Solved DDR3 RAM in i3 only shows 2GB not 6GB

[richyrichuk]

just got cmx6gx3m3a ram which is 3 x 2GB (1stick) and in bios they(both my sticks) only show up as 2gb a piece. reset cmos/bios and check volts (1.64) have i missed something? not sure what i have done wrong.

cheers

 

[stormy13]

Make and model of motherboard would help.

 

[Orbital Shark]

just got cmx6gx3m3a ram which is 3 x 2GB (1stick) and in bios they(both my sticks) only show up as 2gb a piece. reset cmos/bios and check volts (1.64) have i missed something? not sure what i have done wrong.

cheers

So you've got 3 sticks of 2gb and they're showing as 2gb per stick?

Firstly, try each stick separately to see if they all work, and do that for each slot in the machine.

Next do the timings of the memory match the timings required by the motherboard?

 

[richyrichuk]

So you've got 3 sticks of 2gb and they're showing as 2gb per stick?

Firstly, try each stick separately to see if they all work, and do that for each slot in the machine.

Next do the timings of the memory match the timings required by the motherboard?

sorry M/B is ASRock p55 pro/USB3 and the sticks no no i have 2 sticks which say on them (3 x 2GB)

sorry also full model # is CMX6GX3M3A1600C9

 

[richyrichuk]

just set all DRAM timing controls to AUTO with no avail.

 

[thefabe]

no i have 2 sticks that say on them 3X2GB

That would make me think they are 6 gb sticks phrased that way????
How about linking us to them so we don't have to go looking ourselves?
Thanks Fabe
Edit they are 12 gb's Total http://forum.corsair.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90898

 

[stormy13]

First question is why a 6 GB triple channel kit on a motherboard/CPU that only supports dual channel? Next from the manual,



You will not get dual channel with that kit either. If I am reading that right you need to have the three sticks installed A1 and B1 to start, with the 3rd stick in either of A2 or B2 (trial and error as to which will work).

Third is that that memory is not on the memory QVL,

http://www.asrock.com/mb/memory/P55 ProUSB3.pdf

not surprising as triple channel kits would not be tested. That list isn't the be all and end all of what memory will work, but it does help. It could also be the XMP setting in the bios that is getting in the way, but from looking at the manual it doesn't look like it can be turned off.

Now with all that said try it with two sticks only in slots A1 and B1, and see if the 4 GB is detected. If it is the add the third stick, in the other slots one at a time and see if the full 6 GB is then detected.

no i have 2 sticks that say on them 3X2GB

That would make me think they are 6 gb sticks phrased that way????
How about linking us to them so we don't have to go looking ourselves?
Thanks Fabe

Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX6GX3M3A1600C9

 

[richyrichuk]

That would make me think they are 6 gb sticks phrased that way????
How about linking us to them so we don't have to go looking ourselves?
Thanks Fabe
Edit they are 12 gb's Total 12 GB CMX6GX3M3A1600C9 suddenly 10 GB - The Corsair Support Forums

sorry fabe thought the model number may have been enough. no worries.
CMX6GX3M3A1600C9

cheers for the link i'll read now.

 

[richyrichuk]

First question is why a 6 GB triple channel kit on a motherboard/CPU that only supports dual channel? Next from the manual,

View attachment 141152

You will not get dual channel with that kit either. If I am reading that right you need to have the three sticks installed A1 and B1 to start, with the 3rd stick in either of A2 or B2 (trial and error as to which will work).

Third is that that memory is not on the memory QVL,

http://www.asrock.com/mb/memory/P55 ProUSB3.pdf

not surprising as triple channel kits would not be tested. That list isn't the be all and end all of what memory will work, but it does help. It could also be the XMP setting in the bios that is getting in the way, but from looking at the manual it doesn't look like it can be turned off.

Now with all that said try it with two sticks only in slots A1 and B1, and see if the 4 GB is detected. If it is the add the third stick, in the other slots one at a time and see if the full 6 GB is then detected.

no i have 2 sticks that say on them 3X2GB

That would make me think they are 6 gb sticks phrased that way????
How about linking us to them so we don't have to go looking ourselves?
Thanks Fabe

Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX6GX3M3A1600C9

ok yes that makes a bit more snese now stormy, and i only have 2 sticks which total 12GB dont let the picture on new egg fool u.

helps if i get compatible RAM doesnt it, thanks for the help. anybody want to buy this as its useless to me in a pair. lol

 

[Orbital Shark]

If you've just bought it can't you send it back for a refund?

 

[stormy13]

i only have 2 sticks which total 12GB dont let the picture on new egg fool u.

That would be a cute trick as I don't think I have ever seen a 6 GB stick of ram. Also you linked to the exact same ram i did,

XMS3

 

[richyrichuk]

yeah same ram, but was implied it was 3 sticks of 2gb. and yeah i've never seen a single 6GB stick.

could return them, but charge for returns a % and postage, might just ebay them.

cheers for help though guys atleast i'm a bit more on the ball now.

 

[Orbital Shark]

You're welcome and hopefully you'll be able to recuperate most of the money you spent

 

[richyrichuk]

corsair says this model is 3 x 2GB but what would u make of it from this pic?

 

[stormy13]

That it is part of a 3 x 2 GB kit. The 2 x 2 GB and 4 x 2 GB look the same,


Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9


Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX8GX3M4A1600C9

Just means the the sticks are part of a kit instead of sold as singles like this one,


Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M1A1600C9

 

[richyrichuk]

How misleading, why would you label something that is in a set but can be split. Thank you for clearing that up.