1.

Solve : What Is a Comparable Board to MSI B450 Tomahawk Max?

Answer»

I've been going through mobo torture. I bought an MSI B450 Tomahawk Max. The first time I got it I had to send it back; the second time I got the repaired board I had to send it back. They sent me a different board after the second return. I'm still having problems.

I have set up a minimum component test setup out of the case: mobo plugged into PSU with 24-pin plug; CPU plugged into PSU. With ONE STICK of RAM in #2 slot (per mobo manual) CPU error light comes on for a couple seconds and then switches over to VGA error light. The same thing happens with either of the two sticks of RAM I have plugged into the #2 slot. With BOTH sticks of RAM plugged into the #2 and #4 slots, the DRAM error light comes on immediately and stays on. It doesn't matter which stick is in the #2 slot and which is in the #4 slot.

Per a suggestion from a local PC repair shop, I added the graphics card and monitor to the test setup. Their reasoning was that the VGA light came on because no graphics card was present (there is no on-board graphics component on this particular mobo). So I added the graphics card and the monitor to the test setup. With ONE stick of RAM in #2 slot everything seems to be fine – no error lights; image appears on monitor recognizing single channel of RAM [see screenshot]. With TWO sticks of RAM, DRAM error light comes on immediately and stays on with no image at all on the monitor. So to me this would indicate the #4 DIMM slot is faulty since everything seemed to work ok with only one stick of RAM in the #2 slot.

Is there a way to get BIOS info without the monitor?

If so, I could find out if two sticks of RAM were being recognized if two were plugged in. If they weren't recognized that would seem to me to definitively indicate a faulty #4 slot since everything seemed to be fine with a single stick in the #2 slot.

MSI's answer is to send the mobo in to them again. This whole process has literally taken MONTHS since I bought all my parts, excited I was going to build a PC again. My first build might have been beginner's luck. I put everything together and it booted up the first time and has been running with no problems for 5-6 years. This new experience is the complete opposite and very frustrating. And now because of Covid everything takes longer. So I'm kind of fed up with MSI but I don't know what the best course of action to take is. I'm thinking I should get a different motherboard from another manufacturer. I'm not a computer guy so I don't know if this is just a string of bad luck with an excellent company.

Should I give MSI another go? If not, what is a comparable motherboard that the following parts would be compatible with?

Here's the parts I have purchased:
MOBO: MSI B450 Tomahawk Max
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3600 6-Core, 12-Thread
RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3600
GPU: AMD Radeon Rx 590 - XFX Radeon RX 590 Fatboy Core Edition 8GB OC
PSU: Corsair RM 750x
CASE: NZXT - H510 Compact ATX Mid-Tower Case with Tempered Glass
I can't understand how anyone could have such bad luck. First off are you taking anti static per cautions when you are handling these parts?

You asked "Is there a way to get BIOS info without the monitor?" no there isn't hence why there is status LEDs on the motherboard.

I would try both sticks of memory 1 at a time in the Dimm 2 slot. You may have damaged one of the Dimms by not inserting it completely, this can happen at the end without a clip.

Others may correct me on the following statement. All the parts you have purchased have been tested at manufacture so if they are new un opened  when you received them they will work.
I agree, I can't understand the bad luck either. That's why it's so frustrating. And I am happy to be schooled that I'm doing something wrong.

Okay, let's address your individual comments.
1) Yes, I have an anti-static bracelet which I grounded by clipping it to a screw on my PSU while testing the motherboard.

2) Fair enough about the BIOS question, that's why I asked.

3) If you re-read my post CLOSELY you will see that I have tested both sticks of RAM in the #2 slot and then both sticks simultaneously in the #2 and #4 slots. I have tried this procedure with a bare bones setup with only the CPU and MOBO powered and with the addition of the GPU and monitor. [see photos] Do you have any comments on the meaning of my error lights since I was very specific about what happened in my explanation? I'm particularly interested in your thoughts (or anyone else's) on the fact that with the GPU and monitor attached I got as far as a boot message on my monitor with a single stick of RAM in the #2 slot [see photo]. But with both sticks inserted in the #2 and #4 slots I was unable to get an image and the DRAM error light stayed on. And, by the way, my DIMM slots have clips on both ends [see photos] so how can I determine that I may have damaged the DIMM slot?

