Question Dual channel RAM issue ?

[Rajesh Pandian]

I've been using this PC for approximately 6 months perfectly well from Jan to June. One day, it failed to POST, so I took it to the store. They diagnosed the issue as a malfunctioning RAM module, replaced it, and the PC booted up fine. It worked perfectly well for the next 6 days, but on the 7th day, it failed to POST once again. I returned to the store, and this time they removed the faulty RAM and PC booted up. To my surprise, the new RAM was the one causing the issue this time. The technician suspected that it might be a faulty motherboard, so they sent it for repair, and I waited for 20 days to get it back.

After the motherboard repair, the RAM that previously didn't POST started working, and I was relieved that the issue seemed resolved. However, after just 5 days, the PC failed to POST again, which left me feeling quite frustrated. This time, I decided not to go back to the store. Instead, I removed the newly replaced RAM, and the PC booted up without any problems. Currently, I've been running the PC smoothly for around 15 days using a single RAM stick with no issues. Also to clarify that its not faulty RAM slot, I placed the working RAM in slot A2 for a week and slot B2 for a week.

Before returning to the store, I have a few questions I'd like to clarify:
1. My CPU (13700K) is supposed to support DDR5 5600MHz, but I've been using DDR5 6000MHz. Could this be causing the RAM issue?
2. I've heard that the memory controller is integrated into the CPU these days. Is it possible that the CPU's memory controller is not functioning properly?
3. The store owner mentioned that these issues might be related to poor grounding in my home. However, I've checked the electricity in my home, and there don't appear to be any issues. Could problems with the PSU or UPS be causing these problems?
4. If it was a faulty CPU pins or Motherboard Socket issues, then ideally the PC should not POST at all right ? In my case the PC worked well for 6 days on the RAM replacement, and 5 days on the motherboard Repair.

Please help me, I can constantly provide informations to help me clarify. I am about to work on a Huge project in Unreal engine, 16GB is not enough for that.

SPECS:
i7-13700K
Gigabyte Z690 Aorus DDR5
Corsair DDR5 16x2 6000mhz
NZXT C850 Gold +
APC UPS (1200 Watt)

 

[Lutfij]

The store owner mentioned that these issues might be related to poor grounding in my home. However, I've checked the electricity in my home, and there don't appear to be any issues. Could problems with the PSU or UPS be causing these problems?
Do you feel a mild tingling sensation when you touch the metal part of your chassis and your bare feet are touching a tiled(non-wooden, non-carpeted) floor?

Which slots are the rams populating on the motherboard?

BIOS version for your motherboard at this moment of time?

 

[Rajesh Pandian]

The store owner mentioned that these issues might be related to poor grounding in my home. However, I've checked the electricity in my home, and there don't appear to be any issues. Could problems with the PSU or UPS be causing these problems?
Do you feel a mild tingling sensation when you touch the metal part of your chassis and your bare feet are touching a tiled(non-wooden, non-carpeted) floor?

Which slots are the rams populating on the motherboard?

BIOS version for your motherboard at this moment of time?

1. No tingling sensation. I used the tester screwdriver to test NEUTRAL, GROUND and LINE of the 3 way Input socket. Only LINE current flows on the screwdriver LED
2. When i used two rams, it was on A2 and B2. Now currently using single ram and it is present in A2
3. Z690 AORUS ULTRA, BIOS VERSION: F25

 

[faalin]

I would download Memtest86+ and check each ram stick by itself, if both pass then i would run it again in dual channel mode.

You could try and run your ram at 5600MHz just to see if its stable. Could just be the luck of the draw that your cpu doesnt like OC'd ram and 5600MHz is all it can handle.

The ram that your using, is it on the QVL for the board? Intel normally isn't as picky on ram, but hey we're trying to trouble shoot an issue.

Other things to try, if you have thermal paste i would reseat the cpu.

Try bumping the ram voltage up just slightly, not sure what Gigabytes voltage increase increments are but i would bump it up one or two increments and see if that helps.

 

[Rajesh Pandian]

I would download Memtest86+ and check each ram stick by itself, if both pass then i would run it again in dual channel mode.

You could try and run your ram at 5600MHz just to see if its stable. Could just be the luck of the draw that your cpu doesnt like OC'd ram and 5600MHz is all it can handle.

