Enabling dual-channel on Gigabyte GA-970A-D3P MOBO (3.98/8GB RAM used)

[glasswalking]

Windows 7 64-bit Professional detects that I have 4 GB x 2 RAM but only seems to be using one of the sticks. (This also goes for other 4GB x 2 I swapped them out with- the hardware seems fine no matter the stick and I have tried both matching color slots).

I have updated my BIOS on my new Gigabyte GA-970A-D3P rev2.0 MOBO to the FB version (the newest listed on Gigabyte's download page for this board.

Gigabyte's customer support suggested going to the BIOS, going to Advanced Memory Settings, and enabling Channel Interleaving.

I did this and saved it using F10, but it doesn't seem to have changed anything. I'm including a screen of the BIOS's settings below, as well as a screencap of CPU-Z's memory tab.

How do I enable all of my 8GB of memory, or figure out what is stopping my system from using all of it?

CPU-Z

http://i.imgur.com/0P2FVK9.png (CPU-Z Screencap)

BIOS
http://i.imgur.com/2cJmLvI.jpg (Advanced Memory Settings)
http://i.imgur.com/C0GRttD.jpg (M.I.T. Tab)
http://i.imgur.com/fPtm8AR.jpg (M.I.T. Current Status)

EDIT: Turns out the CPU was damaged and eventually started giving me more errors/making an annoying buzzing noise I couldn't silence. I replaced it a few months after this post, and I'm now able to detect and utilize my RAM. Thank you for helping me figure things out!

 

[brispuss]

Above screenshots show CPU-Z and BIOS indicating the full 8 GB of memory. Where does it show only 3.98 GB of memory being used (under System Information or?)?

It is noted that the CPU-Z screenshot shows the 8 GB running in single channel mode.

The two DIMM's are, presumably, NOT from the same dual channel kit? If so, this may explain why single channel (and maybe only some memory is available?) mode is running and not dual channel mode. The issue is likely to be because the memory modules have different characteristics. And because of this mismatch in characteristics, the modules do not work together properly, and dual channel can not be automatically enabled.

For reference, the following Dual Channel Rules were taken from Intel website, which explains requirements for dual channel operation -

Rules to Enable Dual Channel Mode

To achieve Dual Channel mode, the following conditions must be met:

Matched DIMM configuration in each channel Same Density (128MB, 256MB, 512MB, etc.)
Same DRAM technology (128Mb, 256Mb, or 512Mb) Same DRAM bus width (x8 or x16)
All either single-sided or dual-sided
Matched in both Channel A and Channel B memory channels
Populate symmetrical memory slots (Slot 0 or Slot 1)

Note: Configurations that do not match the above conditions will revert to Single Channel mode.

In addition to the above, the timings have to be similar also.

If the two DIMM's are from the same dual channel kit, then one of the DIMM's may be "faulty".

 

[glasswalking]

Above screenshots show CPU-Z and BIOS indicating the full 8 GB of memory. Where does it show only 3.98 GB of memory being used (under System Information or?)?

It is noted that the CPU-Z screenshot shows the 8 GB running in single channel mode.

The two DIMM's are, presumably, NOT from the same dual channel kit? If so, this may explain why single channel (and maybe only some memory is available?) mode is running and not dual channel mode. The issue is likely to be because the memory modules have different characteristics. And because of this mismatch in characteristics, the modules do not work together properly, and dual channel can not be automatically enabled.

For reference, the following Dual Channel Rules were taken from Intel website, which explains requirements for dual channel operation -

Rules to Enable Dual Channel Mode

To achieve Dual Channel mode, the following conditions must be met:

Matched DIMM configuration in each channel Same Density (128MB, 256MB, 512MB, etc.)
Same DRAM technology (128Mb, 256Mb, or 512Mb) Same DRAM bus width (x8 or x16)
All either single-sided or dual-sided
Matched in both Channel A and Channel B memory channels
Populate symmetrical memory slots (Slot 0 or Slot 1)

Note: Configurations that do not match the above conditions will revert to Single Channel mode.

In addition to the above, the timings have to be similar also.

If the two DIMM's are from the same dual channel kit, then one of the DIMM's may be "faulty".

Above screenshots show CPU-Z and BIOS indicating the full 8 GB of memory. Where does it show only 3.98 GB of memory being used (under System Information or?)?

It is noted that the CPU-Z screenshot shows the 8 GB running in single channel mode.

The two DIMM's are, presumably, NOT from the same dual channel kit? If so, this may explain why single channel (and maybe only some memory is available?) mode is running and not dual channel mode. The issue is likely to be because the memory modules have different characteristics. And because of this mismatch in characteristics, the modules do not work together properly, and dual channel can not be automatically enabled.

