anotherjake

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My pc build:
Windows 7 Ultimate 64x
Intel i7 920 @ 2.67 ghz
evga x58 SLI
Corsair dominator 6gb ddr3 1600 tri channel
bfg gtx 295
Western Digital 500GB HDD
Corsair 850 watt psu

My question: I was looking through the newspaper today and I got to the frys ad, they have the Corsair vengeance 16gb for $210 after a $20 MIR. This caught my eye. I was thinking I could get this and sell my current RAM for maybe about $100 so I would only be spending about $110 for 16gb of ram. I know 16GB is a little overkill but do you guys think my idea is a good one? Inputs? Opinions?

A problem I'm facing right now is I am only getting 4GB of my 6GB is working. It's saying "6.00GB (3.99 GB usable) I've resat my RAM, I've taken the mobo out and replaced my CPU heatsink, updated bios, and I finally changed voltages which solved the problem for a few months but now it's back to 3.99GB. I'm thinking maybe getting new RAM could solve this possibly? I've looked for solutions and many people have this problem but there's not really any set fix for it. So yes, input would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224&cm_re=corsair_dominator-_-20-145-224-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233143
 
Solution
Okay, at least the BIOS 'sees' the DIMM slot, so your MOBO is seems okay; no dead DIMM slot.

DRAM -> 1.65v {closet value at or above 1.65v}
QPI PLL Vcore -> Auto
CPU VTT Voltage -> 1.25v~1.32v

Failure:
My assumption will then be faulty RAM if Memtest fail 2 passes; download {ISO/zip} and create a bootbale CD/DVD - http://www.memtest.org/

anotherjake

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Jan 3, 2011
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Oh and also, I'm really into gaming, I spend quite a bit of time in photoshop and am looking to get into some video production as well. I use camtasia a lot to record my desktop. Would more ram help speed up the process the recorded video? I'm also looking towards the future with this and planning on keeping my computer for quite a while so maybe 16GB will be more useful in the years to come?
 
Well first, I would never get Dual Channel RAM for a Tri Channel MOBO. Yes they can work IF you installed them correctly {see below}. The TR3X6G1600C8D is about the best RAM out there...

Q - What RAM is giving you the "3.99" GB??
If it's the TR3X6G1600C8D have you just tried DRAM Frequency to {Auto}; otherwise QPI PLL Vcore -> 1.3~1.35v. I assume the DRAM Voltage = ~1.65v or 'slightly higher.' Most of the time as you've described the DIMM is under powering the RAM.

DDR3_GA.jpg
 

anotherjake

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It's quad channel ram. I've read LOADS of people having this problem and I've tried everything, reset the ram multiple times, cleaned the ram, cleaned the slots, took the heatsink and cpu off to check for bent pins and checked if the board could be warped, updated bios, made sure my voltage and timings and everything was set correctly (checked multiple times) Checked each stick individually (all working) and I'm just stuck. I sent in a support ticket to evga and then I think I will just RMA it I guess.

I think what I'm going to do is buy the ram for the $210, sell my current ram for about $100 and sell a stick of the new ram for about $50 (hopefully a bit more) so I will only be spending about $50-$60 technically. And getting 12GB of ram for about $60 is kind of a steal I think maybe. More of a why not, I have more than enough money to get it and yeah.
 
So to understand this correctly, you couldn't figure out how to get your 3X2GB TR3X6G1600C8D to run...so you went and bought 4X4GB CMZ16GX3M4A1600C9 hoping it would work...it don't work either...? Am I right so far?

Q - What BIOS SETTINGS are you using for the RAM?
Q - What EXACT set is installed NOW {TR3X6G1600C8D} or {CMZ16GX3M4A1600C9}?
Q - Are you trying to use BOTH sets?
Q - What Slots are the stick installed in?

It's clear in your mind, but confusing in this post.

My assumption was and still is the DRAM Voltage is wrong, and now with high density (4GB) RAM also your {IMC} QPI PLL Vcore isn't set correctly. Possibly you might have a dead DIMM slot.

--
Your MOBO is Tri Channel. 2 kits of Tri Channel are called Hexa Channel Kits NOT to be confused as your MOBO being Hexa Channel. There are only 3 Channels with 1 or 2 sticks per channel. In your case if running 4 sticks {4X4GB}, your MOBO is running in Dual Channel mode with 1 or 2 sticks per channel with the THIRD Channel being blank.

--
Settings TR3X6G1600C8D
Slots: CPU: | E | R | E | R | E | R | ; E = empty
1600 MHz 8-8-8-24-2T @ 1.65v
BIOS:
Memory Frequency -> 1600MHz
/timings -> 8-8-8-24
/command rate -> 2T
DRAM Voltage -> 1.65~1.68v
QPI PLL Vcore -> 1.3~1.35v

Settings CMZ16GX3M4A1600C9
Slots: CPU: | R | R | R | R | E | E | ; E = empty
1600 MHz 9-9-9-24-2T @ 1.5v
BIOS:
Memory Frequency -> 1600MHz
/timings -> 9-9-9-24
/command rate -> 2T
DRAM Voltage -> 1.55~1.60v
QPI PLL Vcore -> 1.2~1.25v
 

anotherjake

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I don't have the new ram yet. Still trying to figure this current problem out and have been for a while now. I have the TR3X6G1600C8D.

I have my ram in the correct slots.

in bios I have it set at 1600 MHz
timings are 8-8-8-24
at +2T
voltage is at 1.65v

I'll have to change on the QPI PLL Vcore
 
Okay, at least the BIOS 'sees' the DIMM slot, so your MOBO is seems okay; no dead DIMM slot.

DRAM -> 1.65v {closet value at or above 1.65v}
QPI PLL Vcore -> Auto
CPU VTT Voltage -> 1.25v~1.32v

Failure:
My assumption will then be faulty RAM if Memtest fail 2 passes; download {ISO/zip} and create a bootbale CD/DVD - http://www.memtest.org/
 
Solution
DRAM -> 1.67~1.7v
CPU VTT Voltage -> 1.32v~1.38v

Those are the highest longterm safe voltages, and if that is not working then RMA the RAM. Otherwise, voltage irregularities - home A/C, PSU, MOBO are the only other sources - but your PSU and MOBO are good quality which leads me back to RAM.
 

anotherjake

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Jan 3, 2011
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Well I took my computer apart, put it back together, decided to reformat too I know that wouldn't solve anything but figured why not, always nice to have a clean start. Well I'm having the same problem still, detecting 2GB's sometimes, 4GB's others but it's mostly just 2GB. I push on the sticks and sometimes that makes a difference. I am RMAing the ram, hoping they will send me some new sticks. I think I'll sell those on ebay or amazon and buy some new RAM.

What looks best?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231225

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148250

http://www.frys.com/product/6340151?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG