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4x8 Ram Not running in dual mode?

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  • RAM
  • Memory
Last response: in Memory
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September 26, 2014 6:08:10 PM

I have 4x8 ram chips, all the exact same manufacture and exact same brand, speed and so forth. My channels is color coded to blue | - | - and white - | - |; I tried both channels to see results, all sticks work fine but when I try all 4 | | | | I'm only getting Single-Channel Memory mode.

I'm running Windows 8.1 with ASRock 970 Extreme4 Motherboard. Can anyone please help me?

More about : 4x8 ram running dual mode

September 26, 2014 6:20:17 PM

If you use Windows Home Premium . thr RAM is limited to 16 GB .
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September 26, 2014 6:25:11 PM

But windows 8 shouldn't have a limit, is there?
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September 26, 2014 6:27:34 PM

How do you fit 4 by 8 ram sticks in your computer? Must have a hell of a case... All jokes aside, did you buy a quad channel kit or were these bought at separate times? Even two dual channel kits (4 ram sticks total) can possibly have issues with each other.

Windows 8 limit is 128GB.
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September 26, 2014 6:28:27 PM

SandieOria said:
But windows 8 shouldn't have a limit, is there?


You are right that for Windows 8 the memory is higher
.http://
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September 26, 2014 6:29:41 PM

They were bought separately, I'm not quite sure on how this would be a problem but I'm very saddened that it doesn't work as it should.
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September 26, 2014 6:36:46 PM

SandieOria said:
They were bought separately, I'm not quite sure on how this would be a problem but I'm very saddened that it doesn't work as it should.


Well the kits are usually tested to work with each other. That doesn't mean they won't work, but with RAM it is best to buy in kits all at once. Worse comes to worse, just RMA and ask for a new kit, maybe it will work. You could also sell your used RAM sticks to get money towards a full quad channel kit, but that'd be more expensive. You may want to message SR-71 Blackbird, he knows a lot more about everything than I do, including RAM :) 

Check the SPD of the memory on your bios to make sure the kits are running at the same timings and what not. If the timings are off on one set, then dual channel won't kick in.
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September 26, 2014 6:50:32 PM

Right now I downloaded the free version of Memtest and I'm on the boo screen, is there a way for me to test that they're compatible?
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September 26, 2014 6:53:16 PM

SandieOria said:
Right now I downloaded the free version of Memtest and I'm on the boo screen, is there a way for me to test that they're compatible?


Well as long as all the memory is available, I suppose the RAM itself works. It's just not working in dual-channel mode. I'd run memtest86+ and see what results you come up with.

Also, check the model #'s of the sticks like Tradesman1 said. Sometimes you will buy something with the same title (for example, there are 2 or 3 different versions of G Skill Trident X'es with the same amount of physical memory, but with different timings. If you mix them by accident, it could lead to them not working in dual channel)
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a c 2285 } Memory
September 26, 2014 6:53:54 PM

What are the model #(s) of the sticks? - what CPU and what mobo?
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September 26, 2014 6:55:10 PM

Well, right at the start of the program it only says 8150M of memory. Hmmm.....
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September 26, 2014 6:56:53 PM

SandieOria said:
Well, right at the start of the program it only says 8150M of memory. Hmmm.....


Best check the model numbers. Did you buy any of them in a dual channel kit, or are they just 4 of the same brand name clock speed sticks? What you could do (after verifying that the model #'s of the RAM sticks are the same for each stick and that the timings are all the same) is try moving the RAM around. There are only 16 possible ways for you to place the ram (4 sticks by 4 slots = 16 possibilities), so it wouldn't take too long, but you should definitely do the above steps beforehand.
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September 26, 2014 6:58:10 PM

