Trouble adding RAM

Deathgazer

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Alright so, I currently have Triple Channel (2gb x3) of memory installed. System properties shows Installed memory: 6GB. Now, I just recently bought another 2gb stick, exact same type and brand as the other 3 sticks. I place it into the correct slot (checked mobo manual to make sure), boot up the PC, check system properties again, except this time it actually shows me having LESS RAM. Now it shows Installed memory: 4GB.... I took the stick back out, and it shows me back up to 6GB. What's the problem here? >.o Thanks -DG
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom
OS
Windows 7 64-bit OEM
CPU
i7 920 (stock)
Motherboard
Asus Sabertooth x58
Memory
6GB Triple Channel
Graphics Card(s)
XFX HD 6870
Monitor(s) Displays
Asus 23.6" x2
Screen Resolution
3960x1080
Hard Drives
1TB
PSU
1200 watt
Case
Lancool Lian Li
Cooling
Good air cooling
Keyboard
G510
Mouse
G9x
Internet Speed
Cable
Other Info
Last format: February 3, 2012
Antivirus: Avast Internet Security
That actually sounds like a bios issue to me.
Have you tried putting the new stick in place of one of the originals to make sure it works properly that way?
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Insane hobo technologies. ;-)
OS
Windows 7 x64
CPU
Intel i7 2600k
Motherboard
Asrock z68 extreme 4 gen 3
Memory
G.skill Ripjaw 16gigs @ 1866
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia gtx580 (evga)
Sound Card
Integrated HD audio + hdmi
Monitor(s) Displays
24" ASUS widescreen + 42" insignia
Screen Resolution
1080p (1920x1080)
Hard Drives
128 Samsung 830
256 Samsung 840
3 x 1tb storage drive (various)
1 western digital 1tb (eSATA)
1 Seagate 1tb (eSATA)
PSU
1 kilowatt SLI/Crossfire rated Silverstone modular
Case
NZXT Phantom + additional 220 fan
Cooling
Zalmann
Keyboard
Microsoft wireless 3000 (v2)
Mouse
MS - wireless 5000 (bluetrack)
Internet Speed
depends on if you ask me or my provider.
Other Info
The above information is provided as is, and the author assumes no responsibility for issues it may cause with your sanity or fanboyism.
Yep, works fine that way.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Custom
OS
Windows 7 64-bit OEM
CPU
i7 920 (stock)
Motherboard
Asus Sabertooth x58
Memory
6GB Triple Channel
Graphics Card(s)
XFX HD 6870
Monitor(s) Displays
Asus 23.6" x2
Screen Resolution
3960x1080
Hard Drives
1TB
PSU
1200 watt
Case
Lancool Lian Li
Cooling
Good air cooling
Keyboard
G510
Mouse
G9x
Internet Speed
Cable
Other Info
Last format: February 3, 2012
Antivirus: Avast Internet Security
have you checked the motherboard's manufacturer for bios updates?
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Insane hobo technologies. ;-)
OS
Windows 7 x64
CPU
Intel i7 2600k
Motherboard
Asrock z68 extreme 4 gen 3
Memory
G.skill Ripjaw 16gigs @ 1866
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia gtx580 (evga)
Sound Card
Integrated HD audio + hdmi
Monitor(s) Displays
24" ASUS widescreen + 42" insignia
Screen Resolution
1080p (1920x1080)
Hard Drives
128 Samsung 830
256 Samsung 840
3 x 1tb storage drive (various)
1 western digital 1tb (eSATA)
1 Seagate 1tb (eSATA)
PSU
1 kilowatt SLI/Crossfire rated Silverstone modular
Case
NZXT Phantom + additional 220 fan
Cooling
Zalmann
Keyboard
Microsoft wireless 3000 (v2)
Mouse
MS - wireless 5000 (bluetrack)
Internet Speed
depends on if you ask me or my provider.
Other Info
The above information is provided as is, and the author assumes no responsibility for issues it may cause with your sanity or fanboyism.
Yes, sounds like a BIOS issue to me too. The X58 is designed to run 4 sticks in triple channel mode so it should work without this problem.

My default solution to any weird BIOS issue is to reset the BIOS - soft then hard.

Soft Reset: just "Reset Bios Defaults" and test (Be sure to note all your current settings beforehand so you can set them back again before trying to boot into Windows).

