Cannot get dual-channel to work on motherboard?

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Jwaspe86

Honorable
Feb 11, 2014
21
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10,510
Hi,

I recently purchased an ASRock H87 Pro4 motherboard and 2x4GB DDR3 RAM (8GB total).

No matter which way I put the RAM sticks in, it simply will not have them as dual channel. It says that Channel B failed the CPU memory test. I have tried this with having cards in A1&B1, or A2&B2 (the 'paired' combinations), with each card in each slot. It is not a problem with the RAM. If I place them directly next to each other (A1 & A2) the machine runs with full 8GB RAM, just on single channel.

The only thing I can conclude is that I have purchased a defective motherboard - does anyone have any other theories or tests to suggest before I claim for a refund?

Additionally, how much slower is 8GB running in single channel than dual channel? Laziness instinct after going through the hassle of setting it up and all.. if it's only a minor difference I'll make do, but if it is a considerable difference I'll just have to try again..
 
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Thank you, Yogi. I don't have the prerequisite components to do that yet, is there anything I can look into until then? If it -is- a bent pin in the CPU socket, that would still equate to a motherboard defect requiring replacement I assume? Are there any other tests I can run to rule out a motherboard problem? If it equates to a mobo problem, I'll send it back for replacement.

Would updating BIOS be worth a shot?
The memory did say "For Intel Sandy Bridge" platform I later noticed, would that pose any kind of compatibility problem? The RAM is still loading up single channel.
Click to expand...

This is a classic CPU/CPU socket problem. The problem is due to a lack of communication between the CPU's IMC (Integrated Memory Controller) and the MB...
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J

Jwaspe86

Honorable
Feb 11, 2014
21
0
10,510
The left-most two slots always work fine, the right-most two slots have no far neverworked.

So, if RAM is in slots 1 & 3, 1 registers and 3 does not.
If RAM is in slots 2 & 4, 2 registers and 4 does not.
If RAM is in slots 1 & 2, they both register, just as single channel
If RAM is in slots 3 & 4, the computer does not even start into BIOS.

ASock H87 Pro4 motherboard
G.Skill 8GBXL Main Memory DDR3 8 GB PC1600 CL9 Ram Kit 2x 4 GB
Intel Core i5 4570 CPU

The only thing left to consider is updating the BIOS/drivers. This runs off either Windows, Insta Flash or USBapparently - how do I determine which in the case of the above mobo?

Getting a bit lost now and fearing a motherboard defect.
 
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J

Jwaspe86

Honorable
Feb 11, 2014
21
0
10,510
Thank you, Yogi. I don't have the prerequisite components to do that yet, is there anything I can look into until then? If it -is- a bent pin in the CPU socket, that would still equate to a motherboard defect requiring replacement I assume? Are there any other tests I can run to rule out a motherboard problem? If it equates to a mobo problem, I'll send it back for replacement.

Would updating BIOS be worth a shot?
The memory did say "For Intel Sandy Bridge" platform I later noticed, would that pose any kind of compatibility problem? The RAM is still loading up single channel.
 
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Y

Y0GI

Splendid
Jul 22, 2013
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Thank you, Yogi. I don't have the prerequisite components to do that yet, is there anything I can look into until then? If it -is- a bent pin in the CPU socket, that would still equate to a motherboard defect requiring replacement I assume? Are there any other tests I can run to rule out a motherboard problem? If it equates to a mobo problem, I'll send it back for replacement.

Would updating BIOS be worth a shot?
The memory did say "For Intel Sandy Bridge" platform I later noticed, would that pose any kind of compatibility problem? The RAM is still loading up single channel.
Click to expand...

This is a classic CPU/CPU socket problem. The problem is due to a lack of communication between the CPU's IMC (Integrated Memory Controller) and the MB. I would RMA the board.

A BIOS update is very unlikely to help.

Don't worry about the "For Intel Sandy Bridge" comment. According to G.Skill your RAM is on the Asrock QVL for the H87 Pro4: http://www.gskill.com/en/product/f3-12800cl9d-8gbxl

Yogi
 
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