Question Enabling XMP won't work, but should... what can the cause be?

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NutzMo

Jan 6, 2020
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Hi I've google this, tried not to post a thread.... there are many with XMP issues! I know.... but who knows, someone might have the exact same spec and know the issue?

Motherboard: ASUS Z-370-H Gaming (latest bios: 2203, default settings)
CPU: i8700K @ standard 3.7Ghz
GPU: Asus 1080TI
Chassi: Corsair Obsidian 750D (brand new today)
PSU: Corsair RM750W (brand new today, previously a EVGA 650W)
OS: Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
Memories tested: Corsair Vengance, 2x8 GB 3000 Mhz (CMK16GX4M2B3000C15), but switch to 2x16 GB 3200 Mhz (CMK32GX4M2B3200C16 today, and SAME issue, so not memory)

Both memories are in the supported memory sticks list:
https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/...2.1265557153.1578326767-2020641945.1574754914

The Issue:
Memories run at 2133Mhz

Enable XMP to get "correct" Mhz:
Enabling XMP and the BIOS won't boot, it will go into safe mode after a failed POST / boot. (orange light on mb)

Workaround / testing:
If I use EZ-tuning and use suggested overclocking with CPU + tower fan (which I have) it will boot!
But Windows BSOD with IRQL_NO_LESS_OR_EQUAL right away. My Windows log has nothing, except "Could not write to log". yay.

Researching:
...google says many things, one being that the CPU might be "broken" or installed incorrectly. However, it's been working fine for 1 year and 6 months. No weird BSOD.
I do however have occational complete freezes / stutters with weird noise in speakers. For like 0.5-1sec. Happens maybe once or twice a day, and not every day or for a while. There is nothing in the logs when this happen. It just happens. It doesn't happen in games, it happens randomly in Windows during file handling I believe.
Computer is normally used for work, programming and version control.

Question, how can I test the CPU's functionality?
If CPU is not "on" correctly, can it be "reseated" correctly? (i really don't want to take it off, unless certain)

What else can I test? I wanna KNOW if it's the CPU. Not just buy a new one.
 
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When posting a thread of troubleshooting nature, it's customary to include your full system's specs. List them like so:
CPU:
Motherboard:
Ram:
SSD/HDD:
GPU:
PSU:
Chassis:
OS:

I can see that you're indeed on the latest BIOS though you might want to see if removing the CMOS battery and replacing it after 15 minutes and then trying with X.M.P enabling, changes your experience. Which slots are you working with for either kits of ram?

Manually input the timings for the ram as well as it's frequency and voltage in BIOS and then give another go. You might also want to tear down the entire system and see if you have any bent or broken pins on the CPU socket.
 
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I have another computer with an ASUS Z170 and i6700K CPU with same Corsair Vengeance memories, 2x8 gb.

There I can enable XMP so that it runs the memories at 2666 Mhz (max for that board) instead of the defaulted 2133Mhz it also runs unless XMP is enabled.
 
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Lutfij said:
I can see that you're indeed on the latest BIOS though you might want to see if removing the CMOS battery and replacing it after 15 minutes and then trying with X.M.P enabling, changes your experience. Which slots are you working with for either kits of ram?

Manually input the timings for the ram as well as it's frequency and voltage in BIOS and then give another go. You might also want to tear down the entire system and see if you have any bent or broken pins on the CPU socket.
Click to expand...

The voltage and settings given by XMP is the specs it should have according to the memory sticks themselves. So the settings are as they should.

The memory sticks are in A2 and B2 as per suggested in the Asus 370-H motherboard manual.
 
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Well that was pointless. i6700k doesn't work on the z370 😛

Everything back together now and problem is the same. Pins all look fine.

Is the mobo bad? Or CPU bad?
 
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A last test with just 1 memory stick in A2. It works to set it to 3200 Mhz.

What does this mean? That the mobo is bad? I read this on an Intel forum where an Intel employee suggested this. As it's more rarely the CPU than the motherboard.

So, basically my memory slots are bad or the mobo somehow is bad?
 
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Tried all other combos in both A and B, mixed and solo. Just 1 stick works to run at 3200. Not two memory sticks.

Anyone that can "confirm" that the motherboard is what is most likely the "broken" part here?
 
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Mr.Spock said:
yes the gap is due to dual channel, it could just be your RAM isn't playing nice with the board
Click to expand...

Well the memory is officially supported by ASUS. So if it doesn't work, it's broken right?

Just found a post in the ASUS forums with this exact issue:
https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?112482-DIMM-Slot-B2-wont-allow-XMP-profile-to-post

"Nothing worked"... he eventually switched out his MB and CPU. Then it worked, with the same memory sticks.

So, what I don't want to do is have to switch out both MB and CPU. Already spent loads of cash on all other parts 😀

I guess the performance gain from 2133 to 3200 Mhz isn't really that much. So maybe not worth even bothering about this.

I just want the computer to run as expected....
 
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I am having this EXACT same issue on my board. I have the Asus z390-E. Ram is fine, DIMMs are fine, CPU and GPU run fine and have been tested and benched, no bent pins, and it will run with one stick of ram and XMP enabled. But as soon as I enable XMP1: It boot loops to bios, then I can exit and it will run at 2133, and my ram speeds should be 3200 with XMP on. And if I use XMP2, my PC just holds and shines two orange lights at me until the end of time, can't even get to BIOS with XMP2. Good luck to you pal. If I come across anything useful I'll post it here for you. These boards seem really, really poor quality.
 
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