my ram wont run at advertised speeds

[A Computer Guy]

Who can locate differences between the 2 screenshots?

 

[freeagent]

Of the six AM4 rigs I still have crunching away, I don't think a single one works with just clicking X.M.P. and hoping for a POST and stability.

You need to roll with Asus

I can run 2 different 3200C14 kits together and run XMP on both my Strix -F and Strix -XE with 3600XT, 5600X, and 5900X

 

[Dr. Dro]

Make sure that your motherboard has the latest BIOS, with AGESA 1.2.0.7. There are severe memory training issues in earlier BIOS revisions, my B550-E would fail memory training and refuse to POST on the first try with my kit, at known-good and known-stable timings and voltage.

Also since you have a Ryzen 5 3600 don't go above 1800 MHz FCLK/3600 MHz DDR no matter what, and use up to 1,45v to get your memory at its rated speed.

 

[AusWolf]

View attachment 261727View attachment 261729

This.

It looks to me like one of the DIMMs got wrong XMP SPD data coded into it. The motherboard probably tries to enable 16-51-20-38 timings, but it doesn't work as it's completely bollocks. Or maybe doesn't even try as XMP only works with identical SPD data.

Solution: if that DIMM really has 16-51-20-38 timings, then it's faulty and has to be returned.

 

[ir_cow]

This week I was fussing with a 2x8GB kit of Patriot Viper 4400CL19 B-die. I got the kit to play around with on my Cenzannes. What an abomination! Won't post on the #1 or #2 X.M.P. settings,

Usually when XMP isn't working on AMD for me its always the same few things. Its 95% the MB poor abilities to train the memory or use the appropriate settings.

Check for these common problems and manually change them if you have to.

• Gear 1 is enabled (above 3600 - set to Gear 2)
• 1T instead of Gear Down Mode (common for Dual-Rank / 4 DIMMS)
• XMP tRAS to low (Raise the value)
• XMP tRC to low (Raise the value)

Things a lot less common is voltage related like the MB auto didn't set the correct voltages for the SoC or DRAM. Once in a blue moon its the tFAW. This is generally because the MB reads the XMP data wrong or just ignores it.

This.

It looks to me like one of the DIMMs got wrong XMP SPD data coded into it. The motherboard probably tries to enable 16-51-20-38 timings, but it doesn't work as it's completely bollocks. Or maybe doesn't even try as XMP only works with identical SPD data.

Solution: if that DIMM really has 16-51-20-38 timings, then it's faulty and has to be returned.

You figured it out! I forget ram can have bad XMP profiles. Been focusing on the MB. clearly its just the rams XMP profile that is jacked up.

 

[Mussels]

I have 2x8 gb ddr4 advertised speed 3600mhz and the model is ADATA XPG SPECTRIX D50, and the motherboard is an asus prime b550m-a.
So basicly when i went to the bios and wanted to turn xmp or docp on profile 2 for 3600mhz and when I aplied it and exit the pc reboots 2 times and after that it gives me an error code
and I can run the memory only at 2666mhz

The problem isnt your motherboard or RAM, it's your CPU
You need to raise your SoC voltage, 3600Mhz is overclocking for Zen2
1.1v SoC with 1.35v ram should be perfectly fine at 3600, with EVEN TIMINGS. Not odd. No CL15, Cl19, whatever - change them to even values by adding +1 if needed
This has been known since Zen 1, so it's something people should be long aware of.


So many people here so close to getting things right


1. Every rank you add lowers the maximum clock at any given SoC voltage
2. Odd timings are less stable on ryzen (especially zen 1)



Zen 1:

Zen 2:

 

[Dr. Dro]

Just to add a bit to Muss's post, Zen 2 advice will also apply to Zen 3 (5000 series). A 4xDR setup at 3600 is definitely possible if your CPU's IOD is great, your settings are correct and your motherboard topology helps, but newer versions of AGESA are very important.

Since you're on a R5 3600 (which isn't really a very good bin), you should raise your VSOC a bit as advised an err more or less on the conservative side for timings and target frequency. You probably won't feel much of a difference if you choose to target DDR4-3200 and 1600 FCLK instead, and it will be much easier to achieve.

