QVL RAM not booting past Windows on ASUS M5A99X EVO R2.0

TheWizardSmauge · Jul 3, 2014

Hey there,
So I’ve just recently built a new system using the Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0. I was having some trouble with the RAM I had purchased, so I went out and bought a new set that was included on the QVL (KHX2133C11D3K4/16GX) and installed it. Being on the QVL I expected no difficulties, but as soon as I tried to boot into windows, the PC would get past the BIOS fine, but would shut off without an error code about five seconds into the windows loading screen. In essence the Loading Windows words would appear, but not the windows logo. The PC would then proceed to restart, POST fine, and then repeat the same process.
Thinking the issue may have been in timings, I manually adjusted them to meet both those outlined in the ASUS mobo manual, as well as the JEDEC and XMP profiles, only to experience the same process. I also accordingly adjusted the voltages, and frequencies associated with each profile.
Finally after contacting a friend who is an IT Professional, he recommended testing each individual stick, and then testing each slot. This yielded some interesting results. Each DIMM slot of the mobo tested out fine with one stick, and each stick tested out fine. The interesting part is that a single (4GB) stick would allow the computer to boot into windows (keep in mind the kit is 4x4GB). When I attempted a boot with 2 of the sticks (8GB), 3 of the sticks (12GB), and once more 4 sticks (16GB), they all resulted in the same frustrating failure to boot into windows.
As a last ditch effort to get the RAM working, I reinstalled Windows using one 4GB stick (Although I know windows shouldn’t be sensitive to RAM changes) and this still yielded no results. Upon contacting my friend he recommended I post the problem to here in hopes that others may be able to resolve it.
To the best of my knowledge it is not possible for the mobo to be in contact with metal on the back (no need for a breadboard test) as the entire case is painted no electricity could be conducted. Furthermore, I am aware that a damaged CPU could be the cause of such an issue, but there are no bent pins, and it has never been overclocked or put through very strenuous usage.
Below are my system specs:
Motherboard: ASUS M5A99X EVO R2.0
CPU: AMD FX-8120 Unlocked Edition
PSU: Dynex 520 WATT ATX PSU
GPU: ASUS Nvidia Geforce GTX 660 DirectCUII OC Edition
RAM: KHX2133C11D3K4/16GX (Kingston HyperX Genesis 16GB 4x4GB)
HDD: 500GB Seagate Barracuda, 1TB Hitachi
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit
I am drawing a blank with these results, and I’m not sure what to try next. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

boju · Jul 3, 2014

Did you try manually adjusting the timings as well? if not this as suggested in this thread:

This might help you http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1959694/asus-m5a99x-evo-am3-memory-overclock.html

Another thing it could be is the power supply not providing enough amps for all 4 memory + rest of system properly. Not a very good unit that Dynex psu.

InvalidError · Jul 3, 2014

Even if the CPU is physically intact, its circuitry can still be damaged and unable to drive more than one DIMM at a time.

But since your issue appears to be with any combination of two or more DIMMs regardless of memory channel or slot position, you would be looking for causes that might explain issues across all slots that only come up with more than one DIMM installed... things like wrong memory voltages or possibly defective memory voltage regulators.

TheWizardSmauge · Jul 3, 2014

InvalidError :

Yeah, so I called ASUS, and they said up the PSU with 600 Watts being enough. I went out and bought a 600 Watt PSU, and still no results. The best I got was an error from windows saying that it needed me to repair from the install disk, but it still wouldn't boot the disk. I called back ASUS and they said it was most likely a voltage controller etc. with the CPU. They recommended I RMA them, but this will put both the motherboard and the PSU out of commission for a few weeks. Also I have read that the 8120 will supposedly only work with up to two ram sticks, but I was not able to contact AMD to confirm this. At this point I am still wondering if it could be some whacky voltages and timings required for this CPU in specific, but I have no clue how to obtain them if they are even to be found. Thanks for your help so far, further assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Tradesman1 · Jul 3, 2014

With your CPU and 4 sticks, good chance the MC just can't carry 2133 sticks (might not be abl e to carry 1866 either), Try initially at 1600 9-9-9-25, 1.6 and set the CPU/NB voltage to 1.25 if all fine there simply change the freq to 1866 and try, if no joy at 1866 then raise the CPU/NB to 1.3

TheWizardSmauge · Jul 3, 2014

Tradesman1 :

Thanks for the tip, but still no luck. Windows has now decided to tell me to repair the installation from my install disk, but the system can't boot the windows installer either so that's a dead end for now. I'm going to research if upping the voltage on the memory controller may help ...

InvalidError · Jul 3, 2014

TheWizardSmauge :

Upgrading the PSU is (mostly) pointless if you "upgrade" from a generic brand like Dynex to something else just as generic and generally (very) low quality.

