Question PC Froze then it couldnt boot - EZ debug lights cycle between CPU and DRAM. RAM Problem?

[Cofic]

Hello,

-I've been using this PC for almost 6 years. I've had no modifications to it since then, except changing thermal paste couple years ago. And a new UPS more than a year ago. It's been working fine(gaming/work/etc).
-Yesterday i was just normally using PC, editing a post on discord while downloading a mod in the background when my PC froze. Had to shut it down.
-After i powered it, it would start for a couple of seconds and turn off and repeat this cycle until i turned the PSU off.
-Also during this i noticed the EZ debug lights on the motherboard, they would cycle between CPU and DRAM and glow white. The glow would be slightly longer on DRAM.
-After this i reseted bios with the jumper cap. After powering it back up it would not turn off like before, but the EZ debug lights would keep blinking the same way.
-After that i removed the GPU and moved the ram sticks from A2/B2 to A1/B1 it didnt work, same thing like before.
-After that i removed the 2nd ram stick and it booted up. Later it also booted up with the 1st stick in another slot.
-After that i removed the 1st ram stick and tried the 2nd ram stick in the same slot, it wouldnt boot, same thing like before. I tried changing the slot to A2,B1,B2 all didnt work.
-I've also ran the memory diagnostic for the 1st ram stick and it went fine.


Is my 2nd ram stick faulty? Is it normal for a stick to just die/brick like that? Or can it be something else? Do i just have to get a new set of ram? Can i test/check something else?



Specs:
CPU: i5-9600k (bios auto oc)
COOLER: dark rock pro 4
RAM: corsair vengeance 3200 16gb 2x8 DDR4 (had xmp on before)
MOBO: MSI z390 A PRO
GPU: rtx 2060 (msi afterburner oc)
PSU: fortron fsp hydro g 750
SSD: Samsung EVO 850 500gb
CASE: cooler master mastercase h500
UPS: APC Easy UPS BVX1600LI-GR (900W)

 

[Fix_that_Glitch]

Sounds like the one ram stick has gone bad. I would recommend buying a new set of ram, not only because the other stick may fail but because mixing ram sometimes causes more problems than it is worth.

 

[Misgar]

Is my 2nd ram stick faulty? Is it normal for a stick to just die/brick like that?

Quite normal, especially if the DIMM has suffered ESD damage due to mishandling. It can take years for a fault to appear.

https://electrical-engineering-portal.com/electrostatic-discharge-esd-data-networking-equipment

If your one remaining good DIMM works in both IMC channels, the problem is not associated with the CPU or CPU socket, i.e. it's only a bad stick of RAM causing the problem.

 

[Cofic]

I have to buy a new set of ram then. Not sure if to go 2x8gb or maybe "upgrade" to 2x16gb. I do usually have a lot of tabs open, stuff does use up more ram now, but my pc is on the older side (6y) and in a couple of years i should be getting a new one.

Does it matter if the exact ram model isnt on the MSI mobo supported memories list? https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/Z390-A-PRO/support#mem
It hasnt been updated for almost 2 years.


The prices here are mostly higher than rest of EU and the stock of ddr4 doesnt look too good. So not much choice.

I looked up some, however i will look around bit more.

-Patriot Viper DDR4 32GB 3600MHz Steel - PVS432G360C8(K) (not sure if single or dual, need to call em)
-Corsair VENGEANCE LPX 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4 DRAM 3200MHz C16 - CMK32GX4M2E3200C16
-Kingston FURY Beast 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 - KF432C16BBK2
-Kingston FURY Beast 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 - KF436C18BBK2
-Kingston FURY Beast 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 - KF432C16BB1K2
-Patriot 32GB (2x16) DDR4 3200MHz - PSD432G3200K
-PATRIOT 32GB Viper Steel DDR4 3200MHz CL16 KIT - PVS432G320C6K (online store only, meaning it could be sketchy in terms of functioning and warranty but most likely fine)

 

[Misgar]

Not sure if to go 2x8gb or maybe "upgrade" to 2x16gb.

If you can afford it, go for 2 x 16GB (32GB). If not, most programs are happy with "only" 16GB (2 x 8GB).

