GA-965P-S3 memory problems

[wolfing]

I had 2GB in my computer (2x 1GB), then I decided to add 4GB (2x 2GB), but when I added the chips it wouldn't start. I replaced the 1GB chips for the 2GB ones and it works, I also tried adding 1 GB chip to the 2x 2GB and nothing. It's either 2x1 or 2x2. I updated BIOS to F13 but still same problem.
The 1GB chips are Patriot DII800 (PSD21G8002) and the 2GB chips are Samsung 2GB DDR2800 (MM-2GBPC2800S).
Did I do something wrong?

 

[GhislainG]

What is each kit detected as (timings and voltage)? If you install the 2GB modules in channel A and the 1GB modules in channel B, it just won't start at all?

Are the Samsung modules assembled by KOMUSA using Samsung chips? Based on the part number, it certainly looks like they are not from Samsung.

 

[wolfing]

What is each kit detected as (timings and voltage)?

The 2gb one:
General
Memory type DDR2
Module format Regular UDIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Samsung (CE00000000000000)
Size 2048 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
Part number M3 78T5663QZ3-CF7
Serial number 42511DD9
Manufacturing date Week 52/Year 08

Attributes
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP no
XMP no

Timings table
Frequency (MHz) 266 333 400
CAS# 4.0 5.0 6.0
RAS# to CAS# delay 4 5 6
RAS# Precharge 4 5 6
TRAS 12 15 18
TRC 16 20 24


And for the 1GB:
DIMM #1

General
Memory type DDR2
Module format Regular UDIMM
Manufacturer (ID) PDP Systems (7F7F7F7F7F020000)
Size 1024 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
Part number PSD21G8002

Attributes
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP no
XMP no

Timings table
Frequency (MHz) 200 266 400
CAS# 3.0 4.0 5.0
RAS# to CAS# delay 3 4 5
RAS# Precharge 3 4 5
TRAS 8 11 16
TRC 11 14 21

If you install the 2GB modules in channel A and the 1GB modules in channel B, it just won't start at all?

It tries to start, the fans start but after like 1 second it shuts off and tries again and again and again, or, it starts with a continuous beep but nothing loads (nothing on the screen and no hard drive activity)

Are the Samsung modules assembled by KOMUSA using Samsung chips? Based on the part number, it certainly looks like they are not from Samsung.

Dunno

 

[GhislainG]

Manually set the frequency to 400Mhz and the timings to 6-6-6-18 to match the 2GB modules specs and increase the voltage to 1.9V. If that doesn't work, increase the voltage a bit at a time up to 2.0V. I'm not sure I'd want to leave the voltage at 2.0V permanently, but for a quick test it should be fine.

 

[wolfing]

Manually set the frequency to 400Mhz and the timings to 6-6-6-18 to match the 2GB modules specs and increase the voltage to 1.9V. If that doesn't work, increase the voltage a bit at a time up to 2.0V. I'm not sure I'd want to leave the voltage at 2.0V permanently, but for a quick test it should be fine.

Thanks, will try it when I get home. I didn't know anything about these timings you mentioned but started reading on it, and realized lower numbers are better, so if I manually change it to 6/6/6 would it be slower? What if I changed it to 266 MHz but 4/4/4/12? (both share a 266 4/4/4 setting, while the 2GB has 12 TRAS and the 1GB has 11 TRAS for 266MHz, so guess 12 should cover them?). Forgive me if I'm not making any sense, I'm just starting to learn about these things

 

[GhislainG]

6-6-6-18 timings will be slower, but you get what you pay for.

Run them at 400 Mhz and at the specified timings. Performance will be better than running them at 266 with tighter timings.

 

[wolfing]

6-6-6-18 timings will be slower, but you get what you pay for.

Run them at 400 Mhz and at the specified timings. Performance will be better than running them at 266 with tighter timings.

Hmm... I'm not sure what happened. I changed it and the computer now starts up, and Windows XP comes up fine, but in my other partition with Windows 7, it hangs at the start (on the 'Starting Windows') screen. I wonder if it's because XP is not using the 2 1GB chips but Windows 7 (64 bit) is. I tried several settings but always the same thing.

 

[GhislainG]

Is memory remap enabled?

 

[wolfing]

Is memory remap enabled?

Hmm... I looked and looked but couldn't find this setting in the BIOS anywhere (in advanced mode Ctrl-F1)

 

[GhislainG]

On other motherboards, it isn't an advanced setting. If it isn't available, then you might be limited to 4GB. Ideally you'd use 4 identical modules, but I would't spend money on it since you can't really use more than 4GB without memory remap.

How much memory does Windows 7 sees when you install 4GB?

 

[wolfing]

the motherboard supports up to 8GB. Windows 7 shows 4GB.
I guess I'll just leave it at 4, which is still double of what I had. If I ever want to upgrade from there I now know what to buy.
Thanks for your help though, I learned a lot!

 

[bilbat]

Always a problem mixing types of memory; often a problem to even use same types from different manufacturers; not insuperable, but you'll usually have to sacrifice some speed to get them working together...

 

[natalix_idealism]

hello, I have gigabyte motherboard GA-965P-S3, and the system worked fine when I had 1x1 GB ddr2 RAM, and when I add 2 gb ddr2 more computer turn on but can't boot. and when I add only 1 gb and 2 gb of ddr2 RAM it works fine again. How can I make my computer works with 1 gb more, I mean with 2gb and 1x1 gb