4x16gb Corsair Dominator DDR5 5600 only 32 used/reconized?

[BellX]

Hello,

I ran into an issue with my new build. I made a new pc from scratch witch i am very happy with. As soon as i installed Windows 11 pro x64 i noticed that i am using only 32gb out of the 64gb that is installed. 

My system is follow:
- Asus Prime Z690-A
- Intel i9-13900KF
- nVidea 4090
- 2x 2TB M.2 Samsung 980 pro SSD

My bios is running on the latest version, Prime Z690-A BIOS 2204 to be exact. The strange thing is, that when i go into the BIOS, it sees all 4 off the dimms. But it says that the total amount of ram is 32gb. 

 

The Taskmanager performance windows show the following, only 2 out of 4 slots that are in use:

 

CPU-Z do see 64gb, but it seems that Windows is not using/running the 4 ram sticks. Even the SPD panel shows 4 sticks and give the information from all of them.
 

I have to say that i bought 2x 32gb kit because there was no 64gb kit. But i doubt that will cause these problems? I already tested every ram stick individually  in every slot, and that worked perfectly fine. Also did i a test with 2x2 and also mixing them up. Also that would now cause any issue.
I ran then Memory Diagnostic tool and even that did not found an issue.

I tried to enable XMP, but when XMP is enabled, Windows will not load at all anymore. Then i need to reset the CMOS and disable XMP again. CMOS reset also did not solve my issue. 

I have literally no clue anymore what to do in order to get this working? Who could help me out?

[BellX]

However, the problems seems to be the fact that the RAM is from a 2x32 set. Obiously there is no 64GB set which is made of 4 ram sticks. I wanted to fill all the slots with ram sticks with leds on them for the looks.

Maybe there will be a update in the future that will enable support for my ram sticks. Who knows...

[c-attack]

Trying to boot with XMP may indeed cause a failure of the pre-boot memory tests.  The XMP values were written for a two module kit, not 4.  This is a sensitive issue on Z690 boards with clear differences in capability between 2 and 4 modules.  

 

However, it should not keep Windows from recognizing the RAM and making use of it.  CPU-Z can read it in the SPD tab.  Does CUE see all 4 modules?   I think this is going to be a Windows issue, but the error is not clear.

 

You may be able to boot up at 5600 4x16 by setting primary timings and 1.25 DIMM voltage.  5600 with 4 modules is not always possible, matched kit or not.  It will require some some individual tweaking.  However, I would wait on this until the OS issue above is sorted.  This would only complicate the plot.  

[BellX]

8 hours ago, c-attack said:

Trying to boot with XMP may indeed cause a failure of the pre-boot memory tests.  The XMP values were written for a two module kit, not 4.  This is a sensitive issue on Z690 boards with clear differences in capability between 2 and 4 modules.  

 

However, it should not keep Windows from recognizing the RAM and making use of it.  CPU-Z can read it in the SPD tab.  Does CUE see all 4 modules?   I think this is going to be a Windows issue, but the error is not clear.

 

You may be able to boot up at 5600 4x16 by setting primary timings and 1.25 DIMM voltage.  5600 with 4 modules is not always possible, matched kit or not.  It will require some some individual tweaking.  However, I would wait on this until the OS issue above is sorted.  This would only complicate the plot.  

I have tried to enable XMP before, but without tweaking the DIMM voltages, that caused in no boot at all anymore from Windows. 

CUE does see the modules (If you mean if i am able to change the lighting of them) ICUE is running on v.4.31.168 and the DRAM on v.1.01.5.
 

Also i doubt that it makes any diffrence since they RAM modules does not come from 1 package. If i mix the RAM no matter what, the BIOS does constantly see 4 ram sticks. When i load MemtTest86 there are no error shown, except the one i am noticing myself, and that is that MemTest86 just see two modules and the bios itself sees 4. 

The Dominators themself has the following code: CMT32GX5M2B5600C36w with the following timings: 36-36-3676 1.25v ver 4.43.02

Should i tweak the voltage or timings? 

[BellX]

8 hours ago, c-attack said:

Trying to boot with XMP may indeed cause a failure of the pre-boot memory tests.  The XMP values were written for a two module kit, not 4.  This is a sensitive issue on Z690 boards with clear differences in capability between 2 and 4 modules.  

 

However, it should not keep Windows from recognizing the RAM and making use of it.  CPU-Z can read it in the SPD tab.  Does CUE see all 4 modules?   I think this is going to be a Windows issue, but the error is not clear.

 

You may be able to boot up at 5600 4x16 by setting primary timings and 1.25 DIMM voltage.  5600 with 4 modules is not always possible, matched kit or not.  It will require some some individual tweaking.  However, I would wait on this until the OS issue above is sorted.  This would only complicate the plot.  

I have tried to enable XMP before, but without tweaking the DIMM voltages, that caused in no boot at all anymore from Windows. 

CUE does see the modules (If you mean if i am able to change the lighting of them) ICUE is running on v.4.31.168 and the DRAM on v.1.01.5.
ICUE does not have the XMP option on my system?:

Also i doubt that it makes any diffrence since they RAM modules does not come from 1 package. If i mix the RAM no matter what, the BIOS does constantly see 4 ram sticks. When i load MemtTest86 there are no error shown, except the one i am noticing myself, and that is that MemTest86 just see two modules and the bios itself sees 4. 

The Dominators themself has the following code: CMT32GX5M2B5600C36w with the following timings: 36-36-3676 1.25v ver 4.43.02

Should i tweak the voltage or timings?
 

[c-attack]

7 hours ago, BellX said:

Also i doubt that it makes any diffrence since they RAM modules does not come from 1 package. If i mix the RAM no matter what, the BIOS does constantly see 4 ram sticks.

