Problem using 4 sticks of 512 DDR400

[Akrob]

Hey guys..

I´ve got a little problem I hope you could help me with, since I´m quite inexperienced with ram and mb issues. (Other than throwing it out the window and calling it an accident....)

I recently bought a pair of cheap corsair ram (2x512 DDR400), to upgrade my mem to a total of 2 gigs. Problem is, my mb seem to have some big issues working with 4 sticks.

So now I have 2x512 corsair, and 2x512 A-data. I can shuffle the mem around in any combination, as long as I only use 2 sticks. (Even tried one of each brand in dual-channel, which actually worked flawless) The only combination that doesn´t work is when I use the a-data sticks in slot 3 and 4. (1 and 2 unoccupied)

So what the heck should I do?

(Latest bios, tried cmd T1/T2. Timings and voltage at auto)

 

[b1lk1]

What core is your CPU? The older AMD64's did not work well with 4 sticks ata ll. In fact, unless it is a Venice core you are probably out of luck.

 

[DaMulta]

Install this program to make sure you have good memory. Quick easy, and can solve a lot of headaches.

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

Also you should'nt mix ram in dual channel, I do it, but in some cases you can have probelms.

 

[Akrob]

I ran the diagnosis, and all 4 sticks seem alright.
But... as far as I can remember, the core of the cpu is winchester.

I tried to fiddle with the speed and timings, and the results are as follows:
2 sticks of either brand: workin'
4 sticks at auto settings: system won´t boot.
4 sticks and mem speed at 333 (166), cmd at t2: system boots, but will only recognize 1 gig of memory.

So, am I screwed?

 

[Agility]

You shouldn't mix different rams together. Its best if you get all 4 rams of the same brand and type as the timings would be equal too. But based on the problems you're having, i guess its either the processor or motherboard limitations.

 

[wtf8269]

Check the settings that each stick is supposed to run at. It's quite possible the latencies and voltage settings are different. Set your BIOS to run the worse of the two settings. IE: If one stick runs 3-3-3-8 @ 400mhz and the other runs 2.5-3-3-7 @ 400mhz, change the settings in your BIOS to 3-3-3-8. Also they may run at different voltages such as 2.5 and 2.6v, run it at the higher of the two, in this case 2.6v. You will definitely need to run 2t though because of having four sticks.

I'm no memory expert but I know the basics. Hopefully Ketxxx will chime in here soon and he can help you figure things out.

 

[Akrob]

Tried relaxing the timings a bit and decreasing the speed. Nothing seems to work, and gigabyte support told me they never heard of the problem. After an extensive search on forums, I realised that a lot of ppl were having trouble with 4 sticks on that mb, so I returned the mem to the store, gave the computer a few good punches and decided to buy a completely new rig instead.

Anyway, thanks for the help!


While we´re at it; any good ideas on which mb to buy for middle-end gaming rig?

 

[wtf8269]

If you're gonna stick to 939, buy an NF4 Ultra-D. Best bang for the buck imaginable. What's funny is that before this setup I had a GA-K8NS-Ultra 939 and I had no problem running 4x512mb sticks, but they were all identical.

 

[lemonadesoda]

THE ANSWER IS EASY: Corsair ValueRAM is not compatible in 4 stick mode on many mainboards. Are you on an ASUS?

I had the same problem. I even sent the memory in for testing, and it worked 100% to spec, so I got billed.

The problem is the ValueRAM maxes out at 2 sticks. So I have replaced the stuff with Corsair XMS and 4 sticks no problem.

If you RTFM you will see a compatibility list on both your mainboard site. Like you, I didn't read until AFTER I had the problem! :lol:

BAD LUCK having bought the wrong RAM.

 

[Casheti]

I have 4 512 MB Sticks. Semms slower than it should be. One pair is 4-4-4-11 and the other pair is 4-4-4-12. They're all at 533MHz. Is this a good setup? I haven't tweaked the timings or freqencies or anything like that.