Can't install all 4 memory cards & overheating

@xhue,

Yeah, this is just weird. I need to return a System76 laptop, but need this system up on ubuntu before it ships, and my warranty is up in May (3 years).

If no joy, I have no clue whether the MB or CPU is the one to be exchanged... or both! I just can't play around-no time.

xhue wrote: Oh, and about the CMOS reset - forget about the battery. Your mobo has a jumper for that, or even better - a dedicated button for this very reason. No need to remove GPU or anything.

@xhue, that is REALLY helpful to know. Theer is a little button at the corner next to the RESET and POWER buttons on the MB. It's a crappy PCB switch like I have hundreds of form my arduino/STM projects... Spare no expense, eh? :)

Oh, the CPU... I think it is because the pins on the MB are spring-loaded, when the bracket is lowered, the CPU can be 'bounced' up & down. I tried to get it aligned, but how do you even do that? How can one ensure the pins are in the center of each hexagon on the bottom of the TR4?

I hope it isn't a mechanical thing... Computers in my experience have always been very simple mechanically. If we're at the point where it takes specialists & microscopes to swap processors, I might just jump careers!

Please pray with me to the Computer Gods that the memory swap is the deal and I can finally move on to an OS!

The new RAM you ordered is absolutely the best one to have for Ryzen/TR! I am yet to see one that is not working well.

With the new RAM installed in A2/B2/C2/D2 (check mobo manual), clear CMOS and try booting up. If this fails, try BIOS recovery and re-flash the latest BIOS again.

NewEgg are more of a retailer than a PC repair shop. I doubt they will want to assemble and troubleshoot things by themselves.

Also, TR4 retention mechanisms are wonky sometimes. You have to be absolutely positive everything is seating well, and all screws are tightened enough. Once done you might also want to gently wobble the CPU. If in doubt, re-seat it again. Remeber to clear CMOS every time.

Thank you for writing Xhue!! My answers/comments below:

xhue wrote: OK, here we go! Let's address the temps first. 70C in BIOS is somewhat expected. Don't stress it. It depends also on what cooler are you using, what are its fans' RPM, what TIM is used and what climate are you in. Did you buy the ML360 TR4 edition or some other model CPU cooler?

Yes. The 360 I got from CM has the TR4 bracket with it. The 2950 comes with a PoS stamped thin bracket you can bend way too easily, with the CM one a solid piece you cannot bend with your hands. I mean, you want a decent bracket for a $900 CPU?

I see folks with 50DegC or lower online, but I understand that the 70degC I am reading could be way off from reality, and only an app made for temp should be trusted. I'm just using Arctic paste, and have tested each time the CPU is reseated and the MB reads it as 70 each time. The radiator is far from being warm enough to detect any heat above ambient.

xhue wrote: Now, on the memory. The kit you got is indeed in the QVL. Before returning it, make sure the RAM sticks are properly placed in A2/B2/C2/D2 (see manual) and clear CMOS a couple of times.

I've never attempted any of the "1" slots, and even tested with 1 pair in the designated "2" slots. One thing I have never done is clear CMOS. One reason is that the CMOs battery (2302) is under PCIE1,which is completely covered by the GTX-1060. Manual says that the first video card needs to be in that PCIE1 slot... If it's OK with the VGA in a different slot (untested), then I can have access to it without taking the video card in & out each time...

xhue wrote: If a QVL kit is not working at such low speeds right out the box - it's time to return it. Aim for G.Skill (AMD series) next time.

Low speeds? I thought the TR would not work with faster RAM (either due to MB or CPU)..? I already made an RMA for the existing RAM before posting here, as it was the easiest to return.

What sucks is that I need to return a box this was to replace, but before it's warranty runs out. Setbacks like this might leave me with a bad box out of warranty...

Thanks again for writing!

I'm off to the QVL to find compliant GSKILL!

Oh, and in Auto, memory is seen as 2166MHz instead of 2666... Here is the mem details I forgot above:

Corsair CMW64GX4M4A2666C16
Vengence RGB Pro DDR4
No clue what rank (dual or single) or DIMM count (4 or 2), but they were on the x399 QVL/Q<parts>L


(package of 4 chips/boards, 16GB each, 64GB total).

All through NewEgg, so am I sending this mess back, or is there a way to get it working?

TIA!