PC Graphics

[ChefBlu]

Hello, 

I built a computer based off an episode of Paul's Hardware in November/December 2019 around $1500. 

The computer ran fine, every once in a while I would get a black screen and it would crash and have to button reboot.

This month, it crashed and I had a permanent black screen. I could not find the cause and took it to Best Buy and the tech found that one of the RAM sticks was bad.

I sent it back to G.Skillz and got 2 brand new sticks of the same RAM. (warranty coverage)

When I installed them, I kept getting constant black screens and AMD Driver timeout messages.

I tried changing the drivers on the graphics card to previous versions, updated all of my drivers for everything including the BIOs. No luck.

I ran the memtest86X to see if the RAM was faulty and that is fine. Everything reports as good to go. 

The only way I can get the computer to work without the driver timeouts is to remove 2 of the RAM sticks. 

Does anyone have any ideas on how I can get back to 32GB rather than just 16GB of RAM? 

I am a newbie and this was my first build so I am at wits end to fix this. 

Thank you. 

Stats.

Windows 10 Home (build 19043)

AMD Ryzen 5 3600X 6-Core Processor, 3800 Mhz, 6 Core(s), 12 Logical Processor(s)

B450 TOMAHAWK MAX (MS-7C02)

Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT

RAM G.Skillz Ripjaws F4-3600C19D-16GVRB (DDR4-2600 8GBx2) 4 sticks for 32GB. 

Cooler Master MWE Gold 750 Watt 80 plus gold power supply MPY-7501-AFAAG-US

Corsair H150i Pro water cooling system. 

Fractal Design Case

1 additional fan installed in the rear of the case. 

[elstaci]

First you RAM Memory is not listed for your Motherboard's QVL List for 3000 series Ryzen processors: https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/support/B450-TOMAHAWK-MAX#support-mem-19

It is possible that specific Ram part number is not supported on all 4 Dimm slots on the motherboard rather only on 2 DIMM slots.

Here is an example of a kit of 16GB and 64GB at  3600mhz that shows it is only compatible for 2 DIMM Slots and not 4 DIMM Slots:

If it would have been compatible for 4 DIMM Slots it would show 3 Checkmarks at the end of the QVL List above.

I don't see any G.Skill RAM with C19D part numbers on it. By the way your RAM Speed is 3600Mhz by the part number not 2600Mhz.

I went to G.Skill for your specific RAM Part number and under QVL MSI Motherboards it shows it to be compatible ONLY WITH INTEL Motherboards. No AMD Motherboards are listed: https://www.gskill.com/qvl/165/184/1536051007/F4-3600C19D-16GVRB-Qvl

So it looks like your G.Skill RAM isn't compatible with either your Motherboard or Ryzen Processor plus it is only compatible on 2 DIMM Slots and not 4 DIMM Slots.

[ChefBlu]

Thank you for taking the time to answer.

What would you recommend as a solution then? preferably cheaper than buying 4 new sticks of RAM. 

[elstaci · Accepted solution]

Find out if G.Skill will replace your RAM with Ram on your Motherboard's QVL List.  It worth a shot.

Otherwise you are stuck with those RAM Sticks or try and sell those and use the money to purchase new RAM Memory.

If the computer works fine with 2 RAM Sticks then they must be somewhat compatible with your Motherboard and Ryzen processor.

Note: You can try and mess in BIOS with changing your RAM parameters to see if you can make it work with 4 sticks instead of 2. But only if you are proficient in configuring RAM memory in BIOS which I am not. Possibly someone else can assist you if they have a similar issue with their Ram memory.

EDIT: You can use Thaiphoon Memory configure to see what RAM settings you can use for different frequencies. Shows all the correct settings for RAM for each frequency.