Question Problems with CPU/Mobo/RAM

[SnooSnoo]

Hi everyone.
I have recently been gifted with a Ryzen 5 3600. Bought a used Asrock a520m-itx/ac and borrowed some RAM and M.2 drive and put all of that togherer with my 1070Ti and rest of components I had from my old computer.

Then I started ordering parts I wanted to upgrade. I have first ordered some Corsair Vengance RAM (CMN32X4M2Z3600C16) to replace the borrowed OEM Samsung 2666 RAM. Used this without issues for about a month (using the XMP profile for the memory).

Then I stumbled upon the new prices for the Loque RAW S1 and ordered it. Because I needed a new SFX PSU for that case I ordered the Corsair SF600 power supply.

After building in this case I have started having issues. The first one was (don't game much so I'm slowly goung through my steam library) while playing Farcry 3 Blood Dragon. The game crashed and after the game the OS crashed with a BSOD. Restarted and soon after BSOD-ed again after about 5 minutes in the desktop.

I reverted the RAM settings after this crash to SPD values (3200, CL22 if I remember right) and this seemed to stabilize the system.

This weekend I realized the drawbacks of a small system and started playing with fancurves in the BIOS (CHA1_FAN was in silent mode by default). And then tried to use XMP again. Again in FC3BD the game crashed after about 30 minutes. The OS didn't crash this time, so I tried playing another game I had installed, Just Cause 3. This one crashed after all the cutscenes before the campaign starts when the first in-engine renedered cutscene starts, and took steam down with it.

Restarted the system and while shutting down BSOD-ed again. Reverted RAM back to SPD values. Booted back up to Windows and saw 2 newer BIOS versions on the mobo support page. I first downloaded the 2.20 version and flashed it. Rebooted and at the POST screen entered the BIOS again to load my settings. After rebooting the system would not POST again. After much trial and error I concluded the following: system will not boot with the Corsair RAM. Will beep 3 short times with both sticks inside. But wil only get to POST screen with one. After clearing CMOS it will POST and boot into Windows if I don't enter the BIOS. As soon as I enter the BIOS the system will not post anymore with three beeps with both sticks and hanging on POST screen with one.

Did a one pass Memtest that the system passed with the Corsair kit. No errors. (With cleared CMOS and not entering BIOS)

Then got the OEM RAM and installed, works without issues.

So the question is, what else can I do to try to stabilize the system? It seems that transfering to the new case is when the system started acting up... tried flashing the latest BIOS, the 2.10 version the mobo came with and all other versions now behave the same.

Anyway the list of components is:
AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Asrock A520M-ITX/AC (currently on 2.20 BIOS)
Corsair Vengance (CMN32X4M2Z3600C16) 2x 16GB
MSI 1070Ti Gaming
Micron OEM 1100 M.2 SATA 256GB SSD
Corsair SFX SF600 PSU
Louqe RAW S1 case
Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120mm exhaust fan

Don't know if prior BIOS settings are important, but I had CSM disabled and Secure Boot enabled, apart from the chasis fan curve and XMP, the rest was on auto.

Any input would be much appreciated!
Thank you!

 

[DAPUNISHER]

I had several Ryzen 3600s and none of them would run 3600MT/s stable. The 3600 integrated memory controller limited it to 3433 at best from any combo of board and ram kit I used. The JEDEC timings on some kits when not running XMP can be really bad. That CL22 you mentioned is prime example. With that ram the quickest fix is to use the XMP profile for timings, then manually set the speed to 3200.

I never had much success with a Ryzen DRAM calculator app so not a fan, YMMV.

If it runs stable for a few days with XMP timings and 3200, you can try bumping up the speed.

 

[Tech Junky]

AMD from what I've seen has to be the pickiest when it comes to certain components. I built an AMD system decades ago and had 0 issues with it and it lasted for quite a long time.

When I build a system these days I have a rough idea in mind of what's needed / wanted but, dig into the specs from the CPU / MOBO to figure out what's compatible from a technical perspective vs relying on a QVL or some other source.

If you look at the matrix for both the CPU / MOBO they should have compatible / synchronous options to choose from. Knowing there's issues with OC options you have two choices. Stay under the limit of the CPU or brace for headaches.

What I'm gathering from the OP though is that 2666 RAM works fine and 3200 RAM doesn't. Seems to me the speed difference is the stability factor and when you lack speed you just add more to compensate going from dual to quad channel **not an option w/ 2 DIMM slots

ASRock A520M-ITX/ac

Supports AMD AM4 Socket Ryzen™ 3000, 3000 G-Series, 4000 G-Series, 5000 and 5000 G-Series Desktop Processors; Supports DDR4 4733+ (OC); 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16; Graphics Output: DisplayPort, HDMI; 7.1 CH HD Audio (Realtek ALC887/897 Audio Codec); 4 x SATA3, 1 x Ultra M.2 (PCIe Gen3x4 & SATA3); 6 x USB...

www.asrock.com

That's quite a bit to chew through for options on RAM. 4 different CPU arch options to decipher on which potential speed will work. A baseline of 3200 though seems to be consistent before venturing into OC issues.

