Vengeance LPX DDR4 Memory with Asus Maximus VIII Hero Problem

MrPwnda

Reputable
Dec 22, 2015
26
0
4,530
I bought and assembled my computer around a year ago with Intel i5 6600K and Asus Maximus VIII Hero and it being the first time building a computer for me and me being really stupid I bought ram without knowing if it was compatible. I thought my Asus Maximus VIII Hero had a bent pin in the motherboard or at least it looked like one and I shrugged it off and kept putting together the PC. When I got around to putting the ram in (CMK16GX4M4A2666C15R) the pc wouldn't start (note that the ram is 4x4 GB) and I was (as you can assume) upset. I would not believe that the computer wouldn't work so I starting mixing and matching the ram until I figured out that the computer would not start up with all four sticks in. I could only put 2 in at a time and only in the two left hand slots. So I just ran with the computer and it has worked fine for me for the time I was using it but some video games (which this computer is mainly used for) can't run because of the ram requirements or I am not able to run the games server alongside with the game to host for friends. I have the 2 extra sticks of ram and never really wanted to figure out if the ram is incompatible (which I am hoping) or if there might be a problem with the motherboard. The main problem I need solved is I need to know if the ram is compatible with the cpu and motherboard and if you do find it incompatible the problem will end there but if it isn't I am probably going to need some help finding out if it might be because of some BIOS option or something like that. I just really hope I don't have to mess with the motherboard. Sorry if this post is really unorganized I usually just solve problems myself.
 
Solution
Well, I was pretty sure the R at the end just designates color. The RAM with the same model but without the R appears to have the exact same specs, just is black
http://www.corsair.com/en-us/vengeance-lpx-16gb-4x4gb-ddr4-dram-2666mhz-c15-memory-kit-black-cmk16gx4m4a2666c15
vs
http://www.corsair.com/en-us/vengeance-lpx-16gb-4x4gb-ddr4-dram-2666mhz-c15-memory-kit-red-cmk16gx4m4a2666c15r

I've seen numerous cases like this in the past with RAM, where there are a two or more kits with identical model numbers other than the last one or two letters, with different suffix letters corresponding to kits with seemingly identical specs other than a different color. Typically only one will show up on a given QVL list, which is the case with your...

MrPwnda

Reputable
Dec 22, 2015
26
0
4,530


Is there a chance that there might be something in the BIOS screwing the ram slots up?
 

MrPwnda

Reputable
Dec 22, 2015
26
0
4,530


What is clearing my CMOS?
 

MrPwnda

Reputable
Dec 22, 2015
26
0
4,530


Ok so now I reset the CMOS and started my pc with all of the sticks and the q code still ended with 55 and my monitor has no picture
 

TJ Hooker

Titan
Ambassador
If your BIOS is up to date and you've reset it to default settings and you're still not able to boot with any RAM sticks in the two slots furthest from the CPU, I'd say you may have a defective mobo. Did you find that when you got it working with only two sticks in the closest slots that it didn't matter which two sticks? And that the two sticks that work in the closest slots would no longer work in the further slots?
 

MrPwnda

Reputable
Dec 22, 2015
26
0
4,530


Yes you got everything right but my BIOS is not up to date. I can't update it now but I will get around to it and if it still doesn't work I am accepting the facts. I bought the motherboard quite a long time ago will Asus still take the motherboard back? Also does the CPU get damaged if you put it in with broken pins on the motherboard?
 

MrPwnda

Reputable
Dec 22, 2015
26
0
4,530


I checked my motherboard's warranty and It is three years :) . I update my BIOS to the latest version and I tried memory configs:

2 sticks in the slots closest to cpu - fine

3 sticks (Kept the 2 sticks in the slots closest to cpu) and put the third stick in both slots. Q-Code 3F

4 sticks error q code 49 and then it restarts itself and starts repeating a process like this. Boots into q code 49 restarts itself boots into q code 03 then 01 and then it restarts and goes to 03 and 01 again and then restarts and goes to 03 and 01 and just keeps doing that until I manually turn it off.

I am pretty sure my motherboard will still have warranty so I am going to return it and just let a professional rebuild my pc. I will respond at a later date if It works or if it doesn't.



 

TJ Hooker

Titan
Ambassador
To confirm, have you tried the following:
Let's say the RAM slots, in order from closest to furthest from CPU, are called A B C D. And your four RAM sticks are 1, 2, 3, 4. Let's say your PC boots properly with RAM 1 and 2 in slots A and B. Does it boot with RAM 1 and 2 in slots C and D (slot A and B empty)? Or what if you put sticks 3 and 4 in slots A and B, (slots C and D empty) does it boot then?

If your PC only boots with sticks in the first two slots (and it doesn't matter which two sticks), and the same two sticks that work in the first two slots don't work in the last two slots, that more or less guarantees it's a motherboard issue*, in which you're correct in submitting an RMA request with ASUS. I wouldn't let this discourage you from building your own PC though. Sometimes you get a dud part, it's just bad luck. But if something's obviously wrong, deal with it right away and get a replacement.

*I guess in theory there could be something wrong with the CPU memory controller, but I think it's much more likely to be a motherboard fault.
 

MrPwnda

Reputable
Dec 22, 2015
26
0
4,530


I have tried all of the ram sticks 1 2 3 and 4 is the A and B slots and they have worked. If I try 1 and 2 in C and D the pc won't start up. So yeah I will get a new motherboard from Asus if I can. Also if there were bent pins in the motherboard and I put the cpu in would it have damaged the cpu?
 

TJ Hooker

Titan
Ambassador
What? That's BS, the RAM you listed in on the QVL list for that your motherboard. That's literally the list of RAM that Asus themselves tested and guarantee to work.

I would call Asus back and try and make them honor their warranty before shelling out cash for new RAM. When they ask you your RAM model, leave off the "R" and the end of the model number. This just corresponds to the color of the RAM and isn't included in the model numbers listed in the QVL, but maybe the person you talked to was an idiot.
 

MrPwnda

Reputable
Dec 22, 2015
26
0
4,530


Oh shit the R is the color of the ram? Pardon my language. The person I talked to specifically said that the ram wasn't supported because of the R. I am so done for. I bought a different type of ram though so if I test it and it still doesn't work it will confirm that the motherboard is the problem.
 

TJ Hooker

Titan
Ambassador
Well, I was pretty sure the R at the end just designates color. The RAM with the same model but without the R appears to have the exact same specs, just is black
http://www.corsair.com/en-us/vengeance-lpx-16gb-4x4gb-ddr4-dram-2666mhz-c15-memory-kit-black-cmk16gx4m4a2666c15
vs
http://www.corsair.com/en-us/vengeance-lpx-16gb-4x4gb-ddr4-dram-2666mhz-c15-memory-kit-red-cmk16gx4m4a2666c15r

I've seen numerous cases like this in the past with RAM, where there are a two or more kits with identical model numbers other than the last one or two letters, with different suffix letters corresponding to kits with seemingly identical specs other than a different color. Typically only one will show up on a given QVL list, which is the case with your RAM: only the model without the R is on the qualified memory list for your mobo. But I always assumed this was because they weren't going to bother qualifying multiple kits that are the same except different colors.

Maybe I'm wrong and there really is more of a difference designated by the R at the end. Or maybe the person you talked to only knew enough to look for that exact model on the QVL list, and didn't know enough to realize that the R at the end is irrelevant as far as compatibility goes.

Anyway, I'm definitely curious to see how it goes with the new RAM then.
 
Solution

MrPwnda

Reputable
Dec 22, 2015
26
0
4,530


Yeah me too and maybe we will both learn something. It is coming tomorrow (The 24th).