Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX v2 won't post

liamnguyen13

I just bought AMD Ryzen 7 7700X, Gigabyte B650 Gaming X AX v2, G.Skill Flare X5 Series 32GB DDR5-6000 Kit, Computer Build Bundle. The motherboard doesn't post no matter what I've tried. I've tried to unplug and replug everything. I've tried to switch ram slots. I don't know what to do. I'm thinking of returning the whole bundle back to Micro Center. Please advise. Thank you

PowerSpec_MikeW

@liamnguyen13

What's the debug LED showing?

liamnguyen13

It's the dram. Solid red. seems like it's a known issue and I've done all things like swaping the ram, update bios. Nothing works.

PowerSpec_MikeW

@liamnguyen13

Does it rotate, or just go CPU then DRAM after a few seconds and hang? Or does it restart that process a few times then hang? If it goes right to DRAM then hangs, I'd check the socket for damaged pins. Verify the 8 pin CPU is seated properly. That's usually telling you the IMC on the CPU failed to initialize rather than actually being a DRAM problem.

Nickslick1012

Did this work? I'm having the same issue with same parts and keep running into roadblocks.

Hyponaut

Having a similar issue with the 7800x3d, G.Skill Flare 32GB, B650E-WIFI mobo bundle. I get the solid yellow DRAM light and I've exchanged and swapped out the whole bundle's worth of parts. Also checked the PSU I have with a multimeter and all the voltages check out okay. I don't even get to the BIOS; no display out… just DRAM led. Super frustrating.

liamnguyen13

I returned the combo and I got a new combo. The new combo works just fine.

PaulL

@Nickslick1012 @Hyponaut I am very sorry to hear about the issues you both are having! Have you tried using one stick at a time in each channel to determine if there is an issue with one of the sticks or slots on the board?

jmv23

Returning mine tomorrow.

PaulL

https://community.microcenter.com/discussion/comment/56743#Comment_56743

Hi! If you are looking to troubleshoot this before returning, please call our technical support line at 614-850-3670 for assistance!

MrTom

B650 Gaming X AX V2

Works ok first time out of the box. If you turn off PSU and back on, board will not post. Just sits at CPU. If you turn power off, pull battery, and short bios pins, it wiil post and boot up, (most of the time).

Put on bench with minimums, re-flashed bios to newest. Replaced cmos battery, one stick of ram in all slots one at a time. New PSU. Dissasembled and checked chip for bent pins. Looks fine. Out of options. Probably RMA unless someone has something I have not tried yet.

This is a combo buy

Con

I have a similar problem. Here is my build from a combo buy (different MB from the combo):

• GIGABYTE X870 AORUS Elite WIFI7
• AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
• G.Skill Flare X5 Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR5 6000 CL36

I can't get to POST. I get the red DRAM LED for about 10 sec, then it switches to VGA LED briefly, and then switches to and hangs on the CPU LED. I've updated the BIOS to F12a, I took out the CMOS battery for 10min, I took out the 2nd RAM stick… nothing. I thought maybe I'm not connecting the cables correctly, but there's only 1 place to put the CPU power. Actually 2: this MB has an ATX_12V and an ATX_12V1 connectors; I've connected to both. Also did a compatibility check on pangoly and it looks ok.

Trying to take to heart what @PowerSpec_MikeW mentioned above. I don't have a spare, slower RAM stick to test against nor a spare CPU.

Claude told me:
"Your combination is actually a potential mismatch worth knowing about:

• The 7700X is a Ryzen 7000 series CPU, but this is an X870 board built primarily for Ryzen 9000. It does officially support 7000, but it's worth noting.
• The G.Skill Flare X5 DDR5-6000 uses EXPO profiles — running it at 6000MHz requires the CPU's memory controller (IMC) to handle it. The 7700X IMC is less mature for high-speed DDR5 than the 9000 series."

The core issue: the 7700X IMC and DDR5-6000

The 7700X's official AMD spec is DDR5-5200. Running at 6000MHz requires EXPO, which is an overclock that pushes the CPU's memory controller beyond its rated spec. This works for many people, but it's not guaranteed — it depends on what's called the "silicon lottery," meaning the specific quality of the IMC on your particular CPU chip. Some 7700X chips handle 6000MHz fine; others simply can't."

Sounds like I got the wrong chip on the silicon lottery. I just need to get into the BIOS and remove EXPO, which requires a slower RAM stick. Ryzen 9000 is a possibility too, but then I have to return the bundle. Didn't think I had to worry as much about matching clock speeds like back in the day…

PowerSpec_MikeW

@Con

You've tried a single stick in A2 and B2 with no POST?

Con

Yes.
OK, I took it to the knowledge bar and they confirmed that the CPU is ok, the RAM is ok, but the MB is not. I'll be getting a replacement!