If you had a PSU issue, you would most likely have had other problems aside from being seemingly unable to use more than one DIMM at a time... DIMMs only use 2-3W each, which is usually not going to make or break a PSU. If you can boot your PC and run programs/games with a single DIMM installed, that uses a lot more power than having all four DIMMs installed while booting.

Since every DIMM works fine on its own in any slot, that rules out electrical issues on the memory busses themselves. The only two factors this leaves (that I can think of) are the motherboard memory voltage regulator (weak/defective or not set to the correct voltage) and the CPU.

TheWizardSmauge · Jul 3, 2014

InvalidError :

Well the PSU upgrade was going to happen anyway, just for better quality (switched to thermaltake) but no results. I'm going to check to see how to change the memory voltage regulator in the BIOS, and I'll report back. Any insight on what voltage to set it to would be appreciated.

boju · Jul 3, 2014

As copied from the motherboard's qva list; KINGSTON KHX2133C11D3K4/16GX(XMP) 16GB ( 4x 4GB ) DS - - 11-12-11-30 @ 1.65v

Manually adjust the timings if you havent tried, if you are not sure which order, its left to right going down the page like this; but with your numbers

ASUS%20P8Z77-V%20Premium%20BIOS%2008%20-%20DRAM%20Timing.png

InvalidError · Jul 3, 2014

TheWizardSmauge :

If you look at your memory's packaging or on the DIMM themselves, they most likely say 1.65V - most memory 1833MT/s and up operates at 1.65V instead of the standard 1.5V.

Tradesman1 · Jul 3, 2014

These sticks are 1.65, however, by far the bulk of 1866 sticks available are 1.5 or less, believe over 90%

TheWizardSmauge · Jul 4, 2014

InvalidError :

So I just noticed that when I set the voltage to 1.65for the DRAM and then started up with the settings, the live readout for DRAM voltage only read 1.479 volts. Could this be perhaps a broken controller or am I missing something?

InvalidError · Jul 4, 2014

TheWizardSmauge :

You need to reboot the PC for most BIOS changes to get applied. If you change the RAM voltage and get no change in readout, you might want to try updating your BIOS. If it still does not work after that, your motherboard might have a defective memory voltage regulator. Another possibility for no change in readout value is defective voltage monitoring circuitry.

TheWizardSmauge · Jul 4, 2014

InvalidError :

Forgot to mention that I did restart the PC before checking the readouts. There is indeed a change occuring, it just seems to be in opposite of what I want, for example if I set the voltage to 1.65 it falls to 1.479 and if I lower the voltage it rises.

Another interesting piece I picked up was that the mobo decribes compaibility with 2133mhx ram as 2133Mhz(O.C.) and from a quick google search I found that this means the CPU must be overclocked in some fashion for compatibility with the RAM of such a frequency. The real question is, what setting in the CPU (assuming NB) must be overlcoked, and to what timings/voltages?

InvalidError · Jul 4, 2014

TheWizardSmauge :

The official DDR3 spec ends at 1600MT/s so any speed above that is technically considered an OC as far as the DDR3 standard is concerned. The "OC" mention simply highlights that this is not a standard speed and achieving that speed may require OC-oriented components and manual tweaking.

As for your odd memory voltage behavior, that could be a BIOS bug so you should try updating your BIOS if you have not done so recently. If you still get the inverted control behavior, that could indicate a hardware issue on the motherboard.

Tradesman1 · Jul 4, 2014

JEDEC has added standards for 1866, 2133..... The OC indicates it may require an OC of the CPU to run at designated spec

InvalidError · Jul 4, 2014

Tradesman1 :

1866 was added to the spec only a year ago (May 2013) but there still is no official standard for 2133...
http://www.jedec.org/standards-documents/results/JESD79-3

TheWizardSmauge · Jul 4, 2014

Tradesman1 :

Yeah I think OCing the CPU could be the solution here, although I am rather inexperienced in OCing, especially the CPU. At this point getting it to run at spec of 2133mhz isn't my top priority, but rather just getting it to boot into windows with all 4 DIMMs installed. I'm gonna take a look around for some guides on OC'ing this CPU if there are any to be found ...

InvalidError · Jul 4, 2014

TheWizardSmauge :

If you are unable to boot with more than a single DIMM installed at a time using safe-default values, your chances of being any more successful with overclocking as a "solution" are abysmally low... particularly with that RAM voltage regulator weirdness you seem to have on your motherboard.

Having a motherboard that works properly is kind of a prerequisite for any sort of successful overclocking and general computer use.

QVL RAM not booting past Windows on ASUS M5A99X EVO R2.0

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