I recently built a PC with 192GB of RAM using two 2x48GB G.Skill Flare X5 kits, but I discovered a bad stick, which caused the system not to boot with all four sticks installed. Right now, I have the system running smoothly with 96GB of RAM. After checking my motherboard's QVL, I found that while the RAM is listed for 2x48GB (96GB), it's not listed for 4x48GB (192GB). Plus, the only RAM on the QVL that my motherboard (Asrock B850M Riptide) supports is a Corsair Vengeance kit. Returning the bad stick would mean I'd have to live without my main system during the return process with Newegg, which could take weeks. I'm seeking advice on how likely it is that 4x48GB G.Skill Flare X5 RAM would work in my system, even though it's not on the QVL. If I replace just the bad stick, should I take the risk or should I return both kits? I really don't want to be without my PC at all if I can help it!
1 Answer
Getting 4 sticks of DDR5 to work can sometimes be tricky, especially with certain motherboards. If just one stick is bad, replacing that might help you get running again without waiting weeks. However, since the 4x48GB isn't on your motherboard's QVL, there’s still a chance it might not work properly, but it's not a guaranteed no-go either. If the RAM is within its specifications, it might just boot up without too much fuss. You should definitely consider the risk of instability though, just because it boots doesn’t mean it'll run smoothly, so proceed with caution!
Yeah, I've heard about similar issues with DDR5. If you aren't stressing the RAM with heavy tasks, it could work fine. Just keep an eye on stability.