DRAM Yellow LED issue (dual channel malfunction)
DRAM Yellow LED issue (dual channel malfunction)
Hey, I just got my new gaming PC and opened it up. The yellow DRAM LED was blinking, and the red CPU LED on the motherboard was flashing. I reset the CMOS by turning off the battery for about half an hour and then reinserting it. I updated the BIOS to the latest version. When I tried connecting the RAM sticks, 3 and 4 worked fine, but 2 and 4 didn’t, and 1 and 3 also didn’t work. I haven’t tried 2 and 3 together, nor did I use just 1 stick. I’m not sure what’s going wrong—I can start the PC without any issues with the RAM in slots 3 and 4, but I really need dual-channel support. The specs look good: Intel i5-11600 with 6x 2.80GHz / 4.8GHz Turbocharge, 12MB cache. The system is quiet! Dark Rock 4 MSI MAG B560 TOMAHAWK WIFI (includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) has 16GB (two 8GB modules). I’m using a Corsair 3200MHz Vengeance RGB PRO SL 1TB M.2 PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe drive with speeds of 2200MB/s and 2000MB/s. The gaming GPU is an RTX3060 Ti (LHR) powered by 700W and it’s running smoothly. PurePower 11 is installed.
Remove the CPU from its socket and examine the contact pads closely for any issues. Inspect the socket gently as well, being cautious due to its delicate nature. Also, verify the pressure on the CPU cooler mounts. Incorrect mounting or excessive tightness in coolers may lead to similar problems.
I’m not keen on removing the cooler and CPU. I might adjust the screws on the cooler, but I’m unsure if I’ll be able to restore both components afterward. I’ll give it a try.
I've noticed many folks sharing the same problem online. I agree with what they're saying—take off all the screws from your CPU cooler, run it without them, tighten if needed, and repeat. Also, make sure to inspect your CPU pins. Thanks a lot!
It was great assisting you. I’d perform some stress tests to confirm the thermals are stable, and once confirmed, you can enjoy your build.
Sure! For a beginner, start with a simple stress test program like Stress-ng or use online tools such as PhysioNet. Follow their guidelines for setup and interpretation. Regarding thermal performance, good results typically show stable temperatures across components, minimal voltage drops, and consistent airflow. Bad signs include overheating, unusual noise, or inconsistent performance metrics.
I would save ASUS Realbench and HWInfo64 Run RB around 15 to 30 minutes. If the CPU temperatures stay under 90 degrees, it should work well.
Yeah, anything below 100c is acceptable (most laptops hover around this range, often risking thermal throttling). For synthetic stress tests, anything under 100c is okay since regular use won’t push temperatures that high. If you’re seeing 80°C or less during typical tasks, it’s fine. When it gets hot, the system will automatically reduce performance to avoid damage.