RAM issues on MSI Z170A Gaming M5 - won't post with all 4 slots populated

[mhildeb]

Howdy,

I got me an MSI Z170A Gaming M5 and originally installed 2 x 8GB of RAM in slots 2 and 4. The RAM I use is Kingston HyperX Fury Black PC4-19200 2400MHz 8GB CL15 (DDR4). MSI says the mobo supports this RAM.
So I had 16GB of RAM and the system posted fine. Some months later I got another set of 2x8 GB RAM (again: Kingston HyperX Fury Black PC4-19200 2400MHz 8GB CL15).
The system won't post with all 4 RAM modules, but does so with 3. It doesn't matter which RAM modules I use and which slots I use. The system posts with up to 3 slots populated but not with 4. What it does with 4 slots populated: general booting sound, fans rotate, lights (LEDs) on, but no monitor.

Any ideas? Could it be bent pins on the CPU socket? I have a Hypermaster 212 Cooler, which I screwed on quite tightly. Could that be an issue?
Before I take out everything, I just want to make sure there isn't something easier, like doing something in the BIOS (don't know much about BIOS!).

So if you had a similar issue or have an idea, I'll appreciate your help.

Thanks!
Marcus

 

[Tradesman1]

Try starting with the 2 original sticks, then go into the BIOS and raise the DRAM voltage + 0.05, save, exit shutdown, then add the new sticks 😉

 

[mhildeb]

Try starting with the 2 original sticks, then go into the BIOS and raise the DRAM voltage + 0.05, save, exit shutdown, then add the new sticks 😉

 

[mhildeb]

Try starting with the 2 original sticks, then go into the BIOS and raise the DRAM voltage + 0.05, save, exit shutdown, then add the new sticks 😉

Thank you for your help.
I checked the compatibility of my RAM with my mobo.

My RAM: HX424C15FB2/8 (Kingston HyperX Fury Black PC4-19200 2400MHz 8GB CL15 (15-15-15)). Datasheet: http://www.kingston.com/dataSheets/HX424C15FB2_8.pdf

Checked for compatibility here: https://us.msi.com/Motherboard/support/Z170A-GAMING-M5.html#support-mem

In the list I cannot find my RAM ( HX424C15FB2/8).
The closest in the MSI list is: HX424C15FB/8 (so FB with out the 2). Datasheet: https://www.kingston.com/dataSheets/HX424C15FB_8.pdf
About this RAM ( HX424C15FB/8) the MSI compatability list says: 1DIMM yes - 2 DIMM yes - 4 DIMM no (no check).

As my RAM is not listed and one that looks close (at least according to the no.) does not support 4 DIMM, is this why my board won't post with 4 RAM modules, but posts with up to 3 RAM modules?

Does it still make sense to try increasing the voltage?

Cheers,
Marcus

 

[Tradesman1]

The compatibility lists are but what they have tested or had available to test. The big thing here is that there are no guarantees when mixing packages of DRAM, even if both are the same exact model, see my Fiction article items 2 and 6 here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ddr-dram-myths,4155.html

 

[mhildeb]

Try starting with the 2 original sticks, then go into the BIOS and raise the DRAM voltage + 0.05, save, exit shutdown, then add the new sticks 😉

Man, I owe you a beer or two, if you ever make it to Estonia, where I live right now. Did what told me and bingo! BIOS screen showed up and shows all 4 RAM modules with a total of 32 GB. The DRAM voltage shows 1.248.

Now I have only two questions left:
1. Can the increase of 0.05V have any negative effect on the system (Maybe a stupid question, but this is our first build)?
2. Before I install Windows, is there any freeware (for USB-stick use for example) that lets me test the system and especially test the RAM? Showing me the BIOS screen is not demanding for the system, running an OP system and various programs and gaming is. So, can I stress test it before OP install?

Once again, thank you!
Marcus

 

[Tradesman1]

Voltage is perfectly fine 😉 Could get memtest and put it on a bootable USB