Choice of DDR4 for X570 Aorus Elite

[Gavster]

I’ve made the classic mistake of purchasing the wrong DDR4 for my motherboard 

The Aorus Elite X570 has a QVL longer than the Great Wall of China’s, and I have no time or patience to figure out which DDR4 modules are available.

Instead I chose Crucial Ballistix BL2K8G36C16U4B 3600 MHz, DDR4, DRAM, Desktop Gaming Memory Kit, 16GB (8GB x2), CL16, but the bios does not want to work with both modules.

I purchased this DDR4 on the basis that the Crucial advertises the modules as being compatible with the latest AMD motherboards...

What should I do with my existing modules, and if I have to replace them, what should I get instead?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crucial-Ballistix-BL2K8G36C16U4B-Desktop-Gaming/dp/B083V93HJG

[absic]

Hi,

you don't say which BIOS version your mobo has but, checking the downloads section I have noticed that BIOS version F11 states: "Improve Memory Compatibility."

If you are not running BIOS F11 or F20 then I would try updating the BIOS first, before sourcing new RAM modules.

As far as RAM goes, I tend to use Corsair Vengeance modules and have never encountered an issue on either AMD or Intel systems.

[Gavster]

If you are not running BIOS F11 or F20 then I would try updating the BIOS first, before sourcing new RAM modules.

As far as RAM goes, I tend to use Corsair Vengeance modules and have never encountered an issue on either AMD or Intel systems.

Absic, thanks for getting back to me.

I have updated my Bios to version F20 but to no avail. I put the two modules in A2/B2 channels (Dual channel?) in accordance with motherboard instructions, but the bios won't post, so I moved it to A1/A2 (Single channel?)

I am not sure the A1/A configuration is optimal, but at least the bios can post and system seems to be running smoothly.

So do I stick with what I have or should I switch to Corsair Vengeance? Ideally I want some DDR4 that makes the most of my new motherboard.

[absic]

Having just checked through the NVQ for your motherboard, the only 3600 Mhz Crucial modules, that are recommended are the BLS8G4D36BESBK.8FE.  A quick search with google would indicate that these, do not appear to be available in the UK

If it were my build, I would return the Crucial modules, if you can and then get hold of some Corsair Memory, as I know this tends to work OK.

Another option is to try manually setting the RAM up in BIOS. I have encountered issues on some motherboards when trying to run RAM with XMP enabled and manually setting timings voltage etc can solve the problem.

[Gavster]

Is there Gigabyte customer support team that might be able to provide me with an explanation as to why the Crucial Ballistix BL2K8G36C16U4B aren’t compatible or if there is a work around?

[absic]

You can raise a support ticket here: https://esupport.gigabyte.com/Login/Index?ReturnUrl=%2f

As I stated before, you can manually input the Memory specs into BIOS, this should indicate if they will work.

Make sure BIOS is set to optimized defaults
Run Memtest to make sure there are no issues with the RAM modules.
Manually slow the RAM Speed down to 2400 Mhz and test.
As I stated before, you can manually input the Memory specs into BIOS.

There are a lot of things that you can test/try to get the modules to play nicely, if they are working OK (memtest will show this) apart from the steps that I have already indicated.
Remember though, that the Memory controller is part of the CPU and not actually the motherboard. So the problem could lie with the CPU rather than with the motherboard and settings.

The only way to truly test everything in your system is if you are in a position to test with other memory modules and other components which, to be honest, most of us aren't able to do.

[Gavster]

The only way to truly test everything in your system is if you are in a position to test with other memory modules and other components which, to be honest, most of us aren't able to do.

Very disappointing. I have bought some new memory that are on the motherboard QVL, and I have the same problem. This time I have used QVL G.Skill Ripjaws F4-3600C16D-16GVK which I put in the A2/B2 channels (Dual channel?) in accordance with motherboard instructions, but the bios won't post, so I moved it to A1/A2 (Single channel?) and they did post.

I tried running one of the modules in the B channels (furtherwest away from the CPU), but the bios won't post. If the B channels don't work, does that mean I have to return the motherboard, or is there some trick I need to perform in order to activate dual channel mode?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/G-SKILL-Ripjaws-F4-3600C16D-16GVK-DDR4-Memory/dp/B0199STG76/ref=asc_df_B0199STG76/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=310802245808&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3839384440679929555&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9041106&hvtargid=pla-420747803254&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

[Fred155]

The QVL just makes things easier, especially to get higher speeds or tighter timings. it's not mandatory.
Pretty much all RAM will have both an XMP profile (the high speed written on the marketing, such as 3600mhz), and an SPD profile.

The SPD speed will often be much lower, like 2400mhz - 3200mhz.
The QVL list is largely just saying "the massive XMP number on this product has been tested with this motherboard".
SPD should work regardless.

SPD is also the default, so if you've done a bios (cmos) clear, the ram should attempt to run at SPD, which for the BL2K8G36C16U4B kit appears to be 2666mhz at 19-19-19-43-62 according to this - https://myhardreview.com/crucial-ballistix-ddr4-3600-16-gb-and-ballistix-max-ddr4-4000-16-gb-review

If that doesn't work, i'd suggest you have a hardware issue, such as motherboard, ram, cpu, etc...

Can you even get into the bios?