A Couple of RAM Questions

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  1. Posts : 9
    Windows Ultimate x64
       #1

    A Couple of RAM Questions


    Hi, I apologize in advance for this really long post and I know these questions were asked a million times, but I can't seem to find anything accurate through search.

    Recently, only 8GB of RAM became usable from the 12GB (4x3 Corsair Dominator 9,9,9,24 1.65v) I have installed. After testing each RAM and slots individually, I get these results:

    A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 (default setting) = 8/12 GB RAM used

    A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 = 4 GB
    A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 = 4 GB
    A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 = Windows won't boot (blank screen)
    A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 = Windows won't boot (blank screen)
    A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 = 4 GB
    A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 = 4 GB

    Now the weird part.

    A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 = Windows won't boot (blank screen)
    A1 A2 B1 B2 C1C2 = Windows won't boot (blank screen)
    A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 = 8 GB
    A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 = 8 GB
    A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 = 4 GB
    A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 = 4 GB

    It seems a stick in B1 would prevent my system from booting. I pretty much concluded that Channel B stopped working and I will need a new Motherboard. Now, to the questions;

    1. When a "slot" becomes faulty, does the entire channel (both slots) normally stop working altogether like my results above? Is it safe to say this is a motherboard failure?

    2. Even though B2 has stopped working, Windows is still detecting 12GB RAM on my system. Am I still on Triple Channel mode using A2, B2, and C2?

    I do extreme Photoshop work and each file I'm currently working on takes up to 7GB of physical memory. Adding that to the memory I have on cache crashes my program. I have a set of old ADATA (2GB 9,9,9,24 1.55v) RAM and I was thinking of placing them into A1 and C1 to boost my RAM back to 12GB while I wait for my new motherboard to arrive.

    A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2
    red = ADATA Gaming Series (9,9,9,24 1.55v)
    blue = Corsair Dominator 9,9,9,24 1.65v)

    If the faulty B channel drops me back into single channel mode;

    3. What are the risks and consequences of mixing RAM of different size and manufactures like above? Would this cause hardware damage? Or do people not recommend it only because of a performance impact?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #2

    What program did you use to test your ram?

    Where are you getting your information on how much ram is useable?
    Installed ram and useable ram is two different things.

    If you have a bad slot on the motherboard it will not matter what ram you use the slot is still bad. Mixing ram is not a good thing.

    The slot you think is bad; will any ram module work in it?

    1. Their is not a way to know exactly what is wrong with the ram.
    Just knowing it's bad is enough.

    2. Window 7 gets ram information from the motherboard.
    How much ram does your bios indicate?

    This program is very useful to see information about your ram.

    CPU-Z CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting


    Give us a picture Resource Monitor like this.

    Use this tutorial by Brink for posting screen shots.
    Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums



    A Couple of RAM Questions-resource-monitor.png
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2,497
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
       #3

    Mixing RAM sizes, types, manufacturers is never recommended. Matched RAM modules is always best.
    This won't do any physical damage but everything else is unpredictable. It may work with no problems or the system may be unbootable. Anything in between is possible.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 9
    Windows Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thank you Layback Bear for the link to the screenshot tutorial.

    First time noticing the problem was when Photoshop crashed after opening my file last night. I went into task manager to look at the resource.

    A Couple of RAM Questions-1.-performance.png A Couple of RAM Questions-2.-resource-monitor.png

    Then I checked my system from control panel and saw the 12GB (8GB Usable) line.

    A Couple of RAM Questions-3.-system.png

    Dxdiag shows I have 12GB installed. CPUZ also states I have 12GB installed.

    A Couple of RAM Questions-4.-cpuz-memory.png

    The BIOS listed the following:
    Base Memory - 640K
    Extended Memory - 8190M
    Total Memory - 8192M

    "What program did you use to test your ram?"
    I did not use any program to test my RAM. What I did do was took out each RAM and inserted them into Channel A2 to see if they booted. All 3 of them booted with 4GB.

    "Where are you getting your information on how much ram is useable? Installed ram and useable ram is two different things."
    The system page from the above screenshot.

    "The slot you think is bad; will any ram module work in it?"
    No. I tried my old ADATA 2GB x3 and the same results came in like on the first post. B1 will prevent my system from booting and B2 will not be used leaving me with 4GB using the ADATA 2GB x3.

