[SOLVED] RAM issue

[marc-knuckle]

Hi guys

i have an Asrock AB350m Pro4. It had a single stick of 8GB in one of the 4 slots. I thought it would be good to get another 8GB and put it in. The existing stick was Crucial and the new is Corsair I think but they are the same speed and timings.

I installed it and all was good. showing in CPUZ as 16GB running in Dual channel config.

Just earlier today i turned it on and there was 3 quick beeps. Googling that suggests a RAM issue but it still booted and ran fine.

So i removed them and reinstalled. Same, no better.

Next i did it again, pressed RAM into the slot too hard, heard a crack and the mobo RAM slot had slanted to the side. I removed them both and the slot pushed back in place but i installed them in A1 and B1 whereas before they were in A2 and B2 as suggestd in the manual.

Again, like when i first installed the extra stick, it booted fine with no beeps so i thought i had sorted the issue. then on about the 4th boot up the beeps came back. But again as before it boots and runs fine.

So a few questions if anyone can help.

1) even though i heard that crack, as long as i dont want to use those other 2 slots, should i worry about that potential damage?

2) if 3 beeps usually indicates memory problems causing boot issues but mine boots fine, what else could those beeps mean, especially as it didnt happen when i first installed ?

3) could it be something that needs setting in the BIOS or something?

cheers guys, marc

 

[Darkbreeze]

1) even though i heard that crack, as long as i dont want to use those other 2 slots, should i worry about that potential damage?

2) if 3 beeps usually indicates memory problems causing boot issues but mine boots fine, what else could those beeps mean, especially as it didnt happen when i first installed ?

3) could it be something that needs setting in the BIOS or something?

cheers guys, marc

1. Yes, because if you heard a crack then something broke and if something broke then there is no telling WHAT it was. Electrical traces, solder points, actual contacts, supporting structure, could all be a problem in other areas than just the DIMM slot. If something on the board is broken, then the board is a liability that COULD result in damage to other hardware. It might not, but it just as well might.

2. Those three beeps is the system telling you it doesn't like the memory configuration and the fact that it is booting is because it is probably reverting to a default and minimal "fail safe" type memory configuration. Did you have the A-XMP profile enabled? If not, you should do that, in the BIOS. If you did, then it's doubtful it is running at that configuration and if it's not it's likely because the memory is not compatible with your motherboard OR with each other. It does not matter, not even a LITTLE, that the memory has the same speed and timings. There are too many OTHER things that can be different and affect compatibility such as the number of ranks on each DIMM, what dies are used on the DIMM, how many rows there are on the DIMM, or any of dozens of primary, secondary or tertiary memory timings that might be ok one stick but not ok on the other, or ok on the sticks, but not ok with the board.

The odd man out, (Or, mixed memory)


While memory modules that did not come together in a matched set that was tested by the manufacturer to be compatible, certainly CAN still work together, often it does not. Right up front I'll tell you that if you are trying to get sticks to work in the same machine together that were purchased separately, even if they are otherwise identical according to the kit or model number or if they would seem to have identical timings and voltage requirements, there is a very good chance that you simply will not be able to do that. There is also a pretty fair chance that you might be able to if you are willing to take your time, listen to and understand what you are being told and follow the steps necessary to determining if they will "play nice" or not.

The exception in most cases will be that if the memory from both sets are the same speed and timings and both kits are within the JEDEC specifications for the default speed on that platform, so for example, 2666mhz on the latest Intel Z390 platform, 2133mhz on Ryzen first and second Gen platforms, then they stand a much better chance of working together but if they are higher speed kits the chances begin to diminish from what they might be at the low speed and loose timings end of the scale.

A word of advice. If you just purchased this memory, and for whatever reason you bought two separate sticks of the same memory instead of buying them together in a matched set, see if you can return them for a refund or credit towards buying a similar or same set of matched sticks that come together in a kit. It is ALWAYS better to have matched modules because from brand to brand, or even within the same brand, in fact, even when the part numbers are IDENTICAL, there can be anything from simply slightly different memory chips that were sourced from different bins at the end or beginning of a production run to entirely different configurations altogether even though the model numbers seem to be the same. Some manufacturers even reuse model numbers when they discontinue a product. Point being, memory is only the same for sure when all sticks came out of the same blister pack or packaging and were sold as a tested kit.

In order to determine if differences in the memory, or a need for increased voltage when using more than one stick (Especially if you are running three or more sticks) are responsible for the problems you are having you will always want to begin your troubleshooting process by attempting to boot the machine with only a single stick of memory installed. Also, for practically every consumer motherboard that's been sold since at least as far back as about 2014, the A2 memory slot which is the second slot over from the CPU socket, is THE slot that is most commonly designated for the installation of a single memory module. Slots A2 and B2 are almost always the slots specified in the motherboard memory population rules for use with two modules. If you need to install a third module I have no opinion on which of the remaining slots to use for that, but typically since the A1 slot is right next to the CPU socket and often interferes with the CPU cooler or fan, I'd say the B1 slot was probably just as good.

Honestly, I don't ever recommend that you HAVE three modules installed anyhow. Using memory in pairs is almost always a better option, except on boards that support triple channel memory population, so that normal dual channel operation will occur. And that's another thing. When it comes to memory there are no "single channel" or "dual channel" memory modules. There are ONLY memory modules and the motherboard and CPU architecture will determine whether or not dual, triple or quad channel operation is possible based on the architecture and how many modules are in use. Occasionally though there are situations where it might make sense to run three modules and some boards CAN use three modules in a FLEX type mode where two of the modules will operate in dual channel while the third oddball module will run in single channel. I'd avoid oddball configurations though if possible because many motherboards will simply run ALL modules in single channel mode when an odd number of modules are installed.



If you think you will ever need 16GB of memory, then buy 16GB of memory from the start so you can get it all in a matched set that has been tested,
and eliminate a lot of problems right from the start.​

How To - Troubleshooting problems with PC memory (RAM) and XMP profile configurations

In the beginning, there was......BIOS Before you go ANY further, go to the manufacturer product page for your specific motherboard model AND revision. Revision is an important aspect because for any given motherboard there may be more than one version of that model which will be identified...

forums.tomshardware.com

 

[marc-knuckle]

thanks mate.

i havent specifically set anything in the BIOS. i will check tomorrow.

i dont have the funds at the minute to change the mobo so i will have to see how it goes.

makes sense about diffent RAM not getting along. again, i dont have the funds to buy a new paired 16gb set even if i got a refund for the newer stick. i've chucked the packaging away too. just my luck.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Well, then you are in pickle. I hope you like vinegar. LOL.

Seriously though, just be aware and if anything seems BADLY wrong, assume it is and shut it down.