System experiences instability upon powering up XMPII.
System experiences instability upon powering up XMPII.
Hello everyone, I just installed my new gaming PC and encountered some issues when using XMPII. The system becomes unstable during 3D applications, and the built-in MemTest reports errors quickly. It works fine with RAM at 2133Mhz. I realize I skipped checking the QVL before purchasing the RAM, which might be the cause. Here are my specs: Intel Core i9 11900KF, Samsung 980 PRO M.2 PCI-E Gen4 NVMe SSD (500GB), G.Skill Trident Z RGB 16GB (2x8GB) at 3600MHz CL18 DDR4, Corsair iCUE H115i Elite Capellix 280mm ARGB AIO cooler, and Samsung 870 QVO 2.5in SATA SSD (4TB) on ASUS ROG Maximus XIII Hero motherboard. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
You mixed two kits together in one setup. It doesn't matter if they share a model number; having two kits means you're not testing them as intended. You'll need to adjust the frequency and voltage settings, similar to overclocking memory. Make sure XMP is active and test with 1.4V for memory voltage and 1.2V for VCCSA.
Typically, ASUS daisy chains tend to cause problems in the second slot on AMD boards, especially with Intel configurations. A weak memory controller might be the issue, and adding four sticks could increase stress on it. Here are some options:
1.) Set all settings manually—timings, frequency, voltage—and turn off XMP. Many boards struggle with XMP, so manual input can resolve odd behavior.
2.) If manual settings don’t help, try using Thaiphoon Burner. It extracts the XMP profile from your RAM and checks key details like manufacturer and die type. Look for "Hynix" as the manufacturer and "8Gb D die" for the die. Even if it misses the die info, knowing the manufacturer helps guide next steps.
3.) A safer approach is to lower the frequency to 3466MHz and verify stability. If that works, you can attempt higher frequencies. For Hynix D dies, increase voltage to 1.5V and test. If it fails, try 1.4V; for CJR dies, go up to about 1.4V but avoid going much higher. Micron Rev. E behaves similarly to Hynix DJR, so you can push voltage as high as needed.
For Samsung memory, B Die is preferable and easier to manage. If you have C Die, it’s trickier—Thaiphoon Burner can’t distinguish between them. Set XMP with timings and voltage at 1.6V; if it boots, it’s CJR. If not, it’s likely C Die. B Die scales negatively with voltage, so aim for 1.35–1.4V. C Die is less stable at higher voltages but can handle more.
If you have multiple sticks, consider using two pairs instead of pushing voltage. Adjusting VCCSA and VCCIO may also help stabilize performance. Don’t exceed 1.4V daily for safety.
I share identical G.Skill configurations as your other system. Manufacturers might not always refresh QVL updates promptly. Before activating any profiles (XMP I or II), verify in the BIOS Memory SPD whether your board recognizes the JEDEC and XMP standards it supports. This ensures you stay within the supported memory profile limits. XMP I generally offers better out-of-box compatibility, even if not explicitly listed in the QVL. XMP II is intended for greater overclocking adaptability but varies by model. Not every board supports it. Tools like AIDA64 can display your RAM's full speed capabilities, allowing you to adjust overclock settings or timing values within the tuning options (such as CL). Exercise caution with voltage levels and confirm your dual-channel setup is correctly wired for optimal timing performance. Below are examples of the parameters I’m discussing—based on the PC I’m using right now. For a smoother overclocking experience, XMP I is recommended. I hope this assists you. Enjoy!
Hey everyone, thanks for your support and input. I attempted the XMP profile but still faced the same problem where MEMTest didn’t work. I reached out to the store where I bought my gear and they let me return my G.Skill Trident Z RGB 16GB (2x8GB) 3600MHz CL18 DDR4 x2 kts and swap them for a Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 32GB (2x16GB) 3600MHz CL18 DDR4 unit. A good lesson learned—don’t buy two separate kits even if they look alike. Thanks again!
Absolutely. It's great to hear you're comfortable with your RAM setups.