2.3 Installation of Memory Modules (DIMM)
This motherboard provides four 240-pin DDR3 (Double Data Rate 3) DIMM slots,
and supports Dual Channel Memory Technology. For dual channel conf guration,
you always need to install identical (the same brand, speed, size and chip-type)
DDR3 DIMM pair in the slots of the same color . In other words, you have to install
identical DDR3 DIMM pair in Dual Channel A (DDR3_A1 and DDR3_B1; Blue
slots; see p.12 No.7) or identical DDR3 DIMM pair in Dual Channel B (DDR3_
A2 and DDR3_B2; White slots; see p.12 No.8), so that Dual Channel Memory
Technology can be activated. This motherboard also allows you to install four DDR3
DIMMs for dual channel con f guration, and please install identical DDR3 DIMMs in
all four slots. You may refer to the Dual Channel Memory Conf guration Table below.
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a c 2285 } Memory
September 26, 2014 6:59:28 PM

Give us the model numbers - appears you only have 1 single 8GB stick being read - thus single channel
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September 26, 2014 7:01:20 PM

They're really just 4 same brand name and speed.
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September 26, 2014 7:03:56 PM

SandieOria said:
They're really just 4 same brand name and speed.


Download CPU-Z and give us the part number of each slot under the SPD tab.
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September 26, 2014 7:05:13 PM

Oh dear >.>; did I say 4x8? I meant 4x4.... My apologizes..... Where would I get the model number? I have CPU-Z and it shows a part number and a serial number.
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September 26, 2014 7:06:13 PM

They're all BLS4G3D1609DS1S00. for all 4
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September 26, 2014 7:07:04 PM

SandieOria said:
They're all BLS4G3D1609DS1S00. for all 4


Check the timings then for each slot. Are they all the same? It seems 2 of your sticks are working, while the other two are not. This could very well be a compatibility issue, or dead ram sticks. However, before rushing to conclusions, check the timings :) 
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September 26, 2014 7:08:09 PM

They're all the same on the timing table, yes.
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September 26, 2014 7:08:48 PM

Why do you think they dont work in dual channel mode ?
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September 26, 2014 7:09:01 PM

SandieOria said:
They're all the same on the timing table, yes.


Have you tried moving the sticks around?
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September 26, 2014 7:10:13 PM

I have, in every slot imaginable with every stick. The sticks do indeed work, tried both channels and they do work as well.
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September 26, 2014 7:10:55 PM

Tradesman1, any miracles today? :p 
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September 26, 2014 7:12:58 PM

I don't want to spend literally 200+ on a new quad kit only to expect if it's going to fail
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September 26, 2014 7:14:56 PM

SandieOria said:
I don't want to spend literally 200+ on a new quad kit only to expect if it's going to fail


Noone wants you to either :p  However, I'm lost. Hopefully someone else can chime in on this and save the day.
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September 26, 2014 7:31:02 PM

I have an update, I tried fiddling around with the memory slots again. I have discovered that when I do [|] [] [|] [] 1010; it says Single Channel Memory and only gives me 4/8 gigs.
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September 26, 2014 7:33:28 PM

SandieOria said:
I have an update, I tried fiddling around with the memory slots again. I have discovered that when I do [|] [] [|] [] 1010; it says Single Channel Memory and only gives me 4/8 gigs.


Well make sure your turning off the system and unplugging the PSU before you switch them around. Not a good idea to do them while the system is running, but I'm assuming you took those steps. I would go into your BIOS and check the advanced memory timings (the ones beyond the main 4) to see if they differ.
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September 26, 2014 7:37:46 PM

I'm looking in the bios, it says:

DRAM timing Control (Auto)
Bank interleaving (Auto)
Channel Interleaving (Auto)
Power Down Enable (Disabled)

The slots themselves do not differ in timing, speed or anything else.
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a c 2285 } Memory
September 26, 2014 7:38:50 PM

swiftleeo said:
Tradesman1, any miracles today? :p 


________________________________________

We can try, lets start with 2 sticks in slots 1-3 and manually set to 1333, 9-9-9-27 initially with the DRAM voltage at 1.575, if that shows up both sticks we'll work from there :) 

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September 26, 2014 7:39:22 PM

SandieOria said:
I'm looking in the bios, it says:

DRAM timing Control (Auto)
Bank interleaving (Auto)
Channel Interleaving (Auto)
Power Down Enable (Disabled)

The slots themselves do not differ in timing, speed or anything else.


All I can think of is dead sticks. I would try and RMA them for some new sticks.

