Question Orange DRAM light after MB, RAM CPU upgrade - need assistance.
Question Orange DRAM light after MB, RAM CPU upgrade - need assistance.
Some progress has been made. I can now start Windows, but only with one stick in A2. I’ve changed the sticks and verified they both function, yet I still can’t boot with two installed.
Additional details: as soon as Windows powers on, my chassis fans increase significantly. I’ve completed the AI tuning and set it to silent mode—any CPU activity causes them to overwork. During idle, in BIOS, my CPU temperature is around 55°C after a few restarts and some usage. This seems unusually high for idle operation?
These observations suggest the CPU cooler might not be properly seated, which could be affecting performance when using both RAM channels. I removed the cooler, re-seated it, and it now works fine, though it’s an older model from my previous build that I’m repurposing.
Is this the probable cause?
The CPU cooler's improper seating will only affect CPU temperature. As long as this stays below Tjmax of 95 C, it isn't a problem. Well, it isn't the cause of your memory/booting issues, but you should reseat the cooler anyway.
You can't reuse the Windows installation from your previous Zen 3 build. You must do a fresh install. It is best to only have the drive you want to install Windows on connected when you do this.
Is your Corsair RAM kit listed on the motherboard QVL?
Windows is functioning smoothly overall. I cleared all previous motherboard drivers before starting the rebuild and installed the fresh ones once I booted up. My CPU experiences spikes above 94°C when running 3D benchmarks, especially with the fans running high. I believe the old cooler isn’t fitting correctly and it’s impacting RAM slot communication. The fan is only 120mm and was purchased two CPUs ago for a 3600 Ryzen model. I’ve ordered a replacement fan today and will update soon.
A 9800x3d requires a significantly stronger cooler compared to a 3600.
Updated components and improvements made. CPU reinstalled with a brand new AIO cooler (now runs very cool with one RAM stick). BIOS updated to the latest version. Tested two different RAM sticks (Crucial 6400Mhz). Activated EXPO RAN profile. Removed CMOS battery each time I reconfigure RAM to clear CMOS. Every time I install two sticks, I see no post and orange DRAM light. If anyone has suggestions before replacing the whole board, I’d really appreciate it—no other options seem to work.
Updated components and improvements made: CPU reinstalled, brand new AIO cooler added (now runs very cool with one RAM stick), latest BIOS installed, two different RAM sticks purchased (Crucial 6400Mhz), EXPO RAM profile enabled, CMOS battery removed to clear CMOS during each RAM setup. If anyone has suggestions before replacing the whole system, I’m open to feedback.
Similar to Intel's LGA designs, you wouldn't be able to tighten the cooler too much, as it could damage socket pins and lead to memory problems. I'm thinking about easing the tension slightly—maybe turn the screws a bit less than fully. Some coolers have features to prevent over-tightening, so this might be a viable option. Just a suggestion.