Need help with 4G Memory

johnco61

johnco61

johnco61

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16 Nov 2010
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Hope someone can help a novice with a problem I’m having getting my PC to run with 4G of RAM!! To keep it brief for now it runs fine with a single 2G stick but get the dreaded blue screen when I install a further 2G. I’m using the CORSAIR DDR2 1066MHz kit and have tested them using Memtest86 and found no problems, both sticks work fine on their own but won’t work together. I’ve tried upping the voltage to 2.1V from the standard 1.8V but still get the same problem.

My processor is a Q9650 3GHz running at 3.8GHz Memory set below 1066MHz (can’t remember the exact figure) but as I said runs fine with 2GHz. Is there any other settings in the BIOS I could try other than the RAM voltage that might do the trick or is it common for two memory modules to conflict? If so is this a good reason to return the memory for a refund even though they work independently

Any help with this would be appreciated thanks
 
Hi there and welcome to the forums :)

Are both memory sticks Corsair DDR2 1066MHz (ie a matched kit) or are they different? Would you be able to tell use the full model numbers of both sticks, so we can look them up?

Also, what motherboard are you using? Have you ensured that they are being inserted into the correct slots?
 
Hi

Thanks for the quick response, yes the Memory is part of a kit the modal number is CM2X2048-8500C5C 1066MHz (5. 6. 6. 18) 2.10V Vert 2. (CORSAIR XMS2)

The motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3P, I’ve checked the speck for this board and as far as I can see it does support this memory. There are four slots and I’m using slot 1 & 3 not tried slot 2 & 4 though so I could give that a go. I have checked that the memory is fitted correctly (its been in and out a few times) I have also swapped it between slot 1 & 3
 
OK will try that, By the way what does dual channel do anyway and what performance difference will I notice? I assume running 4G of ram in single channel mode will perform better than at the moment with 2G single channel mode
 
dual channel helps your memory chips work together for an increase in overall speed. Dual channel can give more than a 40% bonus to some systems (lot of other factors however). So it's worth having when it works.

4Gb will be an improvement for games/multitasking, but for day to day usage the difference is minimal. My gaming PC has only 2gb or RAm, and whilst is it ok, sometimes it gets a bit sluggish (but extra 2gb going in soon, that;ll help :))
 
Hello johnco61 :)

johnco61 said:
  • Intel® Core™2 Quad Q9650 @ 3.8GHz
  • Gigabyte GA-EP45-DS3P
  • CORSAIR DDR2 1066MHz (CM2X2048-8500C5C)
Click to expand...

From what you have said I supect the problem is being caused by the overclock and not the memory . . . this is very easy to test if you have time?

Can you lower your overclock from 3.8GHz to 3.6GHz like so please


Intel® Core™2 Quad Q9650
  • 9 x 400 = 3600MHz
  • DDR2-1066 [4:3]
That should run fine and without issue . . . if you can confirm that is the case then we can proceed further! :cool:
 
I will give that a go and let you know thanks, however I think I’ve already done this I have tried so many things now I’ve forgotten now, I would certainly say that I have run it at 3GHz and had this problem but as I say I’ll give it a go thanks
 
johnco61 said:
I would certainly say that I have run it at 3GHz and had this problem
Click to expand...

Ah that doesn't sound promising? . . . by all means reduce your clock all the way back to stock 3GHz and set the memory onto DDR2-1066 . . . that should also work without issue using standard voltages.

Intel® Core™2 Quad Q9650
  • 9 x 333= 2997MHz
  • DDR2-1066 [8:5]
 
Hi Big Wayne

I wound it back to 3G 9 x 333, seems ok at the moment after four hours + usage so far so good, can you help with the overclocking process?

I went to clock it at 3.6G 9 x 400, with the system memory multiplier on auto it puts the memory speed higher than 1066, I set it manually to bring it down to 1066 or lower if the setting don’t set it at 1066 is this right? Also I have just noticed that the option list gives a, b, c, d, options which I must admit I never noticed before FSB 266, 333, 200, 400, if I’m right in setting this manually which do I use?
 
Hey John :)

johnco61 said:
I wound it back to 3G 9 x 333, seems ok at the moment after four hours + usage so far so good
Click to expand...
That's good news! . . . It would be great though if you could download Memtest86+ V4.10 and grab the USB app or burn a Bootable CD-ROM and really give those sticks a good testing at DDR2-1066 please! :D

I went to clock it at 3.6G 9 x 400, with the system memory multiplier on auto it puts the memory speed higher than 1066, I set it manually to bring it down to 1066 or lower if the setting don’t set it at 1066 is this right?
Click to expand...
Absolutely correct . . .

straps.png


Also I have just noticed that the option list gives a, b, c, d, options which I must admit I never noticed before FSB 266, 333, 200, 400, if I’m right in setting this manually which do I use?
Click to expand...
I'm not that familiar with GigaByte boards and their BIOS layout/wording so when I get a sec I will have to dowload the motherboard manual for your specific board . . . I'm guessing what you are describing is "FSB Straps" . . . if thats the case your don't have to worry about these too much atm as I think these get changed automatically when you adjust the Memory Multipliers!

can you help with the overclocking process?
Click to expand...
I can . . . as long as your not in too much of a rush then I'm sure I can help you with some basics! :cool:
 
That’s great thanks,

The question I asked regarding the memory multiplier, when you take it of auto the dropdown menu gives options to select.

Something like 1.00, 2.00, 2.50 etc,

When you select one of these figures it alters the memory speed (I know you know all this) the options that I hadn’t noticed before was the above figures are available preceded with A, B, C. & D the BIOS info states A = 266 B = 333 C = 200 D = 400, (hope this makes sense) So for example if selecting 2.00 manually sets it at 1066 do I set it at A2.00, B2.00 C2.00 or D2.00
 
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