Users, when they buy components for their computer, do not usually look at compatibilities in depth. Currently, motherboards have a document called QVL which is a list of compatible componentsespecially useful for DDR5 RAM. It has now been found that this documentation may not be entirely reliable.
The QVL (Qualified Vendor List) It is made between the manufacturer of the RAM memories and the manufacturer of the motherboards. Theoretically, it is a document to see that the chosen components will work to their full capacity. Igor’s Lab has detected discrepancies between the QVL of motherboards and DDR5 RAM.
Compatibility issues between motherboard and DDR5 RAM
A user of the Igor’s Lab forums indicates that he has purchased two ddr5 ram kit from different manufacturers. Both memory kits are compatible with XMP, depending on the QVL of the motherboard you have. When you have installed and tested them, you have realized that they do not work as expected.
Said user indicates that he has a Gigabyte Z690 Gaming X motherboard that supports DDR5 RAM. The user points out that he updated the BIOS to see if the problem came from this point. Not working, I send the motherboard for an RMA, which has not solved the problem either.
Given this, Igor’s Lab has carried out a series of tests to see if it is common or something specific. You have installed a ADATA XPG DDR5 kit 16GB with a frequency of 6000 MHz. Well, the motherboard does not boot. After entering the BIOS and putting the XMP-profile Due to this, the motherboard reboots up to 10 times, after which it enters “recovery” mode, which returns the BIOS to factory settings. The interesting thing is that, according to the Gigabyte QVLit should work without problems.
How could it be otherwise, Igor’s Lab has contacted Gigabyte, specifically, with the technical service. You have been told that the “V” (for QVL) for vendor will work only in specific cases. It is commented that the processor “production variances” would be the cause of the RAM and XMP compatibility issue on certain motherboards.
Documentation and explanations, as always, are worthless
After this explanation, in Igor’s Lab they have chosen from 60 processors, those with best IMC (Integrated Memory Controller) for DDR5 that they had on hand. Indicate that all processors are Intel Core 12, which are the only ones currently compatible with DDR5.
The result is that all tests of the RAM failed miserably. It is evident, therefore, that the QVL is worth absolutely nothing. Igor’s Lab has tested Pentium, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, and Core i9 processors. None of the tested processors manage to run ADATA RAM at a frequency of 6000 MHz when XMP is enabled.
It has been decided to try to adjust the timings manually. This involves adjusting voltages and RAM values to find the optimal operating point. This process is somewhat complex and not suitable for all users, so it is not a solution.
It seems clear that Gigabyte’s “explanation” is only a way to remove responsibilities. The memories work at a frequency of 5600 MHz, but at 6000 MHz these memories do not work properly. A problem, therefore, that has nothing to do with the IMC of the processor, but rather the problem lies elsewhere.
The QVL supposedly guarantees that RAM sticks should work 100% of the time. As we can see, this is not the case, and the answer given by Gigabyte, at least, is questionable. The truth is that if we buy a product based on the compatibility documentation, it should work without the slightest problem.
