DDR4 only shows 32gb when XMP is enabled???

timbo80 · Mar 2, 2017

Hello,
Firstly, thank you for any advice in advance. So here goes, I have just rebuilt my computer after a motherboard failure. I ended up replacing the PSU with a more stout 850watt model, replaced the Gigabyte mainboard with an MSI X99 Gaming Pro Carbon after 3 bad Gigabyte boards in a row. Gigabyte boards were X99 UD3P, the initial bad board from last season, and 2 X99P-SLI boards that died the first day and then the second day respectably.

I also replaced my Kingston SSD's with Samsung 850 evo's and my dated HP DVD-RW with a new LG Blu-Ray burner. I also purchased another G-skill DDR4-3000 16GB quad channel kit to complement my existing kit.

So my problem is, when I put the new 4 Sticks of ram into my computer for a total of 8 sticks, it will boot fine but only recognize 24GB? All the sticks show up in the BIOS properly but only 24GB is showing available?

If I enable XMP the full 32GB is there and boots fine and goes through benchmarking perfectly.
The problem is that I don't want XMP, I'm okay with everything at stock clocks as it is plenty fast for what I do and would rather have longevity. I'm assuming there is an issue with the sticks of RAM? I assume this because XMP up's the voltage to 1.35 and quite often if I remember correctly extra voltage will make an otherwise unstable system stable at the expense of heat buildup and shortened lifespan?

Anyways, if anyone knows of a specific issue to MSI motherboards or something that i'm missing please let me know? Basically I would like to see all 32GB of memory "Without" overclocking my cpu or RAM.

Thank you,
Tim

Edited post to remove wall of text.
Moderator
Lutfij

Lutfij · Mar 2, 2017

When posting a thread of troubleshotting nature, it's customary to include your full system's specs inclusive of your OS. In this instance you should include the older and new hardware to get a bearing of what's amiss.

Are the two kits you own at the moment(and to compliment each other) identical and off the same make and model?
Can you explain how all prior the boards failed? Was it due to lack of power or a power surge?

You should not be worried about the voltage because JEDEC specs dictate that DDR4 should not operate at voltages higher than 1.35v. DDR4's operating voltages start at 1.2~1.25v if you're curious, so you're fine even with XM.P enabled. If you are worried about temps, just make sure that there is an airflow in your case whose path is from front to back.

Have you made sure your motherboard BIOS is up to date?

Barty1884 · Mar 2, 2017

XMP shouldn't impact your RAM lifespan unless you have poor airflow or are over-volting beyond XMP

Just spittballing here, but you may be dealing with an issue of mixing/matching RAM kits, with one kit requiring a little more voltage to operate correctly.
XMP is allowing the full 32GB, as the voltage is appropriate for all 4 modules. At stock clocks/voltage, it sounds like at least one module isn't receiving enough voltage.

Mixing/matching RAM, even identical kits give no guarantee they'll operate well together - precisely why RAM is sold in 'kits' which have been tested to work together.

Did you buy a new 2x8GB 'kit'? Or 2x singl 1x8GB modules?

JackNaylorPE · Mar 2, 2017

timbo80 :

Your RAM was marketed and sold with the XMP speed in the part listing, the ads, the specs and on the package. This is the speed it is meant and warranted at. You need to ignore the "ooh scary scary" posts which present "alternative facts" and recognize that Intel and RAM suppliers design products that exceed the JEDEC speciicati0ons. These products are fully warranted and 'designed" to run at the XMP speeds.

By running your MoBo, CPU and RAM at XMP speeds and voltages you are in now way risking your product warranty. Intel has gone on record with this, they have a certified compatibility list on their web site which includes RAM at its XMP (not JEDEC) speeds, and every RAM and MoBo vendor provided full support and full warranty when running RAM at XMP speeds. Wit Intel's official position supporting DDR$ at up to 1.5v, you should have no concerns about running at a mere 1.35.

These "alternatve facts" about RAM voltage have been spattered around technical forums for over 6 years (since Sandy Bridge) and yet, to date, not one instance of problem from using RAM at XMP speeds and voltages.

