Can RAM Break A Motherboard? Here’s The Painful Truth [2022]

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Asen Stoyanchev

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Asen is a Microsoft Certified Professional turned blogger with 10+ experience working in the IT industry as a hardware and software support engineer.

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Can RAM break a motherboard? Yes, it can. It’s unlikely to fail and even more unlikely to break your motherboard.

But it can and does happen, especially if the RAM gets too hot. In those situations, the motherboard’s circuitry can overheat and stop working. 

With memory problems, your everyday computer use will be severely affected. You won’t be able to browse the web, send emails, or do your work.

That’s why it’s vital to know whether you’re in a risky situation with your RAM. 

Many modern computers have safety shut-offs that power them down when they overheat. But that doesn’t help you protect your work or use the computer properly.

Instead, it’s essential to be knowledgeable, so you can fix your RAM fast if problems arise.

So we’ve written this article to help inform you about the consequences when RAM fails and what you can do about it. That way you can avoid a potentially nasty situation.

Can RAM Be Easily Damaged?

Yes, it can. Especially when you’re handling it. The chips on the side are fragile, and the gold connector along the base can sustain damage from skin oils.

If you twist the RAM as you insert it, you can break the solder joints. 

RAM can also suffer from overheating, leading to its components burning out. I’ve seen this happening to Oloy RAM. And that can affect the motherboard socket too. 

How Do I Know If My RAM Is Faulty?

If your computer is working, and you use Windows, you can run the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool. You can also use a program like Memtest86. 

See the video below:

If there are any issues, then you’ll need to replace the RAM before it makes your computer unusable. If there is any damage to the motherboard, that’s another sign the RAM it’s faulty.

On a side note, do check out our guide on the best compatible RAM for Ryzen 7 5800x.

What Can Be Done To Avoid Damaging A RAM Slot? 

Ensuring your motherboard’s voltage settings are correct is essential. It ensures components work properly.

Adding memory heatsinks can help prevent RAM overheating during intensive use, too. But we’ve seen that RAM is the least likely component to suffer from a mechanical or electrical failure. 

Can You Repair Damaged RAM?

Can RAM break a motherboard begs the question of what to do with a damaged RAM stick. Generally, you can’t repair it.

The components are too intricate to repair. I recommend you buy a new stick of RAM instead. And know the difference between RAM SS and RAM DS.

But if you’re still in the warranty period with your computer, you should be able to get a replacement. 

Depending on the damage, some manufacturers may be able to repair the RAM at a service center.

Some people say you can bake RAM in an oven to fuse the soldering and circuitry, but I don’t recommend trying this. 

Check out my article on CL18 VS CL16 RAM for more related info.

What Can I Do With Broken RAM? 

If you have a broken stick of RAM and want to make the best use of it, we suggest recycling it. Broken RAM is difficult to fix, and amateur methods online often aren’t worth following.

If your manufacturer asks for it, so they can examine it and attempt a repair, it’s a good idea to see if they can get it working again. But it’s more likely you’ll need a replacement. 

Do Motherboards Break Easily? 

Motherboards are typically made from laminated fiberglass. That makes them difficult to break. What breaks a motherboard is when the components attached to it become faulty.

They can short-circuit or burn the motherboard. RAM can break the motherboard too, but it’s very rare. 

What Causes A Motherboard To Fry?

When looking at fried motherboards, we’ve found many reasons responsible for causing problems. Some of them are power surges, poor ventilation, short circuits, and incompatible components.

Static electricity is also a significant cause, as motherboard components are sensitive. That includes RAM.

How Do I Know If My Motherboard Is Damaged?

We think the best way to learn if your motherboard has damage is to use your computer. If it doesn’t work correctly, and there’s no apparent reason, it’s possibly the motherboard. 

Examples of common problems caused by a broken motherboard include the Blue Screen of Death and overheating. Burnt transistors and chipped circuits are big warning signs too.

Can A Damaged Motherboard Still Work? 

If you can use your computer, that’s a sign the motherboard is still working. If it had failed, critical components wouldn’t have any power.

But any issues with your motherboard can become more severe over time. 

We recommend having it sent away to the manufacturer if possible. That way, you can repair or replace it so that it doesn’t suddenly fail during important work.

Can The Motherboard Cause RAM Errors? 

Yes, in some circumstances. If the RAM is incorrectly inserted into the slots, there is an increased chance of damage.

That can affect both the RAM and motherboard. But the overall risk is still minimal, and the most likely outcome is that your computer won’t boot.

How Do I Know If I Have Bad RAM Or Motherboard? 

You can take a few steps to tell the difference between broken RAM and a broken motherboard.

I recommend performing a memory test and a physical inspection of the motherboard. These are the quickest and easiest options. 

If neither helps, you’ll need to test different RAM sticks compatible with your motherboard. If that doesn’t work either, you’ll need to get your motherboard looked at by a professional.

Can RAM Break A Motherboard If It’s Faulty?

If your RAM overheats and there is no safety mechanism, it can burn your motherboard. But this has a higher risk of occurring on older computers with fewer safety features. 

The heat would have to be intense and lasting for the motherboard to break. The RAM slot also grants some slight protection to the surrounding circuitry.

But to answer the question, there is a chance RAM could break your motherboard.

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