PRO B660-A DDR4 & 64GB RAM

[Milli]

CPU: i7-13700KF
RAM tested with: Corsair CMK64GX4M2D3600C18 or Kingston KF436C18BBK2/64
BIOS: v1.9

Issue: No way to get XMP, DDR4-3600 or gear 1 to boot or run stable.

I've used this motherboard before with Intel 12th gen and 64GB DDR4-3600 was not an issue then but the same doesn't go for Intel 13th.
There's some weirdness with this motherboard such as XMP timings and voltage being applied even though XMP is disabled.
There's no way to get gear 1 working. I get the occasional boot with 3600 G2 but it's not stable. Tried auto SA voltage and manual.
Even this failed OCCT: XMP off - 3200 G2 - 18-22-22 - mem 1.25v (which is basically very close to JEDEC).

At moment I've managed to get the following stable with the Corsair memory:
- XMP off
- 3000 G2
- CL17-21-21-21-39
- SA voltage: 0.8V
- RAM voltage: 1.25V

Really not an ideal setting for this CPU. Clearly this BIOS still needs work.
Just last week my B660M-A + 13700KF build had no issue with 32GB DDR4-3600 so it seems to be related to the 64GB of RAM (maybe dual rank vs single rank).

 

[plutomate]

any chance you can provide the sticker of the memory?

NOT the one one the color box.

 

[Milli]

I can only provide the model number and not the version because the client picked-up the computer today. So I don't have it at my disposal any longer.
But keep in mind that it failed with the Kingston as Corsair memory.
What I do remember, is that the Corsair had Micron chips.

 

[Milli]

Is there no actual MSI personnel in this forum?
Even at these settings (XMP off, 3000 G2, CL18-21-21-21-39, SA voltage: 0.8V, RAM voltage: 1.25V), it usually bluescreens after 4 hours of heavy usage (DaVinci Resolve). It's fully related to the 64GB of RAM. 32GB of RAM works fine.

 

[and0r]

It definitely works with any brand name 64gb kit... Seems like amateur install. Did you bother reading the manual for this motherboard?
You're supposed to utilize slots A2 and B2 and not A1 and B1

 

[Milli]

Thanks for the condescending answer. You're talking to a guy that's over 25 years professionally in the business and I have build over 5000 computers.
Would you be kind enough enlighten me with your story of the B660-A, 13th gen Intel and 64GB RAM?

 

[and0r]

Sure.
64gb of DDR 4 is very poor configuration and Corsair is also a very poor manufacturer. If you would perhaps have a better understanding of memory performance and how the actual chips function, then you would know not to even bother with most 64gb kits operating at a single mhz above jdec if they can even do that.
The problem with Corsair is they will literally package anything and call it a day. And the problem with 64gb kits are the density of the chips. Really a lot to explain about this, it's not just a problem with Corsair but they are the only brand name which will package very poor chips such as micron and market this as premium. Though don't get this problem confused with being specific to micron either. It's really a lot to explain... Don't even bother running most 64gb kits below CL 22....

You have to actually know which chips are good and you obviously don't but I don't mean to offend you by this

 

[and0r]

It helps to know the actual sku of the memory because the chips are everything. And you really never know what you are getting with Corsair.
They will also commonly use very poor Samsung chips. Most if not all 2022 Samsung chips at 2gb density (per chip) are very poor quite literally the worse performing memory I've seen.
So just keep this in mind please

 

[Milli]

If you would have read the full OP, you would have read that I also tried this kit: Kingston KF436C18BBK2/64.
The things is (I thought this would be clear from the OP) that it can't even run spec speeds (which is 3200 G2 for 2 DR modules). As you see, I'm currently running it @ 3000 G2. I love that you're still explaining this to me as I'm totally new to memory configs.
Anyhow, I've already used this exact motherboard with Intel 12th gen and 64GB @ 3600 G2 and that was totally flawless (actually many builds with that config). Clearly BIOS 1.9 still needs more finetuning for Intel 13th gen.