Be aware however that mixing two kits of RAM is a crap shoot. RAM is only guaranteed to work when it is purchased in the same package. The likelihood of getting two sets from separate packages to work, even if purchased on the same day and identical model numbers and specs decreases with speed.... the faster the RAM, the greater difficulty in getting them to play well together.

timbo80 · Mar 2, 2017

My system specs prior to the failure. Gigabyte X99-UD3P, Intel I7 5820K, G-Skill 16 GB Quad Channel DDR4 3000MHZ model F4-300015Q-16GVR, EVGA 700B PSU, EVGA GTX960 SC, Kingston V300SSD 250GB, HP DVD-RW, Corsair H100I GTX Liquid Cooling, WD Caviar Black 1TB Media Storage drive on windows 8.1.

All of these components were ran at stock speeds with no XMP or overclock of any kind, this is a workstation and as such I value long term durability over blazing speed etc.

Ultimately the system would not boot one day, I went through all the usual troubleshooting steps and checked CPU, RAM, PSU etc. I bought these new components and rebuilt after determining that just swapping the motherboard fixed the issue. I tested the PSU and it seemed okay voltage wise but to be safe I decided to swap to a larger one for a future video card upgrade while the computer was down anyways.

MSI X99 Gaming Pro Carbon
Gskill 16GB F4-3000C15Q-16GVR Memory to match existing ram for a total of 8 sticks in quad channel.
EVGA 850BQ PSU
LG 16X Blu Ray Burner
250GB Samsung Evo 850 SSD x2
Windows 10

My goal, as stated is to run at stock speeds without any overclock or XMP, also with all slots populated with 32GB of DDR4 at 2166.

Thanks,
Tim

Barty1884 · Mar 2, 2017

With all slots populated, you're looking at 8x4GB.

Can you explain the exact kits your purchased? (I assume you had 4x4GB and bought a 'matching 4x4GB kit?)

As I mentioned, those kits were not tested to work together - so given the symptoms, it sounds like you're going to need to provide a little extra voltage (well below the XMP profile) to get them to run at 2133MHz together. But since your goal is not to touch voltage etc, you may have to considering returning/selling your current RAM and purchase a single 'kit' that will provide you your 32GB (either 8x4GB or 4x8GB)

timbo80 · Mar 2, 2017

JackNaylorPE :

timbo80 :

Your RAM was marketed and sold with the XMP speed in the part listing, the ads, the specs and on the package. This is the speed it is meant and warranted at. You need to ignore the "ooh scary scary" posts which present "alternative facts" and recognize that Intel and RAM suppliers design products that exceed the JEDEC speciicati0ons. These products are fully warranted and 'designed" to run at the XMP speeds.

By running your MoBo, CPU and RAM at XMP speeds and voltages you are in now way risking your product warranty. Intel has gone on record with this, they have a certified compatibility list on their web site which includes RAM at its XMP (not JEDEC) speeds, and every RAM and MoBo vendor provided full support and full warranty when running RAM at XMP speeds. Wit Intel's official position supporting DDR$ at up to 1.5v, you should have no concerns about running at a mere 1.35.

These "alternatve facts" about RAM voltage have been spattered around technical forums for over 6 years (since Sandy Bridge) and yet, to date, not one instance of problem from using RAM at XMP speeds and voltages.

Be aware however that mixing two kits of RAM is a crap shoot. RAM is only guaranteed to work when it is purchased in the same package. The likelihood of getting two sets from separate packages to work, even if purchased on the same day and identical model numbers and specs decreases with speed.... the faster the RAM, the greater difficulty in getting them to play well together.

I totally agree about the RAM being from the same package etc when it comes to overclocking, what is throwing me for a loop is it only works with all 8 sticks "when it is overclocked"? When running at slower, JDEC speed it is only seeing 24 GB. I have no way of knowing which sticks as when I boot and look at CPUZ, it shows all 32GB and every stick is there, but the BIOS and Windows only report 24GB. ? :/

Tim

timbo80 · Mar 2, 2017

Barty1884 :

Kits are G-Skill F4-3000C15Q-16GVR 4096MBx4 Both from Newegg, and both work properly at 2166 when only one kit is installed. Problem arises only showing 24GB when both kits for a total of 8 sticks is installed. XMP seems to work fine, I've benched, ran prime95, 3Dmark, CPUz Bench etc with no issues with all 32GB installed and XMP enabled. This wacky problem only arises with "both kits @ stock speeds". It is totally throwing me for a loop as I only ever had issues "When" I overclocked in the past, not the other way around. :/
Tim

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DDR4 only shows 32gb when XMP is enabled???

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