Solved Upgrade RAM = (micro)stuttering in games

[Chalky Emultion]

On my MSI GE60 0ND, I upgraded my RAM from 4 GB to 8 GB, adding a second stick of 4 GB DDR3 1600.

RAM sticks have same specs (frequency, voltage, timings,...) but different brands.

When I use 8 GB, games suffer of major microstuttering. When I remove a stick of RAM, games are smooth.

What's happening?!

 

[Dude]

I would try to match the brand of ram for better compatibility

 

[Chalky Emultion]

I tried to run only the new stick of RAM, and games have microstuttering. Can the new stick be defective?

 

[Dude]

It appears it may be. I would take it back and look for a brand matched stick. Check your motherboard specs for ram compatibility by brand.

 

[Chalky Emultion]

This RAM stick is certified to work with my GE60...

 

[Dude]

Okay, one other thing you could check is if you have a bios update available. A lot of bios updates fix memory related issues.

 

[Chalky Emultion]

I already have the updated BIOS from MSI website I flashed it one month ago...

 

[Chalky Emultion]

I noticed that both sticks of RAM are now microstuttering

 

[Dude]

That's not good. Try a minor voltage tweak for the ram, either slightly up or down.

 

[Chalky Emultion]

Problem solved. New Nvidia drivers sucks, don't update to R331 drivers!!

I did a rollback to R326 drivers and now all is fine.

 

[Dude]

That's good to hear. I am running the R331, I will keep an eye out for stutter.

 

[Chalky Emultion]

A lot of people has actually performance drops of 30-35% in games updating from 326 to R331.

I rolled back drivers for my GTX 690 also.