[SOLVED] Cannot run PC with 2 sticks of RAM installed ?

[Trietdepzaii]

Hi Guys,

Last week, I made a switch from Ryzen 3 3300X CPU to a Ryzen 5 3400G. Everything ran well with the 3300X with dual channel but the 3400g does not.

It could not handle dual channel. However, every single sticks of ram runs perfectly well and without errors.

When I started to turn on the PC, it just won't POST/boot with 2 sticks of RAM. However, if I use 1 of them, then turn off the computer and put another into the mobo, the PC will then recognize I am using dual channel and ask me to continue to BIOS setting (press F1) or use default value (F2). Regardless what options I choose, the computer eventually wont boot after that.

What I tried: I tried cleaning mobo, clean memory, check for CPU bents, loosen CPU coolers but nothing improved. I checked with retailer for CPU failure but they said it works fine with dual channel.
My sticks of ram work fine individually on every single slots of the mobo.

So I guess it could have been the bios setting from the mobo's default setting or PSU failure. Please help me to figure out what's on earth happening to my computer. I am very much thankful!!!
Here is my specs:
MSI b450m mortar max
ryzen 5 3400g
HX426C16FB3/16 (kits of 2 sticks 8GB RAM)

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

make sure you are using the latest BIOS available from the motherboard manufacturer.
if so, reset optimized defaults and save.

also check the QVL for compatibility between this specific CPU and this memory kit.

 

[Trietdepzaii]

make sure you are using the latest BIOS available from the motherboard manufacturer.
if so, reset optimized defaults and save.

also check the QVL for compatibility between this specific CPU and this memory kit.

Thanks John! I did update to the latest BIOS driver. The memory kit is compatible with my b450m mortar max mobo, but How can I check the compatibility between CPU and memory kits?

 

[Deleted member 14196]

Did you reset your bios to default values

 

[Satan-IR]

Have you tried clearing CMOS?

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

I did update to the latest BIOS driver

this would not be a driver.
the BIOS is a set of code & instructions embedded in the motherboard.

so be sure you actually have the latest BIOS and have flashed it properly.

if so, reset optimized defaults and save.

How can I check the compatibility between CPU and memory kits?

would be listed in CPU specifications;
'System Memory Specification: Up to 3200MHz'

though the specific kit wouldn't be the issue, just the speed BIOS has set to run.
and while Intel & AMD may claim these low values i've never had issue with running up to 4000MHz on Intel Core or AMD Ryzen.
there's just always a chance you may get a chip that can't handle over what the manufacturer has stated.

 

[Trietdepzaii]

Have you tried clearing CMOS?

Yes I have. I tried all method including reset to default settings and CMOS clearing.
My mobo runs at default values I don't even dare to use XMP profile. The ryzen 5 3400g can handle around 2933Mhz and currently I am using 2400MHz. I am quite frustrated right now as the PC cannot run dual channel and I need large memory to work on my job.

 

[Satan-IR]

Just to make sure the modules came as a 'kit', right? 2x8GB sticks in one 16GB pachage?

Are the modules in slots A2 and B2? 2nd and 4th slots from CPU scoket.

If so have you tried the other 2 slots together? A1 and B1?

The modules should be able to run at 2666 without XMP by JEDEC.

 

[Trietdepzaii]

Just to make sure the modules came as a 'kit', right? 2x8GB sticks in one 16GB pachage?

Are the modules in slots A2 and B2? 2nd and 4th slots from CPU scoket.

If so have you tried the other 2 slots together? A1 and B1?

The modules should be able to run at 2666 without XMP by JEDEC.

Yeah they came out of the pack as kit.
For slot position: I did tried A2 and B2. Even 1st and 3rd position and mixing them up (no dual channel). All the same problem.
I searched all over threads to find people encounter same problems. Most would be no post if they install the 2nd stick. I would encounter the same, but the PC first recognizes me running dual channel and asks me to continue to boot or go to BIOS setting. Regardless of the choice, it would return no post afterward.

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

I tried all method including reset to default settings and CMOS clearing.

try the kit in another motherboard with dual-channel known to be currently functioning.
and/or try another known functioning dual-channel kit in this system.

there's always a chance that this CPU has a malfunctioned/damaged memory controller.
if other kits also do not perform as they should in this setup this would point to that.

 

[geofelt]

Ryzen is tightly tied to ram for performance and functioning.
You changed to a cpu with integrated graphics capability.
The list of supported ram kits may have changed.
Verify that your exact kit is on the QVL support list for your mobo/cpu combo.
Or verify that it is on the list that Kingston supports for your cpu/mobo combo.

In the process of swapping the processors, you may have damaged one of the cpu pins.
Very often the cpu will work just fine excepting for ram issues.
For example:
Some slots not working
Dual channel not working


Use cpu-Z to identify your current bios level.
See if there is a more current bios that might address your issues.
Bios updates often fix ram compatibility issues.
Best advice is to not update on just speculation.
A failed flash can cause more problems.

 

[Trietdepzaii]

Ryzen is tightly tied to ram for performance and functioning.
You changed to a cpu with integrated graphics capability.
The list of supported ram kits may have changed.
Verify that your exact kit is on the QVL support list for your mobo/cpu combo.
Or verify that it is on the list that Kingston supports for your cpu/mobo combo.

In the process of swapping the processors, you may have damaged one of the cpu pins.
Very often the cpu will work just fine excepting for ram issues.
For example:
Some slots not working
Dual channel not working


Use cpu-Z to identify your current bios level.
See if there is a more current bios that might address your issues.
Bios updates often fix ram compatibility issues.
Best advice is to not update on just speculation.
A failed flash can cause more problems.

Thank you for this advice. due to lack of spare parts so I cannot check if the CPU has damaged pins or not. I'm not entirely sure because I gave this CPU to the retailer and they suggested that they work fine after testing. I wonder that what exactly are we looking for when using cpu-Z? Do you think the issue really arised from faulty mobo or CPU? definitely RAM works fine and I checked their QVL for compatibility (both on Kingston, MSI, and AMD's reference)

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

what exactly are we looking for when using cpu-Z?

either through CPU-Z or from just entering the BIOS and checking;
you are looking for your current BIOS version.
then you would be comparing it to the latest available from the motherboard manufacturer's product support downloads section.

I did update to the latest BIOS driver.

this would not be a driver.
the BIOS is a set of code & instructions embedded in the motherboard.

so be sure you actually have the latest BIOS and have flashed it properly.

 

[geofelt]

CPU-Z motherboard tab will identify your motherboard bios level.
The current level is v2E
You download a bios file from here:
https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/B450M-MORTAR-MAX/support#down-bios

There have been many updates since initial release of the motherboard.

The r5 3400G requires level 20 to be supported.
There is a 3400ge that needs 22

If you chose to flash, do so using a USB drive and not via an internet app.
There is less chance of interupption and corruption which is nasty to recover from.

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

due to lack of spare parts so I cannot check if the CPU has damaged pins or not

spare parts has nothing to do with taking the CPU out and actually physically looking for bent pins.

I gave this CPU to the retailer and they suggested that they work fine after testing

what retailer?
and what test(s) did they do?
do you have an invoice documenting their procedure?