It also really sounds like there is SPD corruption in one of the DIMMs, you should double check with HWiNFO64 if the sticks' SPD data really mismatches. If so, RMA your memory. Also, if at all possible, take your time to read a bit on how DDR4 works and the optimization tricks for each IC, which are well established by now. Set-and-forget XMP rarely works perfectly, no matter the platform, so hand-tuning will allow you to have an excellent set for years to come. It's a bit of work, but it's worth it. I've been using my settings for roughly 3 years now, and it's been through Zen 2 and 3, rock solid.

I'm pretty proud of my settings here, one of the chief reasons I am not too fancy on going to DDR5 just yet, these are Dominator Platinums (some weird B-die downbin that are factory rated at 3000, but run 3600 without even trying) that run ice cold, it might not be the best latencies around, but it's super stable and reliable, will pass any test no matter how strict and only using 1.375V at such low VSOC too:

 

[ir_cow]

Here.... I put in the XPG D50 kit (AX4U36008G17H-DC50R) I reviewed. Completely auto settings using a Gigabyte X570 Master with XMP. Notice anything similar? Yeah. Its the same timings, same ICs and using a Zen2 CPU (3900X).

At this point since everyone has different ideas of what is the issue. I would suggest to the OP to try 1 DIMM at a time. See if each can do the XMP 3600. If so, my opinion here is that something is wrong with the MB with the auto settings. If one DIMM cannot run XMP, well you found the problem.

Also for anyone who isn't aware on AMD if Gear Down Mode is enabled (usually is on auto), you can only have EVEN CAS values.

 

[Waldorf]

How did you come to this conclusion?

as virtually every ryzen guide from sites worth spending time on recommend it, incl advice from folks here with knowledge about ryzen/ram oc.

anytime i had "trouble" getting xmp spec to work (no matter if my build/rig or others incl ones i didnt build), did allow for manual settings to work if i adjusted ram/(soc) voltages first.
and out of 10 ryzen builds i did since 2xxx, 6 threw errors in HCI when using xmp.
most required lowering at least soc to work.

my GB was running 1.15 on xmp (3600/cl14), when 1.065 was actually stable.
while the lower end MSI boards i used seemed to experience the same issue, the 570S unify xmax seems to be spot on for voltages applied on auto/xmp, but it might just be from different/newer bios.

 

[Mussels]

Just to add a bit to Muss's post, Zen 2 advice will also apply to Zen 3 (5000 series). A 4xDR setup at 3600 is definitely possible if your CPU's IOD is great, your settings are correct and your motherboard topology helps, but newer versions of AGESA are very important.

Since you're on a R5 3600 (which isn't really a very good bin), you should raise your VSOC a bit as advised an err more or less on the conservative side for timings and target frequency. You probably won't feel much of a difference if you choose to target DDR4-3200 and 1600 FCLK instead, and it will be much easier to achieve.

It also really sounds like there is SPD corruption in one of the DIMMs, you should double check with HWiNFO64 if the sticks' SPD data really mismatches. If so, RMA your memory. Also, if at all possible, take your time to read a bit on how DDR4 works and the optimization tricks for each IC, which are well established by now. Set-and-forget XMP rarely works perfectly, no matter the platform, so hand-tuning will allow you to have an excellent set for years to come. It's a bit of work, but it's worth it. I've been using my settings for roughly 3 years now, and it's been through Zen 2 and 3, rock solid.

I'm pretty proud of my settings here, one of the chief reasons I am not too fancy on going to DDR5 just yet, these are Dominator Platinums (some weird B-die downbin that are factory rated at 3000, but run 3600 without even trying) that run ice cold, it might not be the best latencies around, but it's super stable and reliable, will pass any test no matter how strict and only using 1.375V at such low VSOC too:

View attachment 261737

Zen 2 and 3 have always been able to do 3600 with four ranks for me with ease, with raised SoC voltage and even timings

Not every motherboard has however, with my B450-i being unable to pass 3200, no matter the voltages or timings used

GDM doesn't enable until 2667 or above, and even then i find it lacking - i just helped a friend who had his CMOS reset, ryzen 1700 on an MSI x370 and he forgot the settings.
Auto, XMP, nothing was stable even on one stick of ram. Two wouldn't post.

