Can i turn off Dual Channel memory...?

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Woodlore

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I have 2x8GB sticks of Corsair Vengance 1600MHz RAM. In dual channel mode they are casuing an annoying amount of BSOD. I would be happy if i could get them both to run in single channel mode without any BSOD. Any ideas on how i can turn dual channel off...?

I have a Gigabyte G1.Sniper 3 motherboard.

Many thanks in advance. :)
 
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Flying-Q
@ keith12

Why did you un-select my 'best answer '. The fact that Woodlore's problems stem from a different source, which we as a group have found, does not negate the original question that began this thread nor does it negate the research I conducted to provide the correct answer to that question. Please re-instate.

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Flying-Q

Flying-Q

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If you are convinced the memory is a problem in dual channel mode then single channel will not make things better. Time to RMA.

Before you do that, run memtest86 on one stick at a time in each slot to see if it really is the memory at fault. If memtest86 shows no faults or only one slot has a problem when you test one stick at a time then it is more likely your motherboard is the culprit.

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imomun

imomun

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Put them in 1st and the following slot?
single channel will reduce performance dual channel is better
But I would also say memtest those sticks both individualy and then together
Swap slots to see if the defect in dim slot
Sometimes the problem could be not ram but the dim slot itself, if that is the case rma the board instead memory.
Thanks
 
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Woodlore

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I have Mem tested both sticks and in all slots and all combinations. no errors at all.

This is also my second motherboard and I had BSOD on the first one too because of the RAM. I have come to the conclusion its MoBo-RAM incompatibility. But wanted to force single channel to see if it would work. I am not fused about the hit in performance so much as gaining the extra 8GB of RAM back.

Many thanks though.
 
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zybch

zybch

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As has been said, it seems unlikely to be anything at all to do with dual or single channel RAM operation.
Update the mobo BIOS, try the RAM in another computer (thats what friends' PCs are for), try their RAM in yours etc etc. If you have a cheapass micro-ATX board with only 2 RAM slots bite the bullet and get a good standard ATX sized board with 4 slots, that way you can try 4x2Gb RAM modules, something I've had better luck with than 2x8Gb sticks, a 'proper' ATX baord will have better features anyway and probably better cooling on the chipset and let you use better coolers on your CPU.
 
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Flying-Q

Flying-Q

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Put both sticks in one channel., i.e. use a green and a black slot next to each other. that will force the board to default to single channel operation. Beware that the board may complain and simply not boot with a series of beeps to indicate memory failure. I don't know enough about that board whether it will tolerate that configuration. Single stick is fine but 2 in one channel and none in other, I don't know.

Give it a whirl,
Q
 
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Woodlore

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if you think this is a "cheapass micro-ATX board" then you are seriously mistaken......

http://uk.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4169#ov
 
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Woodlore

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Thanks, shall give it a go. :)
 
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Flying-Q

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You posted as I was doing a bit of research. The OP states what board it is:

My highlighting.
 
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Woodlore

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Oh would you look at that. Someone that can read. :)
 
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Roland Of Gilead

Roland Of Gilead

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Have you tried updating the bios? Sometimes bios updates include fixes for ram compatibility issues etc. Might be worth a look, and see how your system responds. As a matter of interest, are you overclocking anything? An unstable overclock could cause BSODs like your experiencing. Maybe double check the system is stable at stock speeds too!
 
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Woodlore

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Hi Keith,

BOIS is the most recent for the board. checked it earlier on today.

the system is currently not overclocked as im waiting to have it all up and running before that. i may try overclocking the memory later to see if i can stablise it not at stock settings.... worth a shot id have thought.

thanks though
 
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Roland Of Gilead

Roland Of Gilead

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Okay, that brings me to another question! Have you set your memory timings for the ram in your bios? This is normally the biggest single reason for BSODs for memory issues! For the ram to operate the way it should, those timings should be set manually!

 
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Flying-Q

Flying-Q

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As Woodlore has said he is not o/cing and the memory is 1600MHz which is a JEDEC standard the timings should be picked up and used correctly from the SPD on the sticks. That said I have come across some boards and sticks that that don't read the SPD correctly so it is worth checking as keith12 has suggested.
 
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Woodlore

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I have not manually set the RAM timings and it is the conclucions i came tothis morning. I also chacked my RAM against approved solutions from Gigabyte and it is not there, but a slightly slower CAS version of the same RAM is.

Thus i am going to double check the RAM timings are set correctly anyway, which im fairly sure of, and then i will try to change the CAS settings manually to the approved set and if stable will put both stic of RAM in. Makes sence right?
 
