RAM slots 1 and 2 are malfunctioning on an Intel system.
RAM slots 1 and 2 are malfunctioning on an Intel system.
I own a 7th generation Core i5 machine that’s nearly seven years old. It originally came with four 8GB G Skill DDR4 memory modules all installed from the start. Occasionally, when I hadn’t used the system for some time, it would fail to boot—requiring me to remove every RAM stick and restart with just one, which then worked. I once thought it was caused by static buildup in the RAM, but that didn’t seem likely. Recently, after a delay, it happened again. I checked all the slots and found they were fine except for two: slots 1 and 2. I tested every stick individually and confirmed they functioned correctly when placed in slots 3 through 4. Here’s what I discovered. The RAM modules are labeled A through D, with slots 1-4 corresponding to A-D. The issue appears to be specific to certain slots. Based on this, I’m trying to figure out next steps. Should I replace the CPU and motherboard as well, or should I consider adding more RAM? Are there other solutions I might have missed? Thanks. Specs: Intel Core i5 7400 series, Asus LGA 1151 motherboard, DDR4 G.Skill Ripjaws, 32GB total memory.
Welcome to the discussion boards!!! If possible, purchase another set of RAM that can occupy all the slots and test whether the system boots with the new modules. This helps confirm if the problem is related to your existing RAM. What speed does the G.Skill Ripjaws support? Have you reset the CMOS after swapping the RAM? Use a multimeter to check the CMOS battery to make sure it’s functioning properly, as a weak battery can cause strange BIOS behavior. If the RAM fails to function, it likely points to a failing motherboard that may need replacement. Assuming this isn’t covered under warranty, it’s probably time to upgrade your CPU and memory from this setup.
Hey Alex, first of all thank you for taking time to reply to my question. Like you’ve mentioned I tried resetting the bios. But I’ll take your suggestion of getting a new battery and trying first (though I replaced it about an year ago). And to answer your other question, I did not clear the CMOS each time I changed RAM positions, do you think it would’ve caused a similar pattern to what I’m experiencing with? And my current ram is capable of going up to 2400mhz but for some reason even if I enable the XMP it doesn’t seem to bump up from its default 2133(or somewhere about that number) MHz. As I’m not much of an overclocking enthusiast, I don’t know if that means anything or not. As for your suggestion of trying to get a new kit to test out would be possible. I’ll try to see if that avenue pans out. So if this doesn’t pan out I’m thinking of getting a; - AMD Rizen 5 5600X - MSI MPG B550 GAMING PLUS Mother board - Corsair VENGEANCE® PRO RGB 32GB RAM Kit As this is what’s within my budget given the difficulties of the pandemic times and I need the computer for work. Do you think this is a good option? Or should I stick with Intel (Where I would most probably will have to spend more on the motherboard than the actual Chip to stick in a similar budget) Once again thank you very much.
The CMOS battery should still be functional even after a year if you replaced it. If it’s older than four years, it’s likely no longer working. When changing RAM, it’s best to reset the CMOS so the BIOS can remember the settings. Resetting will force the BIOS to relearn how to operate correctly. Unless your motherboard isn’t a Z-series model, memory overclocking isn’t supported for this generation—only on 11th-gen Intel chips. Does your system enter a boot loop when you try to activate XMP? If replacing the RAM isn’t an option, don’t stress and consider upgrading instead. The CPU and motherboard are solid choices. The VRMs on the motherboard are ideal for overclocking or enabling PBO on a 5600X. For your RAM, knowing details like DDR4-3200 CL16 helps ensure you’re investing wisely and not wasting time on faulty kits with incorrect timings (though DDR4-3200 CL16 is solid).