Getting two RAM Kits to work together

[PositiveBlackSoul]

Hello,

Ok, so I figured out the source of the problem. It is the two differing Memory Kits. They are both Corsair Vengance, but they don't seem to like each other very much. One kit alone installs Windows without a hitch combining the two kits and I get a really messy installation. As mentioned above they are the same model and brand, however a few years apart (one has version 2.12 and the other kit version 8.53 printed on it)

So I think I read somewhere that you can get two RAM kits playing nice with each other through some voltage adjustements in BIOS and such. But I don't feel really all that confidant doing it all by myself.

Additional Info that might be relevant:
MB: MSI 970A-G43
CPU: AMD FX-6300

Spoiler

So at least from my point of view I have a seemingly complex issue.

About a month ago I upgraded my Graphics Card and also bought another set of RAM modules (same as the two I had already installed)

At first everything was fine, but after a couple of weeks I started to get memory related BSODs (pfn list corrupted, memory management, etc, mostly pfn though). That started to increase in frequency as time went on. In the end I had like between zero (right on startup) and one hour between BSODs.

I also experienced issues in Chrome with seeing errors how a page could not be loaded and apps crashing randomly, sometimes on startup.

I tried Windows Memcheck and memtest86 both which didn't find anything wrong with my RAM, chkdsk also found no errors.

I was annoyed, especially since I couldn't find the source of the problem and went for a clean install of my system. After the Win7 installation was complete I soon discovered that Windows Updater wasn't working and sfc /scannow revealed that I have a ton of corrupted files in my fresh installation.

Doing any kind of troubleshooting has been proven to be difficult as things like Eventviewer don't even open (the service is running and they don't return an error, they just straight up don't open)

I have a bit experience with IT, but this is far beyond me. Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[James Mason]

Sometimes ram kits just do not play nicely together, that's why it's just a general bad idea to mix ram kits.

 

[drwho1]

Did you wipe the drive before or during installation? If not that could be the problem with corrupted files.

I have 2 different sets of ram on my tower, never had a problem with them. Only thing is that my fast ram now simply runs at the lower speed on my other ram set.

 

[alceryes]

Also note that it's not ALWAYS the RAM that's at fault.
Some MBs get stingy when you populate all slots, requiring you to using high density RAM or even lower your RAM speeds.

 

[PositiveBlackSoul]

Yes I completly wiped the drive, so that isn't the issue. Besides if I install with only one kit everything is fine.

I know now, obviously, not to mix RAM kits in the future. NOW however I have two kits lying around and I don't really have the money to just buy another.

I'd like to know how I could get my two kits to work together or at least how to improve the chances.

 

[PositiveBlackSoul]

Ok, so I looked around a bit more in the BIOS and found the following, which could be the source of the problem...I guess?

1/3 RAM:

• 
  ■ Cycle Time: 1.25 ns (1 CLK)
  ■ tCL: 11.25 ns (9 CLK)
  ■ tRCD: 11.25 ns (9 CLK)
  ■ tRP: 11.25 ns (9 CLK)
  ■ tRAS: 30.0 ns (24 CLK)
  ■ tRFC: 260.0 ns (208 CLK)
  ■ tWR: 15.0 ns (12 CLK)
  ■ tWTR: 7.5 ns (6 CLK)
  ■ tRRD: 6.25 ns (5 CLK)
  ■ tRTP: 7.5 ns (6 CLK)
  ■ tFAW: 30.0 ns (24 CLK)
  ■ tRC: 41.25 ns (33 CLK)

2/4 RAM:

• 
  ■ Cycle Time: 1.25 ns (1 CLK)
  ■ tCL: 11.25 ns (9 CLK)
  ■ tRCD: 11.25 ns (9 CLK)
  ■ tRP: 11.25 ns (9 CLK)
  ■ tRAS: 30.0 ns (24 CLK)
  ■ tRFC: 160.0 ns (128 CLK)
  ■ tWR: 15.0 ns (12 CLK)
  ■ tWTR: 7.5 ns (6 CLK)
  ■ tRRD: 7.5 ns (6 CLK)
  ■ tRTP: 7.5 ns (6 CLK)
  ■ tFAW: 37.5 ns (30 CLK)
  ■ tRC: 50.625 ns (41 CLK)

I highlighted the differing values and also the really odd one red that seems especially strange (I'll have to check that one again)

should these values be the same or is it normal for them to be different?

 

[James Mason]

yes, for ram the values all have to be the same for them to work right, hence why mixing kits is a bad idea.
And even if they are the same, it doesn't guarantee they will.