Can't get it to start up because of the fancy memory stuff I added! It's way too much for my super new computer.
Can't get it to start up because of the fancy memory stuff I added! It's way too much for my super new computer.
I have wanted this upgrade for years and finally I can get it. I built my dream machine: an Asus Z490-E Strix with a 10-core Intel processor, 64 gigabytes of RAM, 3600 MHz G.Skill memory in 18 sticks (16 by 4), the ROG Thor fan, a 1200-watt power supply, and an RTX 1080 graphics card. This setup is really going to be upgraded later this fall. Now I know it might be too much for my level of knowledge, but my main goal was "I want it, I get it" as a kind of Treat-Yo'-'Self because I'm trying to do all the things myself without help. I am having trouble with overclocking it, obviously because I don't really know what I am doing. I am reading guides and trying to understand how to properly use the Asus AI feature since that is my best shot at getting a good balance between speed and safety while I am still learning. Whenever I turn on XMP, there is just one profile set, and it locks the RAM frequency to 3600 MHz. That sounds like the problem. I changed just the RAM frequency alone, and it seemed to run with a stable overclock. But then when I put heavy loads on it for games that were running, it would crash every 10 to 15 minutes. I turned off the overclocking, and it ran just fine without crashing. That's where I am now: holding an overkill computer in the hands of an absolute beginner who doesn't really know what questions exactly to ask. What I do know is that I cannot set the RAM frequency to a higher number than what my power supply and cooler allow, even when the voltage is set to 1.35 volts like it says on the box. I am not 100% sure if I am actually overclocking the CPU either, but it did turbo up to about 5.1 GHz or so during some tests, although the BIOS advertises a target of 5300 MHz. Any advice, tips, or articles that could help?
Four DIMM's go fast and might be faster, but the risk of problems goes up because they work harder on memory. If the RAM isn't in the official QVL list for your motherboard, that also raises the chance of issues. I've heard DDR4 is safe up to 1.45 volts, and some reviews say it's okay even at 1.50 volts, though most people agree 1.45v is the safer spot. But you should check yourself since safety rules depend on what each person feels about risk. Anyway, try 1.40v first; if that works, slowly lower by tiny steps like 0.01v to find your lowest safe voltage. If it doesn't work, slowly increase in small steps until you reach 1.45v or even higher if you really want to push it.
Did your 16GB of RAM come from just one stick or multiple sticks? If it was only one kit, did that specific kit appear on the motherboard's QVL list before you bought it? Running four sticks together often causes trouble at high speeds. You could try boosting the DRAM voltage; this might fix the issue.
It was one kit sure. I didn't know that using four sticks wasn't as fast as two sticks on their own. I thought though, if they sell this pack of 4 and say the speed is 3600 MHz, it would still be able to reach that? I also forgot I could crank up the voltage a little more. I was scared it might break so I'll check that out first. I know the box says 1.35v so I guess I don't really need to push past that limit, right? Thanks for your reply and insights!
If DDR4 is faster than the older models, but more memory issues happen because too much stress goes on the chip, then maybe putting the memory in a special box (QVL list) helps. If it's not listed there, things get worse. Most of us know that 1.45 volts is safe for now, some people say even 1.50 volts works, but I think 1.45v is the best limit to stay at first. Be careful because higher voltage isn't always better; it just depends on how sensitive you are to risk. Just try starting with 1.40 volts and see if things work. If they do, slowly drop it by tiny amounts like 0.01 volt at a time until you find the lowest safe point. If it breaks, raise the voltage in small steps of 0.01 volt until you hit that limit or even go higher if you really want to test how strong the chip is.
Hey, I found another voltage setting that worked for you and tried 1.4 first, then 1.45v. It started at 1.45v. I'm going to try cutting down the voltage by 0.01v steps, but how do we test this? Is it a situation where if it starts working, that means it's okay? Or is it about stress testing like in memtest86? I know people love memtest86, and right now my Windows memory check has been taking forever (oh no, wasting free time). It would be better to stick with the original OEM software instead. What do you think?
The voltage is too high at 1.4v. You should be able to get a good 5GHz all core overclock at around 1.3v. Here is a video that might help as the BIOS for ASUS motherboards are all the same. Start with a baseline and make sure temps are okay and in stress testing never in the 90's degrees up to 80's degrees is okay. Just use Prime95 (Blend) Non AVX/Aida64 Extreme test and Cinebench R20 (which has AVX) and do some runs. In CinebenchR20 check scores against other 10900K's so that you know you are in the right ball park. View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_67m2pz7Emo View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzKJNuctGQo View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqi_EO5f6KU
I do not run too many stress tests. My experience shows that these checks are okay as a first sign, but the real check is actually using the system on its own. I've had systems go through all those tests and then break when used in real life. Memtest86 is a good start for checking things before you try it out.