Issue trying to run 8gb RAM @ 1600mhz

Hey guys, got a question. I am using an Asus M4A79T-Deluxe mobo and 8gb of Corsair XMS3 TW3X4G1600C9DHX RAM clocked at 1600mhz, 9-9-9-24 timings. According to Asus, this mobo only supports 2 DIMMs of this particular RAM running at 1600mhz. I found on Asus's support page that you should only use the orange colored DIMMs for the 1600mhz (overclocked) RAM. Using 4 DIMMs of 2gb sticks at the 1600mhz/9-9-9-24 clock/timings may be unstable. Well, I discovered that the hard way. I would randomly get system crashes, but it was really intermittent (maybe once a week?). Right now the RAM is clocked at 1333mhz @ 9-9-9-24 timings for stability.

I should add that I ran Memtest on my config... my first test was overnight with all 8gb installed and I got 1 error reported the next morning. So today I tried testing one stick at a time, for 5 passes on each stick and it was clean. After reading the documentation on the memory support, I discovered the Capacity/Frequency stability list. This lead me to believe that running all 8gb of RAM at 1600mhz, and 9-9-9-24 timings was the issue.

So my questions are, is anyone else running a config similiar to mine with any issues? If no issues, how are you getting it to function properly? Also, why am I limited to only 2 DIMMs at 1600mhz, and have to underclock for 4 DIMMs installed?

I'm sure there is probably very little performance difference between 1333mhz and 1600mhz.... but it's just something I am curious about. I would like to fully understand how and why this isn't working .

Thanks for any help!

Good job on fixing the DRAM voltage.

The limitation mentioned on 1600 RAM may be related to the AM3 processor. I don't know about DDR3, but with DDR2 you are limited to 2 1066 modules, have to use 800 or step down to 800 with 4 modules.

Maybe someone else can jump in on this issue.

Let us know how it comes out.

And bumping up the voltage beyond 1.8V might help also. That's assuming the 1600 rules isn't hard and fast, which it might be.

Turned out to be Bad RAM. I ran Memtest on the modules and found the bad stick(s). Good thing Corsair has a limetime warranty on them .