Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L Motherboard / Patriot 8500EL Series memory issues

[BradenK]

Hello,

My system:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.0 MHz (per CPUID, voltage runs from 1.088 V to just over 2.1 V)
Mobo: Gigabyte P35-DS3L rev. 2 (F9 Bios)
RAM: 2x 4 GB Patriot 8500EL Series DDR2
PSU: 650 Watt Antec
Video: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 Ti
HD: WESTERN DIGITAL 500GB WD5000AAKS-22V1A0
OS: Windows 7 x64 Home Edition Premium with Service Pack 1

I've had the following set up for a while now, with the only recent upgrade being the video card. I have been ignoring this issue with the memory but finally decided to look into it. I searched the forums, found some things to try, but nothing worked.

I have two 4GB sticks of the patriot memory. The issue I am having is that the motherboard (or possibly windows?) is only recognizing/using a total of 4GB of the RAM, 2 GB from each stick. I have tried each stick individually and have tried slots 1/3 and 2/4. On the boot screen, the computer shows 4 GB "Dual Channel Interleaved." When I check CPUID, each stick shows as 533 MHz and 2 GB.

It seems to me that it is only reading it as single channel memory. Before purchasing this memory, I contact Patriot and Gigabyte and both stated the memory was compatible and should work correctly.

Does anyone have any suggestions on getting full use of the memory? From my searches on my motherboard, I have only seen references to 1 GB and 2 GB sticks being used. Can the board even use 4 GB (Was the information I was given by Patriot/Gigabyte incorrect?)

Thank you for any insight/suggestions.

 

[nikorr]

Post a link to your RAM...


Can u reset the BIOS?
Reset the CMOS memory the right way as is described in the motherboard manual using the clear CMOS link with the power cord unplugged.
How To Clear CMOS @ http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/tp/clearcmos.htm
[flash=480,270]http://www.youtube.com/v/rdHH9KrceR0?version=3&feature=player_detailpage[/flash]

 

[nikorr]

Hi there,CMOS battery may be low on power.
I would replace the battery ... 2032CR model

 

[nikorr]

Un-check the Maximum Memory box in msconfig | Boot | Advanced Options!

 

[nikorr]

Also, try enabling Memory Remaping in BIOS, or something like this,

if you manage to find it in your BIOS SETUP.

 

[BradenK]

Thank you for the reply.

I replaced the battery, cleared the CMOS per the manual (using a jumper), and the maximum memory button was unchecked. No change.

I checked my BIOS, and I don't see a Memory Remapping option...

As to the link for the memory, there is no longer any information on Patriot's website and nothing came up when I did a Google search. The model # is

PVS24GB8500ELKR2

 

[nikorr]

What BIOS do u have?

 

[BradenK]

According to the System Information screen:

BIOS Version/Date: Award Software International, Inc. F9, 6/19/2009

Also, some memory related information from the same screen:

Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 4.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 4.00 GB
Available Physical Memory 2.13 GB
Total Virtual Memory 8.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 6.04 GB
Page File Space 4.00 GB

 

[nikorr]

Looks like 1 stick is bad. Run only 1 stick at the time to find the bad one.

 

[nikorr]

Can u try another RAM?

 

[nikorr]

Are u sure u don't have the remap feature?

Enter the BIOS and go to Advanced Chipset Features -> North Bridge Configuration, then set Memory Remap Feature to [Enabled].



Memory Remap Feature

This item is used to enable/disable memory remap feature. Its mainly for if you have a 64bit OS and 4GB of RAM. Basically it allows you to remap the overlapped PCI memory above the total physical memory.

 

[BradenK]

There is definitely no feature with the words 'memory remap' in it...

The options I have on the Main BIOS screen are:

MB Intelligent Tweaker (Lots of memory settings here, but nothing for remapping, even when I hit Ctrl+F1 at the main screen to get the advanced options)
Standard CMOS Features
Advanced BIOS Features (No Memory stuff here)
Integrated Peripherals
Power Management Setup
PnP/PCI Configuration
PC Health Status

 

[nikorr]

I believe you. Its not everywhere, that feature.

I would try another RAM as it could be the culprit.

 

[BradenK]

I have tried Corsair and Kingston memory I borrowed from friends and family just to check it. Still only half shows up.

 

[nikorr]

Can u boot in the windows?

 

[nikorr]

Can u run the Memtest or Windows memory diagnostics?
http://hcidesign.com/memtest/
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/715-memory-diagnostics-tool.htmlI

 

[nikorr]

Use CPU-Z to find out what is running @ http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

Check the RAM in both slots.

 

[poweruser_24]

The MB specs for Memory on Gigabyte website say:

- Supports DDR2 1066*/800/667memory
- Dual Channel architecture supports up to 8GB by 4 DIMM slots

This shows an 8GB limit, if you use all four slots, which implies a maximum of 2GB per slot. None of the bios revisions indicate any change, or increase to this.

This was a fairly standard limit at the time for the age of the MB/CPU.


PVS24GB8500ELKR2
Patriot Viper Series 2, 4GB, 8500 (1066), ELK, R2

Funnily enough if you perform a search on Patriots website for 8500EL, you will come up with numerous links to other pages for reviews of the PVS24GB8500ELKR2, and these indicate that it is a 4GB dual channel kit, containing 2x2GB modules. Take it as you will.

 

[nikorr]

The MB specs for Memory on Gigabyte website say:

- Supports DDR2 1066*/800/667memory
- Dual Channel architecture supports up to 8GB by 4 DIMM slots

This shows an 8GB limit, if you use all four slots, which implies a maximum of 2GB per slot. None of the bios revisions indicate any change, or increase to this.

This was a fairly standard limit at the time for the age of the MB/CPU.


PVS24GB8500ELKR2
Patriot Viper Series 2, 4GB, 8500 (1066), ELK, R2

Funnily enough if you perform a search on Patriots website for 8500EL, you will come up with numerous links to other pages for reviews of the PVS24GB8500ELKR2, and these indicate that it is a 4GB dual channel kit, containing 2x2GB modules. Take it as you will.

That is what I found too : ))

Hopefully the CPU-Z will tell for sure.

 

[BradenK]

Both sticks of RAM work. CPU-Z shows slots 1 and 3 running 2 gb at 533 MHz. Shouldn't it be running at 1066, not 533?

That's interesting that it shows the memory as a 2x2 gb kit... I guess that is my problem (Or the Mobo limit)...

Will run a diagnostic now and let you know the results.

 

[BradenK]

Memory checks clear...

Looking into my memory further (Funny how the only thing that came up before was a bunch of ebay crap), it looks like it was 2x2 gb sticks... So that's my problem... Me 🙂.

Thank you both for your time and advice. Sorry to waste your time.