I'm having issues with my prebuilt PC after trying to install two additional RAM sticks. I already had 2 x 8GB DDR4 3200 Crucial sticks installed in the 2nd and 4th slots of my ASROCK B550M Pro4 motherboard. I bought 2 more 8GB Crucial sticks after confirming compatibility. However, when I try to boot with all 4 sticks, my monitor either doesn't receive a signal or takes a very long time to boot, then shows only 16GB of memory in Task Manager. I've ensured all RAM sticks are seated correctly and have tried resetting the BIOS, but I'm hesitant to clear the CMOS since the battery is under my GPU. I've tested each stick individually and in various combinations, but I still face issues with 4 sticks. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
2 Answers
Be careful about mixing RAM sticks. Even if they seem similar, they might have different timings or voltages. Your best bet might be to stick with all identical sticks, so if you can, test each old and new stick on their own or just use one set at a time to see if the issues persist. Sometimes, it's best to replace all your RAM instead of mixing different kits.
First things first, clearing the CMOS can really help. Just unplug your computer, look for the CMOS pins on your motherboard (it's usually in the manual), and then follow the instructions to clear it. This might reset the XMP profile that's causing problems with the new RAM. If you're not sure about removing the battery, some motherboards have a jumper to clear CMOS instead, so check that out!
Do I need to remove the battery to clear CMOS? It's under the GPU right now, and I don't have the courage to take that apart.