How many RAM sticks does my CPU support and what's the best Mobo for it

[FarisFawkes]

Hey guys, so I have a Core i5 3570 and a Gigabyte P75 D3 Motherboard
My problem is that my PC won't work with more than 2 RAM sticks in the motherboard, even though all the RAM sticks work perfectly fine on the first 2 slots. So I would like to know can my CPU run more than 2 RAM sticks? And if so what's the best 4-RAM slot mobo for it? Thanks and sorry for the long question.

 

[BadBoyGreek]

How much RAM you can run is a limitation of the chipset. If you have 4 slots, then the system can run with 4 DIMM modules - the question is what size those DIMMs are. I believe the P75 chipset can support a maximum of 32 GB RAM, so if you're running 4 x 8 GB DIMMs, then you should be fine, but some motherboards also require firmware updates to accommodate larger DIMMs as well.

 

[FarisFawkes]

How much RAM you can run is a limitation of the chipset. If you have 4 slots, then the system can run with 4 DIMM modules - the question is what size those DIMMs are. I believe the P75 chipset can support a maximum of 32 GB RAM, so if you're running 4 x 8 GB DIMMs, then you should be fine, but some motherboards also require firmware updates to accommodate larger DIMMs as well.

Yes you are correct and I am running 4x4 DIMMs. I've tried Re-flashing the BIOS with the one already on it but didn't try to get an update. Also when I put only 1 RAM stick in the 3rd or 4th it doesn't work, also the CPU pins had a little problem but the service center got that fixed. So maybe some kind of electricity shortage happened to the last 2 slots due to the CPU pins? I thought that was worth mentioning

 

[Brunostako]

The RAM support no longer depends on the motherboard chipset (south bridge) because for quite some time already, the north bridge and memory controller is the CPU die.

If you already tested your dimm slots and some fail to recognize the RAM modules, the you have a faulty motherboard (like a connection problem or faulty circuitry) or faulty CPU (like damaged pins).

 

[BadBoyGreek]

How much RAM you can run is a limitation of the chipset. If you have 4 slots, then the system can run with 4 DIMM modules - the question is what size those DIMMs are. I believe the P75 chipset can support a maximum of 32 GB RAM, so if you're running 4 x 8 GB DIMMs, then you should be fine, but some motherboards also require firmware updates to accommodate larger DIMMs as well.

Yes you are correct and I am running 4x4 DIMMs. I've tried Re-flashing the BIOS with the one already on it but didn't try to get an update. Also when I put only 1 RAM stick in the 3rd or 4th it doesn't work, also the CPU pins had a little problem but the service center got that fixed. So maybe some kind of electricity shortage happened to the last 2 slots due to the CPU pins? I thought that was worth mentioning

A single DIMM not working in slot 3 or 4 doesn't necessarily mean the slots are no good. Usually when running a single DIMM, motherboard manufacturers are very specific about which slot to populate, which is typically the very first slot. Theoretically, a single DIMM should work on any slot, but some boards are finnicky about that. With that being said, there is a possibility something has shorted and rendered those third and fourth slots useless.

Here's what I recommend - get the latest firmware for your motherboard and see if all the slots work after. If not, try reordering them one more time. If it still fails, take it to a service center and have them populate the DIMMs with other RAM and different capacities. Sometimes some motherboards are also particular about the brand of RAM in them.

 

[jsmithepa]

Of course all ram sticks are identically rated, 1600 DDR3, CL-blah-blah correct?

 

[FarisFawkes]

Of course all ram sticks are identically rated, 1600 DDR3, CL-blah-blah correct?

Of course, all came in the same package