Ram causing system ustability

Dom1555

Commendable
Feb 10, 2017
7
0
1,510
Hello,

it is my first build so I made a mistake in components I chose. Specifically Corsair Vengeance 8gb ram. Which is apparently is usable mainly with Intel processors and I were not aware of that when I was buying components.
I saw somewhere that people are still able to use this ram with different AMD cpu's and/or different mobo than mine.

When I try to use ram at its specified clock and latency (2400Mhz 11-13-13-31 DOCP) I get BSOD (after 30min) or failure to overclock.

When I try to lower the clock and/or latency I get same system instabilities.
If I just leave everything on auto Windows and bios only shows 4GB of ram at 1333Mhz (still detects both sticks).

I spent a lot of time lurking here and tried a few things but nothing seems to help.
Manufacturer says that mobo can handle 2400Mhz.

System appear to run stably on one of the sticks overclocked.

Windows memory test says that both of sticks are ok (when I run them separately and together)

My components used in the computer (Windows 8.1 x64):

Zotac GeForce GTX 1050 2 GB

Asus A68HM-K Motherboard (Socket FM2+, AMD A68H FCH, DDR3, S-ATA 600, Micro ATX)

AMD Athlon X4 860K Quad-Core 3.7GHz 4MB Socket FM2+ 95W Desktop Processor

Corsair CMY8GX3M2A2400C11R Vengeance Pro Series 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 2400Mhz CL11 XMP Performance

Cheap PSU
 
Solution
Manually set your timings and speed. Set the timings to just what the set says. 11-13-13-31, set the speed to 2133 (not 2400), set the voltage to 1.67.
Anytime your using overclocked memory you might need to adjust it some.

jty0yt

Reputable
Sep 3, 2014
363
0
4,960
RAM is RAM and DDR3 memory will run on a DDR3 equipped motherboard. My guess is your RAM is faulty. Have you tried just one stick in one slot then in the other, then the other slot in one slot in the other? Maybe you'll notice something wrong with one of the RAM modules or slots using this method.
 

Zerk2012

Titan
Ambassador
Manually set your timings and speed. Set the timings to just what the set says. 11-13-13-31, set the speed to 2133 (not 2400), set the voltage to 1.67.
Anytime your using overclocked memory you might need to adjust it some.
 
Solution

Dom1555

Commendable
Feb 10, 2017
7
0
1,510


Will try that as soon as I get home. Thank you.
 

Dom1555

Commendable
Feb 10, 2017
7
0
1,510


I did that. Both of them work separately in both slots even when overclocked. Right now system is running stable with one of the sticks overclocked. Everything goes wrong when I used them both.
 
The memory controller is in the CPU which is rated at 2133MHz memory so you are overclocking, which requires more voltage on the RAM and/or memory controller, especially when trying to run dual-channel.

You don't really need that kind of bandwidth as you are not running an APU so I would stick with 2133. Incidentally lowering the latency makes things worse, not better if you are trying for stability.

Seeing only half the capacity is worrisome as that usually only happens with higher-density memory than was around when the chipset/BIOS was made. See if there is a newer BIOS
 

Dom1555

Commendable
Feb 10, 2017
7
0
1,510


Thank you very much for your response and explanation.

I have tried running on 1333mhz and 1600mhz with different latency. Both of them appeared unstable. Never tried 2133Mhz.

I have never played with voltage because I was afraid to cause harm on components.

About BIOS thing. How I understood you were talking about BIOS update. In that case I have already flashed it to latest 1503 from manufacturers website.
 


Bottom line? One or both of your sticks is faulty. It goes from single channel operation to dual channel operation and at that point it still operates in single channel mode(only shows 4GB). That sorta suggests a DIMM slot issue. BUT when used one at a time they operate as prescribed by the manufacturer which places the blame back on the modules.

It's most certainly time to start an RMA or a return to the store these were purchased from.

Lastly, you can look to the Memory QVL for some hints. It's a basic guideline(not exhaustive and complete list of compatible modules) for RAM that is compatible with that board. http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/SocketFM2/A68HM-E/FM2_2DIMM_KAVERI_160427.pdf?_ga=1.118390281.1254955112.1486734015 shows your assumption is incorrect.

Specifically Corsair Vengeance 8gb ram. Which is apparently is usable mainly with Intel processors and I were not aware of that when I was buying components.

How did you arrive at that conclusion. Specifically 8GB? You're using 4GB modules. That's the first inconsistency. Second your mistake may have been not visiting your motherboard's page and looking to the Memory QVL.

I want to purchase Corsair Vengeance 8GB module. Your first conclusion. I look to the part number and then look to the QVL. I find CMZ4GX3M1A1600C9 over at the QVL http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/SocketFM2/A68HM-E/FM2_2DIMM_KAVERI_160427.pdf?_ga=1.118390281.1254955112.1486734015 which means that the 8GB module is compatible. I then saw 4GB modules in your parts list. Back to the QVL. I see CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9 within that list as well. Both are from the Corsair Vengeance line.

Compatibility has been confirmed. Stability has not been. That's why I suggest the RMA. I suggest one with XMP if your modules lack that. More importantly I suggest you stick to the QVL. That however is not required. Like I said, it's a guidline and not a complete list.

https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-HyperX-1600MHz-Non-ECC-HX316C9SRK2/dp/B00N8H066A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486735318 and https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-HyperX-1600MHz-HX316C9SRK2-16/dp/B00N9PVZXO/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1486735485 are both on that list and are compatible.
 

Dom1555

Commendable
Feb 10, 2017
7
0
1,510


As I already said it is my first time to build a computer. I did not know that QVL existed. I know now I will surely use it in the future. Sorry for my stupidity.

About PSU you mean? Its CiT builder something 500w.

About the fact I came up with "this ram is mainly used with Intel processors" is because it says on the manufacturers website in the compability section:
http://www.corsair.com/en-gb/vengeance-pro-series-8gb-2-x-4gb-ddr3-dram-2400mhz-c11-memory-kit-cmy8gx3m2a2400c11r
 

Dom1555

Commendable
Feb 10, 2017
7
0
1,510


I see.
Anyway. I tested the memory as you said. Seems stable. Thank you.
And anybody who helped me: thank you. Its nice to see a forum where people are this helpful.