RAM stick issue

[Vibora]

So I have an Asus Z790-E Gaming WIFI and a T-Force Delta DDR5 2x16 6400Mhz ram kit and I noticed by a mistake one of them isnt working.

I noticed a few weeks ago that one of the sticks RGB is out of sync with the other components in my computer and I didnt give it too much attention since its only RGB.

Yesterday for some reason I decided to check my task manager and I noticed I only have 16 rather than 32 and it says only 1 DIMM slot is used.

Verified this in BIOS and its the same, only shows one stick.

Today I tried switching the slots between the both and got a 55 POST ("Memory Not Installed") so I assumed both the slot and the stick are dead for some reason.

Put them back in as they were and got the same POST again so I kind of panicked that I mightve damaged something.

Tried only the 1 that was working and got the same POST again.

Thank god it works now (1 stick only) but Id love to hear tips on how can I troubleshoot this without breaking anything haha

[Tetras]

The most obvious reason for your problem is the stick is dead and needs to be returned.

 

Another common alternative for memory slot issues is the CPU cooler mount (e.g. uneven, loose, too tight).

[Vibora]

53 minutes ago, Tetras said:

The most obvious reason for your problem is the stick is dead and needs to be returned.

 

Another common alternative for memory slot issues is the CPU cooler mount (e.g. uneven, loose, too tight).

How can such thing happen to a stick? I had the PC for quite some time and never had any issues

[Tetras]

15 minutes ago, Vibora said:

How can such thing happen to a stick? I had the PC for quite some time and never had any issues

Don't know, but spontaneous death of a stick is not uncommon.

[Vibora]

12 hours ago, Tetras said:

Don't know, but spontaneous death of a stick is not uncommon.

Thanks for clarifying, how come the RGB on it still works but the stick isnt detected?
If a stick is dead wouldnt it mean like everything in it as well?

[Tetras]

1 hour ago, Vibora said:

Thanks for clarifying, how come the RGB on it still works but the stick isnt detected?
If a stick is dead wouldnt it mean like everything in it as well?

I don't know a lot about the technical details of how memory is constructed, but there's a lot of circuitry on a DDR5 module (especially now that they handle their own power management), so I can easily imagine a scenario that the RGB LEDs function even though something else on the stick is fried.

 

For me, troubleshooting is very simple:

Part in PC = PC no boot

Part out of PC = PC boot

= Part is broke.

 

Ideally, you'd also test it another PC, but you presumably don't have that luxury.

[TPCEA]

3 hours ago, Vibora said:

Thanks for clarifying, how come the RGB on it still works but the stick isnt detected?
If a stick is dead wouldnt it mean like everything in it as well?

The RGB LEDs are powered by a different circuit than the RAM itself so that they don't vampirize power from the RAM. 

[Vibora]

2 hours ago, Tetras said:

I don't know a lot about the technical details of how memory is constructed, but there's a lot of circuitry on a DDR5 module (especially now that they handle their own power management), so I can easily imagine a scenario that the RGB LEDs function even though something else on the stick is fried.

 

For me, troubleshooting is very simple:

Part in PC = PC no boot

Part out of PC = PC boot

= Part is broke.

 

Ideally, you'd also test it another PC, but you presumably don't have that luxury.

 

15 minutes ago, RevGAM said:

The RGB LEDs are powered by a different circuit than the RAM itself so that they don't vampirize power from the RAM. 

Thanks!
If I buy the same 16gb stick with the same latency and everything, that wouldnt be a problem with running it with a stick from a 32 kit right?

[Tetras]

4 minutes ago, Vibora said:

If I buy the same 16gb stick with the same latency and everything, that wouldnt be a problem with running it with a stick from a 32 kit right?

Probably, but when you RMA they often ask for the whole kit back rather than just 1 stick.

[TPCEA]

On 9/25/2024 at 11:18 AM, Vibora said:

 

Thanks!
If I buy the same 16gb stick with the same latency and everything, that wouldnt be a problem with running it with a stick from a 32 kit right?

When mixing kits, there is always at least a little risk of problems, especially if they are not from identical kits. 

[Mark Kaine]

On 9/25/2024 at 1:33 PM, Vibora said:

Thanks for clarifying, how come the RGB on it still works but the stick isnt detected?
If a stick is dead wouldnt it mean like everything in it as well?

because the stick still gets power so led works.

 

but the led has nothing to do with the chips on the ram stick? that's why.