4) It makes sense to think that parts that are brand new and come tested in an un-opened packaged from the manufacturer would be functional. I mean that's what we pay for and expect as a bottom line assumption upon purchase. So it makes no sense to me why you bothered to include your last statement. And I'll bet you a dollar at least ONE person on these forums has had a faulty part that was "new" and in an "un-opened package" and had to make an exchange because something didn't work regardless of how many people agree with your assumption.

So do you (or anyone else) have a suggestion as to a comparable motherboard from a different manufacturer that would be compatible?

Thanks for taking the time to review this.Thankyou for the pictures and I apologize for my last post which was very blunt.

The only thing which doesn't check out is the CRUCIAL M2 drive which according to the compatibility table would need a Gen3 PCI express slot. Perhaps try the board with it removed.
If you want to replace the motherboard the ASUS B450 would be an option  https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/PRIME-B450-PLUS/
Thanks for your reply. So I now I have several more questions. But first off, here is what I did after your response:

1) Removed Crucial SSD drive from mobo

2) Setup mobo test without GPU & monitor.

3) Same results with RAM: with either stick in #2 slot, CPU error light comes on briefly and then switches to VGA error light.

    With BOTH sticks of RAM in 2 & #4 slots, DRAM error light comes on immediately and stays on.

4) Setup mobo test with GPU and monitor included

5) With only one stick of RAM I got a BIOS screen on the monitor! (using either stick in the #2 slot)[see photo]

    With BOTH sticks of RAM - same sh*t - DRAM error light came on, stayed on and NO IMAGE ON MONITOR.


Questions/Comments

So it seems your comment: Quote from: Lisa_maree on January 10, 2021, 08:18:42 PM

The only thing which doesn't check out is the Crucial M2 drive which according to the compatibility table would need a Gen3 PCI express slot. Perhaps try the board with it removed.

makes a difference, at least with getting an image with one stick of RAM inserted in mobo. What "compatability table" are you referring to? Because I see nothing about this in the mobo manual (and once again, I'm almost a complete NEWBIE doing this. I built a PC 4-5 years ago following a Newegg tutorial and it booted up first try and has been working with no problems ever since. Beginner's luck?)

I have included a photo of the Crucial SSD drive that was removed and a screenshot of the MSI website for the B450 Tomahawk Max. I have circled the location on the screenshot of the mobo where the SSD drive was mounted as you saw in the previous post. And you can see the apparent compatabilty that is circled in the description which says: "Delivering speed up to 32 Gb/s using Gen3 x 4"  And the photo of the SSD clearly says on it " PCIe Gen3 x 4.  So what am I missing here? There does not appear to be anywhere else to mount this SSD drive - unless it's not supposed to go on there at all! And if that's the case, where would it go?


Regarding the the image of the BIOS that appeared with ONE stick of RAM:
You can see I have circled the date that shows up on the BIOS screenshot. It's January 1, 2018. Might that be effecting anything in this process? Also, I thought I heard somewhere about updating the BIOS as a possible solution to both DIMM slots being recognized since currently with BOTH sticks of RAM inserted the DRAM error light comes on. Does that make any sense, and if so, how would I do that?

What is your take on that DRAM error light coming on (with both sticks of RAM inserted), by the way?


Thanks again for your help.The date you circled is the date and time set in the CMOS. The Bios version is the latest for your board as shown at the top right of the bios screen shot posted.
The compatible devices are available on the MSI website page for your board.
For your motherboard here  https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/support/B450-TOMAHAWK-MAX#support-hdd


This is a long shot, perhaps try a different power supply if you have access to one.
Thanks for your reply. Ok, I see what you say about the screenshot of the BIOS.

