From bad RAM to dead RAM

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Have you ever encountered a bad RAM module that sometimes works, sometimes doesn’t?

Here’s the story. I built a system a month ago:
MB: Gigabyte B550 Gaming X V2 rev1.3
CPU: Ryzen 5 5600
RAM: DDR4 2x16GB 3200MHz Patriot PSP416G320081H1 SIGNATURE PREMIUM (if the model is of any significance).
GPU: Nvidia GeForce 3060Ti 8Gb
PSU: NZXT C650 Gold

When I built the system outside of the case to test everything, it worked fine. As soon as I put it in the case, it wouldn’t POST. But since it worked the first time, I assumed that I might have choked the memory controller by over-tightening the cooler. So I played around with it for a while until suddenly it worked.

And it worked well, until this morning. It wouldn’t boot again. But this time, no amount of fiddling with the cooler made a difference. However, one RAM module definitely works and one doesn’t work, also no matter which slot I use.

Is this possible? Could a RAM module be damaged in a way that sometimes it works and then suddenly it dies? Unfortunately, I don’t have a spare CPU to test, but the fact that one module works and one doesn’t, regardless of which slot I use should put an end to this diagnostic, right?

The parts are all under warranty, so I’m not worried. But I am curious.

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It doesn’t have to be the RAM, it could very well be the mainboard or even the way you mounted that board. Suggestion: take out the mainboard for testing to see if the RAM suddenly works again. If it does, have a closer look at how the mainboard is mounted (stray standoff that shouldn’t be there, screws too tight, etc)

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Standoffs came preinstalled in the case (Phanteks P300A). But why not. I may as well try everything, even though it’s a hassle.

I’ll have to do it tomorrow, though. I already made plans for today. So keep the suggestions coming.

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That’s absolutely the case and had this happen to me multiple times.

Well the easiest thing to do is buying another kit off Amazon and see if that solves the issue. If it does keep the RAM and you’re good. If not you can always return and continue the investigation.

It could very well be the memory controller that was already on the edge and died all of a sudden. But I won’t rush out to buy a new CPU just yet. Start with memory and see where it goes.

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As suspected, it was just bad RAM. It was acting out from the very beginning, until it just died. Which is good because it’s the easiest thing to change.

EDIT: Yup. Received the replacement module, popped that sucker in and it works. RAM is weird.

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