Forum Home
Press F1
Thread ID: 126943	2012-09-26 02:02:00	PC randomly crashes 8GB ram - Fine with 4 GB ram	Bweiss5421 (16902)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1303456	2012-09-26 02:02:00	Computer Specs MOBO: Asus P7H55-M Pro CPU: Intel Core i3 540 3.07 GHz dual core RAM: 8GB Ram (KVR1333D3S8N9/2G = new RAM & KVR1333D3N9/2G = old RAM) GPU: ATI Radeon HD 5570 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit I had only 2 x 2gb of ram in my computer for about a year, no problem. I recently put in another set of 2 x 2gb into my machine, and it seemed fine for about a day, then it crashed. I decided to return the RAM and get another brand. I currently have the ram mentioned above together, and ran into the same exact problem. I thought I was buying the same brand as the old one so I could try to rule out mixing two brands, but the new one turned out to be slightly different. The computer acts fine, and just randomly crashes, sometimes it takes a day, or it could be 30 minutes after bootup. I’ve tried Slot 1 & 3 = old RAM & Slot 2 & 4 = new RAM as well Slot 1 & 3 = new RAM & Slot 2 & 4 = old RAM. My MOBO can have up to 16GB of RAM. There doesn’t seem to be anything that causes the crash, it just does it out of the blue. It could happen after when the computer is ideling, or when I am using it. It has crashed about 50/50 when I am using it and when I am not. In order to try and find out what was wrong, I ran memtest 64 I think it is called and it didn’t find any errors. However I know there has to be something wrong, because my computer is fine when it only has the first 2 x 2gb set in there. I am using only the new RAM right now, so I will see if it crashes but I don’t think it will. I’m not convinced it is the RAM that is the problem. It happened with the RAM that I sent back, and it happens with the ram I currently have which is a different brand. Any ideas as to what could be wrong? Both types of ram are 1333 MHz, both use 1.5v, and have almost the same model number. I’m lost, so if you know which direction to point me in that would be great.	Bweiss5421 (16902)
1303457	2012-09-26 02:08:00	With the crashes, I presume you're getting a BSOD? What STOP error? Welcome to the Forums :)	Chilling_Silence (9)
1303458	2012-09-26 02:18:00	Have you tried booting up with just the new ram in your pc?	Nick G (16709)
1303459	2012-09-26 02:19:00	With the crashes, I presume you're getting a BSOD? What STOP error? Welcome to the Forums :) Actually this is not a blue screen. I am not exactly sure what it does, but my monitor goes black, my computer turns off, then it turns back on. It's almost as if I held down the power button down on the PC to manually shut it down, and then pressed it again to turn it back on. The computer starts back up and asks me if I want to start windows normally etc. etc. It is quite the annoyance. Have you tried booting up with just the new ram in your pc? Yeah I just did that actually. Still waiting to see if my computer will crash, but since I can't tell what is causing it to crash I don't really know how to test it. I guess I will just have to wait.	Bweiss5421 (16902)
1303460	2012-09-26 02:33:00	Are you trying to run in dual-channel mode? The part numbers you gave indicate you're mixing single-rank and double-rank DIMMS, which is OK, but some memory controllers can struggle with the concept when you combine it with dual-channel functionality. A BIOS upgrade may resolve the issue, or forcing single-channel mode may do.	inphinity (7274)
1303461	2012-09-26 02:39:00	Are you trying to run in dual-channel mode? The part numbers you gave indicate you're mixing single-rank and double-rank DIMMS, which is OK, but some memory controllers can struggle with the concept when you combine it with dual-channel functionality. A BIOS upgrade may resolve the issue, or forcing single-channel mode may do. I am pretty new to this so I don't really know what that means. I looked around the BIOS menu (press DEL when computer is starting up) but I didn't see anything relating to dual channel or single channel modes. I did read some other forums and they were talking about dual vs. single but I am kind of new to this so I didn't really know what it meant. Is there supposed to be an option somewhere that will let me set this? My Bios is the most current revision.	Bweiss5421 (16902)
1303462	2012-09-26 03:01:00	I note that the QVL memory list for the motherboard you have, only supports 2 DIMM slots for the KVR1066D3N7/1G. While that isn't the memory you use, it is the only Kingston RAM in the QVL list that is single-ranked. Your old ram, KVR1333D3N9/2G, is certified for 4-DIMM operation. QVLs certainly are not the be-all end-all of what will work, and tend to only indicate what's been tested, but it makes me consider the possibility that the motherboard simply is not handling the memory configuration you're asking it to. Can you swap the new RAM for the same part number as the old?	inphinity (7274)
1303463	2012-09-26 04:04:00	dual channel or single channel wont be in the BIOS. The system will know if its (the ram) is dual channel, if the sticks are identical (the brand and the amount of ram on the stick). If the sticks arent identical, it'll run in single channel mode	Speedy Gonzales (78)
1303464	2012-09-26 14:46:00	Can you swap the new RAM for the same part number as the old? I would have to sell the memory I currently have, then buy the old model ram. I was hoping there would be a workaround to fix this, but if not I will end up swapping out the RAM.	Bweiss5421 (16902)
1303465	2012-09-26 20:12:00	Unfortunately this is the pitfall off adding RAM to an existing system. There's a reason why dual channel RAM is sold in matched pairs, when it fist appeared people had all kinds of problems with RAM because even if it's not faulty it may not work well in dual channel mode when not matched. This is true even when not in dual channel mode but to a much lesser extent. Mixing RAM is someting you can often get away with but it's always a risk. Hindsight and all that but a single 8GB dual channel kit would be a better bet than adding a 2nd 4GB set. You've said you used the RAM in 1&3 or 2&4, is this how the manual tells you to install pairs of RAM? and have you tried 1&2 or 3&4 instead. Some boards do dual channel in alternate slots, some do it in adjacent slots - check the manual. If the new RAM is pairing with the old RAM for half of each pair that could be the problem.	dugimodo (138)
1