I recently finished installing my new motherboard, and while I really appreciate all the help from everyone, I'm stuck on a couple of issues. First, my RAM sticks don't seem to fit the motherboard. When I try to power the PC on, it powers up for a moment and then shuts down, and I'm not getting any video output. I wonder if this could be connected to the RAM not fitting properly. Also, I'm unsure about thermal paste usage. Do I really need it if I'm using a cooler? The CPU itself doesn't have a cover, except for the clip that holds it in place, and it looks like there's some thermal paste already on it from my earlier attempts. I'm feeling a bit lost and frustrated, and I want to avoid losing more time or money. Any tips or guidance would be greatly appreciated! My setup includes: GIGABYTE B650 AORUS Elite AX motherboard, AMD Ryzen 9 7900X processor, and Crucial Pro 32GB DDR4 RAM.
3 Answers
It sounds like you're having trouble with the RAM actually fitting in the motherboard's slots. Make sure you're using the right type of RAM—DDR4 won't fit in a DDR5 slot. The memory slots are designed to only allow a specific type of RAM, so if they don't align, forcing them could damage your motherboard. Also, regarding thermal paste, you definitely need it when using a cooler. If you're using your old CPU cooler, it must use thermal paste to effectively transfer heat away from the CPU.
You mentioned that the RAM wasn't fitting because of the notch not lining up. Make sure the notch is in the right place and not trying to force it in. As for BIOS updates, yes, if you get new DDR5 RAM, updating the BIOS is definitely a good step. It can help ensure compatibility and improve performance. You can usually do this through the BIOS settings or download the update from the motherboard's manufacturer website.
So how do I actually update the BIOS when I get my new RAM?
Regarding the thermal paste, every CPU needs it unless it comes with a cooler that has paste pre-applied. It's crucial for effective cooling. If you plan to use an existing cooler, just make sure it fits the new CPU socket. If you're feeling unsure, check out some tutorials on building PCs.
Totally agree! Watch a build tutorial if you're confused—it can really help!
Yeah, if you mix up DDR4 and DDR5 RAM, it won't work at all. Just confirm that your RAM and motherboard are compatible!