Question One of the DIMMs failed MemTest86 - - - is that my own fault or just a defective RAM stick ?

[ukLz]

Hi. Long-story short: Within the past few weeks, I have been experiencing quite random BSODs while gaming and doing some work in Adobe programs. At first I thought it was my GPU making problems, after a few driver reinstallations, the problem persisted.

Then I did some research here and there and I decided to run the mdsched.exe and see what comes up. The test reported multiple issues. Afterwards I ran a test on OCCT. first take 30min, second take 1hr. it ran fine, no BSODs and no crashes whatsoever. Finally, I decided to give MemTest86 a try and see how it'll go. After just a single test, there's been a load of problems reported. Here's the link of the report:

https://imgur.com/a/YTHkDc8

View: https://imgur.com/a/YTHkDc8


Apparently one of the RAM DIMMs is faulty and I guess there is no way to fix that. I reckon it's time to throw the 2nd RAM module and grab a new pair and have it replaced, no?

Regardless the situation, here's my major concern: I have been running this machine on XMP I profile ever since I built this computer (late March 2024) and I'm wondering now, did I perhaps cause malfunction of a RAM module by any chance? Had it been better off leaving XMP at disabled or perhaps enabling XMP II profile instead? These RAM modules run at 3200MHz by default, but I was told at the time building a computer to enable the XMP profile for utilizing the most out of both i5-12600KF and RAM modules. What's your thoughts on this, am I responsible for this? Is it safe OCing Ripjaws with this CPU? And what should I be doing next? Thanks.

 

[Lutfij]

You're on BIOS version 3601, the latest;

ROG STRIX B660-A GAMING WIFI D4 | Gaming motherboards｜ROG - Republic of Gamers｜ROG Global

ROG Strix B660-A Gaming WiFi D4 Intel® B660 LGA 1700 ATX motherboard features PCIe® 5.0, three M.2 slots, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C®, WiFi 6 and Intel® 2.5 Gb Ethernet. It also features AI Cooling and Two-Way AI Noise Cancelation. ROG Strix B660-A Gaming WiFi D4 caters to gamers and all builders...

rog.asus.com

is 3801. Flash to the latest, clear the CMOS, then retry memtest, with X.M.P disable first then enabled, after.

You can rule out your memory kit developing an issue by dropping your ram kit onto another, known working, motherboard and see if the issue persists.

Apparently one of the RAM DIMMs is faulty and I guess there is no way to fix that. I reckon it's time to throw the 2nd RAM module and grab a new pair and have it replaced, no?
Ram usually come with product lifetime warranty, meaning if the ram kit is yet in production by the brand, then you're honored a replacement. You should contact G.Skill and see if you're eligible for an RMA/replacement kit.

 

[SkyNetRising]

These RAM modules run at 3200MHz by default, but I was told at the time building a computer to enable the XMP profile for utilizing the most out of both i5-12600KF and RAM modules.
And what should I be doing next?

Increase DRAM voltage to 1.35V.

Your ram seems to be running XMP profile (OC mode) but with non-OC voltage settings.
Then re-run memtest.

I reckon it's time to throw the 2nd RAM module and grab a new pair and have it replaced, no?

If you decide to replace your ram, then get 2x16GB kit instead.

 

[Bob.B]

Hi. Long-story short: Within the past few weeks, I have been experiencing quite random BSODs while gaming and doing some work in Adobe programs. At first I thought it was my GPU making problems, after a few driver reinstallations, the problem persisted.

Then I did some research here and there and I decided to run the mdsched.exe and see what comes up. The test reported multiple issues. Afterwards I ran a test on OCCT. first take 30min, second take 1hr. it ran fine, no BSODs and no crashes whatsoever. Finally, I decided to give MemTest86 a try and see how it'll go. After just a single test, there's been a load of problems reported. Here's the link of the report:

https://imgur.com/a/YTHkDc8

View: https://imgur.com/a/YTHkDc8


Apparently one of the RAM DIMMs is faulty and I guess there is no way to fix that. I reckon it's time to throw the 2nd RAM module and grab a new pair and have it replaced, no?