For reference, the following Dual Channel Rules were taken from Intel website, which explains requirements for dual channel operation -

Rules to Enable Dual Channel Mode

To achieve Dual Channel mode, the following conditions must be met:

Matched DIMM configuration in each channel Same Density (128MB, 256MB, 512MB, etc.)
Same DRAM technology (128Mb, 256Mb, or 512Mb) Same DRAM bus width (x8 or x16)
All either single-sided or dual-sided
Matched in both Channel A and Channel B memory channels
Populate symmetrical memory slots (Slot 0 or Slot 1)

Note: Configurations that do not match the above conditions will revert to Single Channel mode.

In addition to the above, the timings have to be similar also.

If the two DIMM's are from the same dual channel kit, then one of the DIMM's may be "faulty".

Here is a screencap of what my System Properties looks like. This is where it states that only 3.98GB is usable.

I ordered two 4GB DDR3 PC3-12800 Unbuffered NON-ECC 1.5V 512Meg x 64 from Crucial, so they aren't mismatched either.

Gigabyte's support said that I should try enabling Channel Interleaving, which had the effect of boosting memory read/write speed a little (according to this memory benchtest program I ran) but the system was still saying it only had 3.98/8GB.

After that, I was instructed to test all 4 RAM slots with one memory stick. The results were as follows.

Single Module A booted Windows in DDR3_4
Single Module A booted Windows in DDR3_3
Single Module A would not boot in DDR3_2
Single Module A would not boot in DDR3_1

Single Module B booted Windows in DDR3_4
Single Module B booted Windows in DDR3_3
Single Module B would not boot in DDR3_2
Single Module B would not boot in DDR3_1

I have tried matching both sticks to grey/black slots respectively- neither colored pair (DDR3_4, DDR3_2) and (DDR3_3 and DDR3_1) allow 8.00/8.00GB, but they both boot up with 3.98GB.

 

[Tradesman1]

What CPU? It may have a problem w/ 1600, might also want to check for bent/broken pins on the CPU.

 

[brispuss]

OK! Thanks for the additional details!

Remove the CPU, very thoroughly check the CPU and its socket for any missing, damaged or bent pins/pads, and that there is no debris of any kind in the socket.

If OK, reassemble the CPU and its cooler carefully and evenly. Don't over tighten cooler mounting screws. If CPU is not mounted evenly, some contact may be lost with some pins and therefore causing problems.

 

[Vic 40]

What CPU? It may have a problem w/ 1600, might also want to check for bent/broken pins on the CPU.

One of the pics says AMD Phenom x6 1090T.

 

[Tradesman1]

What CPU? It may have a problem w/ 1600, might also want to check for bent/broken pins on the CPU.

One of the pics says AMD Phenom x6 1090T.

___________

Missed it, with a 1090T might also try increasing DRAM and/or CPU/NB voltage + 0.05 which might stabilize andget dual kicked in, the Phenom II MC (memory controller is native 1066) and 'rated' to 1333 with 2 sticks.

 

[Vic 40]

might also try increasing DRAM and/or CPU/NB voltage + 0.05 which might stabilize andget dual kicked in

For the Dram voltage can you start at ~1.550V since in the bios it's already below spec at 1.476V.

They also recommend at Gigabyte that with two modules you use the grey slots.Looking at that bios pic. do they seem to be in the black slots (?).

 

[glasswalking]

Thanks for the replies. Here's an update:

I entered the BIOS and went to Advanced Voltage settings. However, none of the listed options had the ability to be edited. Here's a screencap of what it looks like below. Everything was set to AUTO.

So I unplugged things and removed the CPU heatsink/fan, lifted the arm and popped the processor out.

The processor: It's almost like too much thermal paste was applied at one point and dripped down the edges, because there are now corroded/pitted looking lake-shaped areas on the side edges of the CPU that could have had paste on them at one point. This was the most damaged looking thing I found, upon inspection. There are a few very! small marks on the surface of the processor as well, but they did not seem major.

The pins had no immediate obvious damage, but there was one or two along one side of the CPU that looked like it might have been a little bit bent. That part seemed minor.

The socket on the board looked fine.

I would include pics of the processor but my camera lens refused to focus properly.

Do you think it's reasonable to say that it's probably the processor at this point? It's a big enough deal to me that I would consider upgrading my processor to be able to access the full potential of my machine, I'm just not sure what would be an optimal model as a replacement.

 

[Tradesman1]

Sounds like it might be, if a pin is bent it may not extend to full contact

 

[Vic 40]

A picture might have been more clear.No smartphone? Maybe worth a shot.

For adjusting the voltage would you click "auto" and adjust it to "manual". After that change the voltage.

 

[Andrew_AlphaCompNet]

Sounds like it might be, if a pin is bent it may not extend to full contact

Hold on, so was this the case? No further comments were made. What ever happened? Was the problem ever corrected?