Even timings and SoC to 1.2V, and he's back to four sticks perfectly fine. His ram tried 15-15-15-29 1T, just a +1 to each and away it goes

 

[ir_cow]

as virtually every ryzen guide from sites worth spending time on recommend it, incl advice from folks here with knowledge about ryzen/ram oc.

Alright.. I guess you already know that even G.Skill Flare X "Designed for the latest AMD Ryzen platforms" for AMD only has a XMP profile. Its a complete lie and everyone that has Ryzen must manually enter all the timings because XMP simply just doesn't work on AMD

 

[Waldorf]

yeah, done with Gskill as thats one brand that wouldnt go past jedec (3600 C16 ryzen kit with 3700x and GB x570 ultra).

but after switching from 3770K to amd, never cared much for QVL or XMP as priority,
as its not a guarantee to work, but do prefer to look for intel or amd ram to match build.
seen enough times where it didnt matter that the ram was on the list (didnt work, at all or not stable),
and few kits that werent (speed and/or timings) but worked "perfect", when shopping for my own builds (looks and/or perf).

 

[Bronan]

Never ever buy the RAM separate always order a set as the factory makes sure they work together
As it is very darn complex to get a non set to run stable
I have made that mistake also a few times and always had issues to get them working
Sometimes your lucky but in most cases it is utter disaster, SO BUY A MATCHING SET
BTW I agree about the XMP almost never work well no matter if it AMD or Intel i always set the speeds manual as XMP is really still failing alot especially above 3200 Mhz
I have been messing since the middle ages with all kinda OC with various hardware and it is an endless struggle to get the stuff to work more often than not
As long as you stay below 3200 it most of the time works out of the box if you bought a 2 set when you buy 4 or 8 you end up again in hell as most Mobo fail to work as promised especially if you like me want massive amounts installed.
I wish it would become so good as i found on some server boards who run massive amounts at speeds you want ( pricy toys anyway )
For home use often way too expenssive anyway but i would love to run at least 512 Gb so i can use 2 ramdisks to speed up the tasks from converting stuff at the fastest speeds possible
Disks are way too slow no matter if it is nvme or not, RAM is always much faster and the fastest

 

[ir_cow]

If you need any more proof that XMP 3600 works on Zen 2 (3000 series), here is 128GB 4x32GB running completely on auto settings. This isn't the early days of Ryzen where 2133 was the only thing that booted.

 

[A Computer Guy]

If you need any more proof that XMP 3600 works on Zen 2 (3000 series), here is 128GB 4x32GB running completely on auto settings. This isn't the early days of Ryzen where 2133 was the only thing that booted.

View attachment 261799

Of course YMMV but this makes me very hopeful. I'm running 2x32 at the moment and was considering getting another for 4x32. It that a micron kit?

 

[ir_cow]

Of course YMMV but this makes me very hopeful. I'm running 2x32 at the moment and was considering getting another for 4x32. It that a micron kit?

No its the Neo Forza MARS DDR4-4000 previously reviewed. Neo Forza sent me 2 kits. SK Hynix ICs. I just enabled XMP and set the freq to 3600. The highest I can go is 3800 Gear 1 on Intel (4X DIMMS) . Haven't tried above 3600 x4 DIMMS on AMD yet (like a real amount of effort). Of course Gear 2 works...but whats the point in buying DDR4-4000 memory if you are going to use Gear 2.

 

[Waldorf]

@Bronan
that's crap, if you know what you are doing.
intel is usually happy if its the same brand/kit with same clock/timings (purchased the same kit (corsair) about 1y apart and used it without issues (3770k).

on amd it usually works if you have the same brand/clock/timings and the kits have the same die on it.
there might be some exceptions (controller change etc), but its not impossible.

