Question Orange DRAM light after MB, RAM CPU upgrade - please help.

[paulgreeny83]

My original system:

-X470F Rog Strix
-5800x3d
-32Gb (4x8) 3200 MHz DDR4 RAM
-RTX5080
-3 sata drives one with Windows 11.

Obviously the GPU is new but the system was stable as hell. Tonight upgraded to:

-X870 Plus WiFi
-9800x3d
-Corsair Vengeance DDR5 64GB (2x32) 6000MHz

Sticks are in A2 and B2.

Orange DRAM light, no windows boot, shuts off after 60 seconds.

Cleared CMOS with button press and with battery removal. Tried switching the RAM sticks around and just using 1.

The X870 only has 2 SATA ports (M.2 on the way), so I’m not sure I have the windows SATA connected as I stupidly didn’t note which was which before tearing down - but that isn’t causing a DRAM light and failure to boot or even power up the monitor. I’ve also tried all of them just to be sure and rebooted.

I’m sure the RAM is compatible with the board.

Anything obvious I’m not considering based on the above before I start replacing hardware?

 

[skitz9417]

power supply ? what brand and how old

 

[paulgreeny83]

power supply ? what brand and how old

EVGA 750 BQ, 80+ BRONZE 750W. 6 years old. Ran the last setup absolutely fine and this new setup is virtually the same power draw. Everything lights up so don’t think it’s a power issue.

 

[Flayed]

Anything obvious I’m not considering based on the above before I start replacing hardware?

You could check for bent pins on the motherboard socket

 

[helper800]

EVGA 750 BQ, 80+ BRONZE 750W. 6 years old. Ran the last setup absolutely fine and this new setup is virtually the same power draw. Everything lights up so don’t think it’s a power issue.

That PSU is certainly getting long in the tooth and should be the next thing you upgrade, though it does not seem to be the issue to me in this instance. Did you reinstall windows? When changing out a motherboard that messes up all of the windows drivers/configuration files. You almost always need to do a reinstall of windows with such an upgrade. Start there.

 

[paulgreeny83]

That PSU is certainly getting long in the tooth and should be the next thing you upgrade, though it does not seem to be the issue to me in this instance. Did you reinstall windows? When changing out a motherboard that messes up all of the windows drivers/configuration files. You almost always need to do a reinstall of windows with such an upgrade. Start there.

I didn’t and was hoping to avoid it. That may end up being the case but I should at least have my monitor fire up and bios load regardless of whether that’s required? An orange DRAM light then an auto power off suggests hardware no?

 

[helper800]

I didn’t and was hoping to avoid it. That may end up being the case but I should at least have my monitor fire up and bios load regardless of whether that’s required? An orange DRAM light then an auto power off suggests hardware no?

If you cannot even get to BIOS, then something else is going on. Are we sure this is not the motherboard doing RAM training? This is common on first boot ups for AMD. Maybe try reseating the RAM, and disconnecting the graphics card as a test. Try one RAM stick in slot A2. Have you flashed BIOS to the latest version? Remember to clear CMOS after a BIOS flash. If that does not work you may need to start looking harder at the CPU install. Check the motherboard pins/socket for damage.

 

[JayGau]

What does it do exactly? Do you see the Windows loading wheel spinning? Do you see a message saying that Windows tries to repair? Or do you only get a black screen the whole time?

If Windows start loading but doesn't boot (blue screen or repair that doesn't work) let it reboot several times until it gets to the the recovery mode. From there, go through the options to reboot in safe mode. That would likely fix the problem.

If you only see a black screen and can't even go to the BIOS (even after a CMOS reset) then there's like a hardware problem. Try to wait a few minutes (most boards need to train for a while when you replace hardware).

 

[paulgreeny83]

I don’t get anything on the monitor. Doesn’t even power on. The system lights up, then auto powers off after 60 seconds (so I can’t do a bios flash). Always the same orange DRAM light.

I’ve tried one stick of RAM in A2 and removing the graphics card.

Frustrated.

Any other thoughts?

 

[helper800]

I don’t get anything on the monitor. Doesn’t even power on. The system lights up, then auto powers off after 60 seconds (so I can’t do a bios flash). Always the same orange DRAM light.

I’ve tried one stick of RAM in A2 and removing the graphics card.

Frustrated.

Any other thoughts?

Can you try a different PSU? Other than that, it may be a faulty motherboard, CPU, or RAM (likeliness in that order).

 

[paulgreeny83]

Ok. Some progress. I can now boot into Windows, but with only one stick installed in A2. I’ve swapped the sticks and confirmed they both work, but for whatever reason I can’t boot with two sticks installed.

Some other info: as soon as Windows boots, my chassis fans go ham. I’ve done the AI tuning and even set them to silent - any cpu work and they go crazy. At idle, in bios, my CPU temp (after a few reboots and running for a while mind), is at 55c. Seems kinda high for idle no?

This all leads me to believe the CPU cooler isn’t seated properly it’s causing issues when running both RAM channels. I’ve taken the cooler off and reseated and it seems ok, but it’s an old cooler from my last build that I’m reusing.

Is that the likely culprit?

 

[Flayed]

The CPU cooler's improper seating will only affect CPU temperature. As long as this stays below Tjmax of 95 C, it isn't a problem. Well, it isn't the cause of your memory/booting issues, but you should reseat the cooler anyway.

You can't reuse the Windows installation from your previous Zen 3 build. You must do a fresh install. It is best to only have the drive you want to install Windows on connected when you do this.

Is your Corsair RAM kit listed on the motherboard QVL?

 

[SkyNetRising]

I can now boot into Windows, but with only one stick installed in A2.
I’ve swapped the sticks and confirmed they both work, but for whatever reason I can’t boot with two sticks installed.

Update BIOS to latest non-beta version.

 

[paulgreeny83]

The CPU cooler's improper seating will only affect CPU temperature. As long as this stays below Tjmax of 95 C, it isn't a problem. Well, it isn't the cause of your memory/booting issues, but you should reseat the cooler anyway.

You can't reuse the Windows installation from your previous Zen 3 build. You must do a fresh install. It is best to only have the drive you want to install Windows on connected when you do this.

Is your Corsair RAM kit listed on the motherboard QVL?

The CPU cooler's improper seating will only affect CPU temperature. As long as this stays below Tjmax of 95 C, it isn't a problem. Well, it isn't the cause of your memory/booting issues, but you should reseat the cooler anyway.

You can't reuse the Windows installation from your previous Zen 3 build. You must do a fresh install. It is best to only have the drive you want to install Windows on connected when you do this.

Is your Corsair RAM kit listed on the motherboard QVL?

Windows is running perfectly to be fair. I removed all previous motherboard related drivers before the rebuild and installed the new ones when I did get to boot.

My CPU spikes over 94c when opening 3d benchmark with the fans going crazy. I do think the old CPU cooler isn’t seating properly and it’s affecting the communication with the RAM slots. It’s also only 120mm fan and was bought 2 CPUs ago for a 3600 Ryzen.

I’ve ordered a new fan arriving today so I’ll update!

 

[Flayed]

A 9800x3d will need a much beefier cooler than a 3600.