PC not booting with 2 RAM sticks

[mkN1G]

Hey LTT members!

About 2 weeks ago I sent my new motherboard (ASUS ROG STRIX Z370-H Gaming) back to my retailer because it couldn't boot with two RAM-sticks, I didn't get a picture on the monitor. Today I got it back, but they couldn't find anything wrong with the motherboard. Most likely it's something with the CPU or RAM I bought at the same time. It's an i7 8700k 3.7 Ghz 12 MB and Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 3000Mhz CL15.

I'll probably have to send it all back on monday. But before that I want to troubleshoot on my own, what do you suggest I can try? Btw, the computer can boot up with only ONE RAM stick plugged in. All help is appreciated!
Best regards,

Markus

[Anghammarad]

From what I have seen the last years, Asus motherboards are really bitchy about their ram. Did you check if the modules you have are listed on the compatibility list for that board?

 

If yes, you should run a ram check on each module, if not, well, then you have bought the wrong memory.

[mkN1G]

2 minutes ago, Anghammarad said:

From what I have seen the last years, Asus motherboards are really bitchy about their ram. Did you check if the modules you have are listed on the compatibility list for that board?

 

If yes, you should run a ram check on each module, if not, well, then you have bought the wrong memory.

I don't know where I can find one of those "compatibility" lists. I mean, the PC can boot when I use one ram-stick and is useable, so I assume they are compatible?

 

What do you mean with a RAM check?

[Anghammarad]

1 minute ago, MarkusH said:

I don't know where I can find one of those "compatibility" lists. I mean, the PC can boot when I use one ram-stick and is useable, so I assume they are compatible?

 

What do you mean with a RAM check?

The list is usually on the manufacturers website for that board... in the service and support section... google will help you to get there.

 

and here a quick guide to "how to check my ram" : https://www.howtogeek.com/260813/how-to-test-your-computers-ram-for-problems/

[mkN1G]

1 minute ago, Anghammarad said:

The list is usually on the manufacturers website for that board... in the service and support section... google will help you to get there.

 

and here a quick guide to "how to check my ram" : https://www.howtogeek.com/260813/how-to-test-your-computers-ram-for-problems/

Thanks! All you had to mention was "Service and support" section and I found it instantly! I found a list, and it looks like it doesn't support it? Or maybe I don't know how to read this list, I'll link it below! http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1151/ROG_STRIX_Z370-H_GAMING/ROG_STRIX_Z370-H_GAMING_DRAM_QVL_20171027.pdf?_ga=2.43538533.1559910152.1514594342-577972316.1514594342

[Anghammarad]

2 minutes ago, MarkusH said:

Thanks! All you had to mention was "Service and support" section and I found it instantly! I found a list, and it looks like it doesn't support it? Or maybe I don't know how to read this list, I'll link it below! http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1151/ROG_STRIX_Z370-H_GAMING/ROG_STRIX_Z370-H_GAMING_DRAM_QVL_20171027.pdf?_ga=2.43538533.1559910152.1514594342-577972316.1514594342

there you would need to know the ram modules serial... it is usually on a sticker on one of the sides of the stick... 

Or if you have a link to where you bought them, sometimes the shops do show them for the modules.

 

 

I wanted to add this part to my post earlier, but you answered before I could edit =P so here the part again... cut n paste 4tw.

 

If you buy boards that are known to be picky/bitchy with their ram, only get ram that is listed on the compatibility lists (or QVL I think is the short term for those lists, but I can be mistaken here) or either get some ADATA ram, even if they are not on the list... they usually keep strict to the standarts regarding DDR ram, so there usually aren't issues. 

 

"highend" Gamer ram with bling or without bling often runs apart from the specifications to reach the specified performance. Then if you get a board which is picky something happens what we here call "Auf die falle geschnautzt"

[mkN1G]

Oh, I didn't check the "DDR4 3000 Qualified Vendors List". I only checked the top one. There are lots of different ones at the DDR4 3000 with 16GB (2x8GB) and I don't know if that means if mine are compatible. Sorry, this was really unknown territory for me!

[mkN1G]

1 minute ago, Anghammarad said:

there you would need to know the ram modules serial... it is usually on a sticker on one of the sides of the stick... 

Or if you have a link to where you bought them, sometimes the shops do show them for the modules.

 

 

I wanted to add this part to my post earlier, but you answered before I could edit =P so here the part again... cut n paste 4tw.

 

If you buy boards that are known to be picky/bitchy with their ram, only get ram that is listed on the compatibility lists (or QVL I think is the short term for those lists, but I can be mistaken here) or either get some ADATA ram, even if they are not on the list... they usually keep strict to the standarts regarding DDR ram, so there usually aren't issues. 

 

"highend" Gamer ram with bling or without bling often runs apart from the specifications to reach the specified performance. Then if you get a board which is picky something happens what we here call "Auf die falle geschnautzt"

I would assume that it looks like this "CMK16GX4M2B3000C15". The one I pasted is from my RAM, and can be found on the list of compatible DDR4 3000 memories as well. That has to mean they are compatible?

[Anghammarad]

Yes those are then supported. further in the line on the spreadsheet you can see if you can run 2 or 4 of those on the board. 

 

So the chances are high that one of the sticks is broken.

 

But to check other things first, bios is hopefully the latest on that machine. If not, update (with only one stick, else you couldn't from what you describe) then after it is done enter the bios and load the default settings. 

 

Activate XMP profile in the ram section and check is they are ok settings wise (again you can crosscheck with the compatibility spreadsheet).

 

If the board then still doesn't want to boot with 2 sticks (always one bank free between those), run a memory check on each module. But those take some time. To see if one check throws errors. If yes, RMA the ram. 

[Anghammarad]

11 minutes ago, MarkusH said:

Oh, I didn't check the "DDR4 3000 Qualified Vendors List". I only checked the top one. There are lots of different ones at the DDR4 3000 with 16GB (2x8GB) and I don't know if that means if mine are compatible. Sorry, this was really unknown territory for me!

no worries =) 

[mkN1G]

1 minute ago, Anghammarad said:

Yes those are then supported. further in the line on the spreadsheet you can see if you can run 2 or 4 of those on the board. 

 

So the chances are high that one of the sticks is broken.

 

But to check other things first, bios is hopefully the latest on that machine. If not, update (with only one stick, else you couldn't from what you describe) then after it is done enter the bios and load the default settings. 

 

Activate XMP profile in the ram section and check is they are ok settings wise (again you can crosscheck with the compatibility spreadsheet).

 

If the board then still doesn't want to boot with 2 sticks (always one bank free between those), run a memory check on each module. But those take some time. To see if one check throws errors. If yes, RMA the ram. 

I have tried both RAM modules one at a time and the PC boots with both. But I'll check bios and eventually do a memory check on them as well. You sir are a gift sent from above, I am very grateful for the help! I will post another comment here when I've tried it Cheers!