DDR2 compatability issues (4/6 GB works but 8 causing trouble)

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OrionG

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Sep 2, 2014
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Hi all i bought some components to upgrade my old PC the other day.
the general specs are as follows:
a fresh install of Win8.1 PRO
CPU - Intel Core2 Quad Q9550
MoBo - Asus P5Q SE
GPU - R9 280X (new addition)
PSU - Enermax liberty 500W

the original ram used till today was 2X2GB sticks from GEIL that are PC6400 (400MHz each)
the new additional ram is from G.Skill and has the same specs of speed voltage and cas.
both run at 400MHz
5-5-5-15
and 1.8v

everything runs fine on the original 4GB (in dual channel #2 #4) and everything is ok when i add 1 stick of the new G.Skill to a total of 6GB (channels #1 + #2 #4).
but when i try adding the second stick to #3 everything starts to crumble.

the Bios and OS does boot and recognize 8GB, but i start getting "memory write errors" and glitches apps and web-browsing. (happens in Win8 and also in Win7 before format)
And also had some trouble installing the new OS with 8GB.

i checked each new stick on their own and they work fine.
i also checked the system with 4G from the new G.Skill to make sure they are not faulty
i also disconnected a secondary HDD to make sure its not a PSU outage problem

what could be the issue? is it PSU? is it bios settings?
im going NUTS!

thanks!
 
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juanrdp

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Nov 7, 2012
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Err, from the Asus tech specs:

Memory tuning from 667MHz up to 1333MHz for DDR2

http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P5Q_SE/specifications/

You are sure you have it working at 400MHz? what is your FSB speed and memory multiplier?
Have also checked that you have the same CAS for diferent slots if your bios allow it?

 
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juanrdp

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Nov 7, 2012
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Yep, i think that you can working at the slowest of the two sets, only need to maintain the same modules on the dualed channels.

If the motherboard has two pairs of differently colored DIMM sockets (the colors indicate which bank they belong to, bank 0 or bank 1), then one can place a matched pair of memory modules in bank 0, but a different-capacity pair of modules in bank 1, as long as they are of the same speed. Using this scheme, a pair of 1 GiB memory modules in bank 0 and a pair of matched 512 MB modules in bank 1 would be acceptable for dual-channel operation.[6]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-channel_memory_architecture#Operation


 
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jitpublisher

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May 16, 2006
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You should not mix memory brands, speeds, or voltages. While yours is the same settings and only different brands, there is still no promise that it will work together. Many times when installing more than 2 sticks of memory, especially on old DDR2 systems, a slight bump in voltage may be required to get all the sticks to play nicely together. Try adjusting the voltage in the BIOS up slightly to see if things get better, like 1.84 or 1.86.
 
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OrionG

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Sep 2, 2014
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got it... i know how to install the hardware guys.
Jitpublisher. i will give it a shot as my bios is pretty flexible in terms of modulating things... worst case i will go get an extra pair but i hope not to ^_^
the safest way to start is at 1.84?
 
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OrionG

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Sep 2, 2014
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4,510
seems like all that was needed to be done is to update the BIOS to the latest ver.
apparently ASUS has added extra support during 2008 and my bios was probably a bit older.
seems everything is at order but i will stress test it to make sure.

now all there's left to be done is to boost the CPU a bit to help it cope with the toll today's life.
any idea on how exactly do i OC on that old sucker while i also ask GOOGLE for some help? :D
 
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