My Z690 motherboard: DDR5 XMP does not work at all, and very slow black screen boot

[illusionist]

Hello,

I built a brand new premium and expensive PC. I have issues with my Asus motherboard. I am very disappointed, do you have any advice? Maybe I need wait for a BIOS update? Should I send back the motherboard?

Intel Core i9-12900KF
NZXT Kraken X73 RGB 360mm
ASUS ROG STRIX Z690-E GAMING WIFI
ASUS GeForce RTX 3070 Ti 8GB DDR6X OC
Kingston FURY 64GB 4 x 16GB DDR5 6000 Mhz (2x KF560C40BBK2-32)
Samsung 980 PRO with Heatsink 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD (MZ-V8P1T0CW)
Corsair HX1200, 80 PLUS Platinum
Corsair 5000D case

In my case, there are 10 fans (3 for the watercooler) The speed of the fans was set up by 2 controllers, so the motherboard sees 2 fans only. The water pump is controlled in Windows by the Kraken software. I upgraded to the latest BIOS: 1720.

1.

I do not see "Fast boot" in the BIOS, UEFI boot is active if I turn it off I do not see the difference. I turned off the BIOS logo. My issue is that there is a black screen and 20 seconds when the BIOS screen appears. Is this normal for this fast PC?

I upgraded the firmware of GPU and nothing changed.
https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5233/~/nvidia-gpu-firmware-update-tool-for-displ...

The boot is super slow, circa 20-second black screen then BIOS logo appears, then Windows starts. (My old PC is much faster, almost immediately I can see the BIOS screen: i7-4790K + Asus Z97 gamer pro + 32GB DDR XMP + Corsair H80i)

In general, I turn off the electricity after when I turn off my PC. So when I turn back the electricity and when I start the PC my fans are very loud during that 20-second black screen, they became quiet when the BIOS logo appears, is this normal that the sound of my PC is like a hoover at the first start after turn on the PSU?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5ObcmZhFg0
With motherboard numbers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qL56_UD7a8


If I did not turn off the electricity, then the boot is the same slow, 20-second black screen until the BIOS logo, just the fans are quiet and not loud at this time. Why is the difference? Is this normal? (My old PC has fans and I did not recognize this kind of difference)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jx9G9_a3IQs
With motherboard numbers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNIS5vT7E8U

2.

We can see I have the latest BIOS. In the BIOS the "Graphis configuration" is missing, is this normal? I thought maybe I can change some PCI boot priority here, I have KF CPU, which does not have GPU, but I do not think that menu should missing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7cwapxl6bo


3.

XMP does not work at all!!! I tried XMP1/XMP2, but the PC is unable to booting.

According to the official description of the motherboard memory is supported up to 6400 MHz and "Supports Intel® Extreme Memory Profile (XMP)"
https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-z690-e-gaming-wifi-model/spec/
My memory is on the supported list: KF560C40BBK2-32
https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-z690-e-gaming-wifi-model/helpdesk_qvl_memory/

I deliberately bought an expensive 64GB DDR5 6000 MHz memory, it is a big disappointment that XMP does not work at all. So my memory is working on default 4800 Mhz. Here is a longer video of what happens if I try to set up XMP.
After my PC is unable to boot, I think it starts an infinity boot cycle, after 6 minutes I turned off my PC (but if I turn it off after 1 minute the situation is the same). If I turn back again, very slowly I can see again the BIOS logo with the error message: "safe mode", then in the BIOS I set back XMP to "auto" as it was the default. After that Windows is unable to launch anymore, sometimes Windows launched but I got a blue screen and automatically restart, then a blue screen again... I can break this cycle when I reset the BIOS (by a button in the back) or I saved the good working default BIOS settings in a USB stick, then I load back my BIOS settings. In the video we can see, interesting, I did not change anything but Windows works again with my saved settings. This setting is just the default BIOS and fan speed settings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5XDN_UmrhY

[Hawkstorm]

I have a 32mb kit by corsair that should run at 5600mhz xmp I tried everything as a very experienced overclocker this board is for the birds as far as xmp goes. its not even stable at 4000mhz stock.

on 2305 bios anyway.

[Nate152]

It's normal for the long wait as it's training the memory, it may try 4 or 5 times, once configured it shouldn't take that long to boot each time. If it fails, then you know you need to raise the voltages.

