Question Is my RAM compatible with my system?

[ncr123]

Hello,

Around a month ago now, I built a custom built PC with new components ordered online. I ordered 2 RAM sticks (8gb each). Ever since building it, I have been having issues constantly with the computer. Usually, it starts with a game repeatedly crashing (this happens randomly from 10-60 minutes into a game, and happens faster with some games compared to others).

Then, usually after anywhere from a few hours to a day or two after these games start crashing, I will see the computer begin to start having BSOD errors. Something to note about this BSOD is that sometimes, instead of seeing the blue screen, I would simply get a "HMDI no signal" message on the monitor and the computer would restart without me seeing any blue screen.

After getting these errors, I first assumed it was a driver issue. I have since tried several different older drivers (and the newest driver) by using DDU to completely uninstall the driver (with the internet disconnected and fast startup turned off) and then extracting and installing the new driver from a file I had downloaded beforehand. This typically will fix the problem for a few hours to a day or two, but then the problem will return again.

To try and rule out a hardware graphics card problem, I also got a 1070 card from a friend (who said it worked fine on their computer) and tried it. It worked for a bit and then the same problems started appearing after about a day.

I also have tried a few full windows reinstalls, which usually fixes the problem for a day or two at most before issues appear again.

Now, specifically for the errors yesterday, I had a few more interesting problems appear. When it started BSOD today, I booted into safemode and tried running DISM health restores and SFC\scannow. In previous cases, I've also run these every time and they have found no issues, but this time they did find and fix a corrupted file (which is interesting and confusing)

Even after this, I was still getting BSODs on boot up within a few second to a minute. Since I had seen new issues this time (with the scannow finding something) I decided to try removing one RAM stick. To my surprise, all BSODs stopped! And I was able to run some games and had no issues for about 2 or so hours.

I tried the following RAM variations with these results (I have 2 RAM sticks with 8 gb each, PC specs at the bottom):

1. Tried RAM in slot 2 and slot 4 (motherboard recommended setup) - system crash
2. Tried swapping the RAMs in slot 2 and 4 - system crash
3. Tried one RAM in slot 4 - system booted up fine
4. Tried the other RAM in slot 4 - system booted up fine
5. Tried RAM in slot 1 and 3 - system crashed
6. Tried one RAM in slot 2 - system booted up fine

With this in mind, I was confused and tried running memtest86 with RAM in slots 2 and 4 for four passes - this returned no errors.

Since this one slot was technically working, I shutdown the PC left it with one stick in slot 4 overnight. However, today after booting my PC back up and playing games for about 30 minutes with the RAM in only slot 4, I got a game crash to desktop again (no BSOD yet).

I am at an absolute loss here and don't really know where to go, I've tried so many solutions so I'll ask some RAM related question here if anyone knows the answer!

1. Most straightforward - Is my RAM compatible for my system (motherboard, cpu, etc)? I currently have it running at default settings for everything with a speed of 2133 mhz
2. Could this be a problem with the motherboard or CPU controlling the RAM? And is there anyway to test this?
3. Would it make sense for RAM problems to develop this way, with things starting out ok but getting progressively worse after every system restore?
4. Does the fact that the single RAM stopped the BSOD (but not all errors) prove anything?
5. Should I try a full system restore/DDU uninstall now with one RAM stick in, or is that not worth it?

Thank you so much to anyone willing to take a look at this, here are my system specs:

RAM: Corsair CMW16GX4M2C3200C16W, Vengeance RGB PRO 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 3200MHz C16
RAM ver #: Ver 5.33

Other system specs:
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 4500
Motherboard: Asus PRIME B550M-A Micro ATX AM4
Storage: Kingston NV2 500 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
GPU: GeForce RTX 2060 6 GB
Fans: Two 140 mm fans (came with the case)
Keyboard: Keychron V1 Wired Custom Mechanical Keyboard
Mouse: Logitech M171 Wireless Mouse

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

Is my RAM compatible for my system

check the motherboard compatibility chart.
usually located within motherboard product support pages on the official website.

using DDU to completely uninstall the driver (with the internet disconnected and fast startup turned off) and then extracting and installing the new driver from a file I had downloaded

you should never need to manually extract the driver packages downloaded directly from Nvidia.
where did you get this file?

