & EC in HWInfo. I then began re-adding my startup apps, 1 by 1. I've confirmed that SignalRGB is causing a conflict. Even with all the settings in SignalRGB turned off (Enable Onboard Devices, Automatically close...
My motherboard, Gigabyte X870E Xtreme AI Top, has two chipsets and an embedded controller for its various fans / sensors. Unfortunately, only the first chipset, ITE IT8696E, is showing. The 2nd chipset (ITE IT87952E) and the embedded controller are not being detected. When I first built this PC...