Installing more RAM on GA-Z68A-D3H-B3

[MikeLovin8]

Motherboard: GA-Z68A-D3H-B3
RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600
OS: Windows 7 64-bit

During the completion of my first build, my computer would not enter post with all 4 DIMMs installed. I got it to post with only 2 inserted and had continued to install windows. Everything went smoothly until I tried to add the other 2 DIMMs of leftover RAM. When I add them the system posts and the bios detects that there is 16 gb of RAM, but windows gets an error and forces me to run a system diagnostics which never seems to work.

I am not sure what the problem is seeing as the motherboard supports up to 32 gb of RAM at 4 x 1.5V and 1600 Hz

Thank you in advance,
Mike

 

[tivatar]

You may have a bad stick of RAM. Try booting with one at a time, and see if any fail.

 

[MikeLovin8]

You may have a bad stick of RAM. Try booting with one at a time, and see if any fail.

I took your advice and booted up the system with all four individually and they all work on their own, so it isn't a bad stick that we are working with here.

 

[tivatar]

Bump the MSL for your motherboard to the RAM kit you bought. The motherboard may not be able to support 4 sticks for that brand/model. It can be found here:
http://download.gigabyte.us/FileList/Memory/mb_memory_ga-z68a-d3h-b3.pdf

 

[MikeLovin8]

Bump the MSL for your motherboard to the RAM kit you bought. The motherboard may not be able to support 4 sticks for that brand/model. It can be found here:
http://download.gigabyte.us/FileList/Memory/mb_memory_ga-z68a-d3h-b3.pdf

My motherboard supports 1600 Hz RAM x 4 at 1.5V ... which I have...

 

[Guest]

since you know all sticks are ok; did you try one stick in each slot to see if all the DIMMs are ok? and did you press down firmly to ensure they were properly seated?

 

[MikeLovin8]

since you know all sticks are ok; did you try one stick in each slot to see if all the DIMMs are ok? and did you press down firmly to ensure they were properly seated?

yes, that was the first thing I did.

 

[MikeLovin8]

I tried 3 sticks and it work, but when I put in the 4 it didn't even post. It just went into an infinite restarting loop. when I tried to go back to 3, it failed. I am now working back on 2 sticks.

 

[InvalidError]

Could be that your combination of DIMMs + CPU + Motherboard has timing or IO current source/sink issues at 1600MHz. You could try manually setting the RAM to 1333MHz and see if your RAM will run 4x DIMMs with looser timings.

 

[MikeLovin8]

Best answer selected by MikeLovin8.

 

[MikeLovin8]

Could be that your combination of DIMMs + CPU + Motherboard has timing or IO current source/sink issues at 1600MHz. You could try manually setting the RAM to 1333MHz and see if your RAM will run 4x DIMMs with looser timings.

THANK YOU! Worked like a charm!