Changing ram memory, need some input.

[1ntu]

I had RAM issue for about a month + now and i can't seem to understand it. I started having problems involving frequent BSOD when gaming. I have 1x4GB 1333Mhz ram stick which i used for 2 years now without any problems till the last month. When playing havier ram load games i get game crashes and some weird errors in games which then follow with BSOD and windows recovered from unexpected shutdown.

I then checked my system with BSOD viewer and i had two errors, both were kernel... and i knew something was serious so i reinstalled my system and deleted absolutely everything. New system worked the first day like charm, normal gaming feel was amazing once again.

The next day... same thing all over again but no errors in BSOD viewer this time. I talked with my friend and he told me how lucky i was that my ram lasted this long because i used single channel over 2x2GB dual channel. My build was mediocre since i didnt plan on playing on the highest setting in games. I bought 1x4GB so i could update in a future but i never did because i tought i was fine for a while now. Motherboard: https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/H61M-P20-G3.html#hero-s...

So now i have no idea if i should get 2x2GB or 1x4GB again. In my country there is no 2x2GB deals tho so i tought of getting x2 Emmi | Emmi online shop, prodaja: racunari, laptopovi, TFT monitori, netbook i notebook ra?unari, foto oprema... | Po?etna...
or
Emmi | Emmi online shop, prodaja: racunari, laptopovi, TFT monitori, netbook i notebook ra?unari, foto oprema... | Po?etna... this one.

My question now is which option will work better for my system?
I am mainly gaming on this system. If i get the 1x4GB stick i can upgrade in future but also i will not use its full 1600Mhz potential since my mobo only supports 1600Mhz for ivy bridge CPU's and mine is not. Also i have no idea when i will be upgrading again.. so thats that. Thanks for reading this long post.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello and welcome 1tnu mate first up please do this http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html - very hard when we don't know what we are dealing with

The if you have indeed had blue screens please do these
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/174459-dump-files-configure-windows-create-bsod.html
&
http://www.sevenforums.com/bsod-help-support/96879-blue-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html

In regards to RAM generally speaking it is always best to buy RAM sticks in matched pairs if you are intending to install more than one stick.
So for example if you were to buy 8GB RAM best is 1x 8GB stick or a matched pair (a packaged set) of 4GB sticks simply because the matched pair will probably have come from the same manufacturing batch and therefore the timings and frequencies will be very close or exactly the same for each stick. Plus you need to try as far as possible to at least use the same brand for the pair if you cannot get a matched pair.

 

[Megahertz07]

If you didn't overclock I see no reason to have memory failure by time.
Windows 7 includes built-in features to help you identify and diagnose problems with memory. If you suspect a computer has a memory problem that isn’t being automatically detected, you can run the Windows Memory Diagnostics utility by completing the following steps:

Click Start, type mdsched.exe in the Search box, and then press Enter.
Choose whether to restart the computer and run the tool immediately or schedule the tool to run at the next restart.
Windows Memory Diagnostics runs automatically after the computer restarts and performs a standard memory test automatically. If you want to perform fewer or more tests, press F1, use the Up and Down arrow keys to set the Test Mix as Basic, Standard, or Extended, and then press F10 to apply the desired settings and resume testing.
When testing is completed, the computer restarts automatically. You’ll see the test results when you log on.

I agree with Icit, don't mix old memory with new.
Even if it don't run on your MB at full speed, you can use DDR3 1600. It will run on at 1333 but with a lower latency. And as they are cheaper.
Best to buy a matched pair. But you can try 2x4G - RAM memorije | 'Memorija DIMM DDR3 4GB 1600MHz Kingston CL11 | Emmi online shop, prodaja: racunari, laptopovi, TFT monitori, netbook i notebook ra?unari, foto oprema...

Is your Win 7 64 bits? Win 7 32 can only deal with 3.2 G.

 

[1ntu]

Hello and welcome 1tnu mate first up please do this http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html - very hard when we don't know what we are dealing with

This is my PC spec:
Mobo: MSI H61M-P20 (G3)
CPU: Intel Dual-Core G645 2.9GHz
GPU: HD7770 1GB/DDR3 PowerColor
HDD: Western Digital 500GB
RAM: 4GB 1333MHz
PSU: ThermalTake 500W
Case: Bitfenix Case
Windows 7 Home Basic 64bit

I didn't have BSOD in few days now(four to be exact). Also somehow i managed to play every game i desired without any problems today(weird). Either is ram going nuts or or something else which idk what it is.

 

[1ntu]

If you didn't overclock I see no reason to have memory failure by time.
Windows 7 includes built-in features to help you identify and diagnose problems with memory. If you suspect a computer has a memory problem that isn’t being automatically detected, you can run the Windows Memory Diagnostics utility by completing the following steps

I used that Windows feature a week ago(found it while browsing the problem) and no errors what so ever. Tested it 2 times back then and once today.