It does make a difference when attempting to run large quantities or high frequencies.  You have not begun to overclock up to 5600 yet, so you don't know if it will matter or not.  XMP sets additional values beyond primary timings and voltage.  In particular, it is the secondary timings you want to board to set for you.  Manually set the primaries to 36-36-36-76, start at 1.25v before moving up to 1.275, 1.30v, etc.  The BIOS will insert new secondary timing values in accordance with its programming.  

 

 

7 hours ago, BellX said:

CUE does see the modules

So every program and BIOS sees the modules, except Windows.  It would be logical to pursue this as a Windows issue rather than hardware.  Bad timings, bad modules, and inadequate settings will prevent you from booting.  They usually don't cause Windows to see half of the available memory pool.  The board page states it is capable of 128GB.  In order to get that, it would need to be able to handle 4x32GB, which should make 4x16 relatively easy.  However, rather than reinstall Windows it might be better to start in the BIOS to make sure you have not missed a setting.  There is a difference between physical detection of the module and the ability to use the module.  If you load the BIOS optimized defaults it will put everything back at the original setting.  I would stick with 4800 until you can get it use all 4x16.

[BellX]

3 hours ago, c-attack said:

So every program and BIOS sees the modules, except Windows.  It would be logical to pursue this as a Windows issue rather than hardware.  Bad timings, bad modules, and inadequate settings will prevent you from booting.  They usually don't cause Windows to see half of the available memory pool.  The board page states it is capable of 128GB.  In order to get that, it would need to be able to handle 4x32GB, which should make 4x16 relatively easy.  However, rather than reinstall Windows it might be better to start in the BIOS to make sure you have not missed a setting.  There is a difference between physical detection of the module and the ability to use the module.  If you load the BIOS optimized defaults it will put everything back at the original setting.  I would stick with 4800 until you can get it use all 4x16.

The system has no issues at all when loading in to the OS. However, even if i set the speeds to 4800 on the optimized BIOS defaults. Windows will still not use them for some reason. My creativity is running out on trying to work towards a solution.... 

[Corsair Notepad]

Have you tested each 32GB kit separately to confirm that each kit is working as they should in the configuration that they are validated and guaranteed to work as? If both kits work as they should separately then the issue is either going to be the compatibility issues that can happen when mixing memory kits such as you are doing, or you have a defective motherboard or CPU.

[BellX]

On 12/13/2022 at 1:16 AM, Corsair Notepad said:

Have you tested each 32GB kit separately to confirm that each kit is working as they should in the configuration that they are validated and guaranteed to work as? If both kits work as they should separately then the issue is either going to be the compatibility issues that can happen when mixing memory kits such as you are doing, or you have a defective motherboard or CPU.

Each kit is working properly. Mixing the kits in sets of 32gb is also no problem. All 4 modules are being detect by the bios, showing all 4x16gb. But only using 64. 

I bought my modules back in March this year, saving money for the other components so i can not return them. I looked for a 64gb set, but those seem not the exist at all in sets that has 4 modules. However, i see people using 128gb of Corsair Dominator ram on Youtube.  So if mixing was the problem,  they should not be able to do that aswell since they mixed 4x32gb.
 

MemTest is showing the following:
16GB DDR5 PC5-38400
16GB DDR5 PC5-38400
16GB DDR5 PC5-38400
16GB DDR5 PC5-32000


Does this will make sense? It is a bit blunty to me when someone has an complicated issue to say directly that it is because of mixing ram. 

 

 

 

 

 

[Corsair Notepad]

Each separate 32GB(2x16GB) memory kit is only validated and guaranteed to work as a 32GB(2x16GB) memory kit. Issues that arise when mixing kits such as you are doing are not something that is covered by the warranty or something that we are able to assist with.

Mixing memory kits, even of the same part number, can lead to system stability issues, prevent XMP/EXPO from working properly, or even prevent your system from booting.

[BellX]

So Corsair is not even trying to help? Even when it is possible by tweaking a bit here and there? Which is maybe even common knowlegde for you? 

[c-attack]

7 hours ago, BellX said:

16GB DDR5 PC5-32000

Is the last one a typo?  "38400" = DDR 4800 in the BIOS.  I don't know how one module could drop into a much lower frequency.  Could be a program glitch or reading error, but if not, check the serial number on that module.  Each matched pair should be sequential.  

 

I would direct you to the Asus thread where they strongly recommend you don't mix kits, but their forum has been down for two weeks.  You also can contact Asus support regarding the motherboard, but I can tell you right now the very first thing they are going to say.  Sometimes you can mix kits, sometimes you cannot.  It's one part luck, one part skill, and about 2 weeks worth of constant rebooting, tweaking, and testing.  It's not something easy to guide someone through and it almost entirely trial and error.  The Z690 platform was the first DDR5 chipset and historically all first edition boards for a new RAM series are going to have very limited room for breaking the rules.  The physical construction of the motherboard and your CPU's IMC strength also play a part in success or failure.  This is a weird issue and it seems like there is a problem on one of the channels which knocks out a pair, rather than a single bad module.  Unfortunately that doesn't really narrow it down, but that odd reading is the only thread to pull on.  

[BellX]

3 hours ago, c-attack said:

Is the last one a typo?  "38400" = DDR 4800 in the BIOS.  I don't know how one module could drop into a much lower frequency.  Could be a program glitch or reading error, but if not, check the serial number on that module.  Each matched pair should be sequential.  

Unfortunately it is not a typo. That one is just slightly different from the other ones it seems.

[Corsair Notepad]

If the kits are used in the validated and supported configuration do you notice the same issue with how the BIOS is reporting them? Or is it only reporting incorrectly when mixing the kits?