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Roland Of Gilead

Roland Of Gilead

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Yes, most definitely. Try rule out as many probabilities as best you can. Ram timings are essential for a stable system. I've run memtest on my ram without changing the settings, and its error free. However, the same 'default setting' crashes in windows (okay well overclocking :) ). So setting it manually is essential in my book. After that we can look at other probabilities regarding your issue.
 
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Woodlore

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Right so both sticks now installed and RAM timings forced to a little slower than default. They are now in line with some recommended settings from gigabyte themselves. The only difference is that my ram is slightly better CAS wise. Previoousily 9-9-9-24 now 10-10-10-27. NO BSOD YET!

This is a massive improvement as I was getting BSODs so regularly it was unbearable. Fingers crossed it should be alright. Will update if it happens again.

Considered upping the voltage a bit but decided against that to start with. Any recommendations as to what to up it to though? Currently at 1.50V.

Many thanks again. :)
 
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Flying-Q

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Before you start upping the voltage (as there should be no need until you start playing with over clocking it) you could try testing stability as you adjust each one of the timings one at a time to get as close to 9-9-9-24 as you can. If you get to 9-9-9-27 say then you might consider raising the clock speed a notch (and probably have to loosen the timings again to accommodate). If the memory will not run stably then consider raising the voltage by the smallest increment the BIOS allows and trying stability again. Rinse and repeat. Have fun.
 
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Roland Of Gilead

Roland Of Gilead

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You don't need to bump the voltage at stock (or at least you shouldn't have to!) When you set your Ram timings manually, you should leave it at stock voltage unless overclocking. If your ram is running fine, no BSOD's (now :) ) and not giving issues, there is absolutely no reason to up the voltage. You asked about ram timings and voltages earlier. If you download CPU-z you there is a tab on it that allows you to see the SPD settings for your ram, and at what voltage to run the dims at. For example, (my system is dated now...aha) my ram is ddr2 it runs 800mhz at 4-4-4-12 timings at default 1.8 volts. I can OC the ram to 500mhz but have to increase voltage to 2.0, and loosen timings to 5-5-5-15. However, I don't OC my ram so defalt is 1.8. Why give it more juice than needed!? It would just slowly degrade the life of the ram over time.
 
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Woodlore

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[/quotemsg]You don't need to bump the voltage at stock (or at least you shouldn't have to!) When you set your Ram timings manually, you should leave it at stock voltage unless overclocking. If your ram is running fine, no BSOD's (now :) ) and not giving issues, there is absolutely no reason to up the voltage. You asked about ram timings and voltages earlier. If you download CPU-z you there is a tab on it that allows you to see the SPD settings for your ram, and at what voltage to run the dims at. For example, (my system is dated now...aha) my ram is ddr2 it runs 800mhz at 4-4-4-12 timings at default 1.8 volts. I can OC the ram to 500mhz but have to increase voltage to 2.0, and loosen timings to 5-5-5-15. However, I don't OC my ram so defalt is 1.8. Why give it more juice than needed!? It would just slowly degrade the life of the ram over time.[/quotemsg]


Thanks Keith,

did a bit more research and it turns out i may need to drop the voltage if anything. But you are right. At the moment I will leave it alone and hope its stable. I have CPU-Z and do use the tab you speak of. I also have a pretty easy to use BOIS it seems and can look at it in that.

Ran a few tests on it last night and no BSOD yet. Very happy with it so far. Just have to hope its stable now. If it is i can finally look into putting a water cooler in... then another HD..... then a Blu Ray Player..... the list goes on... :D
 
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Woodlore

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Dual channel at 10-10-10-27

Default for the sticks should be 9-9-9-24. On the gigabyte webiste and under the supported RAM for the motherboard the timings for my RAM were not listed. The slower timings that i have set my RAM to now, are listed.

Thanks
 
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Roland Of Gilead

Roland Of Gilead

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Good news, good to hear. I hope it stays stable, and you get many hours of enjoyment :) have fun!
 
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Flying-Q

Flying-Q

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If you are feeling in the mood for it you could always tweak one setting at a time and check stability. Say 9-10-10-27 to start with and go from there. What ever you choose, good luck.
 
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Woodlore

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Yea true. Tbh i haven't noticed a difference at all in speed drop. so as long as its stable im happy to leave it. A little confused as to why the orginal timings were causing instability in the first place. maybe something to ask gigabyte about....
thanks though.
 
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