Different RAM sticks not working together

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geert111223

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I recently bought another 2 sticks of 4GB of RAM thinking I had the exact same model so that they would work well together. (The RAM I already had was a set. And these new 2 sticks also came as a set.)

However now that I look at RAMMon and stuff like that there are minor (obviously not so minor since it is crashing my PC) differences between the two sets of sticks.

https://puu.sh/vFod0/75949edba3.html
This links to the RAMMon export. (I hope it is okay to post links, just pasting a plaint text version here was messing up the formatting really bad)

I had also checked that the sticks would work with my motherboard, and they do. Running both the old set and new set separately will work just fine. When using all 4 sticks the computer will freeze at random times. (I read something about how this freezing might be caused by a bad sector, so decided to do a RAM test with Windows, but that also froze...)

Running both sticks in dual channel mode wouldn't even boot the PC up fully.
So I had to run the sticks in this order: NEW | NEW | OLD | OLD
Switching the old and new sticks around would also boot.
When run in this way the PC will atleast boot but freezes at random times.

I have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about, so just naming the differences will do no one any good, that's why I posted the RAMMon export.

I assume that I can go into my bios and edit some voltage or some RAM-speed somewhere to (hopefully) fix this?

Some insight into what to do next would be very much appreciated. I have decent knowledge about computer parts etc. (I think). But when dealing with voltages and stuff I have no clue what I'm talking about, however anything new you can learn me would be very much appreciated!
 
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If the JEDEC #6 or #7 don't work, then increasing the voltage probably won't help much. At 1.8V you'll also fry the CPU. "Would it be an option to buy the exact same set from the place where I got this new set." Yes, but there's no way to be absolutely sure. The best is to buy a kit that includes 4 identical modules (same manufacturing date and identical components).
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Hello man

Hello man

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What is really interesting is that the speed is the same. 1600mhz vs 1600mhz. I only see small things like addressing bits that are different. However, usually bit width (this goes above my limit of technical knowledge so I am just going to say what I know) is pretty important for how a computer understands the memory it is using and interfaces with it. If I had to guess, this is the thing causing the issue. As far as I know, you can't change that. I would try and sell your least favorite set or return it if you still can.
 
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geert111223

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I wouldn't want to sound like I'm contradicting you here or anything. However I ran the test for the new sticks on Crucials website and it said that these sticks would work with my motherboard. I haven't done this test with the old sticks but they worked just fine so I assume they aren't the problem.

Just to clear up any confusion. When looking at the RAMMon export, slots 1 and 2 are the NEW sticks, slots 3 and 4 are the OLD ones.

My motherboard is a: Gigabyte Z97X-Gaming 3 (I don't know if you need a model number or anything but this is the best I can find for now)

What I think your post said is that the fault lies with a wrong motherboard. However both sticks ran seperately work just fine.
The problem only happens when using all 4 sticks (both sets). (I assume you meant that you think the fault also lies with the sticks just not working together, however it wasn't completely clear to me).

My next question then. How would I fix this. Both sticks just aren't gonna work together then. So If I buy the exact same set of RAM that I got now. (Another set of the new sticks). So that I would end up with four of the completely same sticks. (Which I meant to do in the first place but I must've messed up somewhere...)

Then I would still end up with 16 gigs in the end. And four of the same sticks must work together, right? Especially since the test showed they would work with my system. Or is that not how this works?

EDIT: I also meant to ask. Is there any performance difference between these two sets? Is the old one better or the new ones?
If the new ones are better then I'd just get another set of those as mentioned earlier and it should work (unless someone advices me against that because that just isn't how any of this works)
 
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GhislainG

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I misread the file that you linked. Since you have a newer motherboard (the info was not provided in your OP), you shouldn't have an issue when using single or dual sided modules if they are identical. Try looser timings, e.g., 10-10-10-26 to see if it helps. It always is a challenge to get 2 non-identical kits to play well together. You could also contact the manufacturer and have either the old or the new kit exchanged (they may refuse, but you won't know until you try).
 
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geert111223

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https://puu.sh/vFxCQ/73bf4e5bfb.png
There ya go. If you need anything else, please do tell.



My fault, I should've given all the info I had.

I assume these things can be changed in the bios? Instructions on how to change these 'timings' would be nice. I wouldn't want to mess something up if I can help it.

Also some info on how these timings work and how they affect the rams workings etc. would be very interesting. If that is indeed the problem then I'd be interested to learn why or how.


EDIT: Found the part in the bios where I could mess around with the timings etc. There is a LOT of info there though. I think I can try changing the timings on my own, but anything more advanced I might need some help with...
 
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geert111223

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Thanks for the time put into my question so far. However I'm afraid these two sets of sticks just might never work together. Things are only getting worse now.

I tried as you suggested and changed the latencies. This didn't work. I also found an option in the bios to run the RAM in a more "stable mode" or something like that which also didn't work.

As GhislainG suggested I also tried to set the timings to his solution. I tried this in a bunch of configurations. (with the physical sticks swapped in slots)

Would it be an option to buy the exact same set from the place where I got this new set. Then I'd be gauranteed 4 sticks that would work together, right? (and add up to my desired 16 gig total) Or does using two of the same sets also potentially bring problems?

Also. physical slots 1 and 3, 2 and 4 make up the slots with which I should dual channel right? Or am I wrong in thinking this? (Either way it wouldn't solve my problem since I tried both).

I have now reverted to using only one set at a time, and for the time being it is working correctly (I'm using the new set)
However when I was using mixed sets I also got a bunch of bluescreens.

PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA
and
SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION
reason: win32kbase.sys

I hope that this won't affect the pc for as long as I run with only 2 sticks (it hasn't yet), and that it also won't be a problem when I run 4 sticks (2 sets) of the same type (unless y'all think that is a bad idea).
 
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GhislainG

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If the JEDEC #6 or #7 don't work, then increasing the voltage probably won't help much. At 1.8V you'll also fry the CPU. "Would it be an option to buy the exact same set from the place where I got this new set." Yes, but there's no way to be absolutely sure. The best is to buy a kit that includes 4 identical modules (same manufacturing date and identical components).
 
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