Random BSOD and boot failures - suspect RAM

[£15]

My System: My basket at Overclockers UK:

• 1 x Team Group Vulcan TUF Gaming Alliance 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 PC4-28800C19 3600MHz Dual Channel Kit - Blac= £89.99
• 1 x MSI B450 TOMAHAWK MAX (Socket AM4) DDR4 ATX Motherboard= £129.95
• 1 x AMD Ryzen 7 3800X Eight Core 4.5GHz (Socket AM4) Processor - Retail= £338.99
• 1 x Zotac GeForce GTX 1660 SUPER Twin Fan 6144MB GDDR6 PCI-Express Graphics Card= £248.99
• 1 x Seasonic Prime PX-750 750W 80 Plus Platinum Modular Power Supply= £179.99

Total: £999.61 (includes shipping: £11.70)
​

My system is only a couple of months old and started off without any issues. After a few weeks of trouble free use, I decided to look into optimising it to improve performance. I noticed the RAM was running at (default) settings that were lower than the advertised speeds, so I changed the settings in the BIOS to get 3600MHz @ 19-19-19-39. It was then that the issues started.

My kids use the PC the most, mainly for gaming, and they reported an increasing number of BSOD crashes. I set the memory back to the BIOS defaults and the crashes were reduced, but not eliminated.

Default RAM setting

It was at this point I received my Sabrent 1TB Rocket NVMe PCIe M.2 2280 and it was whilst trying to install Windows on this new drive that the problems got worse. The system was just too unstable. I couldn't install Windows, but even with the new drive removed the system would now fail to boot 90% of the time.

I set everything back to default and started the process of testing the system with components removed. With only one stick of RAM in DIMM slot A2 everything seemed to work. I reinstalled the Sabrent and got Windows on it.

I then put the second RAM in DIMMB2 and the instability returned. PC would fail to turn on, with nothing but a black screen on the monitor. Sometimes if I hit the reset button on the case it would then boot, but usually it would give me a blue screen error with Kernal missing/error or Checksum/windload.efi error.

I ran Memtest with both stick (DIMMA2 & B2) and it froze after 36 minutes with just a few errors!

I'm currently running memtest with just the one stick in DIMMA2 and it's error free so far...

I suspect it's the second stick of RAM, or maybe the motherboard slot (B2), but I'll need to continue the testing with different permutations to confirm.

Am I on the right track? Is there anything else I could be doing?

(I'll edit to add some screen shots shortly.)

 

[bremen1874]

There isn’t an acceptable number of errors. More than zero and there’s a problem.

You’re on the right track. Multiple test runs with the individual sticks in the various slots will tell you whether it’s the memory or board at fault.

 

[£15]

1h 40min in, third pass (of 4) and zero errors...

 

[£15]

Passed with zero errors. I'm now trying the suspect stick in the same slot. 2.5 hrs to go (if the first test is anything to go by)...

 

[£15]

Memory stick #2, in DIMMA2, passed with flying colours, so that would suggest it's not the RAM? Either of them.

Investigating different permutations I tried each stick in turn, on its own, in DIMMB1 then DIMMB2 and the PC wouldn't post. I got three beeps and the EZ Debug LEDs on the motherboard light up for DRAM fail/not detect.

I went back to square one, with one stick in DIMMA2 and one in DIMMB2 (as previously tested above - working, but with errors), but got the same beep/LED errors on post. So it looks like it now it won't even run with any memory in either of the DIMMB? slots.

It will post with RAM in DIMMA1 & A2.

So, motherboard fault on DIMMB slots?

 

[Meddling-Monk]

If you've run them in a known working DIMM slot and it's not giving any issues individually, besides the two possible fault areas you've identificed (DIMM slot or the Motherboard itself), I think there's a third option there isn't there? As the memory controller is in the CPU? It might be that it's a dud in there too if it is on the CPU.

 

[Joxeon]

Did you enable XMP or just put the timings in manually?

 

[pc-guy]

It does sound like mobo dim slots or the CPU.

I got 32GB ram each pass takes around 4hrs. I am so envious of fast ram tests!!!

