Solved Memory Compatibility

[krustykobb]

I have two DIMMS of Corsair Vengeance 4GB RAM (2 x 2GB) at 1600MHz, although whenever I try to turn it up to this speed Windows BSODs during boot so I left it at 1333MHz, however I would like to add a DIMM of KomputerBay 8GB 1600MHz to my system but I'm sure the timings are different; the Corsair has timings of 9-9-9-24, and the KomputerBay RAM has timings of 10-10-10-27. Will these run together in the same system? I have an Asus Z97 Pro Motherboard. Thanks in advance

 

[Layback Bear]

I highly recommend NOT running unmatched ram.

Your system should be able to run this at the 1600 speed.

orsair Vengeance 4GB RAM (2 x 2GB) at 1600MHz

What are you looking at that makes you think it isn't running at that speed?

You can use this program to monitor your ram.

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

I have 2400 ram running at 2332. 1166 X 2

 

[krustykobb]

The system says that the target DRAM frequency is 1333MHz, and I know the RAM is capable of running at 1600MHz as it has an XMP profile that enables this, however when I click this when Windows is loading I get a very quick BSOD and the system then restarts, repeating this process. Why would you suggest I don't run the unmatched RAM? I ran the same configuration in my old system and now in my new one the board refuses to POST

 

[Layback Bear]

I recommend not running mismatch ram so you don't get the problem you are having now.

What run in your old system does not qualify it to run in this new system.

When you use mismatched ram the system will only run at the speed and settings of the lowest ram installed.

I personally set my ram speed and voltages in the bios. But I can't set it to something the system doesn't like or it will BSOD.

XMP will sometimes set the voltages to high.
There is a system to what you can and can not do. First you must have the proper hardware.

If you use the program I posted and then post a picture it would help us understand what you got.

How to post a picture using a tutorial by Brink.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

I will ask this question one more time. In order for members to help you we need information from you.

What are you looking at that makes you think it isn't running at that speed?

 

[krustykobb]

What is making me think that it is not running at that speed is the fact that in the BIOS it says the DRAM frequency is 1333MHz whereas the RAM is capable of running at 1600MHz, but whenever I try to enable the XMP profile or manually turn up the DRAM frequency to achieve this it BSODs

A screenshot can be found below:

 

[Layback Bear]

Exactly what ram do you have installed and in what slots of the motherboard?

You could also go into bios and set to default (not XMP) and see if the system will read 1600.

 

[krustykobb]

Current RAM installed is Corsair Vengeance 4gb (2 x 2GB) 1600Mhz Dual Channel kit, installed in slots 2 and 4 which is optimal according to the motherboard manual. I've tried restoring optimal defaults in BIOS and no change

 

[Layback Bear]

Very strange.
I will get another set of eyes on your problem and see what we can come up with.

Do I understand you correctly?

If you set the ram to 1600 and the proper ram voltage and and everything else to default you get a BSOD.

 

[krustykobb]

Very strange.
I will get another set of eyes on your problem and see what we can come up with.

Do I understand you correctly?

If you set the ram to 1600 and the proper ram voltage and and everything else to default you get a BSOD.

Yes this is correct, I get a BSOD as Windows is starting

 

[essenbe]

Please post a screenshot of CPUz , the CPU, Mainboard, Memory and the SPD tabs. On the SPD tabs, each Dimm Slot can be selected from a dropdown list in the upper left. We only need the ones populated with ram.

I would also suggest you listen to Layback Bear's recommendations. It is never a good idea to run mismatched ram on any system and especially so on a system that already has ram problems. Plus, I have never heard of KomputerBay ram. It is not a top notch company and not one I could recommend. Ram sold in kits are tested by top notch companies to run well together. Individual sticks are not. Ram should always be bought in kits.

 

[Layback Bear]

Thank you Steve for taking a look!

 

[krustykobb]

Here are the CPU-Z screenshots:

 

[essenbe]

You should be able to go into BIOS and set your ram timings to 9-9-24 2T, set your Dram Voltage to 1.5V and the dram speed to 1600 and it should boot fine.

 

[essenbe]

The CPU should not need to be overclocked to run the ram at it's rated speed. It should run 1600 easily.

 

[Layback Bear]

I agree it should.

I don't think I have ever seen a system like krustykobb got that couldn't run quality ram at 1600.

I removed my last dumb ass post.
I have been reading to many 5 year old posts online about this problem.

Okay I'm shifting from coffee to wine, may be things will get better.

 

[MagusMagnus]

You can mix brands of RAM so long as they have identical specifications and they are both supported by your motherboard (definitely do check the motherboard’s compatibility list). And what I mean by identical specifications is that they have the same voltage, CAS latency and timings. As long as all of those things are true, you should not encounter problems mixing RAM brands (although, unfortunately, it is a fact that some RAM does not like each other - not unlike how some motherboards just doesn't like certain RAM - and so there are no guarantees that even if the specifications both match, that they will work well or at all together). And as previously mentioned, this is also providing that these are in fact two kits of RAM as in dual-channel and not single-channel DIMMs (which would be the stick sold by itself and which is not a dual-channel DIMM, even if it is paired with another). People do this all of the time without encountering problems, but that is again providing the aforementioned is true.

Generally, kits with different speeds are a non-issue as the faster kit will most often be downclocked to match the slower automatically (occasionally you have to do that manually). That is the only specification of two different kits which does not have to match for them to work together (although apparently capacities can also be mixed sometimes as well). But then, of course, there's always OC. Theoretically, you could OC the slower to match the faster.

Ultimately it really is best and far less of a hassle to just get the exact same and brand dual-channel kits and call it a day.

 

[krustykobb]

Thanks all for your help - I'll try setting the RAM settings later on when I'm back home and I'll report back to you the results

 

[Layback Bear]

Okay. Take your time.
Please keep notes so you can if need be inform us what happens and when.

 

[krustykobb]

I couldn't get it working - I swapped out the Corsair RAM for 1 stick of 8GB from another machine, and so far no problems so think I'll just stick with that for the time being

 

[Layback Bear]

Your computer, your choice.

Please remember that.

I couldn't get it working

Tells the members trying to help nothing.


What didn't work?
Was their a BSOD?
Did the computer Boot?
Did you get into the bios?
If you got into the bios what changes did you make?

When you decide you want help please remember; in order for us to help we need information.

Happy computing.