It's more up to the cpu's memory controller if it can handle the high speed and density, anything over 4800MHz is considered an overclock. The higher you go above 4800MHz the more difficult it will be to get stable, you may even have better luck setting your ram manually rather than using the X.M.P. profile.

Try this:

Enter the bios and reset to defaults (F5 key), enable X.M.P., set the lowest value voltages I listed then F10 and enter to save and exit.

If it fails, try with the highest voltage values.

[ahfoo]

Nate152 wrote:
It's normal for the long wait as it's training the memory, it may try 4 or 5 times, once configured it shouldn't take that long to boot each time. If it fails, then you know you need to raise the voltages.

It's more up to the cpu's memory controller if it can handle the high speed and density, anything over 4800MHz is considered an overclock. The higher you go above 4800MHz the more difficult it will be to get stable, you may even have better luck setting your ram manually rather than using the X.M.P. profile.

Try this:

Enter the bios and reset to defaults (F5 key), enable X.M.P., set the lowest value voltages I listed then F10 and enter to save and exit.

If it fails, try with the highest voltage values.

I need to agreed to what Nate152 quoting that you need to raise voltage value. But if you follow the QVL, XMP should be the easier method. To tame 4 stick of ram never easy. That the reason some memory module manufacturer quite uneasy to release higher capacity ram module.

[illusionist]

I will check manually the ram settings as was suggested in the comments, but before I tested the manufacturer settings:

These are the results:

Bios crash = after set up XMP my PC is suffering for many minutes, black screen, many restarts, then BIOS safe mode and the ram speed change to 4000mhz in that safe mode screen, however the default value is 4800mhz and my PC is working in that speed. However this is a brand new PC, fresh Windows install, and no softwares, so I do not know how stable in real usage.

Windows crash = similar slow black screen, then Windows is starting, but I got instantly various many kinds of blue screens, automatic restarts, then blue screen of death again, windows recovery, slow mouse, sometimes it freezes during the Windows logo, so it is totally useless

At this time for text I used only 1 piece 16GB memory module, and I tried every single 4 modules separately, at the B2 slot I tested every 4 modules and all memtest was OK, the memory module 146 was tested in all slots (A1,A2,B1,B2) and the memtest was OK in all slots. We can see when I put the modules in the B2 slot then with every single modules the PC started with XMP with 6000Mhz (however it was still approx 15 second black screen before BIOS logo), I did not experienced Windows crash, however I did not use my PC in a real work or game situation. I tried the module 146 in all slots (A1,A2,B1,B2) with XMP and I got crash in (A1, A2, B1) slots, it worked with XMP only in B2 slot. I tested, all modules worked with XMP in the B2 slot, I tried all modules in A2 slot and I got BIOS or Windows crash. I see according to the official motherboard manual I need to put the single memory module to the A2 slot, so it is interesting that XMP is working in B2 slot but not working in the recommended A2 slot. Do you have any expalantion?

Page 19
https://dlcdnets.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/LGA1700/ROG_STRIX_Z690-E_GAMING_WIFI/E18785_ROG_STRIX_Z690-E_G...




I can find my memory in the supported list as 2x16GB version, so this time I did not use 4x16GB, but I used only the same pair 2x16GB in the next test, I put them in the A2+B2 slot as it is recommended in the motherboard manual. But this also did not work, however according to the motherboard qvl list this 2x16GB module should work with XMP 6000mhz.


RAM module 145 (A2 slot) + RAM module 146 (B2 slot) = XMP with BIOS crash

KF560C40BBK2-32
https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-z690-e-gaming-wifi-model/helpdesk_qvl_memory/
https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-z690-e-gaming-wifi-model/spec/


I think it cannot be a problem with the memory module (or need test with other brand, but I do not have more memory module), so I tested 4 single memory module in all slots, and XMP worked only in the B2 slot in all cases. How possible that the same modules worked in the B2 slot with XMP but they all did not work in the other slots (A1,A2,B1) with XMP? Still I suggest it could be a motherboard problem. Or do you have any explanation? Why B2 slot is fine but A1,A2,B1 is not?

[illusionist]

I changed these values:

Dram VDD voltage: 1.40
Dram VDDQ voltage: 1.40
System Agent voltage: I did not found this value, just "CPU System Agent Voltage", and it was not possible to type any number just auto/manual mode/offset mode:

IVR Transmitter VDDQ voltage: 1.35
Memory Controller voltage: 1.30

Again I got BIOS crash, 10 minute black screen, then I restarted my PC and I got the BIOS safe mode screen.

