Asrock G41C-GS DDR3 Problem

geeksie · Aug 19, 2014

Hello,
I have an Asrock G41C-GS motherboard with an e8500 CPU and DDR2 RAM. This PC is mainly to be used as a small server for some games.
Recently I bought some DDR3 RAM from Corsair which failed to boot. I checked the RAM compatibility list of my motherboard and it wasn't supported. Then I bought these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231275
I really hoped they would worked because they are on the compatibility list, but still the PC wouldn't boot, only a black screen, although with the old DDR2 it would boot fine.
I can't be sure if the RAM is DOA or not.

Here are some links to my specs:
Motherboard: http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/G41C-GS/
CPU: http://ark.intel.com/products/33911/Intel-Core2-Duo-Processor-E8500-6M-Cache-3_16-GHz-1333-MHz-FSB
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231275

I already know I have to setup the FSB to short the pins, so that's not the problem. I would guess that the motherboard can read the RAM timings automatically, so that's my settings on BIOS, everything automatic, even on the CPU.

If anyone has an idea of how I could solve this it would be appreciated. I know it's an old rig, but has been very useful for me and some friends.
Thank you.

clutchc · Aug 19, 2014

You seem pretty knowledgeable, so I presume you know you have to remove the DDR2 sticks before using the DDR3 sticks, right?
Dose the board boot with a single stick of the DDR3 in the first slot?
I highly doubt both new sticks would be bad. It's rare that even one is bad.
I'm not familiar with the FSB pin shorting you refer to. I guess I could read the manual and learn, though. What page is that described on?

junkeymonkey · Aug 19, 2014

the chip has to support the ram if its a cpu that runs ddr2 you must use the ddr2 memory in the 2 ddr2 slots and the same for the ddr3 you cant use a cpu for ddr2 and run it on ddr3 memory also I see that the memory only supports up to 1333

also for some reason I cant figure or find out if that chip uses ddr2 or ddr3 ??

clutchc · Aug 19, 2014

@ junkymonkey
I don't think he has to be concerned about the CPU not recognizing the DDR3. Unlike newer Intel CPUs and most AMD CPUs, the memory controller was still on the motherboard for that generation. And since the MB supports both DDR2 and DDR3, it should not be an issue.

junkeymonkey · Aug 19, 2014

mayen I got the amd board like this and if I use a am2 chip I need to use the ddr2 or I can use a am3+ but then need to use the ddr3 but I did see where this was clear on this intel .. well I tried though seemed odd on the support of this no too up front

junkeymonkey · Aug 19, 2014

as I posted my last post I remembered this from yesterday and wonder if this issue here is the same as the best answer in it [??].. from kingston

'' memory is not compatible with your motherboard since it does not support High Density or Single Rank 4GB memory modules. ''

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2265275/ram-compability-motherboard.html

geeksie · Aug 19, 2014

Yes I am not using both DDR2 and DDR3. I tested them out one each time. My motherboard compability list shows that it is supported: http://www.asrock.com/mb/memory/G41C-GS.pdf
It's the F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM RAM from G.Skill
the motherboard is a combo DDR2 and DDR3, so it should support both. I don't get why it's not. Could it have something to do with the DRAM settings on bios? They are all on auto.

Calvin7 · Aug 19, 2014

◾Supports Dual Channel DDR3 1333(OC). That's overclocked. If your not overclocking then a slower DDR3 1066MHz is recommended.

geeksie · Aug 19, 2014

I have the settings on the BIOS set to overclock optimized. Would that cause any problem?

junkeymonkey · Aug 19, 2014

maybe but I don't think it supports ddr3 and 2 at the same time its either ddr3 or ddr2 [???]

geeksie · Aug 19, 2014

Of course, it only supports one at each time. I tried with DDR2 only and it works. I tried with DDR3 only and it didn't work.

junkeymonkey · Aug 19, 2014

I was reading the newegg reviews on your board and looks like this is a issue with some folks like this guy... so far all I see is set the ddr3 in there slots and clear/reset the bios back to default and set it for the ddr3 from scratch

hard to configure memory

Pros: dual memory types.

Cons: had two of these motherboards, first one returned as it had defective pins in the cpu mount. stuff happens, refund issued not a big deal. second one ordered (didn't want to wait for RMA) also bought 2x4GB 1066 memory as it stated that it was compatible..... not so much, also had just bought 4GB 1333 frequency memory stick (also said was compatible just have to change a jumper setting on the motherboard) ...... not so much. had a 4GB 1600 frequency stick of memory which is not supposed to be supported..... and that's the one that works. so now I don't have enough memory of the frequency that works so I have to order more. this board is not for the faint of heart or someone who doesn't have access to a lot of different memory sticks.

Other Thoughts: .... the cpu I am using with this build is a 1333 quad core. which is supposed to be compatible with all the memory listed above except 1600.... go figure

and a few more like this on ddr3 with this board [???]

clutchc · Aug 19, 2014

Yeah, I think I'd try a BIOS reset next.

geeksie · Aug 20, 2014

I have tried clearing the CMOS before by shorting a pin and it clears the BIOS settings. Is that what you mean?
Should I take the small battery as well to reset the BIOS?

junkeymonkey · Aug 20, 2014

ya try the battery .. don't know guy-- seems the intel g41 chipset boards could be flakey when using the ddr3 memory on them .. also I wonder if it was one of the first chipsets that supported ddr3 and all the kinks were not worked out on it and it comes down to were you lucky to get one that it did ??

I looked some yesterday and some today and never found nothing solid on this chipset and ddr3

clutchc · Aug 20, 2014

Did you ever try a single stick?

geeksie · Aug 21, 2014

Yes I tried a single stick and it wouldn't work. I contacted Asrock and was told that due to G41 chipset, some memory modules may not work depending on the chip. I was told that a 512mb memory chip might not work with the G41.
I am waiting for a definitive response, if I find a solution or resolution to this I will post it here.

Thank you all for your help.

junkeymonkey · Aug 21, 2014

did you tell them the memory was on there approved list??

from corsair '' The MB uses the G41 Chipset and while it states it can use up to 8 Gig of memory the modules have to made with 128M X 8 Memory IC's and most of our production has moved to 512M X 8 Memory IC's which are not compatible with that MB.

but like I said above that chipset seemed week with ddr3 and it looked to come down to a hit or miss with it due to ddr3 was new at the time and not as refined as it is now ..

one other thing is you can see if theres a jedec setting for you ddr3 memory for 1066 MHz and set it to that and see if it will post

Asrock G41C-GS DDR3 Problem

Reputable

Titan

Polypheme

Titan

Polypheme

Polypheme

Reputable

Titan

Reputable

Polypheme

Reputable

Polypheme

Titan

Reputable

Polypheme

Titan

Reputable

Polypheme

Share this page