Strange problem with new build

jasonf12014 · 18 Dec 2018 at 08:56

Hi
I posted this in the general hardware forum, maybe it was in the wrong place.

I've just build a new PC using an MSI B450 tomahawk, Ryzen 2600 cpu and 16gb Team Group Vulcan t-force memory. System boots but bios only reports 8gb, windows says 16gb 7.95gb usable. The memory is in slots a2 and b2 which is the recommeded ones. Just as a test I tried the memory in a1 and a2, bios saw 16gb but complained it wasn't optimal configuration. I've updated to latest bios, 7C02v13 same issue.

Any help would be appreciated.

jasonf12014 · 18 Dec 2018 at 09:51

wookiee87 said:
just looking online at your board, you have the corect orientation for the ram in a2, b2. you mention as a test you tried a1 and a2 and the bios saw the full 16gb but the syetm wasnt liking it, off the top of my head you may have a faulty mobo but there are a couple of steps before you contact ocuk for a rma.
firstly remove both sticks of ram and either take a small paintbrush or hoover and clean all 4 ram slots (the smallest amount of dust can cause all kinds of problems), next take the paintbrush and clean the contacts of the ram make sure to do both sides.
after this re install the ram in a2 and b2 and see what happens, if the problem persists you may need to rma the mobo

hope this helps

Thanks for that I'll try. I'm hoping it's not the motherboard to be honest lol Strange thing is though that when the memory is in a2 and b2 somehow windows can see 16gb but saying 7.95gb usable.

jasonf12014 · 18 Dec 2018 at 09:59

It's 64bit but its also only reporting 8gb in the bios. Just don't understand where it's seeing the 16gb from in windows. Does anyone have any experience of this exact motherboard and memory? I've read that even Ryzen 2 can be fickle with memory, just wondering if it's not 100% compatible with the board.

jasonf12014 · 18 Dec 2018 at 11:32

Silent_Scone said:
Sounds like you're dropping a channel (below is assuming you're not applying memory profiles).

1) Reseat the CPU and remount cooler whilst making sure for even mounting pressure

2) Make sure stand-off screws are not overtightened surrounding the memory slots and trace area

3) Reseat all modules if not done so already.

If you're applying memory profiles then dropping a channel is often due to instability.

Thanks I'll try that. I did actually wonder if somehow a channel was being disabled in the bios, I'll maybe reset to defaults first. Really hope I haven't damaged anything.

jasonf12014 · 18 Dec 2018 at 22:50

I need to wait until I get some thermal paste and cleaner before I take the cooler off. I reset to defaults and that made no difference but the bios is actually showing both dimms but just reporting 8gb as the installed memory. It seems to want to run the memory at 2400mhz, I thought it was a 3000mhz kit I got? Also cpu-z is finding both dimms too, really weird. Hopefully reseating the cpu will do the job.

jasonf12014 · 22 Dec 2018 at 20:23

So I've finally got the thermal paste took it all apart and back together this afternoon and same problem. The motherboard can actually see both sticks, it's showing the SPD info for them but just reporting 8gb. As I said previously I thought this was a 3000 mhz kit but it's running at 2400 mhz. It's actually showing that in the spd info in the bios and cpu-z. So is it actually the memory that's faulty? I don't want to rma the motherboard to find I've still got the same problem.

jasonf12014 · 22 Dec 2018 at 22:06

When both sticks are in a1 and a2 it shows the full 16gb. So I can see why it might be the board but just wondering if the fact that it's running at 2400mhz means it's not quite right and doesn't want to run in dual channel. Is there any settings in the bios i need to check unless it's someting stupid in there?

jasonf12014 · 15 Jan 2019 at 20:56

So I RMA'ed the vulcan t-force memory and got a 16gb kit of corsair vengeance that is on the motherboard's qvl, same issue. RMA'ed the motherboard, got a replacement same model. I've just put it in and guess what, exactly the same problem!!! So obviously now it has to be the CPU, but I can't understand why it would be disabling one memory channel. I might just keep it and just run the 16gb in single channel, I'm sick of tearing this thing apart all the time. I did have problems enabling XMP on the last board, I haven't even tried to do that on this one yet, just running default 2667mhz at the minute.