Does it matter if the exact ram model isnt on the MSI mobo supported memories list?

I cannot remember ever buying RAM on the Qualified Vendors List for any of my builds. If you're not intent on running 4 DIMMs at stupidly high XMP/EXPO speeds, just pick any well known brand from a reputable supplier. 2 DIMMs should be more stable at high XMP than 4 DIMMs.

Some people say Corsair Vengeance can cause problems with Ryzens, but I've got 4 x 16GB DDR4-3000 Vengeance in my 3800X and it's stable. I'm running DDR5-4800 Kingston Fury in my 7950X. In any case you're running an Intel CPU which tend to be less fussy.

Patriot Viper DDR4 32GB 3600MHz Steel - PVS432G360C8(K) (not sure if single or dual)

When you say "single or dual" do you mean 1 or 2 DIMMs in the kit, or single/dual rank, or single/dual channel working? I suspect you mean 1 or 2 DIMMs.

You might be wasting your money on DDR4-3600. The i5-9600K is specified by Intel to work up to DDR4-2666. You should be able to run a faster XMP memory overclock, e.g. 2800 or 2933, but you might not reach 3200, let alone 3600MT/s, without some expert manual tweaking.

https://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_i5/Intel-Core i5 i5-9600K.html

If you don't want to try your luck overclocking up to 3600MT/s and the 3200MT/s kits are cheaper, get 3200. Read a few online overclockihg reviews before buying RAM.

 

[Cofic]

When you say "single or dual" do you mean 1 or 2 DIMMs in the kit, or single/dual rank, or single/dual channel working? I suspect you mean 1 or 2 DIMMs.

1 or 2 DIMMs

You might be wasting your money on DDR4-3600. The i5-9600K is specified by Intel to work up to DDR4-2666. You should be able to run a faster XMP memory overclock, e.g. 2800 or 2933, but you might not reach 3200, let alone 3600MT/s, without some expert manual tweaking.

https://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_i5/Intel-Core i5 i5-9600K.html

If you don't want to try your luck overclocking up to 3600MT/s and the 3200MT/s kits are cheaper, get 3200. Read a few online overclockihg reviews before buying RAM.

My previous RAM ran at 3200 with XMP on, no manual tweaking.
I'll definitely read about it some more. I updated the list of RAM's i have available for purchase in the previous post (still searching).

 

[JeffreyP55]

I have to buy a new set of ram then. Not sure if to go 2x8gb or maybe "upgrade" to 2x16gb. I do usually have a lot of tabs open, stuff does use up more ram now, but my pc is on the older side (6y) and in a couple of years i should be getting a new one.

Does it matter if the exact ram model isnt on the MSI mobo supported memories list? https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/Z390-A-PRO/support#mem
It hasnt been updated for almost 2 years.


The prices here are mostly higher than rest of EU and the stock of ddr4 doesnt look too good. So not much choice.

I looked up some, however i will look around bit more.

-Patriot Viper DDR4 32GB 3600MHz Steel - PVS432G360C8(K) (not sure if single or dual)
-Corsair VENGEANCE LPX 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4 DRAM 3200MHz C16 - CMK32GX4M2E3200C16
-Kingston FURY Beast 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 - KF432C16BBK2
-Kingston FURY Beast 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 - KF436C18BBK2
-Kingston FURY Beast 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 - KF432C16BB1K2
-Patriot 32GB (2x16) DDR4 3200MHz - PSD432G3200K
-PATRIOT 32GB Viper Steel DDR4 3200MHz CL16 KIT - PVS432G320C6K (online store only, meaning it could be sketchy in terms of functioning and warranty but most likely fine)

I have a MAG x870 wifi AMD. Yes indeed make sure the RAM to be installed on the compatibility list. My idea was to use the Corsair RAM I had on a x670 build and use them in the X870. Bad idea. Maybe you won't have the same issue with Intel. Guess you'll find out soon enough.

 

[Cofic]

Since im only using 1 RAM stick now, the 2nd is faulty. Is it okay to enable XMP in bios for the single stick? Or can it cause issues since they are meant to be in pair?