 

[and0r]

You don't know how much of this works and it's really a lot to explain to you. And you still don't even understand basic concept of how memory brand retailers work. Really a lot to go over here with you.
And if anything it's the 12th gen which needs to be updated because it's running very poor ram at low timings. This is not good for long term ownership, friend but it's also poor for the entire system and really more than what OCCT can test for.
OCCT is a great application but I don't think it's for amateurs or at least I believe amateurs shouldn't be using it. Please excuse me. I don't wish to seem offensive again.

 

[Milli]

Jesus Christ .... It's like talking to a wall. Can you leave this thread please. Don't even reply to this message.

 

[Nichrome]

This CPU supports up to 3200MHz on DDR4, and that is most likely related to being single v dual rank.
There is also a matter of CPU's IMC lottery and BDie used for the RAM.
Anyhow, anything above DDR4 3200MHz for this CPU is OC and not guaranteed.
If you wish, you can contact MSI directly here >>How to contact MSI.<<

 

[darkhawk]

Simply put, both @Milli and @and0r stop. Go see : >>Please read and comply with the Forum Rules.<<
I have no problems banning you both. Grow up, talk civilly, and if you don't have any constructive to add or try, then move on. That's the point of the forums. Not to denigrate other users, or argue knowledge. In the end, we all need to act civilly. We don't need 100 reports about another user, and we don't need other users attacking others. In the end, like I said, either provide help, or move along.

 

[and0r]

There is no such thing as lottery. This is perhaps one of the silliest misconceptions which float around on the internet.

 

[darkhawk]

There is no such thing as lottery. This is perhaps one of the silliest misconceptions which float around on the internet.

Honestly, as someone that's dealt with many CPU's and other chips over time.....it's not a myth, and very much true. Especially as someone who literally has built electronics like this in question.......
That being said, move along. When you eventually come back. You clearly didn't listen, or learn you lesson. Maybe when you come back in a month, you will have.

 

[Nichrome]

There is no such thing as lottery. This is perhaps one of the silliest misconceptions which float around on the internet.

I won't even waste time, as it seems that it's not OP that requires a lot of explaining.

 

[Milli]

This CPU supports up to 3200MHz on DDR4, and that is most likely related to being single v dual rank.
There is also a matter of CPU's IMC lottery and BDie used for the RAM.
Anyhow, anything above DDR4 3200MHz for this CPU is OC and not guaranteed.
If you wish, you can contact MSI directly here >>How to contact MSI.<<

Yes, I've had bad IMC before and this one is probably one of them. Though I've never had one that couldn't hit stock speed.
At the moment, it's not yet 100% stable @ 3000G2. The client is bringing the machine back next week. He bought two almost identical PC's and the one with 32GB is rock solid @ 3600G1. I think I'll switch the RAM to 4 x 16GB stock JEDEC 3200 memory and see if that improves things. I'm really reluctant to go lower than 3000 on an i7-13700KF.
Also as I've said before, I've ran this board with an i7-12700K and 64GB @ 3600G2 before with no issues.

 

[Nichrome]

Yes, I've had bad IMC before and this one is probably one of them. Though I've never had one that couldn't hit stock speed.
At the moment, it's not yet 100% stable @ 3000G2. The client is bringing the machine back next week. He bought two almost identical PC's and the one with 32GB is rock solid @ 3600G1. I think I'll switch the RAM to 4 x 16GB stock JEDEC 3200 memory and see if that improves things. I'm really reluctant to go lower than 3000 on an i7-13700KF.
Also as I've said before, I've ran this board with an i7-12700K and 64GB @ 3600G2 before with no issues.

I mean, the board supports higher memory speeds. It's usually the IMC that's the limiting factor.
If you get photos of the stickers, we can get the answer whether it's single or dual rank.
3000 should work out of the box. It may also be that the CPU is pretty bad if it fails to work at stock clocks of memory regardless of size and number of ranks and modules you are using.