Moving on....
I'm not clear what I'm missing on the Crucial SSD drive compatibility issue. I will repeat what I wrote above:

I have included a photo of the Crucial SSD drive that was removed and a screenshot of the MSI website for the B450 Tomahawk Max. I have circled the location on the screenshot of the mobo where the SSD drive was mounted as you saw in the previous post. And you can see the apparent compatabilty that is circled in the description which says: "Delivering speed up to 32 Gb/s using Gen3 x 4"  And the photo of the SSD clearly says on it " PCIe Gen3 x 4".  So what am I missing here? There does not appear to be anywhere else to mount this SSD drive - unless it's not supposed to go on there at all! And if that's the case, where would it go?

So I am returning to that question which you did not answer. How is the slot in the mobo NOT a Gen3 PCIe slot? The screenshot of the MSI website [see re-attached photo in this post - I have circled the words] and the Crucial SSD has the same words printed on it: Gen3 x 4. So how is this not the correct slot? And yes, when it's not inserted on the mobo I get an image on the monitor. And it seems to be compatible according to the website you put a link in for in your previous answer [see new screenshot]. It's the only slot on the motherboard it fits into because it's a compatible form factor: 22mm wide by 80mm long. What am I missing here? I am not trying to be obtuse. Hi

Yes the M2 drive is compatible with your motherboard and it is in the correct slot. I didn't check the spec's on the m2 slot and crucial drive the picture from your earlier post was quite blurry of the m2 drive. So now we can differently say the Crucial m2 should work with your motherboard. With the M2 drive out does the computer detect the memory modules correctly?
Looking at the block diagram for the B450 chipset if other devices are working like the GPU which is on the same lane as the M2 drive then it points either to a faulty power supply or a faulty M2 drive. Most likely a faulty M2 drive.   
  Is your RAM on the QVL list ? ? Quote from: patio on January 12, 2021, 04:21:02 PM
Is your RAM on the QVL list ? ?

Having never even heard of a QVL list until your post, I just went down that rabbit hole trying to decipher MSI's and G. Skill's websites. And I'm chagrined to say it does not look like it's on that list [see screenshots of my RAM and the list of model #'s on MSI's website]. So I guess that means I need to exchange it for a comparable/compatible 32GB of RAM. Would that be the correct assumption? If so, it's rather annoying I've been in contact numerous times with MSI and they never brought that up.I just got off a chat with MSI, the motherboard manufacturer. Turns out my RAM is incompatible with my motherboard and that WHOEVER suggested (can't remember) the RAM for me to purchase didn't give me correct info. So now I'm out $135 - and 7 months of going back and forth, including shipping my mobo twice to MSI.  And of course, Newegg has told me the return window is WAY closed and locked shut.

Any suggestions on where to post my RAM to sell and get the best price?
G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 32GB (2 x 16GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 3600    F4-3600C19D-32GVRB 
Although your memory is not on the QVL list it doesn't mean it will not work. Your Motherboard has all bases covered for MANAGING DDR4 memory of any type. You may need to do the following with only 1 memory module installed.
Your memory does support A-Xamp over clocking. Have you tried in the bios turning that feature off. Others have experienced problems with instability using A-XAMP.
Also if game boast is turned on, then Unselect it.

LM it's kinda obvious by now it doesn't work...The reason to suggest the game boast and xamp setting is if these are set, changing the memory won't fix the problem until these setting are unticked.
So with a (very small) modicum of hope, I went to execute your suggestion about turning off the Game Boost and the A-XMP in the BIOS only to discover they are already ticked off. I went back and looked at the photo of the BIOS I posted earlier. Guess what? They're OFF in that photo too. An exercise in futility and false hope. Oh well. I guess I'm screwed with respect to having to buy new RAM.

Out of curiosity, what could be faulty with the PSU as you suggested earlier if I am able to power up my test setup?


Discussion

No Comment Found

Related InterviewSolutions