The ram that your using, is it on the QVL for the board? Intel normally isn't as picky on ram, but hey we're trying to trouble shoot an issue.

Other things to try, if you have thermal paste i would reseat the cpu.

Try bumping the ram voltage up just slightly, not sure what Gigabytes voltage increase increments are but i would bump it up one or two increments and see if that helps.

Hi Thanks for your response

1. The faulty ram stick won't POST at all. In the current working stick i ran Intel processor diagnostic tool and Memtest86, both result came as passed with no errors
2. Currently running the stick at native speed of 4800mhz. I have no clue of how to manually set the RAM speed. I can either enable or disable XMP
3. The ram i am using is not on the QVL list

Also i have noticed that on Aug 31 2023, a new version of BIOS [F26] has been released stating that it
"Enable SPD write protect, help fixing DDR compatibility issue due to some module did not introduce JEDEC SPD write protection properly."

Shall i update to this BIOS version and see if it POST with the faulty RAM ?

 

[sitehostplus]

Sounds like you are just getting unlucky with ram at this point. Sucks I know, but companies do put out bad batches occasionally, even Corsair isn't immune.

I noticed you said the ram you are using is not on the supported ram list. That could be why you have all these problems, that list is there for a reason. I'd start there and look up a fresh batch of ram the company does support and replace all of it.

I wish you good luck. 🤗

 

[geofelt]

What might have changed since the time when all was well and the current problems?

To answer your questions:

1. 5600 is the best default speed at which your motherboard will boot.
Usually ram boots at 4800 default, and then you select a higher speed in the bios. Usually via a XMP setting. You can select a 6000 speed xmp profile in the bios to run at the spec. speed of your ram.

2. Yes, the memory controller is part of the cpu.
It is extremely unlikely that it is faulty.


3. Improper wall outlets could cause a problem, particularly with a poor quality psu.
But, since you are connected to a APC unit, I would think that unit would be the one to fix any outlet issues.

4. A bent pin in the cpu socket will often not cause an apparent error.
One possibility for strange ram issues is a bent pin in the cpu socket.
Symptoms such as a non working slot or no dual channel operation are common.
A bent pin happens if the chip is not dropped into the socket cleanly.

Do not try to reseat the cpu, you are only risking damage.
But, as a last resort, you could remove the chip to look for damage.
If you find a bent pin, try to use a needle to nudge it back into place.
Bent pins are considered user error, and if you can't fix it, you need a new motherboard, no rma will be accepted.

Intel is very tolerant of ram. Are both sticks part of the same ram kit?
Two separate sticks, even the same part number, may not operate properly.
Ram must be matched.

Since the bios addresses ram issues, I would update.
If the second stick does not run in the socket that the first one does, I think you have a faulty stick.

What is the make/model of the ram you are trying to use?

When the store replaced the ram, I bet they only replaced a single stick, not the complete kit like they should have.

 

[Rajesh Pandian]

What might have changed since the time when all was well and the current problems?

To answer your questions:

1. 5600 is the best default speed at which your motherboard will boot.
Usually ram boots at 4800 default, and then you select a higher speed in the bios. Usually via a XMP setting. You can select a 6000 speed xmp profile in the bios to run at the spec. speed of your ram.

2. Yes, the memory controller is part of the cpu.
It is extremely unlikely that it is faulty.


3. Improper wall outlets could cause a problem, particularly with a poor quality psu.
But, since you are connected to a APC unit, I would think that unit would be the one to fix any outlet issues.

4. A bent pin in the cpu socket will often not cause an apparent error.
One possibility for strange ram issues is a bent pin in the cpu socket.
Symptoms such as a non working slot or no dual channel operation are common.
A bent pin happens if the chip is not dropped into the socket cleanly.

Do not try to reseat the cpu, you are only risking damage.
But, as a last resort, you could remove the chip to look for damage.
If you find a bent pin, try to use a needle to nudge it back into place.
Bent pins are considered user error, and if you can't fix it, you need a new motherboard, no rma will be accepted.

Intel is very tolerant of ram. Are both sticks part of the same ram kit?
Two separate sticks, even the same part number, may not operate properly.
Ram must be matched.

