Hey everyone! I recently upgraded my RAM setup from 2x16GB sticks at 3600MHz to 4x16GB sticks, all DDR4 3600MHz, on my ASUS ROG Crosshair VIII Hero motherboard with an AMD Ryzen 9 5900X. Initially, everything was great with the two sticks running smoothly at 3600MHz using DOCP. But after adding two more identical sticks, my system now refuses to boot at that speed and resets to 2133MHz instead. I did some testing and found that it works fine at 3200MHz, but anything above that leads to crashes or failure to POST. I'm wondering if this limitation is due to the memory controller's ability to handle 4 DIMMs on Ryzen 5000 series or if the new RAM sticks might have mismatched subtimings. Any suggestions for BIOS settings or tweaks that could help me get back to 3600MHz? Thanks in advance!
5 Answers
I have a similar setup, and I found stabilizing my RAM max at 3533MHz. It might differ from yours, but that speed works well for my current demands.
I use DOCP to set it automatically.
Got it! Mine might be limited to 3200MHz.
To run four sticks at 3600MHz reliably, you’d ideally need the same model bought together. Even then, the type of ICs matters. It’s likely that running stable at 3000-3200MHz with your current setup is the most practical choice unless you want to replace them with a different kit. Just keep in mind, finding a good balance in timings can help, too.
Yeah, tools like CPU-Z can show you a lot about your RAM's details!
I appreciate the advice! Is there any software that can help identify the specs and dies used in the RAM?
I got 4x8GB at 3600MHz stable using Samsung B-die RAM, which generally handles higher speeds well. However, filling all slots with 16GB sticks, typically dual-rank, can push the IMC’s limits. It’s usually simpler to stick to 3200MHz if you need that much RAM. If you're curious about timing tweaks, I can share some settings if you're interested!
You might want to test with just the old sticks to see if they can still hit 3600MHz. If they can, it could indicate that your memory controller can't manage 4 sticks at that speed. If they can't either, then a mismatch could be the issue. It’s worth testing either way!
Good idea! I'll give that a shot, but I feel like the controller should be okay.
Running 4 DIMMs definitely puts more strain on the Integrated Memory Controller (IMC) than just 2. Think of it like juggling: it’s harder with more balls. This might explain why you’re seeing drops in stability or performance when all four slots are filled. Since there’s no universal rule, performance can vary greatly—sticking to 3200MHz might just be the best option without noticeable impact on regular use. Check out overclocking forums for tuning suggestions!
Thanks for the insight!
Do you set it manually or use DOCP?