 

[£15]

Did you enable XMP or just put the timings in manually?

I used XMP and picked from the list. When it started to blue screen I went back to the slower speed. Which I guess is what the RAM is telling the board?

So, CPU or Motherboard...I'll have to get hold of a CPU from somewhere to check that...or just contact MSI and try to get an RMA...?

MSI website says for mainboard RMAs I need to contact the retailer.

 

[Joxeon]

Do you get errors with both sticks fitted in A2 B2 but running at the stock non XMP speed? if not then this should rule out the motherboard dimm slot.

If they pass then the next step I would do is set XMP but manually change fclk to 1600 and 2-1 mode and see if this errors, if it doesn't then it's likely the CPU.

 

[£15]

I was able to boot the PC with RAM in A2 & B2 and run memtest - but it froze on 2nd pass, after 36 minutes with nearly 14,000 errors (the screen shot above). Only now the PC won't boot at all with a stick in either of the B slots. I get the three beeps and DRAM LED lit up on my motherboard.

All tests have been conducted at default SPD values as detected by the board/bios.

I'm running the PC now, but with sticks in A1 & A2. I have another problem now in that my Search bar is not working; from Windows menu or File Explorer. Never rains...

 

[Meddling-Monk]

Just to confirm, you are testing with just 1 stick in either of the B slots? And it fails to even boot yes?

 

[£15]

Yes.

I read that sometimes updating the BIOS can reset everything - the board 'rediscovers' the hardware. As it happened, there was one update. I applied it and nothing changed.

Version: 7C02v372(Beta version)
Release Date: 2020-06-12
File Size: 14.66 MB

Description
- Updated AMD AGESA ComboAm4PI 1.0.0.6

I've ordered some thermal paste and cleaner and I'll try re-seating the CPU cooler, as I also read that can sometimes fix RAM/CPU associated issues. Failing that, other than getting another CPU to test, I think it's motherboard RMA time.

 

[£15]

An update to this...

I returned the motherboard and ordered a different replacement, a MSI X570 Tomahawk. It took a while, but was delivered yesterday. I installed everything and have got the same problems. PC will boot with each stick of RAM individually, but not when both are installed. So it would seem it wasn't the motherboard.

If I could get hold of some different, functioning, RAM I guess that would eliminate that and leave me with a faulty CPU?

Just to add, I haven't run any new memtest on this new board. Only had the time to try boot to desktop.

 

[wookiee87]

An update to this...

I returned the motherboard and ordered a different replacement, a MSI X570 Tomahawk. It took a while, but was delivered yesterday. I installed everything and have got the same problems. PC will boot with each stick of RAM individually, but not when both are installed. So it would seem it wasn't the motherboard.

If I could get hold of some different, functioning, RAM I guess that would eliminate that and leave me with a faulty CPU?

did you check the qvl memory page to confirm compatability?, dont know enough abouth asus ram to say, i've always stuck to corsair my self, but have got a couple of teamgroup 3600mhz ripper kits for my amd rig and had no problems at all with it, really fast too XD, below is what i'm running X2

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/team...3600mhz-dual-channel-kit-black-my-001-8p.html

 

[montymint]

i've experienced two ryzens (3xxx) that have bad memory controllers.

RMA the chip

 

[£15]

I'm going to try another processor and see if it fixes it. If it does, then I'll RMA the CPU.

 

[wookiee87]

I'm going to try another processor and see if it fixes it. If it does, then I'll RMA the CPU.

look at a 3700x then, it will provide 99% of the performance of a 3800x but save you some money as the boost clock is slightly lower, if you experence the same problems with the new cpu then your ram is the problem

 

[£15]

I was thinking something as cheap as possible? Like a Ryzen 3?

 

[wookiee87]

I was thinking something as cheap as possible? Like a Ryzen 3?

for testing purposes yeah, stick to a ryzen 3 and if the problems go away rma the 3800x and look at a 3700x instead, the diffrence really isnt that big between the 2 but if the ram still isnt playing ball with the test cpu then its the ram not the 3800x thats bad so as above rma the ram for a diffrent kit