Question DDR5 RAM bluescreens when set to 6000Mhz via XMP ?

[nkneshev]

Hi, I recently built a new PC and I have been having issues with running my RAM at the speeds it is rated for. I set it to 6000mhz via XMP mode from the day I got it, and from time to time it bluescreened, figured it was just Windows being weird. After a while the bluescreens turned into outright freezes followed by a restart. Strangely it was never during gaming, it would just randomly do it if I was watching a YT video, talking in a discord call or even when the pc was just idling on the desktop. After I set my RAM to 5600mhz(again via XMP, i did not really find an option to set it to stock 4800) the issue was pretty much gone.

SPECS
MBD: ASRock Z790 Pro RS (BIOS ver. 15.01)
CPU: Intel i5-12600k (set to default clocks/speeds, never overclocked)
GPU: Gigabyte GTX 1080 Xtreme Gaming
RAM: Kingston Fury Beast (2 x 16GB) DDR5 6000MHz
PSU: 750w COUGAR GEX 80 Plus Gold

As far as I know the CPU and mobo should both support 6000mhz ddr5 without instability, at least with the newest BIOS on my mobo. My knowledge only goes so far, hence why I am reaching out here in hopes of someone qualified seeing this thread. I can post a picture of all the RAM settings in the BIOS if needed. Thanks in advance!

 

[Lutfij]

After I set my RAM to 5600mhz(again via XMP, i did not really find an option to set it to stock 4800) the issue was pretty much gone.
Since you're on the latest BIOS version, and I'm assuming the rams are on slots A2 and B2, can you drop in another known working ram kit(sourced from a friend or neighbor) with the same frequency/specs onto your platform? You can take your ram and drop it onto said friend or neighbor's rig and see if the issue persists. If it does, you ight have to RMA the ram kit you got.

Without enabling the profile, are you able to manually set the frequency to DDR5-6000MHz with all things left to Auto in BIOS?

at least with the newest BIOS on my mobo.
Did you flash the BIOS for your motherboard, recently? If so, try and clear the CMOS. You do so by disconnecting from the wall and display, then removing the CMIOS battery, press and hold down the power button for 30secs(to drain any residual power), then replace the CMOS battery after 30mins.

 

[nkneshev]

After I set my RAM to 5600mhz(again via XMP, i did not really find an option to set it to stock 4800) the issue was pretty much gone.
Since you're on the latest BIOS version, and I'm assuming the rams are on slots A2 and B2, can you drop in another known working ram kit(sourced from a friend or neighbor) with the same frequency/specs onto your platform? You can take your ram and drop it onto said friend or neighbor's rig and see if the issue persists. If it does, you ight have to RMA the ram kit you got.

Without enabling the profile, are you able to manually set the frequency to DDR5-6000MHz with all things left to Auto in BIOS?

at least with the newest BIOS on my mobo.
Did you flash the BIOS for your motherboard, recently? If so, try and clear the CMOS. You do so by disconnecting from the wall and display, then removing the CMIOS battery, press and hold down the power button for 30secs(to drain any residual power), then replace the CMOS battery after 30mins.

The RAM is in A2&B2, yes. I can try and find another pair of DDR5 sticks, but it might take time as everyone that I can think of is using DDR4 so it is not something I can do right now for sure.

I set the XMP profile to Auto and manually(after seeing that I can actually scroll down in the DRAM config and found other settings lmao) set the memory to 6000mhz, everything else is pretty much also left on Auto right now. I will leave the PC running and see if it still BSODs/freezes. Last time it froze about 2 hours after I set the XMP to 6000mhz.

The mobo actually arrived with the newest BIOS version on it, so I haven't flashed it. Should I still try and clear the CMOS? I have done it before on my old PC and it actually helped with some issues.

 

[geofelt]

Are your two sticks from the same matched kit?

Or, are they two identical part numbers?
If they are the latter, you may have issues.

To test, Run memtest86+
It boots from a usb stick and does not use windows.
You can download it here:

Memtest86+ | The Open-Source Memory Testing Tool

Memtest86+ is an advanced, free, open-source, stand-alone memory tester for 32- and 64-bit computers (UEFI & BIOS supported)

memtest.org

Some motherboard bios will include memtest in the tools app section.

If you can run a full pass with NO errors, your ram should be ok.

Running several more passes will sometimes uncover an issue, but it takes more time.
Probably not worth it unless you really suspect a ram issue.

 

[nkneshev]

Are your two sticks from the same matched kit?

Or, are they two identical part numbers?
If they are the latter, you may have issues.

To test, Run memtest86+
It boots from a usb stick and does not use windows.
You can download it here:

Memtest86+ | The Open-Source Memory Testing Tool

Memtest86+ is an advanced, free, open-source, stand-alone memory tester for 32- and 64-bit computers (UEFI & BIOS supported)

memtest.org

Some motherboard bios will include memtest in the tools app section.

If you can run a full pass with NO errors, your ram should be ok.

Running several more passes will sometimes uncover an issue, but it takes more time.
Probably not worth it unless you really suspect a ram issue.

The sticks I ordered are not from a matched kit, as they were out of stock at the time and I had to just get two of the same. They are the exact same brand, model and speed though, 100% sure.

Have not ran memtest yet, what I did run was Windows Memory Diagnostic instead and it returned no errors, however I don't know if it is as accurate or reliable as memtest.

 

[geofelt]

Each individual stick may have different xmp settings embedded in it, causing confusion.
Instead of using xmp, specify the settings (speed, timings, voltage) for the ram yourself.
And, up the voltage a notch or two to compensate.

 

[nkneshev]

Each individual stick may have different xmp settings embedded in it, causing confusion.
Instead of using xmp, specify the settings (speed, timings, voltage) for the ram yourself.
And, up the voltage a notch or two to compensate.

Thank you for clarifying. I have it currently running at 6000mhz via manually setting the speed w/o XMP, however I have not set the timings or voltage myself and instead left that to the mobo(auto). The PC has been on and running fine for about 5-ish hours now, earlier when I set it from 5600mhz XMP to 6000mhz XMP it bluescreened on the 2nd hour. Too early to celebrate yet though, when the problem started I've had it BSOD and then run fine for like a day until it did it again.

I'll wait about a day or so more and see if manual 6000mhz is good/stable - if not I will do as you advised and tinker with the voltage and timings myself. If that fails as well, I will run memtest to see if there are any issues with any of the modules and get a replacement.