I also got a 1070 card from a friend (who said it worked fine on their computer) and tried it. It worked for a bit and then the same problems

also try using their RAM, if also DDR4.
and try the different combinations; DIMMs 2 & 4, 1 & 3, then each DIMM slot individually.

1. Tried RAM in slot 2 and slot 4 (motherboard recommended setup) - system crash
2. Tried swapping the RAMs in slot 2 and 4 - system crash
3. Tried one RAM in slot 4 - system booted up fine
4. Tried the other RAM in slot 4 - system booted up fine
5. Tried RAM in slot 1 and 3 - system crashed
6. Tried one RAM in slot 2 - system booted up fine

this would really lead me toward an issue with the motherboard.
how old is it? was it purchased new?

also have tried a few full windows reinstalls

what source are you using for the OS installer?
have you created a new install package each time using the MS Media Creation Tool?

 

[ncr123]

check the motherboard compatibility chart.
usually located within motherboard product support pages on the official website.

I see, thank you for the suggestion. I just looked and I can't find my exact RAM model on the memory section of my motherboard here:

PRIME B550M-A｜Motherboards｜ASUS USA

ASUS Prime motherboards are expertly engineered to unleash the full potential of AMD and Intel processors. Boasting a robust power design, comprehensive cooling solutions and intelligent tuning options, these ASUS motherboards provide daily users and DIY PC builders a range of performance tuning...

www.asus.com

Does this mean the RAM is not compatible?

you should never need to manually extract the driver packages downloaded directly from Nvidia.
where did you get this file?

Sorry I think I worded that poorly. I downloaded the package from Nvidia's site itself, and I don't think I actually extracted from that I just ran the installer (which I worded as "extracting" incorrectly I think)

also try using their RAM, if also DDR4.
and try the different combinations; DIMMs 2 & 4, 1 & 3, then each DIMM slot individually.

Unfortunately, I don't have access to their other components very readily. They lent me the graphics card but are quite far away so I don't think I'll be able to try their RAM. I am thinking about buying another set from the list of compatible RAMs on that motherboard site you recommended to test it out though

this would really lead me toward an issue with the motherboard.
how old is it? was it purchased new?

I see, the motherboard is new out of the box from when I built the PC about a month ago. Is there anyway to test it for faults?

what source are you using for the OS installer?
have you created a new install package each time using the MS Media Creation Tool?

I have been using the reset function within windows, and I've done one reset using both options from there. But I have not tried using the MS Media Creation Tool since I first put windows on my computer

Thank you for your responses so far and any help/suggestions you have!

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

I have been using the reset function within windows, and I've done one reset using both options from there.

it's possible there may be a fault within the included data, but the way the memory issues appear i wouldn't really think it is an issue with the OS.

can't hurt trying a fresh install with the latest package from MS though.

motherboard is new out of the box from when I built the PC about a month ago

check what the return policy is with the retailer purchased from.
if a fault with the board is the problem, i'd want to return it and get something different.

if passed the return policy, at least you could still RMA with ASUS for a replacement though.

Is there anyway to test it for faults?

really just trying with multiple RAM kits.
if all lead to the same situation than there's a good chance it is the board.

problem with the motherboard or CPU controlling the RAM? And is there anyway to test this?

testing if the CPU memory controller may be faulty would be the next step though.
which may not be quite as easy.

you can try removing it and checking for bent pins or other noticeable issue with it.

Windows crash logs can show data referring to this type of problem but you'd have to submit the logs and find someone here or elsewhere to inspect them.
of course it's always possible there may be some easy-to-understand for you info contained that points specifically to the processor.