Question Enabling XMP and 3200hmz causes PC to not boot

[Gondawn]

GPU: 2070 SUPER
CPU: Ryzen 9 3900x
Motherboard: MPG X570 GAMING PLUS
RAM: VENGEANCE LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 DRAM 3200MHz C16 (I have 4 of those for 32GB)

Hi guys!
Recently I found out that my RAM is running at 2133mhz, but with XMP enabled it can go up to 3200mhz. So I did just that, I went to BIOS, enabled XMP and saw it jump to 3200mhz. I was happy, confirmed the changes, restarted my PC, but it wouldn't run. Red light on my motherboard was on, PC would work, but all I had is black screen and that red light. So I unplugged it, took out little battery thingy on my motherboard and started it again with reset settings, it worked fine. I repeated whole XMP process again and the same thing happened... At this point I really don't know what to do. Did any of you face same problems?

 

[COLGeek]

Try a lower XMP profile, like 3000. Not all memory will run at rated speeds in all systems.

 

[Gondawn]

Try a lower XMP profile, like 3000. Not all memory will run at rated speeds in all systems.

So they sell RAM advertised as 3200, but sometimes it's just won't run at that?

 

[COLGeek]

So they sell RAM advertised as 3200, but sometimes it's just won't run at that?

In most cases, it will work. But not in all.

Just imagine the number of combinations that exists across manufacturers, models, CPUs, chipsets, BIOS revisions, etc.

Make sure your motherboard BIOS is the most recent version available for it. Some updates can help with memory settings.

Also, you can look at your motherboard's QVL for specifics regarding tested memory configs.

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MPG-X570-GAMING-PLUS/support#bios

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MPG-X570-GAMING-PLUS/support#mem

 

[sizzling]

You have 2 kits of 2x8gb? What happens when you only use one kit in slot A2 & B2, does XMP work ok then?

 

[Gondawn]

In most cases, it will work. But not in all.

Just imagine the number of combinations that exists across manufacturers, models, CPUs, chipsets, BIOS revisions, etc.

Make sure your motherboard BIOS is the most recent version available for it. Some updates can help with memory settings.

Also, you can look at your motherboard's QVL for specifics regarding tested memory configs.

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MPG-X570-GAMING-PLUS/support#bios

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/MPG-X570-GAMING-PLUS/support#mem

That second link is a bit confusing, what am I supposed to look at there?

 

[COLGeek]

That second link is a bit confusing, what am I supposed to look at there?

See if your specific model of memory is listed.

 

[Gondawn]

See if your specific model of memory is listed.

Yep, it is listed

What do I get out of this info?

 

[Gondawn]

You have 2 kits of 2x8gb? What happens when you only use one kit in slot A2 & B2, does XMP work ok then?

That was a good shout. I tried that and it indeed enabled XMP with no problem, however now I am missing 16GB or RAM

 

[DSzymborski]

So they sell RAM advertised as 3200, but sometimes it's just won't run at that?

The kit of 2x is guaranteed to run. Separate kits are not guaranteed to meet the rating together. Because of the way semiconductor fabrication works RAM isn't sold together because it's actually identical, but binned and tested to work with the other one.

 

[Gondawn]

The kit of 2x is guaranteed to run. Separate kits are not guaranteed to meet the rating together. Because of the way semiconductor fabrication works RAM isn't sold together because it's actually identical, but binned and tested to work with the other one.

So what you are saying is if I want 32GB of RAM I better buy 2x16 rather than two separate 2x8, even though they're the same model?

 

[DSzymborski]

So what you are saying is if I want 32GB of RAM I better buy 2x16 rather than two separate 2x8, even though they're the same model?

It usually works, but not always. Only 4x8 or 2x16 sold together is guaranteed to work properly together.

Before giving up, I'd try some experimentation with the settings to see how fast you're able to run all four sticks together.

 

[Gondawn]

It usually works, but not always. Only 4x8 or 2x16 sold together is guaranteed to work properly together.

Before giving up, I'd try some experimentation with the settings to see how fast you're able to run all four sticks together.

Would it make any sense to enable XMP on A2B2 first, then take it out, put A1B1, enable XMP there and then put A2B2 back in?

 

[COLGeek]

In the past, I have seen bumping up the memory voltage a smidge helped to overcome the two pair limitation. It is not always a fix and if you overdo it, could lead to a failure.

Running at a slightly lower XMP setting may be the trick and from a user perspective, you'll see no difference in practical performance. Only when benchmarking would you see any measurable difference.

Of course, the 2x16GB option is better for most scenarios.

 

[COLGeek]

Would it make any sense to enable XMP on A2B2 first, then take it out, put A1B1, enable XMP there and then put A2B2 back in?

Not likely to make a difference, but you can certainly try it.

 

[DSzymborski]

I would certainly try manually giving it a tiny voltage bump, as COLGeek suggests, as the next option.

 

[Bob.B]

Would it make any sense to enable XMP on A2B2 first, then take it out, put A1B1, enable XMP there and then put A2B2 back in?

Do you have the proper bios?

 

[Gondawn]

Do you have the proper bios?

Yeah I have the latest one

 

[Gondawn]

I would certainly try manually giving it a tiny voltage bump, as COLGeek suggests, as the next option.

I went to do that, but then noticed that it went up to 1.38 on it's own. I guess my motherboards auto feature is doing it's job. So voltage isn't the problem