Recent updates for the 7950x have revealed some build challenges.
Recent updates for the 7950x have revealed some build challenges.
I have a numeric LED on the top right of my board. It currently displays C5, which relates to the RAM. I haven’t updated the BIOS, and I’m unable to boot into Windows or see the MSI loading screen to access it. When I managed to get the PC running, I was able to enter the BIOS, install Windows, disable fast boot, and adjust CPU and RAM speeds, but I didn’t update the BIOS myself. I plan to try again once I have the opportunity. I also reached out to MSI, who said they haven’t tested the memory and therefore don’t list it on their site.
I managed to get the system running after changing the BIOS settings. The update brought the BIOS version from 1.0.0 to 1.24, which helped. Despite ongoing issues, I reset the CMOS and kept restarting until Windows loaded properly. I’m still unsure if it will perform well for gaming or benchmarking, but it can handle simple tasks like opening Chrome and checking component stats. What should I check next? I worry that another test might cause a crash and prevent booting.
I attempted to test the CPU performance and the system restarted afterward. I added both RAM modules and used Windows tools to check for problems—no issues were found. Could this be related to the CPU then? Also, I’ve noticed the boot time is slow, often taking 30–40 seconds. Edit: I’m currently running the PassMark MemTest86 and will update once it’s done. Edit: All tests completed successfully with no errors.
I’m hoping the tests function properly. The main issue seems to be memory performance. A reboot during testing often occurs when the graphics card can’t cope with the stress. This happened to my card last year, so I had to replace it. Do you have a different system available for testing the graphics card? In the end, I suspect the problem lies with the RAM. That noticeable delay before posting is the BIOS verifying the memory. If the RAM hasn’t been tested by MSI, the settings could be incorrect or unreliable. When you switched the memory speed, what CAS timings were used? Or did you keep them unchanged? Did you attempt to run stock BIOS to check the behavior? Did you try booting with 6000 MHz?
The tests completed normally after 3 hours, all passed without problems. The system ran at 4.5GHz CPU and 4800MHz RAM with both sticks active. A CPU benchmark in CPU-Z showed stable performance without restarting, indicating no recent issues. The GPU is fully functional. I maintain a fixed CPU speed of 4.9GHz at 1.16v, previously it was 5.5GHz which exceeded limits. RAM is set to 4800MHz with automatic CAS 40 optimization. The ordered RAM reaches 5200MHz and is Expo AMD certified. For manual RAM settings, stick to the fixed configuration unless testing specific requirements.
Those are the correct timings. Glad the memtest passed. Since you can get into windows can you run the Windows memory diagnostic? It will do it when you reboot and is 64 and not 86. If the memory is fine and the cpuz test came back good you will need to try a stress test on the gpu. If it doesn't crash the system then who knows. I'm grasping at straws to the point where I would recommending unplugging everything from the mobo that isn't required. If you can, put the gpu back in the old rig and test it it would eliminate the possibility. The only other thing is test the rails of the PSU. I don't care how old it is because we have us a mystery here that needs to be solved. On a side note, my graphics card was only 7 months old when it started failing. My suspicion is that there was a power outage or brownout/surge but I never found out what went wrong because the manufacturer just replaced the device. Games that used DX11 worked though. I thought that was dumb.
I checked the Windows Memory Diagnostics and found no problems at all during the default 4800 MHz run. Raising it to 5200 MHz still functioned but introduced higher latency and cycle time. I tested the GPU on the old machine, which operated normally without issues. Earlier this morning, I disconnected everything from the motherboard—removed MSI M.2 shields and used a single RAM stick—to access the BIOS for an update. When I attempted to set the RAM speed to 6000 MHz, the PC crashed, so I reverted it back in the BIOS and had to reset the CMOS. Currently, everything appears stable; CPU voltage and temperatures are normal, GPU and PSU are functioning well. However, altering RAM settings seems to cause problems. I’ll wait for the new RAM with the EXPO profile to see if it resolves the issue completely.
Referring to earlier discussions about AMD AM4 systems and Vengeance RAM, Ryzen tends to avoid these modules. Attempting to set XMP can lead to no POST or memory problems. Please specify the exact kit you have—such as CMK32GX4M2D3600C18 on your receipt—to ensure compatibility.
Hey Alex, thanks for chipping in! Apologies, I should have put down the kit that I'm using, it is: CMK32GX5M2X7200C34 While RAM is RAM, it does have an XMP profile which is really only for Intel, I have no chance of enabling this profile for my system otherwise it would just crash. It's interesting to know that the Vengeance does not work well with AMD CPUs, even the EXPO certified Vengeance? Because, there are EXPO Dominator and Vengeance out there with this type of profile, while Corsair directly doesn't sell it from their website (probably a partnership with Intel), you can find the EXPO memory on Amazon. Would you say I'd be better off getting an EXPO Dominator RAM instead of the Vengeance?