I just bought some new RAM, specifically 2 x 16GB G.Skill sticks that are advertised to run at 3600 MT/s. However, when I enable D.O.C.P. in my BIOS, it sets the speed to 3600, but my computer fails to boot. It tries a few times and then tells me that my BIOS settings are unstable. The only speed I can actually boot at is 3200 MT/s; even 3233 MT/s doesn't work. I've tried adjusting voltages and tuning the timings manually, but nothing seems to help.
My setup includes a Ryzen 7 5600X CPU and an ROG Strix B550-F motherboard, both of which support 3600 MT/s RAM. I'm confident it's not a power supply issue, as I can tweak speeds and voltages of other components without problems. What's going on here?
6 Answers
XMP/D.O.C.P. profiles aren't always guaranteed to work as intended. Have you tried clearing the CMOS? Also, check if other speed profiles are available besides 3600. Make sure your sticks are in slots A2/B2 and not A1/B1; sometimes that can make a difference.
Double check the RAM kit you bought. I've had situations where I ordered 3200 MT/s, but got 3600 MT/s instead. Depending on the CAS latency, they might perform similarly, but it’s worth verifying.
Make sure you’re using the correct RAM slots. Typically, for dual channel, you should install them in slots 2 and 4. It's kind of rare for a 5600X not to run 3600 MT/s RAM, but sometimes you hit an unlucky combo. Also, check if your CPU cooler is maybe mounted a bit too tightly. It could be causing RAM instability, though that’s not super common.
Officially, Ryzen 5 5600X supports up to 3200 MT/s, but it can handle 3600 MT/s with proper settings. You need to ensure that you have the latest BIOS version installed, as an outdated one could lead to instability. It's also wise to look up your RAM on the motherboard's QVL (Qualified Vendor List)—that might help with compatibility issues.
It’s very possible that your RAM isn't listed on the motherboard's QVL, which might mean it's not fully supported. You can try manually tweaking your RAM settings to achieve higher speeds, but I know most people don’t want to spend ages fiddling with BIOS settings just to get it to work.
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