Question Bad RAM Slot? Or BIOS Setting?

[GW1914]

Hello, here’s my setup:

CPU: Ryzen 7 5700X
MB: Gigabyte B550M
RAM: 32 GB XPG Spectra D35
GPU: Radeon RX 6600
SSD: 2 Samsung 860 EVOs (512 and 1 TB, respectively)
PSU: Corsair RM850
OS: Windows 11 Pro

My issue: I have two sticks of 16 GB ram installed on the motherboard. A2 works fine. But, when B2 has RAM in it as well, the computer does not post. I have exchanged the sticks between the slots, and both sticks work in A2.

I have tried to use compressed air to clean out B2, to no avail.

Normally, I would assume that that ram slot is simply not working. But B2 was working fine just a few days ago - before I had to replace a problematic CPU. Once I booted up with the new CPU, this problem is now here.

Before I RMA the motherboard, is there any other setting - say in the BIOS - that may be the culprit? Any other possibility? Thanks!

 

[Ralston18]

Check your motherboard's User Guide/Manual.

Some motherboards require that the first physically installed RAM be placed in a specific slot. DIMM_A2 being common.

Doublecheck the fine print regarding RAM - all of it including diagrams. There may be a tiny "1st" somewhere.

 

[JeffreyP55]

Hello, here’s my setup:

CPU: Ryzen 7 5700X
MB: Gigabyte B550M
RAM: 32 GB XPG Spectra D35
GPU: Radeon RX 6600
SSD: 2 Samsung 860 EVOs (512 and 1 TB, respectively)
PSU: Corsair RM850
OS: Windows 11 Pro

My issue: I have two sticks of 16 GB ram installed on the motherboard. A2 works fine. But, when B2 has RAM in it as well, the computer does not post. I have exchanged the sticks between the slots, and both sticks work in A2.

I have tried to use compressed air to clean out B2, to no avail.

Normally, I would assume that that ram slot is simply not working. But B2 was working fine just a few days ago - before I had to replace a problematic CPU. Once I booted up with the new CPU, this problem is now here.

Before I RMA the motherboard, is there any other setting - say in the BIOS - that may be the culprit? Any other possibility? Thanks!

 

[GW1914]

Check your motherboard's User Guide/Manual.

Some motherboards require that the first physically installed RAM be placed in a specific slot. DIMM_A2 being common.

Doublecheck the fine print regarding RAM - all of it including diagrams. There may be a tiny "1st" somewhere.

Thank you! From the Manuel, A2 and B2 are listed as the slots to use when only two sticks are being utilized. But, it doesn’t prioritize one over the other though. A2 works at least 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[JeffreyP55]

The documentation from my last build, just completed. The user manual is incorrect. MSI MAG x870 wifi. DIMM A2 and DIMM B2. Would not boot. DIMM B1 and DIMM A1 worked perfectly.

 

[GW1914]

The documentation from my last build, just completed. The user manual is incorrect. MSI MAG x870 wifi. DIMM A2 and DIMM B2. Would not boot. DIMM B1 and DIMM A1 worked perfectly.

Good point! I will try that again when I get home. I was thinking that I originally tried that and it failed to post with that config as well

 

[Bob.B]

Hello, here’s my setup:

CPU: Ryzen 7 5700X
MB: Gigabyte B550M
RAM: 32 GB XPG Spectra D35
GPU: Radeon RX 6600
SSD: 2 Samsung 860 EVOs (512 and 1 TB, respectively)
PSU: Corsair RM850
OS: Windows 11 Pro

My issue: I have two sticks of 16 GB ram installed on the motherboard. A2 works fine. But, when B2 has RAM in it as well, the computer does not post. I have exchanged the sticks between the slots, and both sticks work in A2.

I have tried to use compressed air to clean out B2, to no avail.

Normally, I would assume that that ram slot is simply not working. But B2 was working fine just a few days ago - before I had to replace a problematic CPU. Once I booted up with the new CPU, this problem is now here.

Before I RMA the motherboard, is there any other setting - say in the BIOS - that may be the culprit? Any other possibility? Thanks!

If you run out of things to try remove the cpu and check the pins and sockets.

 

[GW1914]

I tried A1 and B1 and that worked. But, whenever a RAM stick - that is known to work - was in the B2 or A2 slot, the computer would not POST.

Removed the CPU and there was in fact a bent pin - but I believe that was due to the CPU socket letting loose of the CPU too early after I tried to gently remove CPU heatsink.

Gently bent the pin back - it wasn't too bad - and reinstalled. The same.

Since having the sticks in A1 and B1 did work, I was tempted to leave it as is. But, seeing as that would be single channel rather than dual channel, I opted to return the Motherboard since it is still able to be returned. The window for the CPU is still open in case that's needed too.

If anyone else has any words of wisdom for this situation, please let me know - who knows what will happen with the next one! 😎