Taking the CPU / MOBO and looking for complete builds on PCP doesn't yield more than 10 and trying to narrow it down further with the GPU the closest I can get is 1 system with a 1060. The builds though should give you some ideas on what's working for RAM at least.

https://pcpartpicker.com/builds/by_part/zBn8TW#c=1211

Seems to be a toss between Corsair / Crucial 3200/3600 and an outlier of Team Group. I would pick Crucial as they're usually pretty stable and no fuss when it comes to this sort of thing but, I've also used TG w/ no issues as well. Intel isn't as picky as AMD though. I've even went as far as using some no name RAM and not had issues as well.

If it were me I would grab a Crucial set and see if the issue follows or if it clears things up. If it doesn't fix the issue then send it back and try TG / PNY. If it's still an issue then you have a gremlin to deal with such as the GPU or something else that isn't complying with your commands.

 

[In2Photos]

You mentioned problems started to occur when you put everything in the new case. Have you removed the system from the case and tried running it open air? Are all of the motherboard standoffs installed correctly in the case? Anything else that could cause a short on the back of the motherboard? Are any cables that connect to the motherboard pulled at awkward angles?

I've seen some issues with R5 3600 CPUs losing memory channels. Unfortunately with your ITX board you can't try different slots. You could try just using 1 stick and see if that changes anything. It's possible that the memory passes memtest but something happens when in the OS that causes memory issues. I had a family member that had a laptop that came with 16GB of memory (2x8GB). It worked fine for a couple of years then 1 day it stopped booting. For some reason the laptop no longer likes 2 sticks of RAM installed. It will run either stick of RAM just fine in either DIMM slot, but as soon as both sticks are installed it won't even turn on, the power LED just flashes.

 

[SnooSnoo]

First of all, thanks for all the suggestions! Much appreciated.
Second, I let memtest run through the night, it is now at 5 passes and 0 errors. I'll let it run 8 passes since that should be a "complete" set of tests.
Third, I can't mess with any settings in BIOS now, as even entering it will cause the isuue of no post with three short beeps wich the guide says is "RAM read/write test failed ".

The system is currently open and running (chasis cover off). I have checked all connectors. But I'll also try a different GPU today. Tried with sigle sticks, but that doesent yield any greater success in debugging this error.

So, all in al, the system works but only if, after clearing CMOS, I leave the BIOS alone and update the date and time thourgh Windows and let the RAM work by the SPD table.
Idealy, I'd test the CPU and RAM in another system, but that would be way too much to ask coleauges for that have compatible systems. Maybe a friend of mine might have a compatible AM4 system at hand since he sometimes builds systems for customers.

I know this is going to bug me and I'll end up buyng a new motherboard first, then if that doesen't work out I'll end up buying a new CPU.
So much for gifts XD

 

[SnooSnoo]

Just an update, after 11 pases with memtest with memory@3200-22-22-22-53 there were no errors detected. I guess I'll just live with it for now until I can isolate the problem further. But even though the 3000 series is finicky with RAM, I somehow have a hunch it is the mobo at fault here.

UPDATE:
Reverted to an even older version of the BIOS (1.80) and the system now works just fine. The question is should I leave the RAM @Spd, leave it @3200 with XMP timings or try XMP again? What would you suggest?

UPDATE2:
It doesen't seem to like me messing with the timings, so I'll just leave it at that.

UPDATE3:
Bah, I'm a complete moron. Re-read what @DAPUNISHER wrote, at voila, seems to work with @3200 and tighter timings and 1.80 BIOS Now I need time to game a bit to validate. Thanks everyone!

 

[Heartbreaker]

IMO, Memtest isn't stressful enough.

Prime95 is my goto.

This morning I made a small change to memory settings.

It couldn't run Prime95 for 2 minutes without reporting errors.

Memtest went 20 minutes before I gave up. Maybe if I ran overnight it could find a problem, but why when Prime95 can detect it in less than 2 minutes.

 

[SnooSnoo]

IMO, Memtest isn't stressful enough.

Prime95 is my goto.

This morning I made a small change to memory settings.

It couldn't run Prime95 for 2 minutes without reporting errors.

Memtest went 20 minutes before I gave up. Maybe if I ran overnight it could find a problem, but why when Prime95 can detect it in less than 2 minutes.

Hi,
I did run Prime95 for about an hour without problems, but since I'm still using the AMD Wratih Spire cooler, temps were spiking with the hottest core at about 91°C. So, with my case, Prime95 is not the way to go for long periods of time. If it realy did have a specialised memory test that doesent torture the CPU as much, I'd give it a go. But after 11 passes of memtest I do feel pretty sure the memory sticks are fine.

I have had time to play for about 2.5 hours this weekend without any trouble. Finished FC3BD and played some JC3. Both games ran without problems.

 

[Heartbreaker]

Prime95 Torture test has the Large FFT setting specifically to stress the Memory controller and DRAM, and it does use a bit less power and thus less heat.

I'm using the Intel Box cooler, but 65W power limits are in place, So it stays under 80C.