I have a MAG x870 wifi AMD. Yes indeed make sure the RAM to be installed on the compatibility list. My idea was to use the Corsair RAM I had on a x670 build and use them in the X870. Bad idea. Maybe you won't have the same issue with Intel. Guess you'll find out soon enough.

Maybe its because you used older ram on a new mobo, i would be using "newer ram" on an older mobo, also the AMD maybe thats why. But yeah i really dont wanna buy new ram just to have more problems.

 

[JeffreyP55]

Since im only using 1 RAM stick now, the 2nd is faulty. Is it okay to enable XMP in bios for the single stick? Or can it cause issues since they are meant to be in pair?

Maybe its because you used older ram on a new mobo, i would be using "newer ram" on an older mobo, also the AMD maybe thats why. But yeah i really dont wanna buy new ram just to have more problems.

The compatibility list is very useful and should be used by all. New, old motherboard doesn't matter. Also went to a 9900x. x870 has more good stuff, The old Corsair vengeance that I had from the original build ran with 1 stick in the wrong slot. Replaced with ADATA 6400. Even though the motherboard has its limitation, I love this build. Godlike's baby brother. $300.00 vs.$1100.00. You decide, it's your money.

 

[geofelt]

2 x 16gb 3200 speed is $52:
https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-32gb-ddr4-3200/p/N82E16820232091
Your motherboard supports up to 4000 speed.
The 2600 support is the speed at which the motherboard will boot, allowing you to set higher speeds.
most easily done via implementing XMP
For $60, you can get 3600 speed:
https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-32gb-ddr4-3600/p/N82E16820232907

 

[Cofic]

2 x 16gb 3200 speed is $52:
https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-32gb-ddr4-3200/p/N82E16820232091
For $60, you can get 3600 speed:
https://www.newegg.com/g-skill-32gb-ddr4-3600/p/N82E16820232907

I live in Europe, i dont have that option. I've listed the ones i have available. I'm still searching for more.

Your motherboard supports up to 4000 speed.

Actually supports to 4400 OC, not that im gonna get that kind of RAM. https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/Z390-A-PRO/Specification

The 2600 support is the speed at which the motherboard will boot, allowing you to set higher speeds.
most easily done via implementing XMP

Thats good to know.
What about the compatability of RAM with MOBO? https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/Z390-A-PRO/support#mem I've noticed some RAM having lower Max OC speed than their advertised. Others have XMP 1 and XMP2 profiles.

 

[geofelt]

Technically all ram faster than the default 2400 speed is overclocked.
You want a two stick kit so you can run in dual channel mode.
The first patriot ram is a single 32gb stick; you don't want that.
Probably any of the others will work.
There is little difference in performance between 3200 speed and 3600 speed.
It was my purpose in showing the two links to document the minor price differential.

 

[geofelt]

xmp is a set of ram setting profiles embedded in the ram.(Speed, voltage, timings)
There may be several.
It is a short hand way to set the ram.
Other settings may also work.

 

[Cofic]

xmp is a set of ram setting profiles embedded in the ram.(Speed, voltage, timings)
There may be several.
It is a short hand way to set the ram.
Other settings may also work.

So what you are saying is that the only important compatibility between RAM and the MOBO is the DDR4 and which frequencies it can run on? And the https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/Z390-A-PRO/support#mem basically means nothing except that they tested it? And maybe in some cases it couldnt OC to its full potential? I had the impression that the XMP profiles are on the MOBO in BIOS and thats why the "supported" was important. So you could get good OC's.

 

[geofelt]

You will find some ram labelled as EXPO.
That is the amd equivalent to XMP,
It means that an amd motherboard will be able to read the specs.
Ram seems to be mis-understood. At higher levels of performance one needs to pay attention to the details to get the ram to perform at spec.
Faster ram chips have been binned and the better chips are used in higher speed ran that can sell for more.

 

[Cofic]

Look at this example, KF432C16BBK2/32 in https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/Z390-A-PRO/support#mem shows as max 3000 MHz instead of its 3200 max, also the /16 and /8 show as max 3200 Mhz. So certain ram can just work worse than other with that mobo?