Asus P6T Deluxe v1 RAM prob (again) - only 10 out of 12

[AngusMac]

Old Problem but tried everything that's been mentioned here - a year or so back i bought this current set up from OC - the original ram wouldn't show up completely so oc replaced the Corsair with the OCZ.

With all 6 slots filled, I did have a full 12 gig showing for a while (system has always been only at default settings - no overclock) - but now I can only get a max of 10g to show (in BIOS as well as Vista) - yet the system hasn't changed (had a few blue screens now and then - but that's not too unusual)

Memtest made a complete pass and no errors came up so I re-seated the cpu & checked mobo pins - no joy
tried QPI voltage at 1.6v & cleared rtc - no joy

so started swapping around ram using the serial numbers for ID
one chip hasn't shown up when in three different slots - it's looking like it's failed. Is there any other test I could do before convicting it?
Seems like passing memtest does NOT exonerate the RAM - is that possible?

Is there anything I've missed here?

I've just fitted a Corsair H-50 that I had laying around here (for a long while I couldn't get time to strip out everything and remove the mobo - next time I'll get a case that has a backplate window!) and was hoping to overclock to around 3.6+, however, reading this forum, it appears that filling all slots on the Asus P6T is not the best option for that so I'm now thinking, if the 6x2 ram tri-channel set-up is scuppered by one chip failing, I might as well consider replacing it with 3x4.

Any advice about the best way to proceed would be appreciated.

Perhaps the OCZ forum is the best place for this? Especially a warranty enquiry.

Thanks

-----------------------------------------
Antec 900-2 l Asus P6T Deluxe Rev1.xx l Intel Core i7 920 SLBCH Core Stepping C0 l 12GB OCZ DDR3 PC3-15000 (1866 mhz) l Corsair TX 650W PSU l ATI Radeon HD 4870 l

 

[AngusMac]

so - I guess that I haven't missed anything then?

 

[Plec]

Your fault seems a little bit ambiguous in that the sytem can only recognise 10GB yet you have one stick that will only show up in 3 slots.

For example, if the 'dodgy' stick is placed in one of the known slots it has problems with, with all the other DIMM slots populated, does the system then only show up 8Gb? (this is crucial in trying to diagnose the overall probelm)

If it does then this makes the problem slightly more involved.

so started swapping around ram using the serial numbers for ID
one chip hasn't shown up when in three different slots - it's looking like it's failed. Is there any other test I could do before convicting it?
Seems like passing memtest does NOT exonerate the RAM - is that possible?

Have you looked closely at this stick – i.e. damage, scorch marks, post production residue etc?

Also, have you tried testing this stick on its own – giving it a considerable amount of memtest time?

Seems like passing memtest does NOT exonerate the RAM - is that possible?

Yes, unfortunately you do have the rare occurrence that memory is still incompatible/faulty with a system and yet will still pass memtest with no problems.

was hoping to overclock to around 3.6+, however, reading this forum, it appears that filling all slots on the Asus P6T is not the best option for that so I'm now thinking, if the 6x2 ram tri-channel set-up is scuppered by one chip failing, I might as well consider replacing it with 3x4.

Yes, using all the DIMM slots will limit your overclock but 3.6GHz should be achievable with all slots populated (but may be a challenge). But a 3x4GB set up would be the ideal if you need 12GB of memory. (You shouldn’t be out of pocket too much with the sale of the 6 x 2Gb set)

 

[AngusMac]

Appreciate the advice.

Ok - I'll try the one stick on its own
(work is pressing so I was trying to fast track - guess I'll have to take the slower lane!)

The suspect stick didn't show up in A1, B1, C1 slots when I tested it with two others - since it didn't show there I didn't try it in the A2, B2, or C2 slots.
According to the manual, the slots have to be populated in a preferred order-
A1, B1
A1, B1, C1
A2, A1, B1, C1
All

don't know if this matters, but the stick serials run in two batches - serials ending in -
416-1, 416-2, 416-3
and
378-1, 378-2, 378-3

I asked for a 12g matched set and they are all OCZ3RPR1866C9LV6GK
(but I guess the 6 GK means they're two matching 6 G kits?)

The suspect stick is 416-1
It doesn't show any signs of damage - looks just as neat and clean as the rest.

will be back!

Thanks

 

[AngusMac]

Tried just the one suspect stick in slot A1 and the computer refused to boot - just a black screen - so Memest couldn't run.
When the stick was replaced with another one it booted ok - so I put in the suspect stick into slot B1 (the next preferred slot) with the other left in A1, and ran Memtest for three hours - no errors were reported.
Memtest displayed the two slots as filled in the memory SPD info though it only showed 2g of ram in the memory line under the cache at the top - so I'm not sure whether memtest was actually seeing and testing the bad ram.

The refusal to boot tho seems like another point against the stick. As far as returning it goes, do I take this up with OCZ rather than Overclockers, then?

Thanks

 

[Plec]

From your testing (and previous posts) it would appear that you have a faulty stick.

The ambuiguity arises because the system will post when installed with a known working stick.

If you want to be 100% sure test the module in a different computer.

The refusal to boot tho seems like another point against the stick. As far as returning it goes, do I take this up with OCZ rather than Overclockers, then?

If it's under 28 days return it to OcUK as they should swap it straight out (after confirming faulty). They may even do this if it's over this period but within the year - but if not they would send it back to the manufacturer - in which case you're better off returning the module to OCZ yourself (cut out the middleman).

If you're over your year then return it to OCZ.

 

[AngusMac]

Unfortunately I don't have another computer that takes that ram.

I've posted the details on the OCZ forum and they've issued me an RMA for the 3 stick set.

Not being an expert, I'm slightly puzzled as to why I was supplied with two 3x2gb (6gb) matched sets when i asked for a matched 12 gb set. Does it matter at all regarding the tri-channel capability which the Asus P6T is advertised as having?

One final request! - any links or advice about the best way to sell this RAM would be much appreciated - being able to sell it would decide whether I swap to the 3x4 set

Thanks

 

[Plec]

Not being an expert, I'm slightly puzzled as to why I was supplied with two 3x2gb (6gb) matched sets when i asked for a matched 12 gb set.

2 x (3 x 2GB) sets isn’t an issue, especially if they are of the same brand and model.

One final request! - any links or advice about the best way to sell this RAM would be much appreciated - being able to sell it would decide whether I swap to the 3x4 set

I don’t sell my old computer parts but if I did I would only do it through the OcUK MM (members Market). You need to have been a member for a minimum of 90 days (tick) and have at least 250 posts (yet to tick).

If I were you I would start posting in the ‘General Discussion Forum' as you could add to your post count very quickly.

There are some interesting topics/debates to be had with some well informed posts/members. I browse there about once a month and find some of the threads very interesting and enjoy the range of debate within topics.

Unfortunately, equally, there is a 'small minority' who are very uninformed with very little of interest to add but will still post with gusto (spam by any other name).

Bearing the above in mind you could quite easily get your post count above 250 in a couple of weeks - maybe less if you’re extremely opinionated with something valid to add to an ongoing discussion or, better still, completely vacuous.

 

[AngusMac]

useful info.
I'll look into posting - could be a good way to get questions answered - always ready to learn - only issue is time in this 24/7 world.

Thanks for giving me some of yours.

In the end - it's all we possess