Need To RMA Another Set Of Ram, XMS3

Associate
Joined
15 Oct 2007
Posts
2,186
Location
Bedfordshire, UK.
Ok, i started off with Patriot Viper memory, which im sending back tomorrow, kept crash my system when running at rated settings. I ordered some Corsair XMS3 as a replacement, but have been getting fails when running LinX for testing my system. So i ran memtest 4.0, the first run through got to about 98% overall pass completion, and then came up with 2 errors...

dscf4841.jpg


I then decided to run memtest again to make sure, this time came up with even more errors, which started about 97% overal completion.....

dscf4846.jpg


Now i will have to try and test each stick on its own to find out which stick or sticks are faulty. If only 1 stick is faulty can i just RMA the 1 stick or do i have to send the whole set back??
 
you would have to send the whole set back, as its a kit i presume, if its not a kit, then i sugest you buy a kit
 
Hi Lettuce ,

Yep , you would have to send the whole kit back sad to say. You could in turn place an order for some more memory ( if you have the funds this is ) then RMA the current for a refund when the new set arrive. This way no downtime or waiting for tests etc.

Good luck , you need a break.

McT
 
Motherboards support memory sticks that can be found in QVL (memory compatibility list) on vendors webpage (Gigabyte). First thing is to check that list to avoid incompatibility issues.
Secondly, some motherboards set voltage and timings different that sticks are programmed (by auto). So make sure you set them up manually right way.
And sometimes (especially Corsair sticks do that) when you overclock or overvolt sticks - they give you errors in MemTest, but system is usually stable. For example, my system is stable with CL7, but MemTest gives errors. So for peace I set it up to 8-7-7-18 (just changed CL) and Mem test is quiet.
 
If you have gotten 2 kits of memory and are getting the same errors, I'd suspect something other than the memory. What exact Corsair kit do you have?

You have not listed any BIOS settings. Can you list ALL of the settings you have made in the BIOS for voltages, CPU, and memory.

Have you tried clearing the CMOS and using the XMP profile?
 
Motherboards support memory sticks that can be found in QVL (memory compatibility list) on vendors webpage (Gigabyte). First thing is to check that list to avoid incompatibility issues.

The trouble with these vendor's lists is that they are so out of date and contain lots of obscure brands (well obscure in the UK).

For example for my Gigabyte board of the 68 sticks listed

34 are 1GB
5 are 512KB

I seriously don't think many people are fitting those sizes of DDR3 modules

And the brands making up the majority of compatible RAM are

Team
Aeneon
Transcend
A-Data
Apacer
Elixir
Nanya
NCP
Micro
OCI
PQI
Qimonda
Samsung
Winchip
Buffalo
Hynix
Kingmax

One or two of those I've heard off, but generally not seen any of them for sale in the UK

Of the commonly available brands in 2GB there are a total of

4 (1 OCZ, 2 Kingston, 1 Patriot)

the OCZ is no longer made
the Patriot is an old model
the 2 Kingstons don't exist in a product search

So basically, the manufacturer's approved memory list is practically useless.

Cheers,

Nigel
 
There are several problems with QVLs from the MOBO maker. The bulk of the list is compiled while the board is in development and published when the board is ready for retail and the manual is printed. The amount of memory testing that is done declines from that point. Also, it is a time consuming process and expensive so, only so much memory is going to be tested.

I am not blaming the MOBO makers but, they do have limitations. Typically, the compatibility lists from the memory makers are more useful and up to date.
 
Are you sure your putting the correct voltage into the memory? those errors do look like the type of pattern typically found with memory problems rather than northbridge or CPU problems, etc. causing it.

Having tried 2 different sets of memory and the pattern of the errors suggests - but nothing like conclusively - that your settings are incorrect - causing instability or incorrect resulting in damage to the RAM.
 
I am not blaming the MOBO makers but, they do have limitations.

