Problem using four identical modules

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currentd

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I built a new system in June with a Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H motherboard, an Intel i7-3770 CPU, and four identical modules of 8 GB Corsair DDR3 1600 memory. Ever since, I often get a 0x1A-41790 BSOD indicating a memory problem. If I get the BSOD, it will always be shortly after booting and after the machine reboots there is never a further problem until I do a cold boot again. After researching the problem, I suspected the problem related to the RAM, so I reinstalled it only a pair at a time, and each pair functioned without a problem in either pair of sockets. Then I went to the Corsair website and happened to read this FAQ: "I have two Corsair Memory modules that work fine together but when I add two more modules of the matching part number, they won’t work.

Each kit of Corsair Memory is tested to run at its advertised settings in the configuration in which they are sold. If you purchase a 4GB kit (2x2GB), then we can only guarantee its performance and compatibility when using it as a single kit. To ensure the best results with more than two memory modules installed in the same system, it is best to get a kit which has been tested to run in that configuration.

While it is defintiely possible that two kits would run together in the same system, there is a chance that you may need to reduce the speed of the memory due to motherboard chipset limitations when populating more than one memory module per channel on the board. If you have problems mixing sets, it is suggested to manually lower the frequency of the memory."

Is that possible? I have never heard of such a thing. I thought that if the modules were identical and within the limitations of the system, they would necessarily function together. What do I do now? Reduce the speed of the memory? Increase the voltage?
 
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CepheiA

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It is true that identical dual-channel kits should work together fine, but it is also true and better to purchase a quad-channel kit if the priority is to jump into using 4 DIMMs.

You might want to test the sticks with Memtest 86 to ensure it isnt a single DIMM that isnt messing up the whole configuration.

If everything passes, you can try lowering the speeds to 1333mhz, while this might not be ideal to you, the difference in speed in real world computing will not be noticeable.
 
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currentd

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I had already run Memtest extensively on all four modules together, and no problems at all showed up. I suppose I will have to resign myself to lowering the speed to 1333, but one thing still puzzles me: Why does the machine always run successfully with all four modules after it reboots after the BSOD? I think before I reduce the speed, I will try noting the automatic memory settings in BIOS when I cold boot with those after it reboots after a BSOD to see if the BIOS is making an automatic correction on its own.

Thanks for your help.
 
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Tradesman1

Tradesman1

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Any time you mix sets, even the same exact model, it can be problematic, just at the CS rep said, however what you can try here is simply raise the DRAM voltage + 0.06 over spec and raise the MC (memory controller) (which I believe is CPUVTT on your mobo) voltage just a bit About + 0.07 and give that a try at spec freq and timings
 
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currentd

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Sorry to take so long in getting back. I put all four modules back in and went for so many days without a BSOD that I was beginning to believe in spontaneous healing. But then I got a BSOD of the familiar sort, so I went to try Tradesman1's solution of raising the voltages, but then had to spent several days figuring out just how to do that. I finally figured that out and have raised the VTT voltage from 1.05 to 1.12 and the DRAM voltage from 1.50 to 1.56 as suggested. So far there have been no problems. I will get back to you one way or the other after a few more days.
 
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currentd

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I got the BSOD today when I booted using the new voltages, so I reduced them back to the 'optimized defaults' and reduced the DRAM frequency to 1333. Maybe it's not the memory at all but the motherboard. I have no way of doing controlled testing, so this is merely anecdotal, but it seems every time I enter BIOS after doing a cold boot, even if I simply exit out without making any changes, I have no problem after the boot, but if I boot straight into Windows, I will get the problem but not every time.
 
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currentd

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I increased the VCore voltage from 1.135 to 1.165, put the VTT voltage back at 1.12 (up .07) and the DRAM voltage back at 1.56 (up .06), and returned the DRAM frequency to 1600. It may take a few days before I can tell one way or the other if this was successful.
 
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currentd

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Today, I got the BSOD prior to booting into Windows and it was an x50, which appears to be similar to but different from the x1A. At the machine's suggestion, I booted into Windows repair, but that didn't appear to do anything useful, so I booted normally into Windows and everything is functioning fine. The dump analysis said that 'it could not read the faulting driver name' but that it is probably tdrpm258.sys and that the process was csrss.exe, which means nothing to me except that I have probably been barking up the wrong tree, and the memory problem is of a different sort than I had thought.

I have gotten the BSOD before prior to booting into Windows, so this isn't unheard of, but it is much rarer than getting it after Windows is running. I had never bothered to notice what the bugcheck number was is such cases before.
 
