Hey everyone, I'm completely new to PC building and need some guidance. I originally had my PC built a few years back, and now I'm trying to upgrade my RAM from 16 GB to 32 GB. I bought new RAM, but every time I try to start my PC, the EZ Debug shows a red light for the CPU, and I get no display or power response. I have to switch off the power supply at the back to turn it off. When I put my old RAM back in, everything works fine!
I had to return my first RAM because I mistakenly bought DDR5, which isn't compatible with my MPG B550 Gaming Edge Wifi motherboard (as I found out online). Now I've purchased DDR4 RAM, but the same problem persists.
Here are my specs:
- Motherboard: MPG B550 Gaming Edge Wifi
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 3800X
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
- Old RAM: Trident Z RGB G. Skill DDR4 3600 (8GB x 2)
- New RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 3600 (16GB x 2)
I checked the BIOS, and all Memory settings are on Auto. I read that it might require a bit of force to install new RAM, but I'm pressing hard enough that it clicks into place. Could it be a compatibility issue? I can't find any info online about this. Please explain it to me like I'm five, I'm overwhelmed here!
3 Answers
You might want to clear the CMOS after installing the new RAM. To do this, remove the battery from the motherboard for about 10 minutes. Make sure the system is unplugged while doing this. The battery is usually located near the GPU. After waiting, put the battery back in and power up your PC. Sometimes this helps with RAM recognition issues!
It sounds like the DDR5 RAM could have caused some issues if it was installed incorrectly. Since you switched to DDR4, if you’re still having trouble, it might be a good idea to check if the RAM slots were damaged. The DDR4 sticks should fit perfectly in those slots since your motherboard supports them.
Yeah, I did exchange the DDR5 already, but I’ll keep an eye on the slots as well.
If your old RAM works fine, it's probably not an issue with how much force you’re using. I’m guessing you might need to update your BIOS. It’s true that you need a USB drive to do this. If you don’t have one, that’s going to be a hurdle. Try to borrow one from someone if you can!
I’ll see if I can get a USB drive to try that. Thanks!
I’m not sure where the battery is… could you give me more info?