MSI Z97 Gaming 7 Memory compatibility?

ali13245

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Oct 14, 2014
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hello there i just finished my build, however i was having issue with my computer. Everytime i would power it on it would go on and then shutoff like 2-3 seconds later. I later noticed that the cause if this issue was because i was using memory clocked at 1866 mhz which i later found out that my motherboard only supoorts 1600mhz ram. Now my question us will this ram be compatible with my motherboard?

http://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemnumber=20-148-519

Please respond ASAP as i need to order new ram right now.

Thank you.
 
Hey there,

The link only brings me to the front page of the Newegg website. That being said you should be able to clock DOWN your 1866 memory to 1600 and need no new ram. Just change the speed in the BIOS. Most all RAM can be clocked downwards with no issues.
 
Thanks for the tip, however i cant even boot into bios with both dimms installed. If i use bith dimms it goes into a boot loop, when i use 1 stick in slot 1 it boots into bios clocked at 1333mhz. How can i use both dimms and bring them down to 1600mhz? And can the problem be from my motherboard or no?
 
This is the ram that i was asking if compatible or not: Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracer 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory (with Red/Green Light) Model BLT2KIT4G3D1608DT2TXRG
 
The only way to be SURE if a particular form of RAM will be compatible with your motherboard it to check the motherboard documentation that states all the RAM it is compatible with. This would be in the manual. If it is an older motherboard, then you may have to check their website.

All that being said, MOST 1600mhz RAM is compatible with most boards.

So here is a bit of troubleshooting. You said if you stick both sticks in it goes into a super bios loop, but when you stick one in it at least goes into BIOS. So my first question is if you have tried Both sticks of RAM this way. One in, it boots up to 1333 and then stick the other it boots up to 1333? I ask this because if one does not, that stick is probably pooched.

Now if both boot up in singular fashion.. I would ask how are you sticking both into your motherboard? Most Motherboards will have four slots (1, 2, 3, 4). Most motherboard would require you stick ram in alternating slots like (1, 3 or 2, 4) for two sticks of RAM (see your manual for which slots to use). If you are sticking them in like (1,2) or (3,4) there can be issues.

Most 1866 or 1600 ram will auto clock at 1333 Mhz and you have to go into BIOS and enable XMP mode to get them up to 1600 or 1866. This function, as well as the function to manually raise the frequency of the RAM on most motherboards are found under the advance section of the BIOS and maybe even something called Tweaking or Tweaker. Most likely the setting currently is on AUTO or 1333 and all you have to do is:

1. Change it to 1600 MHz
Or
2. You can go to the section slightly higher and look for the XMP option. It will most likely give you one or two settings like XMP 1600 and XMP 1866. If it only has 1866, then just follow option 1.

What type of Motherboard do you have?
 
The compatibility list for DRAM on any given mobo, is extremely brief, they simply test whatever DRAM they have available, and doesn't guarantee compatibility with any given combo, i.e. they might test 2666 sets of DRAM and yes they work fine on the mobo - but to run them at 2666 you need a CPU that can carry the sticks as the MC (memory controller) which is the true determining factor is in the CPU...And simply put, there too many DRAM choices out there for them to ever even give thought to test all available sticks
 


This is true but we are talking about 1600MHZ RAM so most any should work in just about any Motherboard, although there is always the possibility that some weird stick isn't compatible. My point was while it is a possibility, it isn't probable. Most likely the Ram is pooched, he is sticking them in the wrong slot or it isn't set properly in the BIOS.

 
The motherboard i am using is the MSI Z97 Gaming 7, so with that being said, my mobo manual says it supports up to 3200mhz (oc) same goes for 1866mhz(oc) is that why they are not working? And i am using intel core i7 4790k cpu, so i dont think thats the issue. Can i still still change the xmp stuff in the bios while using 1 stick of ram, and then i can put both sticks back in? Also my mobo requires slot 2 and 4 for dual channel which i was using correclty.
 
I tried bot dimms individually like you guys suggested, and it turns out only 1 dimm works in the slot and boots into bios, whereas the other dimm in the slot goes into a boot loop. So im guessing the ram is fried? I also used different slots and ended up with the same results. So my question here is will i still be able to USE 1866mhz memory on this motherboard? (MSI Z97 Gaming 7)
 
Yes it is normal. Many RAM sticks these days will boot at that level as default and the way you get them to 1600 or 1866 is by enabling the XMP profile of the RAM within the BIOS. If you want to check it out, go into the BIOS and look under advanced tweaker or tweaker and it should be under a heading called memory profile or some sort. Change that setting to XMP and you should see the RAM change it's frequency properly.