Question MSI PRO Z790-A MAX WIFI and RAM slots (A1, A2 and B1 not working but B1+B2 works)

[Archytas57721]

Hello All,
I just built myself a rendering rig and have run in some RAM issue. Hoping I could find solution by talking about it here!
Here is the list of components.

• Case: NZXT H9 Flow Dual-Chamber ATX Mid-Tower PC Gaming
• CPU: Intel 24 Core i9 14900K Raptor Lake Refresh CPU/Processor
• Motherboard: MSI PRO Z790-A MAX WIFI
• RAM :CORSAIR DOMINATOR TITANIUM RGB DDR5 RAM 64GB (2x32GB) DDR5 6000MHz CL30 Intel XMP iCUE Compatible Computer Memory - White (CMP64GX5M2B6000C30W)
• Power Supply: MSI MEG CORELIQUID S360 56.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
• GPU: Asus DUAL OC GeForce RTX 4070 12 GB Video Card
• Cooler: MSI MEG CORELIQUID S360 56.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
• Storage: Samsung 990 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive
• OS: Windows 11 Home

I have two sticks of corsair ram (CORSAIR DOMINATOR TITANIUM RGB DDR5 RAM 64GB (2x32GB) DDR5 6000MHz CL30).
I am aware of the combinations of Ram slots to be used effectively as its mentioned in the motherboard manual and also printed a picture on motherboard itself which is A2 and B2.
When I installed both sticks in A2 and B2, didn’t post . EZ Debug LED shows yellow and red led turned on and blinks itself to a steady yellow only.
A yellow clearly suggests an issue with RAM.

1. 1. I tested each stick individually and found only B2 slot working. A1,A2 and B1 all fail with both sticks installed individually and interestingly enough the RGB on RAM works (lights on RAM are on) with each slot.

2.Then I tested combinations of RAM like

1. A1 & A2
2. A1 & B1
3. A1 & B2
4. A2 & B2
5. A2 & B1
6. They all fail . The only combination I have working me is B1 and B2.

And with this combination when the memory speed in BIOS is clocked down to 4000Mhz. also I get a warning and a suggestion to move one stick of ram to move into A2 slot .
When I turn on XMP , it doesn’t even get me into BIOS on restart and after a min it restarts and XMP is turned off in BIOS on restart.
BIOS is updated to the latest version.
With above data, I would like to know what could be the issue here .
Should I return the motherboard and get a new one ?
Or is there something I am missing which I should be doing to get more data to make sense if the motherboard or Ram is at fault?
Or if there is something I should be doing to make A2 and B2 working.
Thanks.

 

[Lutfij]

BIOS is updated to the latest version.
Can you please state the BIOS version at this moment of time?

MSI MEG CORELIQUID S360 56.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
Try and relive the mounting pressure on your AIO. Have the PC laying on it's side, then remove the mounting pressure on your AIO to the point where the AIO 's block is on the CPU's IHS(making contact) but not fastened down.

While in this state, place the rams in slots A2 and B2 and see if you can get POST/BIOS.

If the rams work without a hitch on a donor platform, then it's possible either the memory controller on your processor has conked out or came that way out of the factory(yes it happens) or the BIOS on your board is corrupt.

 

[geofelt]

In the event that you did not drop the processor into the motherboard cleanly, and bent a socket pin, ram issues like you describe are a common symptom. It is all too easy to do.
Remove the processor and check out the pins closely. They are small and delicate. If you needed to nudge the processor, even a little bit, damage can occur.
A bent pin can usually be nudged back into place with a needle.
A jeweler can do it.
Such damage is considered as user caused and is not eligible for a motherboard rma.

 

[Archytas57721]

BIOS is updated to the latest version.
Can you please state the BIOS version at this moment of time?

MSI MEG CORELIQUID S360 56.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
Try and relive the mounting pressure on your AIO. Have the PC laying on it's side, then remove the mounting pressure on your AIO to the point where the AIO 's block is on the CPU's IHS(making contact) but not fastened down.

While in this state, place the rams in slots A2 and B2 and see if you can get POST/BIOS.

If the rams work without a hitch on a donor platform, then it's possible either the memory controller on your processor has conked out or came that way out of the factory(yes it happens) or the BIOS on your board is corrupt.

Hi there!
Bios Version is 7E07vM31 which was just released about yesterday.
I tried with and without the AIO on processor. Unfortunately, same results.

I feel I have been careful with the mounting pressure as the screws are not too tight with AIO.
I am suspecting bent pins now. I will click and post pictures.

 

[Archytas57721]

In the event that you did not drop the processor into the motherboard cleanly, and bent a socket pin, ram issues like you describe are a common symptom. It is all too easy to do.
Remove the processor and check out the pins closely. They are small and delicate. If you needed to nudge the processor, even a little bit, damage can occur.
A bent pin can usually be nudged back into place with a needle.
A jeweler can do it.
Such damage is considered as user caused and is not eligible for a motherboard rma.

Hi,
I am suspecting bent pins but not sure looking at pictures if you can clarify.
There is a tiny threadlike thing on the rightside (not bent pins).

Also on bottom left , I can see something not sure if its a bent pin.

Here are the images

https://imgur.com/a/xu7mJkB

 

[geofelt]

Yup, you have bent pins, and in the usual place where ram is impacted.
About 7 rows up, 1/3 of the way, left to right.
Try to straighten them if you can.
MSI may replace the socket for a fee.
But the fee and delay may not be worth it.