 

[Mussels]

The only reason AMD gets fussy with the mixed ram is because of the extra ranks - you need more SoC voltage, or lower clocks.

Ofc both teams can have issues if the timings dont match, that gets fun - this is assuming they DO match, or are manually altered

 

[z2x1]

ok on monday i will be returning ther ram but i wonder should i get a g.skill ripjaws kit for the same price or a kingston fury beast kit with cl17 instead of 18 for 10 euro more

 

[P4-630]

ok on monday i will be returning ther ram but i wonder should i get a g.skill ripjaws kit for the same price or a kingston fury beast kit with cl17 instead of 18 for 10 euro more

If I were you, I would buy a memory kit thats on this list:

PRIME B550M-A｜Motherboards｜ASUS Global

Discover the PRIME B550M-A: an AMD B550 Ryzen AM4 motherboard. Transforms your everyday tech use with cutting-edge features. Upgrade today!

www.asus.com

 

[z2x1]

g skill it is then

 

[Zach_01]

I guess I was lucky with Ryzen and Ram on XMP.
My sister’s 5y old build with a 1500X and MSI B350 PCmate run 3200MHz on XMP with a Corsair LPX 2x4GB run fine from first day.
My Zen2 build (R5 3600) run also a Corsair LPX kit on 3466MHz XMP 2x8GB without issue and with some tweaking up to 3667. It did 3800 but not fully stable.
Same board(specs) now with 5900X and Gskill Trident neo 2x16GB run 3600MHz XMP without 1 issue and now up to 3800.

Looking though at issues people had throughout the years I guess I was lucky.
Using sticks that are not coming as a kit is really a bad gamble

 

[Mussels]

ok on monday i will be returning ther ram but i wonder should i get a g.skill ripjaws kit for the same price or a kingston fury beast kit with cl17 instead of 18 for 10 euro more

No, ryzen does not work easily* with odd number timings. Get even timings at CL16 or CL18


If you run at even timings with GDM enabled it slows it down to the speed of the even value anyway, so its a waste of money

 

[ir_cow]

No, ryzen does not work with odd number timings. Get even timings at CL16 or CL18

As far as I can tell (only have a few AMD cpus) that Ryzen does work with odd timings, the issue is usually by default GDM is enabled.

The ram timings will change to the next even number up. If you disbale GDM, it can be a odd value.

 

[Mussels]

I guess I was lucky with Ryzen and Ram on XMP.
My sister’s 5y old build with a 1500X and MSI B350 PCmate run 3200MHz on XMP with a Corsair LPX 2x4GB run fine from first day.
My Zen2 build (R5 3600) run also a Corsair LPX kit on 3466MHz XMP 2x8GB without issue and with some tweaking up to 3667. It did 3800 but not fully stable.
Same board(specs) now with 5900X and Gskill Trident neo 2x16GB run 3600MHz XMP without 1 issue and now up to 3800.

Looking though at issues people had throughout the years I guess I was lucky.
Using sticks that are not coming as a kit is really a bad gamble

If you check, those kits (especially the 2x4) will be single rank - the kits everyone had issues with were dual rank and CL15, especially at 3200Mhz (which was unsupported on zen 1 AND zen 2 at stock voltages)

As far as I can tell (only have a few AMD cpus) that Ryzen does work with odd timings, the issue is usually by default GDM is enabled.

The ram timings will change to the next even number up. If you disbale GDM it can be odd.

I was editing the post and trying to keep things simple without going overboard - since GDM is enabled by default, odd timings get rounded up and it's not worth spending money on CL15 that'll get rounded to CL16

The odds of getting it fully working with GDM disabled and at the odd timings are unpredictable, so my view is to aim for even timings ram for easy stability - you can overclock RAM easier than almost anyone on the forum, but for the average user who wants to enable XMP and walk away, even timings RAM is going to 'just work' on both defaults and XMP



Nobody wants to buy RAM that every BIOS update or CMOS clear has 15 steps to get it working, with custom timings, voltages, GDM values etc