I recently upgraded my CPU from a Ryzen 5 3600 to a Ryzen 7 5800x and updated the BIOS beforehand. My setup includes a Corsair LPX 3000MHz with two 8GB sticks and a 6650xt graphics card on a B450 Pro4 motherboard. Now, I can only boot the system with a single RAM stick installed in the second slot closest to the CPU. None of the other RAM slots seem to work individually or in pairs; the system just keeps restarting. I've reset the CMOS, loosened the CPU screws to ensure they weren't too tight, checked all cables, verified XMP profiles, and updated the AMD drivers. I'm feeling pretty lost and frustrated here. Is my setup seriously broken?
1 Answer
It sounds like you're dealing with a possible issue related to the memory channels on your motherboard. Have you checked if the CPU is new or refurbished? If it's second-hand, there could be hidden issues. The slots are split into channels; the first and second slots correspond to one channel while the third and fourth correspond to another. Here are a few things you could try:
- Clear the CMOS again to reset all settings, because it might be retaining incompatible memory overclocking profiles.
- Reseat the CPU carefully and inspect for bent pins or any physical damage.
- As a test, you might also want to put your old 3600 back in to see if everything works fine like before. This will help you identify if the new CPU has any issues.
I read that updating chipset drivers might help with compatibility issues, although I only found updates for the 5800x and 5800x3D. Just a heads up, when they mention memory overclocking, it’s about settings like DOCP, which can cause problems if set improperly. If your XMP setting is on auto, that might be the issue. Maybe disabling XMP could be worth a shot.
I just realized that I've never updated my chipset drivers even though I thought upgrading the GPU took care of that. I’ll give it a shot. Thanks for the tip! I'm much better at software than hardware, to be honest.
It's a brand new CPU, so hopefully that eliminates any used parts headaches. I totally get the nerves about reseating it, especially if it's your first time. Just take your time and follow a good guide! You’ve got this!