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4Ryan6

4Ryan6

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I would like to help if possible but I am not 100% clear on what you actually purchased and are running?

I built a new system in June with a Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD5H motherboard, an Intel i7-3770 CPU, and four identical modules of 8 GB Corsair DDR3 1600 memory.
Click to expand...

Did you buy 4 single packaged modules? please clarify and be 100% clear on what you actually purchased, along with the exact model#s of the modules, including the listed timings and voltage information on the labels of the modules themselves.

Is that possible? I have never heard of such a thing. I thought that if the modules were identical and within the limitations of the system, they would necessarily function together. What do I do now? Reduce the speed of the memory? Increase the voltage?
Click to expand...

Absolutely it's possible and the main reason we buy tested kits because the tested kits have been pre-tested to run together error free, but there are zero guarantees even running 2 identical tested kits much less 4 individual modules.

So as Tradesman said:

It is true that identical dual-channel kits should work together fine, but it is also true and better to purchase a quad-channel kit if the priority is to jump into using 4 DIMMs.
Click to expand...

So if you will, clarify this purchase information including model #s and lets see if we can get you past this problem.

 
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currentd

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Tradesman1: I raised the VTT voltage by .04 bringing it now up to 1.16 up a total of .11 from the default voltage of 1.05. It's up and running fine, but it generally is after I've gone into BIOS prior to booting into Windows.

4Ryan6: I installed 2 kits of Corsair Vengeance memory, CMZ16GX3M2A1600C10B, each containing two identical 8 GB modules, 10-10-10-27, 1.5v, DDR3, 240 pin. Unfortunately, not anticipating a problem, I didn't mark and don't recall which module came with which module in which kit.
 
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Tradesman1

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This is one of the problems many often run into when mixing sets of DRAM, generally, can be overcome with small voltage increases to the DRAM and MC, but not always, couldd also possibly contact Corsair and see if they might exchange for a matched set of 4
 
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4Ryan6

4Ryan6

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Try running the full 32g @ 1600mhz at 11,11,11,30 at a 2T or 2N command rate at 1.50v and see it they will all work together at 1600mhz with those timings?

 
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currentd

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Tradesman1: With your new settings, I got the familiar 0x1A BSOD when I booted today.

4Ryan6: I went into BIOS and set the timings for both channel A and channel B to 11-11-11-30. The Command Rate was set at 2 and I left it. I'm not sure what 2T or 2N meant in this context; my choices were 1, 2, or 3. I left the frequency at 1600 mhz and returned all the voltages to the default settings: for DRAM, 1.5v; VTT, 1.05v; and VCore, 1.13v, which is what I presumed you meant for me to do. The machine is up and running. The test will be what it does after it cold boots a few times.
 
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4Ryan6

4Ryan6

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Some motherboards list the command rate as either a 2T or 2N, yours obviously doesn't but it all looks good!

Now we'll see how it goes?

 
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currentd

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No, it didn't for the short period of time where I did that. I experimented with a pair in the 1 and 2 slots, and then the next day in the 3 and 4 slots; then the other pair likewise, and never had a BSOD. It also didn't occur for the short period of time where I had all four at 1333, but that was only a day or two. It also won't occur if I go into BIOS before booting into Windows regardless of whether I change anything in BIOS. And it won't occur after the machine reboots after the BSOD.
 
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currentd

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Although I have never done an RMA, there are several reasons: 1) I purchased these from Newegg.com in the US just over a year ago, while I was accumulating parts for a new computer by taking advantage of sales, and I have been using them since June. I have no idea if they would still qualify for an RMA under those circumstances. 2) I live in Germany and at that time worked for the US Forces and could receive such things from the US through the military mail. I have since retired and only have a German address, so I have no way of dealing with the vendor any more. 3) I presume to RMA them I would have to send them in first before I would receive any replacement, so I would be without the use of my main computer, which I can't afford to do at this time when I am preparing my US and German taxes. 4) I have never seen a 4x8 GB kit. Newegg at that time didn't offer any. Amazon.de doesn't offer any. [Curiously, even the Gigabyte website doesn't recommend any 4x8 kits for my motherboard. In fact, they don't recommend any 4x's at all, not even 4x4, 4x2 or 4x1!] I take the last sentence back. They do recommend several 4x kits including one that appears comparable to my modules; however, it was not available at Newegg at the time I bought mine, and it is still not available at amazon.de.
 
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