Hard Reset: Perform a CLRTC :


  • Note all your current BIOS settings
  • Shut down the computer > remove the power cord.
  • Remove the 3v battery.
  • Move the CLRTC jumper from pins 1-2 to 2-3.
  • Touch a metal part of the case and Press and Hold the reset button for approx. 30 seconds to discharge all power from the board.
  • Put the CLRTC jumper back on 1-2.
  • Replace the battery > replace the power cord > boot.
  • Immediately go back into BIOS and reset all your preferred settings. If the CLRTC worked you will need to reset the date and time.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home Built - Jan 2013
OS
Windows 7 64 Bit Home Premium SP1
CPU
i7-3820
Motherboard
Asus P9X79-PRO - Bios 4608
Memory
GSkill F3-14900CL9Q - 16GB
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GeForce GTX660 - Driver 352.86
Sound Card
On board Realtek ALC898
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer S271HL
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
#1- Samsung 840 Pro Series
#2- Western Digital WD1002FAEX Sata3 Black
#3- Western Digital WD1002FAEX Sata3 Black
PSU
Corsair CMPSU-850TX-V2 - 850 watt (by Seasonic)
Case
Corsair Obsidian 550D
Cooling
Standard 3 120mm case fans, Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
Keyboard
MS KC-0405
Mouse
Intellimouse 5-button
Internet Speed
56 Mbits/Sec (on a good day)
Antivirus
Avast & Malwarebytes
Browser
Firefox
Other Info
Asus DVD - DRW-24B1ST 24X
Alright so, I currently have Triple Channel (2gb x3) of memory installed. System properties shows Installed memory: 6GB. Now, I just recently bought another 2gb stick, exact same type and brand as the other 3 sticks. I place it into the correct slot (checked mobo manual to make sure), boot up the PC, check system properties again, except this time it actually shows me having LESS RAM. Now it shows Installed memory: 4GB.... I took the stick back out, and it shows me back up to 6GB. What's the problem here? >.o Thanks -DG

I've never verified triple channel operation with 4 DIMMs in an X58 system, but it's supposed to be possible (using the correct 4 slots).

I have, however, used 6 DIMMs. I had to manually set the RAM voltages and timings to get the RAM to operate at its rated frequency (DDR3 1600). Had to back off a tick on the timings.

Maybe manually setting the volatge and timings would help you. If you get the full 8GB to show up in WIndows, I recommnd using a memory test utility (Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool) to verify that it's running stably.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
homegrown
OS
Windows 7 Pro X64 SP1
CPU
Intel Core I7-3930k
Motherboard
Asus P9X79 Pro
Memory
16 GB Gskill DDR3-2133
Graphics Card(s)
eVGA GTX680
Sound Card
Creative X-Fi Titanium
Monitor(s) Displays
As PA246Q
Screen Resolution
1920 X 1200
Hard Drives
Corsair Force GT, 120 GB
WDC 1.5TB Caviar Black
PSU
PCP&C Silencer 750 Crossfire
Case
Silverstone FT02
Cooling
Noctua NH-D14
Keyboard
cheap Logitech USB
Mouse
Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer (old optical) USB
Internet Speed
6Mb cable
Other Info
Pioneer BDR-205
Samsung SH-203B
Monsoon 5.1 speakers
I know others have had problems putting a 4th stick on triple channel on the forum.
You could search though the Hardware forum.
I don't remember anyone actually getting it to work but they may have.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Hopalong/ Godzilla
OS
Windows7 Pro 64bit SP-1; Windows XP Pro 32bit
CPU
Intel Core i7-870 Lynnfield 2.93GHz LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core
Motherboard
ASUS P7P55D-E PRO
Memory
8GB@1400MHz Crucial Ballistix DDR3-1600 4x2GB
Graphics Card(s)
ASUS ENGTX460 DirectCU/2DI/1GD5 1GB 256-bit GDDR5
Sound Card
VIA Onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
Asus VS248H-P 24"; Samsung SyncMaster 941BW 19"ws
Screen Resolution
1920x1080; 1440x900
Hard Drives
Samsung 830 120GB SSD
Intel 320 120GB SSD
Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s
PSU
COOLER MASTER Silent Pro RS850-AMBAJ3-US 850W Modular
Case
COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN5-GP Black
Cooling
Scythe "Mugen-2 Rev.B" (2 ScytheKaze-Jyuni PWM fans)
Keyboard
Logitech K-320
Mouse
Kensington
Antivirus
Avast Inernet Suite
Browser
IE 9 ; Chrome
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