Two out of four RAM sticks are functioning after the PC storage upgrade?
Two out of four RAM sticks are functioning after the PC storage upgrade?
Hello everyone, IT leaders and participants. I've noticed some unusual ram performance lately. I upgraded my storage by adding a second M.2 Samsung 990 Evo 2TB SSD to my PC, but something unexpected occurred. My system suddenly wouldn't boot at all. I've tried several steps so far:
1. Removed all M.2 SSDs, SATA SSDs, and HDDs.
2. Disconnected all USB devices.
3. Booted using individual sticks and DIMM slots.
4. Managed to start with just two of the four original RAM sticks, which functioned perfectly even after the SSD upgrade. I'll share my PC configuration below. So far, I've added more identical RAM modules, but they still refuse to boot, even when placed in separate DIMM slots one by one. I'm unsure how to resolve this or what further actions to take. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
My build:
https://pcpartpicker.com/b/gBJbt6
(Excluding 2 extra RAM sticks and the new M.2 SSD)
Which ram module/ram slot pairings were tested? Are you implying that during startup with just one ram module in the same slot, only two of your units function properly?
Did you rely on faulty RAM modules placed in the same RAM slot as those, which function properly? If they were in separate slots, it's possible the slots themselves are damaged. Slots may fail if the CPU pins are bent or broken in the socket.
I was using them in every slot. I tested all dimm slots with every ram module I had separately, and only two ram modules could boot when placed in one slot at a time. All four ram modules are identical in cas latency and clock speeds, as they are basically from the same brand. When I first built the system, I checked if this ram module was compatible with my mb, and it was on the list. But something strange happened—after four years, suddenly two of the ram modules stopped working. Update: All modules finally worked again. I cleaned the pins with pure alcohol, which seemed to fix the issue. It looked like the pins had just been dusty over time.
Your ram isn't the same unless it's purchased as a complete set.
Ram comes in kits for a specific reason.
A motherboard needs to handle all the ram according to the same voltage, casing and speed requirements.
The internal design is tailored to the kit's specifications.
Ram from the same vendor and part number might have different manufacturing parts over time.
Some motherboards are quite sensitive to this.
It becomes more challenging when multiple sticks are used.
Ram needs to be compatible for optimal performance.
You can sometimes fix issues by adjusting the ram voltage in the motherboard bios, provided your board allows these changes.
All four RAM modules are the same in terms of latency and clock speeds, essentially being from the same brand. Unless they are packaged together, they won't be identical. There are many more timing configurations for RAM than just the four listed on the package. Ryzen typically prefers using two sticks, though it's possible to use four with slightly reduced performance and looser timings. You might want to try setting your RAM to 2133MHz to check if all four boot up successfully. Using four sticks increases stress on the memory controller, and running them at 3200MHz could potentially damage it.