Question PC failing stress tests with XMP on but fine stock

[420Saveit]

Hi all, just built my first PC in like 8 years and been trying to get XMP working but it keeps failing the stress tests.

With default settings (no XMP), the PC has passed 1 hour of OCCT, Memtest86, Heaven benchmark and practically works fine for what i can see. When I turn on XMP or set the timings manually the PC has returned errors in both OCCT and Memtest86. The RAM is on the motherboard QVL list and I've also reinstalled bios, flashed CMOS, updated drivers and reinstalled Windows 11 in case it would fix it (it did not).

Error codes are something like: CPU errors found on physical core xxx (see error images here -

https://imgur.com/a/hFMLwJ8

View: https://imgur.com/a/hFMLwJ8


Running without the XMP/memory overclock settings is not an option as I'm quite stubborn that it should work at the settings I've paid for. I have no idea what other tests I can run as I don't have access to another stick of RAM, CPU or Mobo and because it passed the tests at stock I'm afraid the retailer will not accept a single part RMA and will ask me to pay for a full system diagnostic . It also won't be helpful If I RMA one part and the same issue returns or I break the new part again.

Anything else you recommend I try before paying the $$$ and getting the store to do a full diagnostic? Or a part you think it might be?

There are a bunch of other unsettling issues I've noticed as well if that helps.

• RAM rgb flicks on (almost looks like a short circuit tbh) on boot but then returns to normal. Not sure if it's normal for my RAM and it's just intializing.
• Sometimes the PC gets stuck on a black screen when I restart and I have to press the restart button to restart it
• Memory Uncore Frequency with XMP settings would change from 5000Mhz to 800Mhz after a failed test
• Screen 'glitches out' sometimes when I run OCCT with XMP on. Not sure if it's the old GPU but makes me think it could be the RAM in the end?

Parts list:

• CPU - Intel Core i7 14700KF
• MOBO - Gigabyte Z790 AORUS ELITE AX LGA 1700 ATX Motherboard v1.1
• Memory - Thermaltake TOUGHRAM XG RGB D5 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 7200MT/s C36 Memory
• PSU - Corsair RMx SHIFT Series RM850x Power Supply
• GPU - 1660 Super (I know it's old - I'm waiting for the supposed 4070 Super Ti)
• SSD - Kingston FURY Renegade 2TB M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen4 SSD
• Case - Fractal Design Meshify 2 Compact RGB
• Cooler - DeepCool LT720 360mm
• OS - Microsoft Windows 11 Home 64-Bit

Your expertise is most appreciated 😀

 

[helpstar]

EDIT:
Did you try the latest BIOS version FHe ?

check voltage, should be @1.45V while xmp is on

edit:
only 16GB of RAM is in the list from the motherbard, not 32GB
also it´s SK hynix M-Die and not A

reseat the RAM
Are these installed in the A2 and B2 slots?

check the CPU socket pins of the motherboard if bent or discolored

Is the CPU on standard clocks?

to have a look what could cause this:
run userbenchmark.com with XMP and post the http link of your result, e.g. https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/28977730

 

[geofelt]

Is the ram a single matched 32gb kit bought in a single package?
Or, is it two identical 16gb part numbers?
If the latter, there is no guarantee that it will operate at advertised speeds.

If the ram fails the xmp memtest then I would assume that the ram is defective and you should contact the ram seller for a RMA.

If you want to fix this yourself, enter the xmp specs yourself in the bios and gradually add voltage past the xmp default.

 

[helper800]

While unlikely, the CPU may have a poor memory controller. This would be considered part of the "silicon lottery" that is buying CPUs. Do the RAM sticks pass tests at any speed above JDEC default speeds? Try setting the XMP on but then lowering the speed to 6000 mt/s for testing.

 

[420Saveit]

While unlikely, the CPU may have a poor memory controller. This would be considered part of the "silicon lottery" that is buying CPUs. Do the RAM sticks pass tests at any speed above JDEC default speeds? Try setting the XMP on but then lowering the speed to 6000 mt/s for testing.

I just tried testing it with XMP defaults and at 6800 Mhz it was stable in OCCT for at least 5 minutes. 7000+ saw errors in a few minutes. I also received 'breakpoint' errors when trying to turn off the PC after the tests so I'm sure i've just corrupted windows from all the memory failure or its pointing that the RAM is clearly faulty.

https://imgur.com/a/aDiEsu4

View: https://imgur.com/a/aDiEsu4


I did read something about IMC's but also thought it was unlikely. The 14700KF pushing 7200Mhz looks small in comparison to better motherboards pushing memory up to 8000mhz+. Hence, why I'm leaning towards it being the Motherboard or RAM first but no way on knowing until I can use completely different parts right?

 

[420Saveit]

EDIT:
Did you try the latest BIOS version FHe ?

check voltage, should be @1.45V while xmp is on

edit:
only 16GB of RAM is in the list from the motherbard, not 32GB
also it´s SK hynix M-Die and not A

reseat the RAM
Are these installed in the A2 and B2 slots?

check the CPU socket pins of the motherboard if bent or discolored

Is the CPU on standard clocks?

to have a look what could cause this:
run userbenchmark.com with XMP and post the http link of your result, e.g. https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/28977730

Yeap am on the latest FhE bios.
Have reseated the RAM a few times to make sure and they're defintley in A2, B2.

I did check the CPU once and didn't see any bent pins on the mobo or chip. Didn't check for discoloration but i'll check again as a last resort. Voltage shows it's actually pushing to 1.455 V as well (jumping to 1.470V MAX).

The memory module P/N is RG33D516GX2-7200C36B which on the QVL shows it's actually Hynix A... Which makes it worse that it's not pushing 7200mhz then right? Not sure what you meant by the 16gb as that should be per stick. This is the exact product page = Product Page

CPU is stock as well unless the MOBO software has some sort of weird auto clocking feature i'm unaware of.

 

[420Saveit]

Is the ram a single matched 32gb kit bought in a single package?
Or, is it two identical 16gb part numbers?
If the latter, there is no guarantee that it will operate at advertised speeds.

If the ram fails the xmp memtest then I would assume that the ram is defective and you should contact the ram seller for a RMA.

If you want to fix this yourself, enter the xmp specs yourself in the bios and gradually add voltage past the xmp default.

It's a 32gb kit, product page is here = RAM Product Page. So it should work right?

I just tested did the test helper800 recommended and it's getting errors at 7000 (vs the advertised 7200 max) at 1.45V. It seems it's already a loss if i have to raise the voltage to bring stability at this speed.

 

[helper800]

I would say that the kit of RAM is bad at this point. If you get a similar speed kit and still have problems, its either the motherboard, or the CPU memory controller on your specific CPU is weak.