Do you think there is any possibility that the memory controller in the CPU is broken? But still I think the motherboard is broken because the XMP works fine with 4 single memory module in the B2 slots, but it does not work in A1,A2,B2 slots.

[Traumatik]

illusionist wrote:
I changed these values:

System Agent voltage: I did not found this value, just "CPU System Agent Voltage", and it was not possible to type any number just auto/manual mode/offset mode:
.

Set that to manual mode , then right below that should be able to enter the appropriate voltage you want.

If your up to doing this/havent done this ...... if not on latest bios , flash it , reboot into bios , press F5 to load optimised defaults , press F10 to save , reboot into bios , turn off computer, turn off pwr supply with the switch on it, pull psu cable out of pwr supply , hold down case power supply for about 30 seconds , hold in clear cmos button for 30 seconds , then plug in psu cable , turn on psu switch and then boot into bios then set the settings recommended by others, then F10 to save , reboot and see if that helps. I do this everytime i flash new bios , it should make sure no lingering bugs/settings.

Not sure if this will help but have nothing to lose by trying it.

[illusionist]

If there is 4x16GB memory then the base auto settings is 4000Mhz, but when I use only one 16GB module then the base auto settings is 4800Mhz, is this normal?


I see this marketing here:


https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-z690-e-gaming-wifi-model/spec/


4 x DIMM, Max. 128GB, DDR5 6400(OC)/ 6200(OC)/ 6000(OC)/ 5800(OC)/ 5600(OC)/ 5400(OC)/ 5200(OC)/ 5000(OC)/ 4800 Non-ECC, Un-buffered Memory*

https://www.kingston.com/en/memory/ddr5-qualified-motherboards


Kingston FURY Beast DDR5 Memory
Greater performance starting at 4800MT/s
Intel® XMP 3.0 Certified
AMD EXPO™ Certified
Speeds up to 6000MT/s* and kit capacity up to 64GB
Module capacities in 8GB, 16GB, 32GB

I see 4800 is not tuning but the starting speed, mine with 64GB works only in 4000, I am really disappointed

[Traumatik]

illusionist wrote:
If there is 4x16GB memory then the base auto settings is 4000Mhz, but when I use only one 16GB module then the base auto settings is 4800Mhz, is this normal?

https://rog.asus.com/motherboards/rog-strix/rog-strix-z690-e-gaming-wifi-model/helpdesk_qvl_memory/
Asus QVL doesnt list 4xXX modules , so if you get it to work then your lucky. 2x16 from 6400 down to 4800 is listed as "Qualified" So if you have a CPU that has a good IMC (integrated memory controller) then the listed on that page "should" work.

This person is running Kingston Fury ram on a Hero MB and maybe these will help you with 2 sticks, get that dialed in then can try 4 sticks at lower speeds https://www.overclock.net/threads/official-intel-ddr5-oc-and-24-7-daily-memory-stability-thread.1794...

[Nate152]

Something else that can help with memory clocking is a later bios, you could try bios version 1601. I'm on bios version 2004 and can overclock my ram to 6200MHz.

I should have been more specific. Yes, raise the cpu system agent voltage to 1.35v.

Set CPU System Agent voltage to Manual then type in 1.35v
VDD voltage - 1.40v
VDDQ voltage - 1.40v
IVR Transmitter VDDQ voltage - 1.40v
Memory Controller voltage - 1.35v

These voltages should be enough to get you stable.

[Traumatik]

Nate152 wrote:
Something else that can help with memory clocking is a later bios, you could try bios version 1601. I'm on bios version 2004 and can overclock my ram to 6200MHz.
I should have been more specific. Yes, raise the cpu system agent voltage to 1.35v.
Set CPU System Agent voltage to Manual then type in 1.35v
VDD voltage - 1.40v
VDDQ voltage - 1.40v
IVR Transmitter VDDQ voltage - 1.40v
Memory Controller voltage - 1.35v
These voltages should be enough to get you stable.

Wanted to say a Thank You to all that are trying to help us trying to get stable.
Im on 2004 on my Extreme, using TeamGroup 6200 cl38 2x16 kit in a2b2, some said in other forums to try .95 SAv but ive been trying 1.1 copying Buildzoids settings and cant get 6400 stable to get better latency , i got it to 60-59ns in aida, but get weird audio every once and awhile. Ill try higher SAv when i get time.