The MSI B350 Tomahawk Dual Channel RAM is malfunctioning.
The MSI B350 Tomahawk Dual Channel RAM is malfunctioning.
I've additional findings shared in a comment below that might be useful. I own an MSI B350 Tomahawk motherboard and was running it with a Ryzen 5800X on BIOS 7A34v1Q8 (Beta version) and two 16 GB DDR4 Corsair Vengeance RAM sticks (cmk32gx4m2e3200c16), which are functioning properly. I wrapped my motherboard in a cardboard box with the old CPU Ryzen 1700 and placed the 5800X inside its original packaging. Everything was in a checked bag. Upon returning home, I reassembled the system but didn’t install the 5800X since I already had a stock cooler and hadn’t bought a suitable one yet. I forgot to bring the power cord for my PSU, so I borrowed one from a projector. On the first boot, everything worked; I only needed to retrieve some files and didn’t thoroughly check the RAM in BIOS. The next day, I upgraded to a Hyper 212 and installed it with the 5800X. After placing both RAM modules in slots A2 and B2, the CPU and DRAM lights up, the fan spins loudly, and there’s no POST. However, removing RAM from slot B2 caused the PC to power on. I also installed the other RAM in A2, which worked; using both in dual channel still prevented a POST. With the 1700 CPU, the lights briefly activated but then shut off repeatedly before finally starting. In BIOS, only 16 GB of RAM is shown available. I also experimented with a 2133 MHz HyperX 8 GB module, but the same issue persisted. With the 5800X, the system fails to boot at all; with the 1700, only the RAM in slot A is recognized. I’ve removed the CMOS battery several times while testing different RAMs. Currently, I’m using the 1700 because it boots into Windows and supports both RAM. What’s unusual is that in Windows, both RAM sticks are listed, according to CPU-Z and Task Manager, but not in BIOS. In Task Manager’s Processes tab, it shows 2/4 RAM installed (32 GB total, 16 GB usable), yet the system remains unresponsive. When I switched to the 1700 CPU, it detected both RAM modules. Despite this, BIOS reports only 16 GB available. I’ve also tried an 8 GB RAM module, which worked similarly. The BIOS behavior is puzzling—ram appears in software but not in BIOS settings. On the taskbar manager, it displays 2/4 RAM installed, but only 16 GB are usable. This inconsistency leads me to suspect the motherboard itself may be faulty, even though all components seem intact and RAM detects in software. I haven’t attempted a BIOS downgrade (currently limited to 1Q7) and doubt it would resolve this, possibly because I upgraded to GSE Lite BIOS and MSI M-Flash doesn’t support earlier versions. What further steps should I take to diagnose and resolve this issue? Is there a possibility of downgrading the BIOS safely (using tools like CH341a or EFI Shell), or should I consider replacing the motherboard if dual-channel RAM is essential?
The problem might be caused by dirty RAM slots, so just clean them with a toothbrush to remove debris that prevents detection.
I completed the task, verified the RAM slot for issues and cleaned it, but it didn't function properly.
it's likely the CPU socket ID. Before attempting removal, spray the RAM slots and the socket with some 99% IPA to clean it thoroughly. This should make the process easier and reduce the risk of damage. The removal can be tricky because the plastic is fragile and the design isn't very user-friendly, unlike simpler sockets where you just pull the lever back and forth. If pins are missing or bent, it could stop you from fitting the CPU properly.
No obvious issues with the CPU or RAM slots beyond a bit of thermal paste near the edges. After cleaning with IPA, no residue remains close to the socket. The motherboard still identifies dual-channel performance when two RAM sticks are installed, but only reports 16GB total even though dual-channel is active.
During the CMOS reset and setup display, the system identified whether the RAM operates in single or dual channel mode. The configuration includes two 16GB modules at positions A2 and B2, as shown in the images. The BIOS versions vary, but after thorough troubleshooting, the newer BIOS version doesn’t affect the outcome. I wasn’t able to verify the older BIOS because M-Flash doesn’t support it. Windows correctly interprets the RAM setup and capacity, though it displays only 16GB due to the limited Lite BIOS. The setup screen acknowledges the configuration but not the actual size.
Remove the old RAM sticks and gently clean the slots. Use dual-channel mode and ensure you have enough total memory capacity. This should resolve the issue.
I cleaned the CPU socket and RAM slots again using IPA. The issue persists. I have photos of the CPU pins (both 1700 and 5800X, the slanted one is 5800X), the B RAM slots (the ones not working) and the socket itself. No obvious problems detected. Others suggested cooler mounting pressure might help, but I tried it with the original cooler and even without any contact between the cooler and CPU—it didn’t work. It’s strange.