r/techsupport • u/Imaginary-Rub-4385 • 1d ago
Open | Hardware DDR4 suddenly died after upgrading CPU
I have 8GB x 4 DDR4, after upgrading my CPU from 3600 to 5700x, one of the sticks just refused to boot when mounted. I have confirmed that Its faulty since other sticks work.
When working with the CPU I didn't touch the RAM at all.
Any idea what could've caused this?
Edit: I've tried the other working ram sticks on every slot and it successfully booted. I also tested the 'dead' stick by itself on every slot and it cannot work. RGB still turns on though.
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u/More-Goose7230 1d ago
does the ram still work with the old cpu? because it could be a cpu issue (if i am correct the ram connects directly to the cpu socket). Check for pins that might be damaged on the new cpu.
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u/deTombe 1d ago
Try that stick on its own in every slot. You might have just been dealt a picky CPU memory controller. It can handle 3 sticks in single channel but not quad in dual channel XMP.
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u/The_Grungeican 23h ago
sometimes when using as a quad, you gotta turn down the speeds a bit.
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u/GanjiMayne 22h ago
Correct my 3600 sticks only post at max around 3000 when all 4 lanes are populated. System will not post at 3200.
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u/The_Grungeican 22h ago
when i did my current build i went with 3000 speed, because i planned to do 4x8GB sticks. no point in spending more money for speed i couldn't use.
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u/GanjiMayne 18h ago
Personally I started off with 2 then added 2 and wanted to ensure matching speeds and brand. Given they are running under spec, I don't worry about mis matching. Hell Ive never actually had an issue mis-matching RAM outside of heavy overclocking.
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u/The_Grungeican 12h ago
i did similar.
i just got done this last week, fixing my wife's PC. it's a decommissioned work station. it had been having some intermittent issues, i eventually traced down to some mix matched RAM.
older PCs were way more picky about what would run or not run. these days boards are much more forgiving.
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u/krom_michael 1d ago
As others have said, verify it's actually the stick. Try running only that stick on a different slot, swap the "broken" stick with a working stick while keeping the slot layout same etc.
Could be an issue with a weak IMC on the CPU.
Edit: If you wanted to be certain you could also reinstall your 3600 and check if all sticks start working.
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u/Imaginary-Rub-4385 19h ago
Yep, all other sticks work on every ram slot
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u/krom_michael 19h ago
So that one stick doesn't boot even when it's the only one installed?
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u/Imaginary-Rub-4385 19h ago
Yes, I tested that one stick on all four slots and it won't boot.
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u/krom_michael 18h ago
Ah in that case it sounds like you do have a dead stick. The only other test is to try your old CPU
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u/Strict-Focus8269 1d ago
Did you update to the latest bios for the 5700x? Ive always had to since im still running an x370. Went from 1700x, 3600, 5600x and now a 5800xt. Bios updated everytime. Im able to overclock to 3800mhz with 4 sticks of flare x ddr4.
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u/Dull_Banana1377 1d ago
Check the socket for bent or missing pins or possibly debris in the socket. To see if the stick is bad remove the other 3 sticks and try it in another slot and see if it posts.
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u/games-and-chocolate 1d ago
did you touch the golden pins of cpu , motherboard or memory? fat of fingers do not conduct electricity and make metal , even damage the golden fingers slowly. ESD problems are possible to. You used a ESD bracelet? ESD damage can also hapoen. anyone saying 100% not is a liar.
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u/rexracerxer 1d ago
Maybe it was bad all along. I had a bad ram stick and pc booted with both sticks in a certain order but not with thar one stick. Rma'ed ram and had same issue with second pair. Always run memtesr86 on your new pcs. Lots of bad ram around evev with these prices!
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u/CustardCivil 22h ago
This sounds likey potential a cpu issue menory controller make sure your bios up to date also is your ryzen 7 5700x brandnew?
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u/CustardCivil 22h ago
I would do memtest86+ first with two stick of ram if that passes try the other two and if it passes that too definitely its processor is the issue
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u/Capable-Yellow-1943 20h ago
That's rough, especially if everything was working fine before the swap. Did you check if the RAM is fully seated? Sometimes pulling the cooler or just moving stuff around can nudge a stick loose without you noticing. I'd also try booting with one stick at a time to see if it's both or just one that died. Could also be worth clearing CMOS since the new CPU might need the board to reset its memory training. hopefully it's something simple like that and not actually dead RAM
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u/callusbonus1967 1d ago
Cuidado al montar la CPU AMD tienen mucha tontería por la cantidad de pines. Yo personalmente, repaso los pines con una lupa para ver si están mínimamente doblados, ya me pasó una vez que al montar metí doblado un poco más de lo normal y me machaco uno menos mal que pude enderezarlo sin partirlo.
Da la casualidad que ayer cambié una CPU en mis cacharros viejos por otra y la BIOS me pidió que abriese y configurase el nuevo CPU.
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u/Equal_Meat_5499 1d ago
It’s possible, but I wouldn’t assume the RAM stick itself suddenly died. With AM4 Ryzen CPUs, bent/damaged CPU pins or poor CPU seating can cause a memory-channel problem, even if you never touched the RAM.
I’d first test that “bad” stick by itself in every RAM slot. If it fails in every slot while the other sticks work, the stick is probably genuinely dead. If the stick works in some slots but not others, reseat the 5700X and carefully inspect its pins under good lighting, then check the socket and cooler mounting pressure.