DDR5 upgrade or mobo change? (incompatible RAM does not run in EXPO mode)
Posted by Future_Deer_7518@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 6 comments
Some time ago I asked which CPU shall I get. So I build my pc and have this spec:
- ASRock B650I Lightning WiFi, latest BIOS
- DDR5 G.Skill 2x16, CL28: F5-6000J2836G16GX2-FX5W
- AMD Ryzen 8700G PRO
I am very happy with this setup except I am unable to get RAM working at speed 6000 no matter what I do, only 4800 and CPU-Z shows that CL is 40. If I go to BIOS and try to raise speed I can only enter 4800, if I enter 5000 - BIOS freeze and fans spin up until I press ESC key (then speed reverts to 4800). If I enter 3000 then in CPU-Z I see CL=28 but it is only half of speed :D
I think problem that this RAM is not in QVL list. I have several ideas how to proceed and need some clarification and help:
- first option is to change mobo to ASRock B850I. But RAM with CL28 is F5-6000J2836G16GX2-TR5NS with slightly different name (-TR5NS instead of -FX5W). Is this the same memory kit?
- second option is to find another RAM. I have found some kits with 6000 speed but with CL30. I assume when I play "Counter Strike 2" there will be no visible difference between 6000+CL28 and 6000+CL30? But there will be observable difference after transition from 4800 to 6000?
- or is it a problem with 8700G PRO?
Thank you all in advance.
psimwork@reddit
QVL does not mean compatible or incompatible.
QVL is VASTLY over-emphasized as far as being a list of anything beyond a whitelist - and not a very good one at that (source: I have done QVL testing for Asus).
Here's what QVL testing is:
Receive motherboard from manufacturer for testing. With stated BIOS version and pre-installed CPU.
Install a kit of the (many) supplied memory kits.
Power-up machine - does the machine complete POST? If no, fail. Kit does not go onto QVL list. If yes, proceed to step 4.
Enter BIOS, set XMP/EXPO. Reboot.
Does machine complete POST? If yes, kit goes on QVL. If no, kit does not go on QVL.
Move on to next supplied memory kit.
SOME manufacturers reportedly pay for a couple runs of Memtest86, but I never encountered that when I was doing it. All the QVL list does is say "we got this memory working on XMP/EXPO mode". It doesn't mean that a kit that is NOT on the list is not compatible. Or that it won't work. A kit that is not on the QVL can be for the following reasons:
There's a LOT of kits. It would be completely implausible for a manufacturer to have literally every kit out there tested.
The memory manufacturers typically pay the motherboard manufacturer for QVL testing. They may have been unwilling to pay for a kit to be tested, or they may have missed the deadline for kits to be submitted for QVL testing.
The BIOS version used during QVL testing resulted in the test failing, but subsequent BIOS versions would result in a pass, but a test has not been performed since the working BIOS was released.
The kit was not made prior to the QVL testing.
Any of a hundred other reasons.
All of this is to say that I don't know what the problem IS, but I know what it is NOT and the problem is not because it's not on the QVL. Does that mean that your RAM is compatible? Nope. It just means that the QVL doesn't actually mean all that much.
For what it's worth, G.Skill DOES do more of their own testing (it's more reasonable for them to get motherboards from various manufacturers and test all of their own memory kits than for the motherboard manufacturers to get THOUSANDS of memory kits from the RAM brands and test them on all motherboards). And while they didn't test the B650I Lightning, they did test the B650 Lightning, and your kit is listed under the compatibility list per their configurator: https://www.gskill.com/configurator?page=1&cls=1529635169&manufacturer=1524725289&chipset=1665024327&model=1665623878&adSearch2=Capacity%C2%A732GB%20(16GBx2),Tested_Speed%C2%A76000%20MT/s
However, if it's still not working, I would suspect that you may have a defective kit. You can submit for an RMA - G.Skill is typically quite easy to work with for Warranty Claims.
Future_Deer_7518@reddit (OP)
You were right : ) I swapped CPU to non-pro version and have no issues with running my RAM in EXPO mode : )
Future_Deer_7518@reddit (OP)
Thank you! I was thinking about this - that QVL basically guarantees nothing. I try this kit on another PC. If it posts or not.
Future_Deer_7518@reddit (OP)
Necroposting... )
PRO version of CPU was a problem - everything was locked in BIOS. I swapped it to normal 8700G - and without issues enabled EXPO profile - 6000 MT/s and latency 28. System is stable, I played CS2 - in synthetic test (no bots, same settings, same position on map) - I got increase from 155 to 190 fps o_O Overall latency in game is better, program in C++ compiles faster (10 seconds vs 12 seconds). In normal workflow in CachyOS I do not see difference.
Naerven@reddit
You can try updating to the latest bios and then trying expo settings again. The QVL list is outdated before it's even released tbh and many of the memory sticks it shows will already be out of production.
IntentlyFaulty@reddit
Also, not all RAM is made equally. You can have 4 sticks all the same model and manufacturer and they could all max out at different speeds