Motherboard only detects RAM in single channel mode (PLEASE read description)

[danielgt243]

Back in 2014 I built a pc, I had 8gb kingston hyperX 1600mhz ram running in dual channel (2x4gb) with no problems, then i got an extra stick from a different brand (adata xpg) that ran in the same frequency and just installed with no problems. BIOS and windows were detecting the 12gb just fine.

Then a few weeks ago windows started freezing when running games, and I found out that out of the 12gb it was only using 4gb and in task manager it said 8gb reserved for hardware.
BIOS too only detects 4gb of usable memory.

I have tried all the solutions for that, the msconfig, regedit and different ram configurations to no avail. Then, in a last attempt to make it work, I found out that my motherboard wouldn't detect ram in dual channel mode, when I inserted 2x4gb sticks in a dual channel config, only 4gb would get recognized, but if I installed them in a single channel config the 8gb would be recognized in windows and in the BIOS. When the configuration was in single channel mode, I installed the other 4gb stick and again windows and BIOS only recognized 4gb.

My PC specs are:

Windows 10 pro 64bit

AMD FX 6300 black edition

NVIDIA GTX 1060 6gb SSC edition

Thermaltake water 3.0 AIO liquid cooling solution

2x Kingston HyperX 4gb sticks 1600mhz

1x4gb Adata XPG 4gb 1600mhz (https://www.amazon.com/ADATA-1600MHz-Memory-Modules-AX3U1600W4G11-RD/dp/B00F902QWQ/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1526789058&sr=8-5&keywords=adata+xpg+4gb+ddr3)

Seasonic 620 watt 80+ bronze certified power supply

Biostar TA970 motherboard (http://www.biostar.com.tw/app/es/mb/introduction.php?S_ID=623)

I know the RAM is compatible because I had used it for at least 2 years in the 12gb configuration.

I've also tried each memory stick to see if by chance one of them is faulty, but every single one seems to be working fine.

Motherboard supports dual channel config and up to 64gb of ram according to the manual.

I have no iGPU so there is no option for memory remapping in the BIOS.

If anyone can help, it would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you in advance.

 

[R0GG]

Could you upload a screen shot of CPUZ with every memory tab available?
what slots you have your memory hooked to ( the 2 Kingston usually to 2nd and 4th on dual channel and the adata)
Are timings of the memory sticks the same (not the frequency)
Thanks.

 

[Doctor Rob]

first off if you had only 3 sticks of ram you were not using dual channel.. you would have to have all 4 filled.. OR just 2 slots.. as for it not working with just 2 sticks in the board make sure you check the manual.. and reset the bios etc..

OR you may just have a bad board or something like that.. its getting up there in age.

 

[Doctor Rob]

also if your CPU has any damage.. like one of the pins is dirty it could also cause that.. like when you installed it if you accedently touched the pin.. it could take a while for it to cause real damage..

 

[danielgt243]

first off if you had only 3 sticks of ram you were not using dual channel.. you would have to have all 4 filled.. OR just 2 slots.. as for it not working with just 2 sticks in the board make sure you check the manual.. and reset the bios etc..

OR you may just have a bad board or something like that.. its getting up there in age.

.
BIOS has been reset via removing CMOS battery.
I followed the instructions on the manual for dual channel, still only detects 4gb.
Maybe is the motherboard yes, but I decided to post this thread just in case there is just some wrong config.

As for the CPU pins being dirty, I really can't remember if I accidentally touched any pins.

 

[danielgt243]

Could you upload a screen shot of CPUZ with every memory tab available?
what slots you have your memory hooked to ( the 2 Kingston usually to 2nd and 4th on dual channel and the adata)
Are timings of the memory sticks the same (not the frequency)
Thanks.

https://imgur.com/1xurt9d as you can see, CPUZ does detect 12gb of ram, but in task manager it only uses 8gb with 4 reserved for hardware.

The kingston ram without the adata was inserted in the config specified in the manual for dual channel mode (A2 and B2), still only 4gb. https://imgur.com/Q0fu6Nc

then I inserted the adata in B1 and it now detects 8gb.

I don't really know much about the timings, but I never moved any setting regarding them.

Here are the memory tabs
https://imgur.com/tW82FIu
https://imgur.com/sjrnQiS
https://imgur.com/VzioYmZ

 

[R0GG]

Thanks for the screenshots BUT MISSING MAIN MEMORY TAB ( he first one that summarizes the actual overall memory and frequency and channel state) please upload it, anyway
_Kingston memory seems to have a native 1600 @ CL11 and 1.5V
.(besides the weird XMP profile with higher voltage same clock and lower CL)
_Adata is a 1333 native and it's XMP is identical to native specs of the Kingston !

Try disable XMP and configure manually your memory parameters in the Bios: set all your memory sticks to 1.5Volts: @ 11-11-28-39 timing wise and 1600 MHz.

 

[danielgt243]

Thanks for the screenshots BUT MISSING MAIN MEMORY TAB ( he first one that summarizes the actual overall memory and frequency and channel state) please upload it, anyway
_Kingston memory seems to have a native 1600 @ CL11 and 1.5V
.(besides the weird XMP profile with higher voltage same clock and lower CL)
_Adata is a 1333 native and it's XMP is identical to native specs of the Kingston !

Try disable XMP and configure manually your memory parameters in the Bios: set all your memory sticks to 1.5Volts: @ 11-11-28-39 timing wise and 1600 MHz.

Is it not the one in the first screenshot with task manager on it? if not, were can I find that tab?

Thanks, will try it later in the day and I'll update on the situation

 

[R0GG]

Sorry, I missed the first pic, your memory is detected as 12 GB working in single channel at 1600 MHz 11-11-28-39, but windows is only managing 8 GB among which 3 GB is in use and 4.8 is available !
Did you try putting the 2x4 crucial in dual channel with and without XMP?
Can you check whether XMP is enabled in the Bios ?