Windows and BIOS detects all RAM, but only HALF is usable...

[Atrain009]

Speccy: http://speccy.piriform.com/results/tQrAL7POFfBKWlyhYSzdxBA

 

Summary:

 

I have 4x8GB DDR4 sticks installed on my MSI b350 Tomahawk with a Ryzen 7 2700x. Only half of it usable.

BIOS & Windows RAM report: https://imgur.com/a/LcprqFH

I have done the following:

- Updated BIOS

- Reset CMOS

- Checked Windows 10 Boot Memory Limit

- Double checked my RAM compatibility

- Tested each RAM stick individually

Any ideas???? Been banging my head against the wall for 7 hours now, reading thread after thread...

[Randy R]

Take your cooler and cpu out, make sure you don't have bent pins. If all good, put it back, and don't put too much pressure on the cooler mounting screws, make sure each one is even number of turns/pressure.

 

If that doesn't help, check your ram slots. Test each slot with one stick at a time. Test your channels, two sticks ( read manual for two stick dual channel config)

But re-seating your cpu probably will help as I've read at least two posts with this issue and they report that fixes it.

[Atrain009]

9 hours ago, Randy R said:

Take your cooler and cpu out, make sure you don't have bent pins. If all good, put it back, and don't put too much pressure on the cooler mounting screws, make sure each one is even number of turns/pressure.

 

If that doesn't help, check your ram slots. Test each slot with one stick at a time. Test your channels, two sticks ( read manual for two stick dual channel config)

But re-seating your cpu probably will help as I've read at least two posts with this issue and they report that fixes it.

Just reseated CPU, same issue.

 

I tried with just two sticks int he correct configuration, DIMMA2 and DIMMB2, same issue. BIOS recognizes both sticks, but only 8GB is usable instead of the full 16GB. No idea what to do next 

[Randy R]

Idk, you could call the mobo manufacturer, tell them the issue. 
Though, If you look on google, re seating the cpu fixes this exact issue for some people. Its a hassle to RMA and what not, worth it to try to reseat it again.

If still not then there could be some other issue going on with the mobo, or possibly the cpu. Check pins make sure they are clean, socket too.

Otherwise RMA mobo, not an ideal situation.

[sphbecker]

Maybe a silly question, but when you say "usable" what do you mean? If Windows is reporting the memory, then how do you know it isn't being used?

[Skipple]

4 minutes ago, sphbecker said:

Maybe a silly question, but when you say "usable" what do you mean? If Windows is reporting the memory, then how do you know it isn't being used?

Look at the BIOS picture

[sphbecker]

I see, now that I look at it, I don't even know why I was confused in the first place, sorry about that.

Are all 4 sticks the same?

When you reset the CMOS, did you test without applying the memory profile?

If you boot with 2 sticks in channel B what happens?

If you boot with 2 sticks, 1 in channel A and 1 in channel B, what happens?

[Atrain009]

49 minutes ago, sphbecker said:

I see, now that I look at it, I don't even know why I was confused in the first place, sorry about that.

Are all 4 sticks the same?

When you reset the CMOS, did you test without applying the memory profile?

If you boot with 2 sticks in channel B what happens?

If you boot with 2 sticks, 1 in channel A and 1 in channel B, what happens?

No worries! Thanks for taking the time to help out-

 

1) Yes, all four are exactly the same, all brand new: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015FXXBW0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

2) Yes, I only loaded default settings, no XMP profiles or anything like that.

 

3) Haven't tested yet, as this would force single channel, no? I'll test it and get back to you though.

 

4) I tried with only two sticks, in DIMMA2 and DIMMB2, per manual suggestion. Same exact issue. Recognizes both in BIOS (8GB each), but DRAM size is only 8GB. I thought the issue might be the two kits together, but it seems with even just 1 kit, it doesn't work.

[sphbecker]

8 minutes ago, Atrain009 said:

No worries! Thanks for taking the time to help out-

 

1) Yes, all four are exactly the same, all brand new: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015FXXBW0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

2) Yes, I only loaded default settings, no XMP profiles or anything like that.

 

3) Haven't tested yet, as this would force single channel, no? I'll test it and get back to you though.

 

4) I tried with only two sticks, in DIMMA2 and DIMMB2, per manual suggestion. Same exact issue. Recognizes both in BIOS (8GB each), but DRAM size is only 8GB. I thought the issue might be the two kits together, but it seems with even just 1 kit, it doesn't work.

Yes, that was my goal behind the test was to see if the issue was specific to duel channel mode. If you can run two sticks in single channel mode then clearly something is wrong with duel channel mode. If that is the case, check the CPU for any bent pens. If they are all fine, then you will probably need to RMA the board.

 

PS: I should have put this in my first suggestion list, but have you already tested all 4 slots individually? I know you tested all sticks that way, but slots can be bad too.

[Atrain009]

2 hours ago, sphbecker said:

Yes, that was my goal behind the test was to see if the issue was specific to duel channel mode. If you can run two sticks in single channel mode then clearly something is wrong with duel channel mode. If that is the case, check the CPU for any bent pens. If they are all fine, then you will probably need to RMA the board.

 

PS: I should have put this in my first suggestion list, but have you already tested all 4 slots individually? I know you tested all sticks that way, but slots can be bad too.

Thanks for all help. Just gonna pick up a b450 tomahawk at best buy today and see if that solves it.

[Chris Earplug]

The original poster asked if you checked for bent pins.

 

Linus did a video about this topic. Most memory controllers are now on the CPU itself.

A bent pin can cause such a problem. Look down the side of the CPU from 2 perpendicular sides. All the pins should be going down the same rows.

 

Also do you have another processor you can put in there to test to make sure your processor is still good?

[Atrain009]

14 minutes ago, Chris Earplug said:

The original poster asked if you checked for bent pins.

 

Linus did a video about this topic. Most memory controllers are now on the CPU itself.

A bent pin can cause such a problem. Look down the side of the CPU from 2 perpendicular sides. All the pins should be going down the same rows.

 

Also do you have another processor you can put in there to test to make sure your processor is still good?

I actually thought it was my CPU, so I upgraded from the Ryzen 5 1600 to ryzen 7 2700x before even posting this. It's brand new, no bent pins

 

This f'ing issue basically made me upgrade my entire setup except for the cooling and GPU lol.