Weird memory problem

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BFG1nsane

BFG1nsane

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Mar 29, 2014
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Hey guys, I've ran into a dilemma with a budget gaming build that I'm building for a friend. I'm selling him my Patriot Viper 3 16gb (2x8) 2133 kit that I have which works fine in my build. Before I installed windows and before some of the updates it read all 16gb. Now that the updates are done and stuff it only reads 12gb. In the bios it says that one of the memory modules is only running 4gb instead of 8gb. I put these in my build wondering if somehow the memory went bad but it works just fine. I have removed them and re-installed them but I didn't try switching them or trying the second channel yet (which I'll try right now). The operating system is Windows 7 Home Premium which has a 16gb limit so I'm at a loss here. Maybe I unintentionally changed something in the bios on accident. Any advice or ideas guys?

Specs:
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-D3H
CPU: AMD Athlon II x4 740 (Stock cooler + mx-4)
Ram: Patriot Viper 3 2133 16gb (2x8)
HDD: WD Blue 1tb 7200rpm
PSU: Seasonic G-series 550w 80+gold
GPU: XFX HD 6870 Double-D
OS: Win 7 HP
Case: NZXT Vulcan
 
Solution
geofelt
The gold standard test for ram is memtest86+
It should show you exactly what you have. Run it for a couple of passes with NO errors to prove the ram is ok.

Sometimes a motherboard bios needs to be updated for ram issues. Check that out, but do not update your bios unless it looks like that will fix your problem.
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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The gold standard test for ram is memtest86+
It should show you exactly what you have. Run it for a couple of passes with NO errors to prove the ram is ok.

Sometimes a motherboard bios needs to be updated for ram issues. Check that out, but do not update your bios unless it looks like that will fix your problem.
 
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Solution
BFG1nsane

BFG1nsane

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Mar 29, 2014
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Well I did what Tradesman1 recommended and it seems to be working. I put them in channel B out of curiosity and they work without voltage changes. I did what geofelt said and ran memtest86+ and got no errors while they are still in channel B. I'm guessing its something with the motherboard, I'll try a bios update sometime to see if that makes a difference sometime. I'm glad its working, thanks guys this was a new experience for me, never ran into this before while building computers. Wish I could give both of you the best answer because you were both right, went with geofelt because he answered first. Thanks again! Happy building and gaming guys.
 
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BFG1nsane

BFG1nsane

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Mar 29, 2014
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Oh man I just now realized what I've been saying, my bad total brain fart on my part...(major face palm)
Yes they are in dual channel, I've been having problems in slot 1-3 configuration but 2-4 work fine. 1-3 works with voltages pushed up +0.05, worked at +0.04 as well but I didn't try testing it so I kept it at +0.05. In the 2-4 configuration no voltage tweaking required(so far) so I currently have the installed in that configuration. I'm guessing one of the dram slots is slightly bad or something but its really no big deal now because he will never add ram, 16gb is sort of overkill for gaming at the moment.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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2133 ram is really 1333 ram that has the ability to be overclocked via a voltage increase to higher speeds.
Are you using a 2133 XMP selection?
What voltage is the ram running at?
CPU-Z will tell you.

I am thinking that this is a very normal situation.

 
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BFG1nsane

BFG1nsane

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Mar 29, 2014
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Yes its in XMP profile 1, in my gaming build and this budget build it defaulted to 1333 like usual and probably most ram out there. Its been almost plug n play with this ram, just quick do xmp and check memory timings and save and exit bios. Ran just fine at 1.5v 11-11-11-30 timings in my rig and 2-4 slots in this build, the 1-3 though you have to raise the voltage to 1.55v so it reads all 16gb in bios. I honestly don't know why its a mystery and like Tradesman1 said slots 1-3 would probably work fine if 2-4 are being used. Everything is probably normal and fine like you said, just sort of weird how 1-3 are different than 2-4. CPU-Z is a good idea I'll have to use that next time I hang with my friend, he literally came over and picked it up 30 minutes ago lol
 
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