Regardless the situation, here's my major concern: I have been running this machine on XMP I profile ever since I built this computer (late March 2024) and I'm wondering now, did I perhaps cause malfunction of a RAM module by any chance? Had it been better off leaving XMP at disabled or perhaps enabling XMP II profile instead? These RAM modules run at 3200MHz by default, but I was told at the time building a computer to enable the XMP profile for utilizing the most out of both i5-12600KF and RAM modules. What's your thoughts on this, am I responsible for this? Is it safe OCing Ripjaws with this CPU? And what should I be doing next? Thanks.

Looks like you have 2 kits of ram.
Test each kit using slots a2+b2.
Run memtest.

 

[ukLz]

You're on BIOS version 3601, the latest;

ROG STRIX B660-A GAMING WIFI D4 | Gaming motherboards｜ROG - Republic of Gamers｜ROG Global

ROG Strix B660-A Gaming WiFi D4 Intel® B660 LGA 1700 ATX motherboard features PCIe® 5.0, three M.2 slots, USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Type-C®, WiFi 6 and Intel® 2.5 Gb Ethernet. It also features AI Cooling and Two-Way AI Noise Cancelation. ROG Strix B660-A Gaming WiFi D4 caters to gamers and all builders...

rog.asus.com

is 3801. Flash to the latest, clear the CMOS, then retry memtest, with X.M.P disable first then enabled, after.

I've done here as you said and these are the results:

https://imgur.com/a/3l30s03

View: https://imgur.com/a/3l30s03

You can rule out your memory kit developing an issue by dropping your ram kit onto another, known working, motherboard and see if the issue persists.

Unfortunately I am unable to do that, since I do not have any other DDR4 motherboard at home where I could conduct the test in order to rule out the mobo. After updating BIOS, clearing the CMOS, disabling the XMP and even swapping the RAM modules A2 with B1, I am 99% sure that the RAM module is the one causing the issue here.

Ram usually come with product lifetime warranty, meaning if the ram kit is yet in production by the brand, then you're honored a replacement. You should contact G.Skill and see if you're eligible for an RMA/replacement kit.

I've had no clue about that, thank you for letting me know. Perhaps I overlooked the papers when I unboxed the RAM at the day of setup build. I am not sure if I can find that box right now, must be somewhere in the attic or in the basement. I suppose the warranty must be in the box or I may claim the warranty through their website alone?

Increase DRAM voltage to 1.35V.

I have reset the XMP a couple of times and double checked the voltage is set to 1.35V but sadly the failed tests persisted. Also I'm pretty sure the RAM has been running on 1.35V voltage throughout my entire use of this computer.

If you decide to replace your ram, then get 2x16GB kit instead.

I understand, but why tho? At the time I was building this computer setup, I remember I read somewhere that it allegedly might not be a good idea to run XMP if utilizing all four DIMMs, because it may potentially harm the DIMMs as the motherboard may struggle to deliver the equal voltage to all four DIMM slots. Is that true? I decided to go for 4 slots anyway and this is the aftermath. Do I really have to switch to 2x16G to avoid potential issues like this in the future or I'm fine rocking a x4 DIMMs as it is?

Looks like you have 2 kits of ram.
Test each kit using slots a2+b2.
Run memtest.

That's correct. I have x2 kits of this RAM here
I will update you with the results as soon as I test it out, but as things stand now, I believe it's only one RAM module that went wrong.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

Entire life is a board statement and depends on what that means but you've just pegged the RAM at 1.35v blindly no matter the RAM that's been in there?

As for 2 vs 4, because two sticks are less troublesome than 4 for a whole list of reasons.

If you were to buy new RAM I'd go a step further and get 2x32GB if you plan on keeping your PC. 32GB is quickly becoming the new minimum.

 

[Bob.B]

I've done here as you said and these are the results:

https://imgur.com/a/3l30s03

View: https://imgur.com/a/3l30s03


Unfortunately I am unable to do that, since I do not have any other DDR4 motherboard at home where I could conduct the test in order to rule out the mobo. After updating BIOS, clearing the CMOS, disabling the XMP and even swapping the RAM modules A2 with B1, I am 99% sure that the RAM module is the one causing the issue here.


I've had no clue about that, thank you for letting me know. Perhaps I overlooked the papers when I unboxed the RAM at the day of setup build. I am not sure if I can find that box right now, must be somewhere in the attic or in the basement. I suppose the warranty must be in the box or I may claim the warranty through their website alone?


