Question Overclock issue on new build ?

[mjz3348]

I built a PC with a Ryzen 7 9700x cpu, an ASUS TUF GAMING x870 plus wifi motherboard and 2x16 GB G.skill flare X5 DDR5 RAM.

I tried using EXPO to set RAM speed (6000 MT/s), but of course that failed. After resetting cmos, I tried manually to set at 5200 for the RAM frequency leaving everything else set to "auto" and that also failed to POST. Again reseting the cmos, I set back to default and the computer booted fine (windows 11 and/or Ubuntu).

I had hoped I would be able to overclock the RAM a little bit .... but it doesn't work. Anyone have suggestions or should I just leave it as is. The bios is the most recent (April 29 , 2025).

 

[BFG-9000]

If 1.40v 6000 didn't work, that does not mean 5200 at stock 1.10v would.

It's made for 1.40v so try that. Eventually you may even get your 6000 but at a higher CL than the EXPO 28--it's all trial-and-error to find it

 

[mjz3348]

If 1.40v 6000 didn't work, that does not mean 5200 at stock 1.10v would.

It's made for 1.40v so try that. Eventually you may even get your 6000 but at a higher CL than the EXPO 28--it's all trial-and-error to find it

How long is reasonable to let the memory/cpu "train" on the new settings? The yellow dram light stayed on for 10 minutes before I gave up. After resettting cmos, it took about 30 seconds to train back and up and running.

 

[BFG-9000]

If it works, it should come right up. If it is really unstable then it may quickly reboot into defaults for CPU and RAM, much as if you had reset the CMOS except without also resetting other things like CSM or boot order. The problem is when it's barely stable enough to POST but crashes soon after--you could wait forever then as no "training" is going on at all.

It's quicker if you start high with the voltage and gradually go up with the clocks. If it gets unstable you can loosen the timings, or if you reach your target clock, you can work your way down with the voltage afterwards. Memory stability testing takes a lot of time so figure on either not using your PC for awhile, or consider if it may be quicker to exchange the RAM for a set on the motherboard's QVL which at least the motherboard manufacturer has tested and found to work.

 

[mjz3348]

If it works, it should come right up. If it is really unstable then it may quickly reboot into defaults for CPU and RAM, much as if you had reset the CMOS except without also resetting other things like CSM or boot order. The problem is when it's barely stable enough to POST but crashes soon after--you could wait forever then as no "training" is going on at all.

It's quicker if you start high with the voltage and gradually go up with the clocks. If it gets unstable you can loosen the timings, or if you reach your target clock, you can work your way down with the voltage afterwards. Memory stability testing takes a lot of time so figure on either not using your PC for awhile, or consider if it may be quicker to exchange the RAM for a set on the motherboard's QVL which at least the motherboard manufacturer has tested and found to work.

This RAM is on the mobo's QVL! That's why I bought it. So frustrating (G.skill Flare X5 2x16 GB)

 

[thestryker]

Unfortunately things like this can be tricky to nail down without spare parts to swap with. This could be related to DRAM, CPU and/or motherboard.

As far as CPU is concerned neither of these is likely, but there are two potentials here:

• memory controller cannot handle the speed
• poor mounting pressure/bad contact/pad damage

DRAM itself could just be bad. I'd never had a DRAM failure out of the box until I built my current system so I guess there's a first time for everything.

The motherboard itself could have a faulty slot/slots or some sort of problem with the socket/traces.

 

[BFG-9000]

That's pretty unfortunate, but are you sure the actual part number is on the QVL? All but three of the G.Skill 2x16GB 6000 kits listed are XMP, not EXPO and many of those are 40CL. There are two EXPO Samsung 36CL models (F5-6000J3636F16GX2-TZ5NR and F5-6000J3636F16GX2-FX5) and one Hynix 30CL (F5-6000J3038F16GX2-TZ5NR) listed. All are 1.35v

I assumed you bought one of the CL28 kits as those are fastest, but those are 1.40v and not on the QVL.

If a 2nd set of memory on the QVL doesn't work, then it's not just the motherboard but I'd suspect the memory controller in the CPU isn't very good. 6000 is considered the sweet spot but technically 5600 is all the CPU supports and not being able to run faster than that is considered overclocking and not covered under the warranty. You may have a case though if nothing over 4800 works.