[RAM Position] Not reading full amount.

[Bonken]

Hi,

I'm a complete beginner when it comes to hardware within machines, and I have a small problem if anyone could help me.

I ordered a full setup from overclockers around a year ago including:

Corsair XMS3 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 12800C9 (1600MHz) Tri-Channel (TR3X6G1600C9)

Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R Intel X58 (Socket 1366) DDR3 Motherboard

And I've had trouble making it read the full amount, as it's currently reading 4GB / 6GB. I had a friend fix it at one point somehow who I don't have contact with anymore, so it is capable of reading the full 6GB and not faulty.

Since then the positions had changed, and I'm not sure if I've even got it in the right slots. I've taken a picture if anyone can help, be highly appreciated. (Please note the place there in currently isn't where it was, this is after a lot of shuffling about, did originally follow the guide provided).

Thanks so much if you can help!

 

[Plec]

You need to install the memory into the creamy coloured slots labeled:

DDR3_1
DDR3_3
DDR3_5

Was the sytsem overclocked and have you altered any settings or cleared the CMOS?

 

[Bonken]

Yeah the CMOS has been cleared a few times due to problems with the motherboard when I first had it. The person who ended up fixing it did actually change settings within BIOS also. I'll try those slots now and see if it reads, thanks!

 

[Plec]

Yeah the CMOS has been cleared a few times due to problems with the motherboard when I first had it.

As your CMOS has been cleared you will need to check your memory voltage, timings and frequency

Your memory should be set up as below:

• 1600Mhz (frequency)
• 9-9-9-24 (timings)
• 1.65V (voltage)

If you're unsure what to do post back.

 

[Bonken]

Thanks so much for the help,

After an hour of having it reading no RAM, I finally got it to read 6GB (4GB Usable) with all slots within the cream slots.

I then just went into BIOS and it was set to something else so I changed Extreme Memory Profile to "profile" and it changed the values to the ones you told me to change too. I've booted up since and it's still 6GB 4GB usable though Do you have anymore suggestions? I appreciate your time a lot.

 

[Bonken]

Just to add to it:

BIOS only reading 4GB: http://i55.tinypic.com/xe20pz.jpg

Timing settings for stick 1 & 2: http://i51.tinypic.com/242el5i.jpg

Timing for stick 3: http://i53.tinypic.com/2wbxkqs.jpg

Windows reading: http://i52.tinypic.com/29f5e07.png

Memory positions: http://i53.tinypic.com/24n057c.jpg

I'm not sure what I'm doing, but I thought I'd just fill in the same values as stick 1 and 2 into 3 manually, just for a shot, but that resulted in a problem so I reverted back.

 

[Plec]

Ok, a quick but long (possibly confusing) reply –as i'm on my lunch break so will reel off info as it comes to me…

Unfortunately there could be a number of reasons for your problem – not all serious.

The first faults/fixes that come to mind are:

• CMOS rest or BIOS flash (possible fix)
• Faulty memory
• Incompatible memory
• A corrupt DIMM slot
• A voltage issue
• You have a couple of bent socket pins beneath the CPU – which may be salvageable with a toothpick.

A simple first step would be to update the BIOS and then clear the CMOS – and load optimised defaults. There is a chance that this may resolve your issues.

To check for a corrupt stick you will need to use the DDR_3 1 slot and memtest each stick individually. This will take a long time but you would at least be able to rule out corrupt memory stick as the culprit.

An incompatibility issue you will only be able to rule out by testing another tri-set of memory – but if your present memory worked previously this is unlikely.

It’s possible that the DDR3_5 DIMM slot is knackered – but again you would need a different set of memory to confirm this.

If the updated BIOS doesn’t yield any results then you could try upping key voltages related to the memory and its controller on the CPU.

Bent socket pins or pins failing to make contact with the CPU properly is a known problem (rare) for this type problem and if the BIOS update fails (and memtesting memory fails) then checking the socket would definitely be advisable.

You should be able to tell once the CPU is removed if you have any pins out of line or too low to make contact – and it’s not too difficult to gently prise them up.

 

[Plec]

Additional: Two other possibel causes:

• The CPU itself may have a problem i've been involved in two threads where the CPU has had an integral fault which manifested in memory not being recognised.
• The Heatsink on top of the CPU is fitted incorrectly causing undue stress (warping) to the motherboard and in particular the memory slots - making it difficult for some slots to recognise memory.

First one is hard to prove - you would be wise to rule most of the previous possible faults out first before looking at the CPU.

Second one could be combined with checking the socket for possible bent/damaged pins.

 

[Bonken]

Thanks for the help plec, after exhausting my efforts I'm going to call it again on trying to sort it for now before I go crazy. Thanks anyway I appreciate it.