Strange memory problem with dual-channel

saimado · 18 May 2012

Hi,

I have an MSI P45D3 Platinum motherbord and 2x2GB Kingston memory sticks in it connected in dual channel mode.

After I installed Windows 7(before that I used XP) my computer randomly freezed or rebooted. I found out that a memory problem caused it.

When i removed one memory stick it worked perfectly, and when I tried it with the other one it worked with it also.

If I put the second memory stick back, the freezes appear again. I tried putting them into different slots but it never worked when both of them were in it.

I also tried testing them with Memtest86+ when both were installed, but no errors were shown.

I have no idea what could cause all this. Please help me!

-MSI P45D3 Platinum motherboard
-Kingston ValueRam KVR1333D3N9K2/4G RAM
-Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 CPU
-Gigabyte Nvidia Geforce 9800GTX+ graphics card
-Western Digital 500 GB hard drive

TVeblen · 18 May 2012

Those symptoms can happen if the motherboard is defective, or if the voltage to the RAM is not up to specs.

Your RAM is on the MB's compatibility list and has all the correct specs. Each stick works alone and both stick pass Memtest. There is not many other places to look.

Are you overclocking, or have you made any changes in your BIOS?
Does you BIOS settings have any advanced configuration options?

saimado · 18 May 2012

I never tried overclocking, and the the BIOS settings were set up to optimized defaults.

I checked in BIOS and there is "Advance DRAM Configuration" and there I can set up TCL, TRCD, TRP, CAS Latency and other things. They are all on "Auto" setup. They are on 9 as it is the default setting of the memory.

archer · 18 May 2012

Can you test the memory sticks in a different PC? Try using both DIMMs together. If memory is the cause, it will happen in that PC as well. If not, then the voltage or the mobo is bad.

TVeblen · 18 May 2012

What you are looking for is the setting that will allow you to increase the voltage to the RAM - a common procedure for overclockers.

Avoid settings that increase voltage by percentages. You want to raise the voltage by .01v or .05v increments. Your RAM is 1.5v spec. What you will do is try it at 1.51v and then reboot with both sticks to see if the system will run both sticks like that. Then try 1.52v, etc. I would not attempt any voltage over 1.6v or you could burn out the RAM.

saimado · 20 May 2012

I tried putting my memories into a different computer, and it is working fine whit it.

I also put the memories from the other computer into mine, and it is working also fine. It is a Kingston HyperX KHX1333C7AD3K2/4G memory kit. Both sticks are in, and working good.

Maybe my motherboard is simply not compatible with the memories.

TVeblen · 20 May 2012

Possible, but your RAM is on the Motherboard's compatibility list.

The sticks of RAM that you tried from another computer - are they the exact same specs as the Kingston?

If you download and install CPU-Z then you can go to the SPD Tab and see the Jedec information on the RAM. You could compare the settings for your Kingston to the other set to see if there is any difference.

Otherwise you can play with the voltages, or you could just try new RAM.