A rare issue related to Windows boot can happen due to a particular RAM configuration if you are using either Ryzen 4000G or Ryzen 5000G APUs.
Windows May Not Boot if You Are Using 64 GB Or Higher RAM Capacity with Ryzen 4000G/5000G APUs; Two Ways to Fix This Problem
It is common to see Windows boot issues when you try to install a large-capacity RAM on your system, particularly on an entry-level configuration. The problem becomes more common if you try to populate all the slots on the motherboard and all those sticks carry a good chunk of memory size.
The issue can become complex when we consider factors like different speeds, timings, and the memory configuration support on motherboards, and this is more common with APUs, which bring a dedicated graphics unit onboard. One such issue can happen if you own the Ryzen 4000G/5000G processors, which belong to the Zen 2/Zen 3 lineup and offer integrated graphics to eliminate the need for a dGPU.
However, if you are using such a processor on an AMD A520 (an entry-level chipset with AM4 socket) motherboard, you may not be able to increase the RAM size to over 64 GB. Despite seeing support for over 64 GB of memory capacity on the A520 motherboards, the Ryzen 4000G/5000G seems to have a problem with memory compatibility. This particular issue seems to arise when you try to use high-capacity 32 GB DDR4 RAM sticks on A520 chipset motherboards in a 2x 32 GB configuration.
Such a RAM configuration can be overwhelming for the system as the iGPU initialization with >64 GB RAM is the problem and may result in Windows boot failure. This is irrespective of whether you run the RAM sticks on the base clocks and without tweaking any parameters in the BIOS. However, there are two different solutions to fix this. Dospara suggests that you either use a discrete graphics card or change two different settings in the BIOS.
The first solution needs money, but the second one can be done through the Advanced PCI Configuration and Advanced AMD CBS. One has to disable the "Above 4G Decoding" found in Advanced -> PCI Configuratoin -> Above 4G Decoding, and for the second setting, one should set the value to "4G" in UMA Frame Buffer Size and "UMA_SPECIFIED" under iGPU Configuration, which can be found within AMD CBS -> NBIO Common Options -> GFX Configuration.
News Source: @momomo_us
About the author: Sarfraz Khan is a hardware reporter with a focus on PC components and the builder community. With years of experience writing about PC hardware and laptops, his work has been featured on several reputable technology publications. Sarfraz's hands-on experience is demonstrated through his first-person accounts of using and comparing different hardware configurations, providing practical and relatable insights for everyday users. His technical analysis is respected by peers in the enthusiast community and has been cited by specialized hardware sites such as Germany's Igor's Lab.
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