GA-P31-DS3L Memory Upgrade Problem

[LordKi]

RAM upgrade problem
<hr style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" size="1"> <!-- / icon and title --> <!-- message --> I've bought two extra sticks of RAM, each 1GB.

The problem is that the BIOS only reports 2GB while Windows 7 64-bit says that 4GB is installed but only 2GB is usable. I've tried flashing my BIOS but it had no effect.

My motherboard is a Gigabyte GA-P31-DS3L.

After a while, I kept trying to insert the RAM modules to different slots and somehow managed to go up to 3GB.

The weird part? If I put the 2 sticks with the same specs near each other, 2GB will work fine, inserting one of the other sticks will still show 2GB and only when I insert the last one will it show 3GB, I tested each slot and stick seperately and they all work.

Also to keep using 3GB I had to lower the SPD from 2.50 to 2.00 so the RAM is operating at 533Mhz.

Also, if I put the old sticks in the red slots instead of the yellow ones, the PC will keep restarting infinitely.

Screenshots from CPU-Z:

Old RAM:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...KingX/ram1.jpg

New RAM:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...KingX/ram2.jpg

It just doesn't make sense.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-P31-DS3L Memory Upgrade Problem

Well first of all, you need to use 64 bit OS to use 4GB, just to clear that up.

You need to put the sticks in the right slots, which you probably did when you saw 3GB. One matching set should go in slot 1+3, and the other matching set in slot 2+4.

Mixing memory sets usually causes problems, but you might be ok with these sets once you setup the BIOS properly. I think the problem is MCH Voltage and tRFC setting, these need increased for 4GB, static Tread Value may also be off.

But you may be ok, by using 2.0V for the memory voltage instead of Auto or 1.8V

Please grab a template from my signature (P35 one is fine) and give me your full specs, and current BIOS Settings in full and I will advise back. Please also tell me what BIOS you are now using, latest (F10a) is here
GA-P31-DS3L (rev. 1.x) - GIGABYTE - Support&Download - Motherboard - BIOS


For my reference later

http://www.corsair.com/_datasheets/CM2X1024-5400C4.pdf

http://www.comx-computers.co.za/ME-C1GD2V6-view-pdf-20468.php

[LordKi]

Re: GA-P31-DS3L Memory Upgrade Problem

Well first of all, you need to use 64 bit OS to use 4GB, just to clear that up.

You need to put the sticks in the right slots, which you probably did when you saw 3GB. One matching set should go in slot 1+3, and the other matching set in slot 2+4.

Mixing memory sets usually causes problems, but you might be ok with these sets once you setup the BIOS properly. I think the problem is MCH Voltage and tRFC setting, these need increased for 4GB, static Tread Value may also be off.

But you may be ok, by using 2.0V for the memory voltage instead of Auto or 1.8V

Please grab a template from my signature (P35 one is fine) and give me your full specs, and current BIOS Settings in full and I will advise back. Please also tell me what BIOS you are now using, latest (F10a) is here
GA-P31-DS3L (rev. 1.x) - GIGABYTE - Support&Download - Motherboard - BIOS


For my reference later

http://www.corsair.com/_datasheets/CM2X1024-5400C4.pdf

http://www.comx-computers.co.za/ME-C...-pdf-20468.php

Specs:

Core 2 Quad 6600
Gainward 8800GT 1GB
Samsung SATA 320GB

Thanks for the reply.

I am using Windows 7 64-bit. Windows shows I have 4GB installed but only 3GB usable. The BIOS only shows 3GB as well.

About the slots, I had my old RAM in slots 1+3 and the new in 2+4. However, when I did that, only 2GB was visible. The only way I could get 3GB was to put the old RAM in 1+2 and the new in 3+4.

I've tried the RAM voltage and MCH voltage (didn't try when I put them in the other slots) but didn't try the tRFC and Tread.

Template:

Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [9]
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.5]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Disabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [266]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [Auto]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [2.00]
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________ [4]
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ [4]
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______[4]
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ [12]

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________ [2]
Rank Write to READ Delay________ [2]
Write to Precharge Delay_________ [4]
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ [34]
Read to Precharge Delay__________[2]
Static tRead Value_______________[10]
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ [Auto] [0]

System Voltage Control____ [Auto]
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [Normal]
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [Normal]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [Normal]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [Normal]
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.25]

Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled]

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect___________________[Disabled]

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-P31-DS3L Memory Upgrade Problem

Alrighty, please try these settings, with the memory kits in the correct slots, 1+3 for one kit, 2+4 for the other.