I have reset the XMP a couple of times and double checked the voltage is set to 1.35V but sadly the failed tests persisted. Also I'm pretty sure the RAM has been running on 1.35V voltage throughout my entire use of this computer.


I understand, but why tho? At the time I was building this computer setup, I remember I read somewhere that it allegedly might not be a good idea to run XMP if utilizing all four DIMMs, because it may potentially harm the DIMMs as the motherboard may struggle to deliver the equal voltage to all four DIMM slots. Is that true? I decided to go for 4 slots anyway and this is the aftermath. Do I really have to switch to 2x16G to avoid potential issues like this in the future or I'm fine rocking a x4 DIMMs as it is?


That's correct. I have x2 kits of this RAM here
I will update you with the results as soon as I test it out, but as things stand now, I believe it's only one RAM module that went wrong.

Use care to determine which 2 sticks make a kit.

 

[ukLz]

Entire life is a board statement and depends on what that means but you've just pegged the RAM at 1.35v blindly no matter the RAM that's been in there?

As for 2 vs 4, because two sticks are less troublesome than 4 for a whole list of reasons.

If you were to buy new RAM I'd go a step further and get 2x32GB if you plan on keeping your PC. 32GB is quickly becoming the new minimum.

What is the recommended voltage for XMP then? Give me some sort instructions how to approach RAM voltage in the future. I'm going to get a single kit of dual-rank 2x16GB modules next week and see how it'll go.

Also, no, I do not intend keeping it for much too long with me. Max 2 more years from this point. I still kind of regret for not being patient enough back in March last year and getting a DDR5 board with Intel's 13th gen, instead of choosing DDR4 board with 12th gen. Either way I'm fine with 32GB for now and I rarely ever had reached the RAM's capacity ceiling. The only exception being though running a couple of virtual machines at once but that's fine...

 

[SyCoREAPER]

What is the recommended voltage for XMP then? Give me some sort instructions how to approach RAM voltage in the future. I'm going to get a single kit of dual-rank 2x16GB modules next week and see how it'll go.

Also, no, I do not intend keeping it for much too long with me. Max 2 more years from this point. I still kind of regret for not being patient enough back in March last year and getting a DDR5 board with Intel's 13th gen, instead of choosing DDR4 board with 12th gen. Either way I'm fine with 32GB for now and I rarely ever had reached the RAM's capacity ceiling. The only exception being though running a couple of virtual machines at once but that's fine...

Just don't update your MB for the sake of DDR5. Only if you plan on upping your CPU too. Gains for DDR5 on that socket don't justify it for a new MB and RAM alone.

As for voltage, leave it alone unless you have problems. Look at the RAM data sheet and look at what it's meant to run at and manually set it to that. If that's unstable, XMP (or PITA EXPO) needs to be tweaked. After that's been exhausted the voltage can incrementally and minimally be adjust up (very rarely down).

 

[ukLz]

Just don't update your MB for the sake of DDR5. Only if you plan on upping your CPU too. Gains for DDR5 on that socket don't justify it for a new MB and RAM alone.

As for voltage, leave it alone unless you have problems. Look at the RAM data sheet and look at what it's meant to run at and manually set it to that. If that's unstable, XMP (or PITA EXPO) needs to be tweaked. After that's been exhausted the voltage can incrementally and minimally be adjust up (very rarely down).

I certainly haven't been planning of upgrading yet, and the major reason being it's (DDR5) still kind of new and fresh on the market hence the prices being so high, even more last March when I was building myself a new rig.

I've had XMP I profile on since the day I assembled this PC and I've had no issue whatsoever, until a few months ago when I noticed a first BSOD. I'm sure the voltage was within the recommended range throughout all these months of use. Hoping it will all be working alright again once I get the new sticks installed.

 

[SkyNetRising]

What is the recommended voltage for XMP then? Give me some sort instructions how to approach RAM voltage in the future.

For DDR4 - standard voltage is 1.2V, overclocking (XMP) voltage is 1.35V.
1.35V is considered safe, above that - not recommended.

 

[SyCoREAPER]

For DDR4 - standard voltage is 1.2V, overclocking (XMP) voltage is 1.35V.
1.35V is considered safe, above that - not recommended.

Keyword considered safe. XMP is not universally 1.35.

I know I've seen kits from reputable brands in the past that were slightly lower/to me odd values