Absolutely - I agree - I was just pointing out that as a result of what can be done realistically, the information is now practically useless.

Typically, the compatibility lists from the memory makers are more useful and up to date.

Again I agree, but alas of little use to me, as some don't bother and those that do mostly only test on intel.

Cheers,

Nigel
 
Just a general rant, at nearly all ram manufacturers websites.
Typically, the compatibility lists from the memory makers are more useful and up to date.
Not sure who said this but I totally disagree 100% !

I've checked every Ram Manufacturer website & the truth is everyone else is utter crap i.e. out of date, Kingston do list all the latest motherboards but not many of their kits are listed as compatable compared to Corsair.

If you don't believe me go on every Ram Manufacturer Website & check the compatability sections . . . . . crap.

Team & G.Skill for example list their high spec ram list only 1 or 2 MSI / Gigabyte & Asus motherboards as compatable - "Hello! not everyone goes for the same old boring typical motherboard" :rolleyes:

Corsairs Memory Compatability lists are very upto date, I can confirm this as I spent a good hour checking ram lists before buying my new kit.
 
I must first point out im not getting the same errors i was with my Patriot Viper memory, with that it didnt list any errors in memtest, but if i ran the memory at rated settings i could get my system to crash by simply watching a flashvideo, if i ran at underclocked speeds this never happened. The only errors im getting with the Corsair XMS3 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 (1600MHz) memory is, it fails in the first pass of LinX when running at rated speeds, havent had it lockup when watching a flashvideo or any other time for that matter. It failing in LinX was the first thing that brough my attention to there being something wrong with the memory, as Memtest has confirmed that one of my sticks has errors

I set the memorys rated settings manual and the voltage at 1.64, test each stick o its own for 4 passes in memtest 4.0. 1 stick came back with a fair few errors.....

dscf4848b.jpg


Bit blury i know, i guess its this stick thats causing all the problems. Strange think is the longer the test went on the more frequently the errors started to appear!?

As i said the only settings i have changed in the BIOS is the memory settings

9-9-9-24-2, 1600MHz, 1.64 volts
 
Does look like faulty ram if only one is playing up.

I have a sinking feeling that you're gradually zeroing on a faulty imc on your processor lettuce, keep a careful record of everything that you've learnt so far. It was very difficult to persuade a retailer to take a q9550 in for rma that wouldn't post at all, getting an rma on one which kind of works some of the time, but falls flat if pushed is going to be difficult.

For the time being though, I hope you remain optimistic. Something to check before rma is what speed you can run a single stick of the corsair ram at before it errors; if it'll push 1800mhz or so by itself it suggests the imc is aright really. Bright side is that corsair have a stunning reputation for rmas.
 
Ill give the 1 stick at 1800Mhz ago either later tonight or tomorrow. I probably wont send this Corsair Memory back until i hear back about my Patriot Viper memory i sent back for RMA on Thursday. That said though JonJ678, 2 of the 3 stick went through 4 passes in memtest with no errors what so ever, so would you still say that theres a good chance its the imc?
 
Last edited:
At this moment id say nothing is conclusive. You could still just of had two bad batches of memory.
But there is a pattern emerging that could show the IMC to be the guilty party. If when you RMA this set , get another lot back you still have similar errors then i think Jon has touched on something that could be quite possible in this instance.
But for now continue what you aimed to do. Once you hear back get this stuff sent off and swap it for some new Corsair XMS3 to give it a try.

All the best Lettuce.

McT
 
Well I just tried 1 stick at 1867mhz x14 memory multiplier, and i couldnt even get the system to POST!! What does this mean?
 
Thats what i have had my settings at, bar the 1.7v, i had it at 1.64v. JonJ678 suggested running 1 stick a 1800mhz to see if that failed in memtest to see if it is indeed the imc on my cpu thats causing me problems, Also isnt 1.7v a bit high for these memory sticks?
 
Back
Top Bottom