Can faulty RAM break motherboards / CPUs?

[Joshua7417]

My friend recently did some overclock on his RAM, I believe it was to jump from 2133 MHz to 2400 MHz using the built in profile that the manufacturer put in. He applied it and saved, and since then his computer has refused to boot. It will simply turn on, 5 seconds later, turn off. You can't reach the BIOS at all. We've tried taking out the CMOS battery and placing it back in to reset to default, but that didn't help at all.

So I decided to test the RAM on my own computer that was working completely fine. My computer ran just fine, no issues at all. I take out my 2 RAM sticks, and put in his 1x8GB stick, and now my computer had the same symptoms as his, with the boot loop, not reaching the BIOS, etc. I decided there that the RAM was just faulty, and we can call it a day, but when putting my own RAM back in, this still happens, so not really sure what happen...

Are both motherboards broken or something? Is the CPU possibly damaged on both ends? Is there any suggestions on what I can do to fix this for both computers? Also, if it's worth mentioning, he uses a Intel motherboard, while I have an AMD motherboard, but both use DDR4 memory and 2133/2400 MHz.

 

[ethanmarti1598]

I cannot think of any way RAM could break or damage any other components in a CPU.
As far as I know, faulty RAM should only cause crashes, file corruption, BSODs and general system instability. Never heard of RAM damaging a motherboard, unless we're talking about physical damage done when installing said RAM.

Try using your motherboard's CMOS reset switch, rather than taking out the battery. Mine has a jumper that needs to be physically moved, but modern ones usually have buttons instead. If you're unsure about your motherboard's switch, there should be online manuals detailing everything you need to know.

 

[Joshua7417]

I cannot think of any way RAM could break or damage any other components in a CPU.
As far as I know, faulty RAM should only cause crashes, file corruption, BSODs and general system instability. Never heard of RAM damaging a motherboard, unless we're talking about physical damage done when installing said RAM.

Try using your motherboard's CMOS reset switch, rather than taking out the battery. Mine has a jumper that needs to be physically moved, but modern ones usually have buttons instead. If you're unsure about your motherboard's switch, there should be online manuals detailing everything you need to know.

I'll try resetting my computer with the switch, and use my previously working RAM, to see if maybe just some settings were applied when he put his in.

Just a question though, would this confirm his RAM is faulty, surely, just putting a overclock on and rebooting won't break RAM if there's no physical damage at all right?

Edit: Another note, my friend's motherboard doesn't have a CMOS reset button where he can reset everything. He's tried taking out the battery a couple of times, but his computer still doesn't boot.

 

[ethanmarti1598]

With no physical damage in the mobo, there's no reason why it shouldn't work.

And don't worry about breaking your RAM.

 

[bignastyid]

It is possible if the ram has a short it could short and damage the dimm and/or memory controller. However given the description I find it unlikely that's the problem.

Try resetting the bios using the method the motherboard manual recommends(usually involves a jumper not the bios battery).

 

[william p]

The memory controller on modern systems is on the CPU. See if swapping a good CPU in with the old RAM helps.