Issue with RAM slots 3 and 4 not functioning
Issue with RAM slots 3 and 4 not functioning
I searched extensively for a solution but found nothing. I owned a PC with an Asus ROG STRIX Z370-F gaming model, an i5-8600K processor, 1060 and 16GB RAM installed in slots 2 and 4. I upgraded because the new ARK ASA didn’t fit. I purchased three components to improve performance but received two batches. The first batch included a 4070 OC Ventus 3x and 32GB G.Skill Ripjaws V (two 16GB modules). I installed them first, noting that mixing RAM types could cause problems. I simply swapped the old units for the new ones in the same slots, and everything functioned smoothly.
I ordered an i9-9900KF CPU, but upon arrival it didn’t boot. After some research, I realized I needed to upgrade my BIOS to support the new chipset. I resolved this by swapping my new CPU for the old one and completing the BIOS update. Once that was done, I reinstalled the new CPU, but the PC still wouldn’t start. I checked the boot status and found the RAM LEDs blinking, suspecting accidental contact. I reinstalled the RAM, but it remained unresponsive.
I tried reinstalling the CPU again, but the system failed to power on. I examined each slot: slots 1 and 2 worked, slot 3 kept restarting, slot 2 and 4 also restarted repeatedly. Slot 3 and 4 would only boot if the RAM was off or the LED stayed lit. Based on the motherboard manual, it suggested using slots 2 and 4 for dual RAM. I decided to accept this limitation and moved my RAM to slots 1 and 2, which functioned correctly.
Despite the challenges, my system performed exceptionally well—ranning at a 90th percentile—except for my RAM, which lagged at the 13th percentile. I followed instructions to enable XMP profiles, but the benchmark still didn’t meet expectations. I watched a video suggesting I fix this by activating XMP, which I did. However, the results remained unsatisfactory.
I’m at a complete loss and need your help.
@FrancoDelamor If you're using the first and second slots, you're running in a single channel which reduces performance. It seems one memory channel is failing, though not completely. Two possible solutions: install an older CPU and switch back to the previous BIOS to test if memory functions, or replace the current RAM with older sticks.
The CPU likely lacks a dead memory channel. You might try reseating it, though that's unlikely to help. For context, your current setup uses single channel mode, which offers half the memory speed of dual channel. To switch to dual channel, you'd need a stick in slots 1 or 2 and another in slot 3 or 4.