HI all, first post on the forums but been a follower for a while. I have a problem and need some help. I poked around to see if my issue has been talked about before, but after about an hour I figured I’d just ask.
Specs
Mobo: Gigabyte Aorus x670 Elite AX
CPU: Ryzen 7 7700x
RAM: 64GB G.Skill Ripjaw S5 DDR5 6000 MHZ (two separate packs of two sticks if that matters)
GPU: RTX 3080
Power supply: EVGA 650W Gold
I just upgraded my rig from a 2700x and b450F and I have been able to boot ONCE and was pretty happy with the performance increase. Now on to the problem.
After my initial boot (updated drivers did some tests etc) I plugged in a new M.2 (my old boot drive was a SATA m.2 not supported by this mobo) and could not POST. Tried all the normal stuff, removing hardware, making sure wires are in etc. One thing I --stupidly-- didn’t try was to remove any of the RAM. I don’t have another rig to test parts with and BIOS flashing didn’t help so I sent it to a local guy. He got it to POST by removing two RAM sticks. Tested each one and the RAM is fine, but the whole thing won’t POST with all 4 in. He seems a little obsessed with me not plugging in the second ATX 8-pin CPU power connector. I’ve read on other forums that my CPU isn’t even capable of pulling more power than a single ATX can provide without serious OC and the cooling required for it so I don’t think that’s the issue.
His suggestion was to get a new PSU and have both ATX plugged in. I’m a little doubtful it is even worth it with all the stuff I am seeing about DDR5 RAM not running fast with quad channel. That beings said, how would you all advise me to proceed?
I could:
Return two of the sticks and live at 32GB (womp womp kinda wanted 64)
Return both sets and get a 2 stick 64 GB kit (so I can OC it to 6000 MHz)
Get a new PSU and plug both ATX 8 pins in. I figured I am due for a PSU upgrade anyway (mine’s about 5 yrs old), but I’d rather not spend more money as this was supposed to be a cheap upgrade using credit card rewards points (Which I have already exceeded)
TLDR
Rig won’t POST with all 4 RAM slots occupied. Local tech guy thinks it’s because I don’t have a second ATX 8 Pin plugged in and wants me to buy a new PSU, I have some doubts.
So after watching Wendell’s video on 128 GB DDR5 I think it’s pretty clear what I’ll do here. I don’t think having only 1 of 2 ATX CPU power connectors in is affecting anything, It’s either that the very finicky RAM sticks are just not seated correctly, or the unreliable nature of two separate kits (same exact everything on them as I just upped the quantity at checkout) is causing my rig to not POST. I think I’ll return one kit, and just stick with 32GB for now. Still a a big upgrade for me as my old rig was nearly always RAM pinned. DDR5 4 channel just seems like a bad idea for a laymen like myself. I’ll wait for the 64GB 2 stick kits to come down in price a bit and pick one up when I need it.
I’m still curious what anyone might think of my PSU. It is kind of old and I should probably upgrade it now that I’m pulling a lot more power, but what do you all think?
Could be a number of things. Wonky memory controller, badly seated CPU. Are you waiting long enough for memory training?
After not building PCs for a few years I was surprised how much longer we have to wait for memory to post. It was almost instantaneous back in the days. Now waiting for five minutes or more is the norm.
Also, make sure all memlry overclocking/XMP/EXPO/etc is off if you want to boot AM5 with four sticks. Make it boot first, and then try experimenting with overcoming, if you want.
Yeah I think I’ve waited long enough for training. I’ve waited around 30 minutes with no POST. I REALLY don’t want to re-seat the CPU, just cause it’s a hassle, but if it boots with 2 sticks in just fine I may just stick with that. 4 Stick DDR5 just seems so pointless unless you need crazy capacity like over 128GB. I’d rather use two sticks and be able to OC them to that 6000 sweet spot
you could try qtips and 99.9% isopropyl alcohol to clean the ram contacts slowly and carefully then dont touch them and insert all four sticks
put one kit on one side and the other kit on the other side.
then try that and give it ample time to post.
then dial up the soc voltage from “default” to 1.1v (use the trick of post with one kit, then check the soc voltage in windows, then set the soc voltage up (ideally less than 1.25v) from whatever it reads in windows. 1.1v to 1.2v is probably about what you’d set it to adding +0.05v +/- to whatever auto is.
then put the other two sticks in and see if it posts. You can mess with some of the clamp resistances and get it to work probably.
not an expert, but i have made a few posts in other threads about my headaches with 4x DIMM configurations (on AM4 with DDR4)
at this point, if i was trying to do 4 DIMM’s, I would be first checking the QVL for the motherboard to find kits of 4 ram sticks that are known to be compatible, then go out and buy a single 4 DIMM set that matches whats listed in the QVL
using 4 DIMM’s with Ryzen has way more finicky for me than expected, doing these things made a big difference.