Issues with wrong RAM (Hyperx Fury with older mobo)

[Nayeen]

Hello!

I have an older mobo ASUS P7P55D-E Pro with existing 4GB RAM (2x 2GB Exceleram PC3-12800 DDR3 1600Mhz 1,65V). I made the mistake of buying extra 8GB of extra RAM single stick (HyperX Fury 1x8GB 1600 DDR3 HX316C10F/8) without doing proper research. It turns out that my mobo supports 16GB RAM but it seems the sticks should be 4GB max per slot? Also there is some problem with Fury not using XMP which I don't fully understand.

In any case when I tried to simply add the new stick with the old ones the computer recognized 12GB RAM (but only 2GB were usable for some reason). I then tried to just use the new single 8GB stick alone and for some reason it works (even though there should be 4GB max per slot?)?

When I turn on the PC I do get this message about unable to overclock (this system was not set up by me so I don’t know anything about the existing settings and how were they set up).

http://imgur.com/a/hvaYH here are the images of:

- error message on startup (this is with only single new 8GB stick)
- windows still recognizes 8GB ram in single stick (and it seems to be usable?)
- BIOS settings
- the old 2x2GB sticks were in the slots 1 and 3 and the new 8GB stick is now in slot 1 alone

I’m not sure what to do and I could use some advice. When buying new RAM I couldn’t find the exact model of my old RAM (2x 2GB Exceleram) so I realized there might be compatibility issues with new RAM (that’s why I bought 8GB in case the old and new RAM wouldn’t work together I could still have 8GB RAM from new stick alone).

Anyway I still have the ability to return the new 8GB stick and buy 2x4GB instead. Should I exchange the new RAM or can I just use this single stick since it seems to work (provided I can solve the error message on startup)? Also why does a single 8GB stick even works on my mobo since it shouldn’t, and Fury on top?

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... You and many other have bought the Fury models cause they were always on sale... but they were only good for certain MB models and yours is one them.

Yes memory compatibility has always been a issue since the i286... Typically DDR2 got to a Generic model and max of 2GB per slot... but DDr3 came out with some different data organization all over agian... your MB states 16GB max and Dual Channel memory architecture, it Does Not state 4gb per slot... and would explain the 8GB working in one "channel". There are double sided 2xR and single sided memory 1xR... so you can have 8gb on one side or 8gb on two side connections... its confusing for the consumer, that want to MAX out their MB's, and can be a trial and error for us.

The memory controller was re-designed after your CPU model and generic DDR3 1xR 2XR and single 8gb sticks seem to work in all them now.

Typically you can run 1 stick or 2 sticks or 4 sticks... 3 sticks is not a supported mode... but experiment at your Own Risk with this configuration... I have found exceptions to the rules over the years.

I would get 2x4 and use them with your 2x2's for a total of 12 GB system memory, Dual memory mode and MB compatibility. In the Long view of things this will be your last upgrade to this MB/CPU as DDR4 low voltage will be the only thing you can use for the next generation intel memory controller... don't expect to transfer this memory to the next generation CPU and MB's. But resale value on the 8GB DDr3 stick will higher than 2x4 sticks on EBAY.

You need to change the BCLK from 160 to 133 in the AI tweaker screen (save and exit) to stop the overclocking error.

 

[Nayeen]

Thanks for the reply! I don't intend to upgrade this system any further since I will buy a new one within 1-2 years. The only issue that I have at the moment is that I find myself in situations where I could use extra RAM since I often work with graphic design at high resolutions. So if I could get new RAM working with the old one (to get 12GB total) that would be perfect.

I will return the 8GB Fury stick and I will just grab 2x4GB. I do have just one follow up question. What type of brand/model should I get in order to maximize compatibility with my old RAM (I can't find the same brand/model in local stores).

Do I just need to get 2x4GB with DDR3 and 1600Mhz or do I also need to find one with the same latency numbers and voltage?

For example would this work? 2x Kingston DDR3 4GB 1600 (KVR16N11S8/4BK), latency 11–11–11, voltage 1.5V

My current RAM does have 1.65V written on the sticker and slightly different numbers for latency.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... Dram voltage and CAS latency are adjustable in your BIO's... look at your screen shot, it is running 1600 @ 1.496 currently B )
MY opinion on this would be to stay with the Kingston FURY models rated for your chipset/MB... DDR3 1600 1.5 or 1.65 cas11 is fine... BUT you must agree the single 8GB working with your MB and Windows OS a GOOD sign? so we know there is compatibility with that Kingston model of memory!!! Get a 2x4 Kingston FURY set of the same things.

P.S. Thx for the great photos and careful well written Post.

 

[Nayeen]

Ok great, I will just get the same Fury models then but in 2x4GB variant. Thanks again for your help, appreciate it!