It very well could be this is not going to work, due to mixed memory, or one of the sets is not fully compatible. But we will try

What CPU are you using, and what BIOS version?


Robust Graphics Booster___________ [Auto]
CPU Clock Ratio ____________ [9]
Fine Clock Ratio ____________[0.5]
CPU Host Clock Control_ [Disabled]
CPU Host Frequency (MHz)__________ [266]
PCI Express Frequency (Mhz)_______ [Auto]
C.I.A. 2__________________________ [Disabled]
System Memory Multiplier (SPD)____ [2.00] << 2.50A
DRAM Timing Selectable_______ SPD __ [Manual]

Performance Enhance = [Standard]

CAS Latency Time________________ 5
Dram RAS# to CAS# Delay_________ 5
Dram RAS# Precharge Delay_______5
Precharge Delay (tRAS)__________ 15

ACT to ACT Delay (tRRD)_________2-3
Rank Write to READ Delay________ 3-4
Write to Precharge Delay_________4-6
Refresh to ACT Delay______________ [34] << Too low, try 48-58
Read to Precharge Delay__________3
Static tRead Value_______________[10] << 8-9 should be fine
Static tRead Phase Adjust________ [Auto] [0] << Always Auto

System Voltage Control____ [Auto] << Manual
DDR2 OverVoltage Control__ [Normal] << +0.2 = 2.0V
PCI-E OverVoltage Control_ [Normal]
FSB OverVoltage Control___ [Normal]
(G)MCH OverVoltage Control [Normal] << +0.2 should be good
CPU Voltage Control_______ [1.25]

Limit CPUID Max. to 3.....................: [Disabled]
No-Execute Memory Protect............: [Enabled]
CPU Enhanced Halt (C1E)................: [Disabled]
C2/C2E State Support....................: [Disabled]
x C4/C4E State Support..................: [Disabled]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) ...........: [Enabled]
CPU EIST Function.........................: [Disabled]
Virtualization Technology................: [Disabled]

Integrated Peripherals
Legacy USB Storage Detect___________________[Disabled]

[LordKi]

Re: GA-P31-DS3L Memory Upgrade Problem

CPU: Core 2 Quad 6600
Bios: F10a

Tried them, still only reports 2GB with those slots. Also, if I put the old RAM in the red slots the PC keeps restarting over and over.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-P31-DS3L Memory Upgrade Problem

Then is sounds like one of the kits is just not compatible is all. You will either have to run 3GB in dual channel like you were, or sell one kit and buy a matching set.

I suggest selling both kits actually, and then buy one 800Mhz 2x2GB kit

[LordKi]

Re: GA-P31-DS3L Memory Upgrade Problem

Then is sounds like one of the kits is just not compatible is all. You will either have to run 3GB in dual channel like you were, or sell one kit and buy a matching set.

I suggest selling both kits actually, and then buy one 800Mhz 2x2GB kit

Thanks for the help and suggestion

I'll see what I can do.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-P31-DS3L Memory Upgrade Problem

Sorry I can't help you get it going, but it just seems it is not compatible because the above settings should work no problem if it was.

Mixing memory is always a hassle

[LordKi]

Re: GA-P31-DS3L Memory Upgrade Problem

Sorry I can't help you get it going, but it just seems it is not compatible because the above settings should work no problem if it was.

Mixing memory is always a hassle

No problem, at least I learned not to ever mix memory again.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-P31-DS3L Memory Upgrade Problem

Sometimes is works with some hassle, sometimes not though.

Can you return the memory you bought and just tell them it was not compatible? If so try and see if you can get the same set you already had, if not you will need to save up and get a 2x2GB kit if you need 4GB

[LordKi]

Re: GA-P31-DS3L Memory Upgrade Problem

Sometimes is works with some hassle, sometimes not though.

Can you return the memory you bought and just tell them it was not compatible? If so try and see if you can get the same set you already had, if not you will need to save up and get a 2x2GB kit if you need 4GB

I'll see if they will. I'll probably need to get a new kit. Thought at least, it did give me 3GB.

[Lsdmeasap]

Re: GA-P31-DS3L Memory Upgrade Problem

Ok, well good luck with talking them into a trade, that would be nice!

Let us know how you get along