Since the bios addresses ram issues, I would update.
If the second stick does not run in the socket that the first one does, I think you have a faulty stick.

What is the make/model of the ram you are trying to use?

When the store replaced the ram, I bet they only replaced a single stick, not the complete kit like they should have.

Hi geofelt, Thanks for you response:

Replaced RAM is from different kit. Yes they only replaced a single stick. But the brand, speed and model is same. Only the model number of the last two digits differ. But does this cause issue, cause i have heard that speed, brand and model should be same to work properly. Didnt know that it should be from same kit. Otherwise i would have asked for a kit

CORSAIR VENGENCE DDR5 16x2 6000mhz

If there is a bent pin that casuing the dual channel issue, then ideally the dual channel shouldn't work at all right ? But in my case it worked well for 5 days then didn't POST. Also I ran Intel processor diagnostic tool today. Everything PASSED including memory controller test

NZXT 850 Gold Plus, I have checked the APC's ground, neutral and line. No issues from there as well. But if suppose the electricity is causing hardware issue, Shouldn't it damage both ram's ?

I ll update the BIOS today and see if the faulty RAM works or not.

 

[geofelt]

A question to me is Why did things change when all was well?
That may be the key to your issue.

FWIW: Ram chips do not come out exactly the same on a wafer.
They will be binned as to quality and the faster/better chips will be used in higher speed kits which will sell for more.
Chips are matched as to operating characteristics. Compatible chips are used packaged together in a single matched kit.
That is the only guarantee for proper operation at the advertised speed.
The specs for that(speed,voltage, cas) will be embedded in the ram as a XMP profile)

Even the same part number may have slightly different specs so ram should be bought in a single kit.
I think the last two characters in the name may indicate color or such and is not important.

One can often adjust settings like voltage and timings to get things to work.
But, that is not guaranteed.

You really need to find out what happened after 5 days that made things not work.
Something changed.

 

[Rajesh Pandian]

A question to me is Why did things change when all was well?
That may be the key to your issue.

You really need to find out what happened after 5 days that made things not work.
Something changed.

For 6 months after building the PC , on the 5th month i had this issue with ethernet disconnecting and reconnecting frequently. Plus sometimes the PC after login page would shuts the PC and restarts automatically. So the technician recommends me to update the BIOS, So i did and the issues gone completely for a month. But suddenly the PC didnt POST even with the RAM that was on the same kit. So that's also a mystery.

I didnt do any change in BIOS settings or on Hardware during the 5 days after i got the motherboard repaired. I don't touch the Hardware expect for weekly dust cleanup. I might have installed several software's but can software corrupt a RAM ? Specifically Gigabyte's Control center to update drivers ?

Anyways i am going to update the BIOS now, Wish me luck, If this does not work, then I'll replace the RAM to a compeletly different brand something like ADATA or GSkill with lower speed as 5200mhz

 

[geofelt]

What kind of repair was done on the motherboard?
Usually motherboard repairs need to be done by the factory.

 

[Rajesh Pandian]

What kind of repair was done on the motherboard?
Usually motherboard repairs need to be done by the factory.

No idea what kind of repair they did. Store said that they have sent the motherboard to an Gigabyte's Authorised Service Center. The BIOS that i had before the repair for F22 and after the repair was F25. I am about to update to F26

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

Hi geofelt, Thanks for you response:

Replaced RAM is from different kit. Yes they only replaced a single stick. But the brand, speed and model is same. Only the model number of the last two digits differ. But does this cause issue, cause i have heard that speed, brand and model should be same to work properly. Didnt know that it should be from same kit. Otherwise i would have asked for a kit

CORSAIR VENGENCE DDR5 16x2 6000mhz

If there is a bent pin that casuing the dual channel issue, then ideally the dual channel shouldn't work at all right ? But in my case it worked well for 5 days then didn't POST. Also I ran Intel processor diagnostic tool today. Everything PASSED including memory controller test

NZXT 850 Gold Plus, I have checked the APC's ground, neutral and line. No issues from there as well. But if suppose the electricity is causing hardware issue, Shouldn't it damage both ram's ?

I ll update the BIOS today and see if the faulty RAM works or not.

