No boot when installing new RAM

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lookbusy

Feb 27, 2018
5
0
10
Hi all,

I'm trying to upgrade my memory from 8GB to 16GB. I thought the simplest thing to do would be to buy a pair of RAM sticks that were identical to what I had in my PC already.

So that's what I did; I previously had "G.Skill Ripjaws 8GBXL" kit (2x 4GB 1600MHz) installed, and I bought a new pair to total 16GB. My motherboard is an Asus P8Z68-V Pro/Gen3 and they should be compatible.

Here's a link to the RAM:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004I763AW

I thought it would be fairly simple to install these new identical sticks next to the old ones (in slots 1 & 3), but unfortunately the system fails to boot when the new sticks are in the two remaining slots. It tries to boot, fails, runs the MemOK checks for a short while (flashing red LED), then settles doing nothing (solid red LED) until I reset. All with no video signal whatsoever, so I can't access the BIOS.

Here's the thing though... I tried replacing the old sticks with the new ones (same original slots), and it boots perfectly.

I assume I can therefore rule out the RAM being the problem? Is there a reason my motherboard wouldn't like two of the memory slots?

I've also tried each of the slots on its own, and booting by holding down the MemOK button, but none of this works, and it always settles into the cycle above.

Any ideas what is going wrong?

Remaining PC specs if helpful:
CPU: i5 2500k
Mobo: Asus P8Z68-V Pro/Gen3
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws 8GBXL (2x4GB) 1600 MHz (old and new, identical)
GPU: 1050ti
 
Solution
Vic 40

Those speeds are strange,make sure your bclk is set to 100.

Also with two sticks go into the bios,set Dram voltage to 1.65V and make sure command rate is set to 2T.After this test again with four sticks.You could even set some looser timings for the moment like 10-10-10-30.

In the end might they just be incompatible even with four seemingly identical sticks. Read the next,
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ddr-dram-myths,4155.html#p4
Look at "Just Adding More Dram".
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Darkvillan

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Sep 15, 2015
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Make sure your BIOS is set to run the correct mhz of ram that you are installing on your machine, though you say they are identical. I would try one at a time once more. Possibly reset your CMOS battery on the motherboard. And finally make sure your RAM is inserted all the way into the slots, so that the clips snap into place.
 
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L

lookbusy

Feb 27, 2018
5
0
10
Thanks for your reply! I hope there is a solution involving the BIOS before I reset the motherboard.

I've just checked and the RAM frequency in the BIOS is currently set to 1648MHz. I seem to remember this behaving a bit funny when I first tried to set up the machine, but that was about five years ago now so I can't quite remember.

Should I set it to Auto? The other options are 1373MHz and 1098MHz. I've read that the 2500k maximum supported memory speed is 1333MHz, but it's been fine for five years with the 1600MHz RAM in its current setting.
 
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Vic 40

Vic 40

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Oct 22, 2013
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Those speeds are strange,make sure your bclk is set to 100.

Also with two sticks go into the bios,set Dram voltage to 1.65V and make sure command rate is set to 2T.After this test again with four sticks.You could even set some looser timings for the moment like 10-10-10-30.

In the end might they just be incompatible even with four seemingly identical sticks. Read the next,
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ddr-dram-myths,4155.html#p4
Look at "Just Adding More Dram".
 
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Solution
L

lookbusy

Feb 27, 2018
5
0
10


BCLK is at 103, I think the motherboard automatically set it to that when optimising settings. Would overclocking by this small amount cause it not to run correctly though? I'll try setting it to 100 (and RAM to 1600) and seeing what difference that makes.
 
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L

lookbusy

Feb 27, 2018
5
0
10
Hi guys,

I've tried resetting the BCLK to 100, which sets the ram frequency automatically to 1600. Have tried these on both "auto" (same settings) and manual and both worked with just two sticks but did not work with four.

I've also tried upping the voltage to 1.65, which again works with two sticks, but not four. Same for looser timings - no effect.

I think I'm going to give up - I guess this motherboard doesn't like working with four sticks of RAM!

Thanks for your help all the same.
 
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Vic 40

Vic 40

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Oct 22, 2013
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One thing you still cold try is adding abit extra voltage to the memory controller which in this case afaik is called "VCCIO", give it 0.05V extra,see if it helps.Could try 1333mhz as well if you haven't already.

Out of an article that still might come in handy,

To locate the MC voltage, look for something like CPUVTT, DDRVTT, QPI/VTT or VCCIO. Some motherboards incorporate the MC voltage into the system agent voltage or VCCSA
Click to expand...

If this doesn't help i as well do think that these sticks just won't play together.

And you're welcome.:)
 
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