8GB DDR3 1600 shows as 1333, only 4GB usable

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011mtaylor

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Nov 1, 2013
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10,510
Recently bought new memory (link) to go with my new AM3+ motherboard (link), been having strange problems.

By default my motherboard sets it to 1333. When I manually change the speed to 1600, the BIOS only detects 4gb, and Windows shows 4gb as usable and the other 4gb as "hardware reserved."

I can get the full 8gb to work at 1600 only intermittently. Is there something wrong with the motherboard, memory compatibility, or something else?
 
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011mtaylor

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Nov 1, 2013
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10,510
Thanks for the fast responses guys
I checked my mobo manual and it turns out I had the sticks in the wrong slots for dual channel. I previously had them in slots A1+A2 when I actually needed them in A2+B2. However, I changed over the slots and I'm still having the same problem. I don't have time to memtest right now but I can try it later tonight.

Corsair Vengeance 1600 2x4gb, I have the link in my OP.

Yes I have Win 8.1 x64, and yes I've enabled XMP mode. The problem actually occurs when I have XMP mode turned on. When XMP is disabled and set to auto, the BIOS sets the ram to 1333 and (usually) detects 8gb. But on my last couple attempts the BIOS has only been finding 4gb even with XMP mode disabled.

 
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011mtaylor

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Nov 1, 2013
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10,510
I checked the Biostar website and it looks like I have the latest BIOS version, but there were only two versions listed.

It's also probably worth noting that this is my second set of ram, I had to RMA the first set I received. When I installed the first set the system wouldn't post, so I pulled out the second stick and noticed a mysterious damaged lead where the lead had just broken off. I didn't inspect the ram before I installed it so I wasn't able to determine if it came broken like that or if the mobo damaged the ram stick. The ram slot that this occurred in seems to work ok.

Anyways I'll get back to you guys in a few hours with the memtest results. Thx for the help so far.

 
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011mtaylor

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Nov 1, 2013
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10,510
So I memtested the first stick by itself 2 passes with zero errors, then when I went to test the second stick by itself the computer would not even post, i just got the beep code associated with memory problems. Took out stick #2 and replaced it with stick #1, computer booted right up.

So apparently my brand new ram is broken and needs to be RMA'd for a second time? Honestly I think I'm going to ship this p.o.s. mobo back as well and get a different brand. I don't see how two sets of ram fail all by themselves.
 
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Faruk Aksamija

Faruk Aksamija

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Sep 25, 2013
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Well, try putting only 1 ram into slot and put it on 1600 mhz. If that works put another ram and do the same. If both rams fail to stay on 4gigs 1600mhz RMA them. If only one fails there is the problem. If both rams pass it put then both on mobo and in bios configure them to run at 1600mhz on 1.5 v with 9 cas letency and 9-9-9-24 Timings. If u get same issue again try putting 1.55 v on your ram. Before doing this set your motherboard to default settings.
 
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