Computer shutting itself off after installing new RAM

MetroidJunkie

Reputable
Dec 16, 2015
2
0
4,510
My computer is a Dell HP Compaq DC7900 Mini-Tower with a 3.16GHz Intel Core2 Duo, 5GB of DDR2 RAM (1x2GB and 3x1GB), an Intel X4500 GPU with an AMD HD 5670 512MB in a PCIe slot, and 365-watt PSU. The OS is Windows 10 Home 64-bit, though it also shut off when I tried to usb boot Linux Mint.

The newer RAM in question is 4x2GB, totaling 8GB, and contains is classified as Samsung PC2-5300 DDR2-667MHZ 240pin DIMM Desktop Memory For Intel.

The BiOS correctly identifies it as 667MHz, it seems to use less volts than the recommended RAM for this computer (1.5 compared to 1.8 for the recommended), my computer temperatures seemed just fine (Open Hardware Monitor had the components at 38-42 degrees C) at the moment it crashed.

Even if I just replace the 2GB stick in it prior with one of these sticks, it still crashes, albeit it lasts longer before crashing. I'm at a loss for what the problem is, is this RAM simply incompatible with this motherboard? Should I return it and get my money back or is it possible to get it to work somehow? I would try changing the voltage/timing/etc in the BiOS but, as this is HP, it's locked out.
 

Tradesman1

Legenda in Aeternum
Sounds like it, may just not be compatible, prebuilt computers very seldom have much DRAM support built in other than the DRAM they use or sell (want you to come to them for upgrades at highly inflated prices) and sadly, with their locked BIOSs, you can't make adjustments to the timings/voltages like you can with an enthusiast mobo
 

MetroidJunkie

Reputable
Dec 16, 2015
2
0
4,510
By chance, does the PC2 number have an impact on the RAM? I just realized that the RAM I got is PC2-5300 while the RAM my computer uses is PC2-6400 and I just so happened to find PC2-6400 for relatively the same price. Should I have gotten that instead?