Dual Channel Issue
Printed From: ASRock.com
Category: Technical Support
Forum Name: Intel Motherboards
Forum Description: Question about ASRock Intel Motherboards
URL: https://forum.asrock.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=14739
Printed Date: 24 Nov 2024 at 1:48am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.04 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Dual Channel Issue
Posted By: seanp2500
Subject: Dual Channel Issue
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2020 at 10:13am
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Hi. My problem is with latest 10gen intel cpu when using z490 steel legend I cannot boot into bios with ram sticks inserted in A2 B2 or A1 B1. I can insert sticks into A1 A2 and they can load windows and work fine with XMP profile as single channel. I have also confirmed these ram sticks are on the approved list for dual channel. So far I have replaced PSU. I am thinking of RMA motherboard but it seems to me like some sort of bios or compatibility issue. Another set of DDR4 ram sticks show same symptoms. Here are my specs Motherboard ASROCK Z490 Steel Legend BIOS Version: 1.20 CPU:Intel Core i7-10700 8-Core 2.9 GHz LGA 1200 65W BX Memory: first i tried Patriot Viper Steel 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 Then I switched to: Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 3600 (PC4-28800) C18 AMD Optimized Memory ??Black, Model Number: CMW16GX4M2Z3600C18 Video Card:980ti,PCIe (behavior same without card inserted) HDD: ST1000LX015-1U7172,SATA ODD:ASUS BW-12B1ST,SATA OS:Windows 10 64-bit I have done some more reading and is it just that for dual channel xmp2.0 profile required since this is intel tenth gen? |
Replies:
Posted By: ASRock_TSD
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2020 at 4:04pm
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Dear Seanp2500, Thank you for posting your query to the ASRock forum. We have checked with the BIOS 1.20 + CMW16GX4M2Z3600C18 ver3.31. And the system is able to boot properly with dual 3600MHz RAM installed to A2B2 slots. Please use only the minimum bootable devices such as CPU/CPU fan/memory module on the system to verify the followings: 1.Please check the B1 and B2 slots separately to see if both of the slots can work properly. 2. If both of the slots can work properly, please load BIOS default and install the memory to B2A2 slots and try to see if the system can boot up. 3. Once confirmed that there is no problem with the slots, please load XMP and lower the frequency of the RAM to 3466/3333/3200 to see if the system can boot up. With thanks, ASRock TSD |
Posted By: seanp2500
Date Posted: 23 Jun 2020 at 7:30pm
| Can you confirm the cpu you used to test? Was it Intel Core i7-10700? This is important for me to know because I am considering switching to a competitor motherboard as I am growing impatient with time spend figuring this out. |
Posted By: seanp2500
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2020 at 4:38am
| I am surprised at the lack of response. I just want to limit my need to remove the motherboard component needlessly. Based on the no reply I will have to assume that this was not tested with a 10th gen cpu. Which is basically my issue. Would really appreciate a response. |
Posted By: ASRock_TSD
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2020 at 11:41am
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Dear Seanp2500, Thanks for the feedback. As responded in the private message, the CPU we used to check was 10700. Kindly be noted that all of the information provided to the website will need to go into intensive quality testing before it is posted. With thanks, ASRock TSD |
Posted By: seanp2500
Date Posted: 10 Jul 2020 at 7:23am
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Got my motherboard rma replacement. Slightly different but same problem channel b1 b2 work single channel but a2 b2 do not work dual channel. Have tried several things so far any ideas? so far tried downclocking to 2133 and 2933. One thing I notice is when I look up firmware manually using corsair ram tool it does not match and in fact the firmware listed on your sheet does not seem to be available for me to dl??? I also have more sticks I can try. Please help. This sounds like a compatibility settings ram timings issue if you ask me. Very bummed out as now I must begin search for different manufacturer. I want dual channel memory speed. I am posting from this pc it work fine. Happy to follow any steps. |
Posted By: ASRock_TSD
Date Posted: 13 Jul 2020 at 5:24pm
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Dear Seanp2500, Thanks for the reply. Please check if the memory modules are the same version as CMW16GX4M2Z3600C18 ver3.31. We would recommend using the same version. If the version is not the same, it will also affect how the memory modules work with the system. With thanks, ASRock TSD |
Posted By: seanp2500
Date Posted: 14 Jul 2020 at 8:33pm
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I guess the only people who could really help me on this site are asrock employees. Which is fine. But I need the employee to read my replies. This last response is proof these are just canned copy and paste responses. I am going to repeat the points of my previous post. Which is quite annoying. One thing I notice is when I look up firmware manually using corsair ram tool it DOES NOT MATCH and in fact THE FIRMWARE ON YOUR SHEET DOES NOT SEEM TO BE AVAILABLE (DOES IT EVEN EXIST?) for me to dl??? I put the important info in all caps. So basically I now think this is irrelevant as I have 2 other ram sticks to test and they do the SAME thing. The only difference with the motherboards was first set only worked A1B1 and the new motherboard sticks only work in A2B2. I guess this needs to go to someone who designs the bios and if they want they can work with me to fix this. I suspect that earlier perhaps you used K model of this cpu but this is not the K model on my end. I have done hours of troubleshooting and I am willing to try more but I need the person giving the suggestions to have reading comprehension. |
Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2020 at 12:40am
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Return the CPU, if you have tested 2 different boards, the RAM works in single channel and still have the issue then odds are high that you have a faulty IMC on your CPU. We see failed CPUs more and more frequently these days, from both intel and AMD. Most commonly, bad IMCs (Integrated memory controllers). ------------- 