I am going to put my memory on a test tonight with memtest86+ and see if there is errors there, since many people suggested that program for people with ram issues. Also i only have two options now when it comes to upgrading the RAM since i am not in a good financial state atm.
1) 2x DDR3 2GB 1333MHz Corsair Value CL9
2) 1x DDR3 4GB 1600MHz Kingston HyperX Savage CL9

Knowing myself i have no idea if i will be able to upgrade soon which makes 1x4GB a bit trickier. One more thing i saw many people argue about is single vs dual channel memory. Which will benefit me more with my current setup that i showed in a reply? Many people say that dual channel somehow has some slight advantage in gaming and that it is better when it comes to cooling ram memories. Which is true and which not? Thanks

 

[Megahertz07]

I don't think you have a memory failure.
Do you have a temperature monitor? Is your CPU heat sink clean?

Dual channel split the info into two memory stick. You gain some speed doing it. As mentioned, you must have two two memory sticks.

 

[AddRAM]

Just my opinion, but you need more memory, and a much better nVidia GPU

You can also check your memory with this, not sure if it`s been mentioned yet, it`s a very quick test.

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/ff700221.aspx

 

[1ntu]

I don't think you have a memory failure.
Do you have a temperature monitor? Is your CPU heat sink clean?

Dual channel split the info into two memory stick. You gain some speed doing it. As mentioned, you must have two two memory sticks.

The fan was relatively clean, but i cleaned it again. Here are my temperatures 'OpenHardwareMonitor.Report.txt' | TextUploader.com

 

[1ntu]

Just my opinion, but you need more memory, and a much better nVidia GPU

You can also check your memory with this, not sure if it`s been mentioned yet, it`s a very quick test.

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/magazine/ff700221.aspx

I ran that test 3 times, 0 errors.

 

[1ntu]

One more thing i ran memtest86+ and this was the result memtest86+ Now i am really confused.

 

[Megahertz07]

I've seen your temperature monitor and memory test results.
- You don't have any memory failure.
- Your CPU temperature is high (50ºC) even without heavy work. Did you cleaned the heat sink? (use a small paint brush and a vacuum cleaner. Dont let the blades spin. Be gentle).
My opinion is that you are having very high temperatures when gaming and then you get the BSOD.
You said that you aren't having problems right now. Is your side cover open?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

That memtest screen looks very odd to me as errors are usually shown in red see pic and there is usually not much CPU info on the screen.

So I am just wondering where you got the memtest from see this http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

 

[Mellon Head]

- Your CPU temperature is high (50ºC) even without heavy work. Did you cleaned the heat sink? (use a small paint brush and a vacuum cleaner.

Unless you have an ESD safe vacuum cleaner, you should never use a vacuum cleaner on the inside of a PC. Doing so can generate harmful static discharge which can destroy components.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yes I agree with Mellon Head and what I do with a vacuum cleaner is to place an aluminium foil strip around the suction nozzle end and add hogs hair brush bristles and run an earth lead to it - fiddly but effective. The same can be said for compressed air cans too any dust blown across a surface can still generate static charges.
For cleaning brushes I always use those cheap hogs hair artists brushes to minimise any static build up while using a brush.
Best thing is prevention and why I use fine filters made from any non synthetic material and place it over as much of the air intakes I can.

 

[1ntu]

I've seen your temperature monitor and memory test results.
- You don't have any memory failure.
- Your CPU temperature is high (50ºC) even without heavy work. Did you cleaned the heat sink? (use a small paint brush and a vacuum cleaner. Dont let the blades spin. Be gentle).
My opinion is that you are having very high temperatures when gaming and then you get the BSOD.
You said that you aren't having problems right now. Is your side cover open?

Yeah i cleaned the heatsink. Thats right i don't have any issues now which is good but still very confusing to me how it can be so consistent in happening and now it stopped happening all together. Side cover is closed and should i maybe go and get a new thermal paste and apply it on my CPU chip?

 

[1ntu]

That memtest screen looks very odd to me as errors are usually shown in red see pic and there is usually not much CPU info on the screen.

So I am just wondering where you got the memtest from see this http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

My memtest86+ showed 0 errors, what do you mean?

 

[1ntu]

ICIT2LOL and Mellon head ill clean it again with paint brush and check if the temps dropped.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

That memtest screen looks very odd to me as errors are usually shown in red see pic and there is usually not much CPU info on the screen.

So I am just wondering where you got the memtest from see this http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

My memtest86+ showed 0 errors, what do you mean?

Only that in your screen shot there were errors mentioned see pic

 

[Tranquil Hegemo]

That memtest screen looks very odd to me as errors are usually shown in red see pic and there is usually not much CPU info on the screen.

So I am just wondering where you got the memtest from see this http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

My memtest86+ showed 0 errors, what do you mean?

Only that in your screen shot there were errors mentioned see pic

That's a zero not an eight but you have to look closely to pick it up. Check it against some of the other characters in the screen shot (the Memory figure of 8586 for example) and the difference become more apparent.

 

[Megahertz07]

Changing thermal paste wont help.
As you already have Open-hardware-monitor, play your game and then check the max temperature. If it gets above 85ºC, change your heat sink with a better one.