Built new PC, RAM only works in slots 3 and 4

[Switchfoot221]

Hello everyone,

so recently I decided to upgrade my motherboard and processor. I bought an MSI Z97 Gaming 5 motherboard and an i7 4790k. Building it went okay, but upon turning on the computer I noticed it wouldn't actually boot up. The fans would start spinning but before there would be anything on screen it would shut down (I hear 1 short beep when it shuts down btw), and restart. It constantly does this in an infinite loop unless completely turned off by power button

I checked inside, and I should probably note that I have really crappy RAM, (yes I know, I should probably have better RAM if I'm going for these specs, and I was planning to soon). But when I checked inside I tried taking out the memory sticks and put them in different slots. Slot 1 didn't work, slot 2 didn't either, 1 and 2 together didn't. Slot 3 and 4 however, do work alone & together. The PC boots fine and it sees the RAM as 8 GB. Games run as they should and there are no problems. But the moment I put my RAM into slot 1 or 2, the PC doesn't boot up.

I've read around online and it seems that there are a lot of possible reasons behind it doing this. One of which could be that my CPU pins are bent. I checked it with a magnifying glass and they are not bent or burnt.


One other thing I should note is that, in my previous PC I had the same issue after doing a failed overclock with a CPU (PC wouldn't boot anymore and had to take out the motherboard battery and let it drain so that it reset my settings). That was with the same RAM, after it happened I found out that the memory only worked in slots 3 and 4 as well.

That all might have been coincidence though, I don't know.

Anyway, does anyone have any idea what else could cause this? Should I try to get my hands on some new & better RAM and see if that works? Or would the motherboard be broken? I really need some help on this and would very much appreciate if someone could help me out on this.

Thanks in advance


specs:
CPU: Intel Core i7 4790k @ 4GHz
Motherboard: MSI Z97 Gaming 5
RAM: 4 GB DDR3 Kingston 1133mhz and a 4GB DDR3 Team Elite 1333mhz
GPU: AMD Radeon HD 7850 2GB
PSU: Combatipower 750w

 

[alexoiu]

Hi, Most probably faulty RAMs. Try testing different ones (borrow a kit , if possible).

 

[Tradesman1]

What CPU cooler? Might try loosening it up and then snug back down, not overly tight, might be the cooler is too tight in a corner or side, affecting the MC (memory controller)Also could try booting with 1 stick in slot 3 - go into BIOS and raise DRAM voltage to 1.57 or so, save exit, shutdown and then try the second stick in slot 1 and see what happens

 

[Switchfoot221]

Hi, Most probably faulty RAMs. Try testing different ones (borrow a kit , if possible).

Planning to test with other RAM soon, I have a friend coming over tomorrow who might lend me a few memory sticks.

What CPU cooler? Might try loosening it up and then snug back down, not overly tight, might be the cooler is too tight in a corner or side, affecting the MC (memory controller)Also could try booting with 1 stick in slot 3 - go into BIOS and raise DRAM voltage to 1.57 or so, save exit, shutdown and then try the second stick in slot 1 and see what happens

I've got the stock Intel cooler right now, speaking of loosening and tightening the cooler, I had a feeling that might be it at first because, at first memory slots 3 and 4 didn't work. After taking the cooler off and putting it back on, 3 and 4 did work. I'm not sure if it's overly tight though. I don't think it is.

I'll try going into the BIOS to raise the DRAM voltage though.
Thanks

 

[Tradesman1]

Let us know 😉

 

[Switchfoot221]

Let us know 😉

So, I've tried loosening the CPU cooler. That didn't work, I have also tried raising the DRAM voltage to 1.570. That didn't really do anything either unfortunately. I'm really confused as to why this is happening.

 

[Tradesman1]

Sounding like a bad mob - have you tried cleaning out the slots with compressed air?

 

[Switchfoot221]

Sounding like a bad mob - have you tried cleaning out the slots with compressed air?

There is no dirt inside as it was bought yesterday. It can't be that there is something in there because the first time i booted the system it didn't work.
But no, I haven't tried cleaning the slots.

 

[Switchfoot221]

RMA'd the motherboard, the store I bought it from confirmed that slots 1 and 2 were indeed broken. Got a new one, it's working great!

Thanks for the replies!

 

[Tradesman1]

Glad to hear all is well, have some fun now 😉