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Posted By: seanp2500
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2020 at 12:46am
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thanks for the suggestion but gosh my ability to think logically has a real hard time with this. So remember key here is pc works great. I am actually typing to you on it. Benchmarked the heck out of cpu. Gamed alot on it. PC runs great other than that one slight problem. So I am thinking bios/compatibility. But the main reason I think that would be nutz is that first mobo A1 B1 work second A2 B2 work. So how on earth could that possibly be faulty cpu? Like I am thinking in terms of how the component functions. That just would not make any sense. Keep in mind rma time and all that. I just went through an rma blah blah. So no I will not be rma my cpu as I just don't think that is the problem. So basically at this point I am looking for other solutions that I can actually attempt fairly easily. CPU is only thing I have left to try in terms of components as psu and ram were already tried. I honestly think this is a bios issue with this specific cpu. |
Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 15 Jul 2020 at 2:31am
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It makes perfect sense, a faulty/intermittent IMC, given you have tried different boards and RAM, is the only component that can cause the symptoms you describe. If it was RAM, that would mean you used 2 completely incompatible model kits. Even then, they should have worked at 2133 in dual channel. The IMC is not a simple circuit, it relies on voltage etc the same as the CPU and is also required to run out of spec in order to achieve XMP frequencies. You can try raising the RAM and related voltages by 0.01v then 0.02v up to 0.05v and see if that stabilizes the RAM in dual channel. There are numerous tutorials out there on RAM overclocking and what voltages are related. However, if this works then your IMC is definitely not working correctly. The reason I say RMA the CPU is because intermittent can suddenly turn to completely dead. You can also carefully check and clean the bottom of the CPU, dirt or residue on the contact pads can cause the issues you are describing too but if that were the case, it would be the same RAM channels not working on both boards (A or B). I know it's inconvenient but it could save you a lot of headaches down the line. If I am correct, and I strongly suspect I am given similar issues here on the forums in the past, the IMC is not functioning correctly and could die on you completely in time. -------------
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Posted By: geekerator
Date Posted: 21 Oct 2020 at 4:40am
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Same problem here (no dual channel operation - BUT single channel using B1 & B2 for the memory works perfectly throughout all the hardware replacements cited below), except I have gone through many more steps: replaced the MB, then replaced the CPU and memory, then replaced MB again. Finally, shipped MB+CPU+memory to ASRock for diagnosis. ASRock tech said CPU MUST BE DEFECTIVE, so they are sending the whole mess back to me again for a third CPU replacement. How likely is it that 3 CPUs, 2 sets of memory, and 3 different MBs all exhibit EXACTLY the same symptoms. Also, all PSU pins have been probed with a bench voltmeter and were right on spec. System is Z490 Taichi, i9-10900K, 32GB DDR4-3600 memory with nothing else installed (i.e., its on the bench). |
Posted By: Jokergod2000
Date Posted: 08 Jan 2021 at 11:21pm
| Oh god, I have the same issue. Replaced RAM and MB, working on an RMA for the CPU now. Anyone resolve this? |
Posted By: bow_bell
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2021 at 11:36am
| Any progress with this issue? I'm having exactly the same issue. Building a gaming rig for a friend using 2 sticks of Corsair DDR4 8Gb, i5 10400F and a Z490 board and only was I can get it to work is to put the sticks in channel B. If I put any sticks in A it does not boot. |
Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2021 at 11:41pm
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As a general rule, with modern systems, if you have a bad or completely non functional RAM channel RMA your CPU. About 90% of the time if you can't get RAM to work in one of your channels the CPU memory controller is dead/dying. Now if the RAM works in both channels but you are stuck in single channel mode despite having RAM in the correct slots for dual channel operation, make sure the RAM is fully seated. The RAM not being all the way seated is almost always behind missing dual channel when the RAM is in the correct slots (A2 and B2 or all 4 slots). -------------
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Posted By: bow_bell
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 4:40pm
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I've solved the problem: I discovered that dual channel worked if I removed the CPU cooler, I then inspected the motherboard CPU bed and discovered a couple of bent pins. (With the hinge for the CPU at the top the damage was top right corner, very edge). After straightening the pins using a sewing needle and magnifying glass (very good video on Linus Tech Tips about this) and hey presto the PC runs flawlessly! In summary dual channel now works after fixing bent pins on motherboard CPU bed (top right corner). There have been various other forum postings with similar issues especially after replacing the CPU cooler (eg Cooler Master Hyper 212) and accusing having too much pressure on the CPU. |
Posted By: Xaltar
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2021 at 7:32pm
Glad to hear it  Bent pins is another fairly common cause of missing channels though nowhere near as common as faulty CPUs these days. Excessive mounting pressure alone can cause the issue, even if the pins are not bent the CPU can warp causing some pins to make poor contact. I list this here for anyone finding this thread via search with similar issues. -------------
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Posted By: Pintobeany
Date Posted: 24 Jun 2024 at 5:00am
| It is apparent from many other posts that asrock motherboards have a consistent problem with handling newer RAM in dual channel. I hope this issue can be solved. |