It's very possible this is ram compatibility issue. Make sure after updating the bios, you clear CMOS afterwards. Otherwise remnants of microcode can remain and still cause the issues. Clea CMOS to be sure. You mobo manual will tell you how. Typically you need to short two pins on the mobo, when the battery is out. Wait for 30 seconds, the put the battery back and reboot.

 

[geofelt]

When updating a bios, the resulting bios should be cleared and set to default.

 

[Rajesh Pandian]

It's very possible this is ram compatibility issue. Make sure after updating the bios, you clear CMOS afterwards. Otherwise remnants of microcode can remain and still cause the issues. Clea CMOS to be sure. You mobo manual will tell you how. Typically you need to short two pins on the mobo, when the battery is out. Wait for 30 seconds, the put the battery back and reboot.

When updating a bios, the resulting bios should be cleared and set to default.

After updating BIOS, just to be on a safer side if i take the CMOS battery out and start to boot up, the settings will be automatically be default right ?

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

After updating BIOS, just to be on a safer side if i take the CMOS battery out and start to boot up, the settings will be automatically be default right ?

You should ideally follow the instructions from the mobo manufacturer outlined in your manual. It differs from one to the next, but following the process is best here.

Here: https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-clear-the-cmos-on-the-gigabyte-board

You are looking for two pins marked CLRTC. The pins are normally to the edge of the mobo.

 

[geofelt]

After updating BIOS, just to be on a safer side if i take the CMOS battery out and start to boot up, the settings will be automatically be default right ?

Before updating a bios, make note of any settings you might need to recreate.
I see no benefit to removing a cmos battery.
You are more likely to screw something up.
After the bios update, you will have a clear/default bios.
You may need to enter any needed settings that you had before.
That might include boot order or ram xmp settings for example.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

There is plenty of reason to clear CMOS. It is more akin to a hard reset for bios defaults. Simply resetting the bios to default from within the bios is known as a 'soft reset'. To be completely sure the bios has taken without any lingering code, is very relevant. If after the bios one notices issues, the likely culprit will be the CMOS. It's part of my process for any bios updates I do, and it's always advisable. You wanna be sure, right?

 

[Rajesh Pandian]

There is plenty of reason to clear CMOS. It is more akin to a hard reset for bios defaults. Simply resetting the bios to default from within the bios is known as a 'soft reset'. To be completely sure the bios has taken without any lingering code, is very relevant. If after the bios one notices issues, the likely culprit will be the CMOS. It's part of my process for any bios updates I do, and it's always advisable. You wanna be sure, right?

When updating a bios, the resulting bios should be cleared and set to default.

I have updated the BIOS successfully and cleared the CMOS. But still the faulty RAM didn't POST. Maybe the RAM from a different KIT is the problem, but not sure what's causing the damage to the RAM on the past two times. Maybe I was unlucky. I have asked the store to send me a new Kit of RAM from QVL of my motherboard, most probably KINGSTON or ADATA or XPG 16x2 DDR5 5200mhz.

Just to be safe I really don't want to risk using 6000mhz or 5600mhz speed of RAM. Anything greater than 4800mhz is considered as overclock and i mostly utilize the 85% of RAM when i work in UE5 and UEFN. So 5200mhz seems to be a safer option I guess.

I really hope that this RAM works well and doesn't get damaged after a week or months of use. Once everything works well, I ll edit the post. If it doesn't then I give up....

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

I have updated the BIOS successfully and cleared the CMOS. But still the faulty RAM didn't POST. Maybe the RAM from a different KIT is the problem, but not sure what's causing the damage to the RAM on the past two times. Maybe I was unlucky. I have asked the store to send me a new Kit of RAM from QVL of my motherboard, most probably KINGSTON or ADATA or XPG 16x2 DDR5 5200mhz.

Just to be safe I really don't want to risk using 6000mhz or 5600mhz speed of RAM. Anything greater than 4800mhz is considered as overclock and i mostly utilize the 85% of RAM when i work in UE5 and UEFN. So 5200mhz seems to be a safer option I guess.

I really hope that this RAM works well and doesn't get damaged after a week or months of use. Once everything works well, I ll edit the post. If it doesn't then I give up....

Let us know how that goes