    I am already aware that mixing RAM is not recommended, but I just wanted to know for sure what the consequences are. As of now, I can't get back to work on my PC because Photoshop refuses to open my files due to insufficient RAM.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2,726
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
       #5

    tcyz said:

    I am already aware that mixing RAM is not recommended, but I just wanted to know for sure what the consequences are. As of now, I can't get back to work on my PC because Photoshop refuses to open my files due to insufficient RAM.
    Soz I know this isn't a fix for your problem but I have a concern that your current problem is related to PS and not so much your RAM issue, although the 2 issues are linked ... try pressing Ctrl+Alt+Shift immediately after clicking the Photoshop icon (some say hold Ctrl+Alt+Shift whilst clicking the icon --- but I have seen that some say this doesn't work) ... this will reset your PS settings and hopefully you can open your psd file
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 9
    Windows Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #6

    PooMan UK said:
    Soz I know this isn't a fix for your problem but I have a concern that your current problem is related to PS and not so much your RAM issue, although the 2 issues are linked ... try pressing Ctrl+Alt+Shift immediately after clicking the Photoshop icon (some say hold Ctrl+Alt+Shift whilst clicking the icon --- but I have seen that some say this doesn't work) ... this will reset your PS settings and hopefully you can open your psd file
    Hi, I am more than positive that there is nothing wrong with Photoshop. I work with files ranging from 1MB to 800MB (very large, detailed documents prior to flattening of 100+ layers). When my 12GB was still intact, I was able to open and work on these 800mb files as they take up to 8GB of physical memory without problems, until last night. I can still work with other smaller sized files without issue, as they take up anything from 3GB-5GB of physical memory. Anything bigger would cause the program to lag, freeze, and crash.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 2,726
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
       #7

    Hiya pal

    I'm lucky enough to be an IT technician & a graphic artist, I to work with very large files often as big as the ones you work with. I've just done a test on another unit that I have and I opened a 210mb psd file with only 2Gb of ram with over 170 layers although it was a bit slow it still opened and I could work on it.
    Then I changed my PS memory settings to use 100% memory usage and then shut down & took out 1 stick of ram (which left me with 1Gb) ... when I tried to open the same file & I got the error "insufficient RAM"

    I then reset my PS memory settings using the Ctrl+Alt+Shift option and I can now open the same file with only 1Gb of RAM although I must admit it is really slow and not practical to work with
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 9
    Windows Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Hi, thank you for reminding me of the RAM allocation! I just increased it from my 80% to 100% through preference.

    I can now open the file but I still can't work with them. Like you stated, it's extremely slow. Applying filters takes 5 minutes before the program crashes. Best case scenario is scrubby zoom and anti-alias stops working after the filter is applied. Transforming objects instantly crashes the program. Stroking with a brush causes a slow motion trail. (Doing digital paintings at 300dpi on a 20x30 in. canvas by the way)

    Proceeded to reset the settings on load and reallocated the default 71% to 100%. Same results as the above. I guess I will improvise for now.

    Though, I am still hoping to see if the missing RAM is caused by a faulty MOBO before I proceed to purchase another.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #9

    Your Hardware Reserve use of ram is very high. You are using 4 gb. It normally is in mb.

    Most of the time it indicates the ram is not installed as per the motherboard manual. Or the wrong ram.
    Seldom is it the motherboard.

    **How many ram modules are you using?
    Verify the proper location as per motherboard manual for that amount of modules.

    Proper program to test ram. Tutorial by Jonathan King:

    RAM - Test with Memtest86+

    I have never used PS but have you tried just letting Windows 7 manage the memory.

    You post you are allocating ram to PS and then you are asking where did the ram go.
    For a test let Windows 7 manage the ram and then take another look.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 9
    Windows Ultimate x64
    Thread Starter
       #10

    4GB of reserve is a stick gone missing. I am currently running 3 sticks of Corsair Dominator DDR3 4GB each (12 Total).

    Sorry, but can you clarify a little more on "Verify the proper location as per motherboard manual for that amount of modules." I am not very savvy when it comes to hardware so I will try to answer based on a guess to what you're saying.

    I am using a X58A-UD3R MOBO using Triple Channel mode. The 3 RAM sticks are Corsairs mentioned above and are DDR3 compatible as with my MOBO, currently located on: A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 (the white slots)

    RAM in the A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2 setup (the blue slots) prevents my system from booting.

    I will run Memtest. Will post back later with results.

    "You post you are allocating ram to PS and then you are asking where did the ram go.
    For a test let Windows 7 manage the ram and then take another look."
    RAM allocation to PS is after the 4GB RAM went missing. Letting Windows manage the RAM results in my file not opening, which is why I had to reallocate the additional available RAM to PS. My main problem is, 4GB out of 12GB RAM was already missing before everything I did in my previous post.
    Last edited by tcyz; 07 Aug 2014 at 18:20. Reason: Answering an updated question.
      My Computer


 
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