I've had a frustrating experience with my G.Skill DDR4-3600 C16 RAM, having encountered failures with all four sticks in a 2x16GB kit. I sent one stick in for warranty but found that another stick failed before I even installed the replacement. While my PC is mostly stable, I did get a BSOD due to a memory error, and now it's testing bad with Memtest. I'm concerned about the continuous RMA process. I've set up an older DDR4 machine to conduct some testing over the weekend.
Currently, when I power on the PC, sometimes it won't start without multiple attempts. However, once it boots, it's reliable. Just for context, my setup includes a 13700 CPU and an ASUS Z790 TUF D4 motherboard, which was refurbished but previously worked fine for at least a year. The power supply is a Superflower Leadex.
I'm starting to suspect that either the CPU or the motherboard is degraded. I'm open to upgrading to an AMD system with DDR5 if needed, but I'm worried that maybe something else in the system is causing these issues. What do you all think?
3 Answers
Locked Intel CPUs have a fixed SA voltage of around 0.9V, which can struggle with high-speed RAM. Try setting the memory speed to 3200MHz. If it’s stable, you might be dealing with a bad IMC, which can feel like the silicon lottery losing out.
It sounds like your motherboard might be to blame for killing your RAM. I've dealt with a similar issue on a Z690 board that corrupted memory sticks over time. Upgrading to AMD could be a good option; just make sure to check the motherboard carefully if you go that route.
Don’t forget, the power supply could also be a factor. The CPU might have experienced degradation, which is something to watch out for with Raptor Lake. If you're planning a fresh build, consider getting a new CPU, motherboard, RAM, and power supply while keeping your GPU.
Unless you’ve really hit the RAM unlucky lottery, there’s a high chance your motherboard is the culprit here. It might be misreporting voltage, which could lead to these failures. An upgrade is a good way to avoid potential issues with your current setup, but I’d lean towards replacing the motherboard as being the necessary step.
I tried setting it to 3200MHz and tested with Memtest, but it still failed. I’m hesitant to put the other stick in since I fear it might break it again. I plan to test them on another build soon to see if they’re actually failing or if it’s just a motherboard issue.