Here is a simple, easy-to-read version of your note:
Here is a simple, easy-to-read version of your note:
I recently bought a bunch of RAM that says it runs at 3200MHz. When I try to use XMP in my BIOS, the PC only boots in safe mode instead of normal startup. If I turn off XMP or drop the speed down to 2133MHz, everything works fine. My BIOS isn't very new, but what should I do to get this RAM running at full speed? Also, when I tried lowering it to 3000MHz, it still wouldn't work. Here are my specs: CPU is an i5-8400, the mobo is a ASUS Prime Z370-A with 2GB RAM, graphics card is a Gigabyte GTX 1060 with 6GB of video memory, and I have an EVGA 80+ Bronze power supply. My cooler is a Cooler Master Hyper 212.
The memory controller inside your CPU has its own fast speed, so adding extra voltage for the RGB lights and faster RAM makes things unstable. I recommend you manually raise the RAM voltage if it's set to 1.35v under XMP settings; bumping it up to 1.355v or even 1.36v might help. If that still causes problems, and you end up at a full 1.4v, then go back down to 1.355v but add extra voltage to VCCIO and VCCSA instead. This boosts the memory controller voltages. Also check your motherboard stats; if it says 3200MHz as OC (Overclock), that usually means you have to overclock your RAM from its standard speed, or your CPU needs a little extra boost too to handle the higher demands.
RAM or memory issues are causing problems, so the computer isn't passing the built-in stress tests that check if everything works correctly. When this happens, the system automatically goes back to a safe state instead of failing completely. Sometimes it helps to adjust things by hand, like changing the RAM profile settings.
I tried 2933 and it failed. I haven't checked 2666 yet, so I'm going to test it tonight after work!
If your computer keeps having trouble with memory when you tweak the settings, it's probably because of the RAM controller and the extra power needed for the RGB lights or the faster RAM sticks. You should try turning up the voltage on your RAM by a little bit, like changing 1.35v to 1.355v or even 1.36v if you're willing to take some risk. If that doesn't fix it and you hit 1.4v, go back down to 1.355v but add extra voltage to the power lines for the memory controller (VCCIO and VCCSA) by about 0.05v each. Also check your motherboard stats; if it says 3200MHz is an "OC" setting, that usually means you're pushing the RAM too hard or the CPU needs help handling the speed on its own.
Thanks for getting back at me, I'll try it myself right now after work and tell you again when the results come in. I didn't know which voltage levels to set for those things, but knowing what was needed made a big difference!
Most people tell you not to go past 1.25 volts for vccio or vccsa. The standard is just under 0.9 volts, which means any bump above that is very small. You can even push it down to around 0.91 volts and still be fine. Even if your controller is weak, you should easily get a stable speed between 1.10 and 1.14 volts when using fast or dense ram. This happens often with high-speed memory. When you overclock the CPU, both parts work together normally. But if you put that RAM on a slower stock processor, it's like telling an underpowered motor to go faster than its gear allows. So you give it a little extra boost.