EDIT: After following Trademans1 instructions
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September 26, 2014 7:42:11 PM

DRAM Freq is set to DDR3-1333, 9-9-9-27 is set.... How do I set the voltage?
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a c 2285 } Memory
September 26, 2014 7:43:46 PM

Should be a setting DRAM voltage or the like may be with other voltages
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September 26, 2014 7:45:52 PM

Update:

(tCL) set to - 9
(tRCD) set to - 9
(tRP) set to - 9
(tRAS) set to - 27

Voltage set to 1.575

Freq: DDR3 - 1333

Still in Single-Channel mode.
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a c 2285 } Memory
September 26, 2014 8:25:26 PM

In slots 1-3 from CPU ? How much is showing? 8GB or 4GB? If only 4GB try stick 2 in slot 2 and see what shows? If that shows 8GB then you prob have an unbalanced CPU, or broken/bent CPU pins, or bad mobo. Try them in 3,4 if 8gb showing in 1-2 and see how much if any in 3-4
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September 26, 2014 8:36:52 PM

Yea, slots 1 and 3 are filled. 8 Gigs are showing up, 4 is actually being used. When I use 1 and 2 slots, the motherboard gives me a error on the motherboard "Unspecified memory initialization error" same if I just do only slot 1 with a single stick. But when I try all sticks, no initialization error but 8/16 gigs is being received.
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a c 2285 } Memory
September 26, 2014 8:43:57 PM

What OS version? If seeing all 8 in 1-3 next look for CPU/NB voltage and set it to 1.26 and try
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September 26, 2014 8:46:21 PM

Windows 8.1, I am seeing 8 but 4 is being used. Do you still want me to try the CPU/NB Voltage?
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September 26, 2014 8:48:35 PM

Also I only have a CPU VDDA Voltage, is that I should change?
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a c 2285 } Memory
September 26, 2014 8:50:28 PM

Let me pull a manual for your mobo, back in a bit
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September 26, 2014 8:53:27 PM

Alright, also thank you for spending your time trying to fix this problem. I can't thank you enough.
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a c 2285 } Memory
September 26, 2014 8:53:53 PM

NB voltage
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September 26, 2014 8:56:57 PM

I set NB to 1.6, restarted with 1010 in slots; Still Single-Channel Mode. 8 gigs found, 4 being used.
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a c 2285 } Memory
September 26, 2014 8:59:08 PM

Spool the 1.6 down, try at 1.26
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September 26, 2014 9:01:02 PM

SandieOria said:
DRAM Freq is set to DDR3-1333, 9-9-9-27 is set.... How do I set the voltage?


SandieOria said:
I set NB to 1.6, restarted with 1010 in slots; Still Single-Channel Mode. 8 gigs found, 4 being used.


You mentioned 4 being used. Are you running 32 bit? I mean it doesn't have much to do with the RAM itself, but if you are running 32 bit your sitting on 12GB of useless (well... almost useless... Ramdisks are pretty cool) RAM.
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September 26, 2014 9:03:14 PM

Spooled it down to 1.26; still same result.
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a c 2285 } Memory
September 26, 2014 9:10:59 PM

Might want to pull the CPU and check for bent/broken pins or debris in the socket, another possible is clean the contacts on the DRAM and blow out the sockets w/ compressed air..
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September 26, 2014 9:28:41 PM

Hmm, after some testing, I now realize neither slot 1 or 2 work at all. 3 + 4 work like a charm. Tried all 4 sticks in 3, worked. Tried all sticks in 4, worked. Tried all sticks in 1 and 2, neither of them work.
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September 26, 2014 9:30:29 PM

SandieOria said:
Hmm, after some testing, I now realize neither slot 1 or 2 work at all. 3 + 4 work like a charm. Tried all 4 sticks in 3, worked. Tried all sticks in 4, worked. Tried all sticks in 1 and 2, neither of them work.


Could be a motherboard issue... ouch. What processor are you running on it?
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September 26, 2014 9:34:21 PM

AMD 8350 8 core, I'm not a total computer techie, but can't I just buy a new Mobo? (If I could just do that, I wouldn't mind that at all. Cheaper than the Ram chips)
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