Can't Get 4 Sticks (32GB) Of RAM To Work On Asus Maximus IX Formula Motherboard

[Pindell]

Hey all, so I will start with my PC components:

CPU: Intel i7 7700K
Motherboard: Asus Maximus IX Formula
RAM: G.SKILL TridentZ RGB Series 32GB (4x8GB) DDR4 3600MHz DIMM F4-3600C17Q-32GTZR (On the G.Skill list for this motherboard)

Before I explain my issue, this is a new build and I currently don't have the GPU, SSD/HDD or OS (will get Windows 10) but I have everything else and I wanted to get everything I have so far put together so I can test if everything is working properly in BiOS. I started with 2 of the 4 RAM sticks, testing them in both A and B slots and everything worked fine (Tested with all 4 cards). I enabled XMP to add in the other 2 sticks of RAM, and had it all set to where it needed to be, which is 1.35V, 3600MHz. After getting all that set up, I put in the other 2 sticks of RAM. When I turned on my PC to get into BiOS, however, my monitor picked up no signal. My PC wouldn't get into BiOS with 4 sticks of RAM. I tried rearranging the RAM sticks and got multiple error codes in the process, including 55, A9 and 01. I tried it with just 3 RAM sticks, but I can only get into BiOS with 2 RAM sticks in at a time. I removed the CPU cooler/CPU to check if any of the CPU pins were bent, but I didn't notice any bent pins. Please help, I don't know what else to do!

 

[Calvin7]

RAM is not an entry level performance memory kit. This is DDR4-3600, most motherboards and CPUs can not support it. By using this RAM, you should expect to attempt very high voltages that require aftermarket cooling. Trident Z series RAM pushes the limits of technology, your CPU will be near it's DRAM frequency limits.

Can you elaborate on your overclocked system? Apparently not if as you wrote, "I currently don't have the GPU, SSD/HDD or OS (will get Windows 10)". If you are looking for easy set up and low voltages, take a look at DDR4-2133/2400.

 

[DRagor]

Installed 2 sticks, set up XMP, then added 2 more sticks? Not really the best move. Should have installed all 4 sticks first, see if they all work at base speed, and then try to set XMP. But anyway, you will probably need to reduce the speed to make them work.

 

[Pindell]

Calvin7 It's a new build that's in progress. I don't necessarily need the GPU, SSD or OS to get into BiOS and see if the RAM and CPU are working do I? Putting in the RAM automatically added an XMP "profile " to fit the RAM's needs, including boosting the speed to 3600mhz and voltage to 1.35. The motherboard I have was shown on the G.skill website as compatible with the RAM, and I would have a hard time believing that an i7 7700K processor couldn't handle the 3600Mhz RAM either.. I'm fairly new to PC building, so feel free to make suggestions and correct me if I'm wrong. I did, however, order the 2400 version of the RAM, so I will be seeing if that works.

DRagor No, I started with all 4 RAM sticks, but my PC wouldn't boot into BiOS. It only worked with 2 of the RAM sticks. So with 2 of the RAM sticks, I enabled the XMP profile for the 4 sticks of RAM, then put the other 2 in, but it still wouldn't boot to BiOS. Only if i had 2 RAM sticks in at a time. Tested each individual RAM stick and they all work properly at base speed.

 

[DRagor]

So if the 4 sticks didn't worked at base speed, you could bet they also won't work at XMP (though indeed it was worth trying anyway).
However that means your board has issue with running all 4 sticks, maybe limited to just this set (it happens) or maybe it will affect different kits as well. So, I assume the other kit you ordered is also 4 sticks, if it won't work with all 4 sticks at base speed, that would mean you have faulty board.
Afterthought: have you tested if all ram slots work?

 

[Pindell]

So if the 4 sticks didn't worked at base speed, you could bet they also won't work at XMP (though indeed it was worth trying anyway).
However that means your board has issue with running all 4 sticks, maybe limited to just this set (it happens) or maybe it will affect different kits as well. So, I assume the other kit you ordered is also 4 sticks, if it won't work with all 4 sticks at base speed, that would mean you have faulty board.
Afterthought: have you tested if all ram slots work?

Yes all the RAM slots worked. I tested all possible combinations of the A and B RAM slots with every RAM stick that I had. All RAM slots worked and every RAM stick worked as well, so I am completely stumped in this situation. Also yes, the RAM I just ordered is 4x8GB, only it's 2400Mhz instead of 3600Mhz. If this 2400Mhz RAM I ordered doesn't work, then it might be my CPU... even though none of the pins on it looked damaged/bent to me. I doubt it's a faulty board since all the slots are working.

 

[The Paladin]

do you have the MAXIMUS IX FORMULA BIOS 0906 on your system ?

 

[DRagor]

Two kinds of problems that defy logic: "all sticks work, all slots work, and yet all 4 sticks won't work", and "GPU works in another mobo, but not in my mobo, but other GPU works in my mobo". In both cases it's most likely motherboard fault.

 

[Pindell]

do you have the MAXIMUS IX FORMULA BIOS 0906 on your system ?

No I didn't update the BiOS to 0906, it's at the default version which is something like 0701..

 

[Pindell]

UPDATE: I tested the PC boot with different RAM (G.SKILL TridentZ RGB Series 32GB (4x8GB) DDR4 2400MHz instead of G.SKILL TridentZ RGB Series 32GB (4x8GB) DDR4 3600MHz), and again, the PC would boot to BiOS with 1-2 sticks of RAM in the slots, but not 3-4 sticks in at a time. I'm thinking I may need to install my OS before I will be able to use all 4 RAM sticks (32GB)? I believe I also need the OS installed to update my motherboard's BiOS, and having an older BiOS version could be the problem as well since this particular RAM released not that long ago.

 

[The Paladin]

the bios is a CAP files, so that tells me its a internal Bios upgrade process. https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/ROG-MAXIMUS-IX-FORMULA/HelpDesk_Download/

have you read the user manual about bios upgrade in your motherboard user manual yet ?
if not here is what you need to know..

goto this manual http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1151/MAXIMUS_IX_FORMULA/E12314_MAXIMUS_IX_FORMULA_UM_V3_WEB.pdf?_ga=2.219435546.241336239.1497096619-471366222.1493040242 then goto the UPDATIUNG BIOS or in tools Menu section the EZ Flash Menus can update bios without O/S

 

[metalgrin]

Hi Pindell

You are not alone. I got the same board, CPU and RAM, and couldn't get all four sticks to work, only two. The RAM should be supported according to ASUS compatibility list.

Do you have any new insight?

 

[mattjl1980]

Same here with the same board. I've tried everything and all I can get is one stick to work. I even spent 500 more on new ram that was on the QVL list and could not get it to work. I can only get the far right slot to work although the other slots will light up the ram. If I use anything other than the far right slot with a single stick it will not go into bios.

 

[dimitri.fluckiger]

Sup guys, kinda same problem here with rog maximus x formula, crashes and problems (no boot right now) with 4 sticks, did you find a solution or anything?!

I'm struggling a lot, wanna use these 4 sticks and get to 32Gb..