New RAM is causing problems

[elfwrath]

Hi All. I have recently bought a new set of RAM, identical to the old one (at least on paper) and ever since I installed it, I am getting random BSODs in both Win 7 x64 and now Win 8.1 x64.

My configuration is as follows:
Core i7 4770k
MSI Z87-GD65
2*4GB G.Skill RipjawsX 2133Mhz CL11 (the original ram)
MSI GTX 970 (now I am currently without it as I'm having the fan problems and I returned it for RMA, but the problems are happening with and without the GTX)
Samsung 840 Pro 256GB

One of the things that I noticed about the new RAM is that all the timings are identical to the old one except for the tRFC which is 208 (old one is 128). Can this be a problem of compatibility?
I ran them on XMP with all on auto, manual frequency to 2133, linked them, unlinked them...still getting random BSODs in Win. (old ones worked perfectly on XMP).

Last night I did one final thing. Since until now the RAM was placed on the DIMMs in the following order: (1 and 3 - old) with (2 and 4 - new), I thought that might be a problem since there's 2 different modules on the same channel (i assume 1 and 2 are on one channel and 3 and 4 on the other - since I have found no information as to what the channel distribution is), I have changed the order of the RAM to (1 and 2 old) with (3 and 4 - new). Now I'm waiting to see if it crashes again.

One other thing that I changed since the crashes started happening was the I upgraded the BIOS on the MOBO as I thought that might be the problem with the GTX (wasn't aware of the issues at the time). Can this cause the problems instead of the RAM (although I doubt it).

Could really use some help here. Thanks a lot.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... 1) It is typical to slightly raise your MB RAM voltage for your Ram, When you use 4 sticks.
2) You want to keep the similar Ram sticks in the same channels/slots 1-3 2-4.
3) You Want the slowest setting Ram Sticks in 1-3.

 

[Neur0nauT]

Try overclocking your CPU, the RAM in XMP mode is probably bottlenecking the Northbridge. Or switch off XMP and see if it still BSODs, that is how you will know.

 

[elfwrath]

I haven't messed with the voltage at all (left it on auto). I noticed that the readings were the same (old ram 2 sticks; everything with 4 sticks) at 1.568V. Should I fiddle with the voltage?

BTW, I have tested the RAM last night after the rearrangement with Memtest86+ and it managed 1 pass with no errors...

 

[elfwrath]

Hello... 1) It is typical to slightly raise your MB RAM voltage for your Ram, When you use use 4 sticks.
2) You want to keep the similar Ram sticks on in the same channels 1-3 2-4.
3) You Want the slowest setting Ram Sticks in 1-3.

About no.2 : That's what I had so far... It confuses me on the order: if on 2 sticks the board recommends using 2 and 4 in order to achieve dual channel, then it means that 2 and 4 belong to different channels, no?

 

[elfwrath]

Try overclocking your CPU, the RAM in XMP mode is probably bottlenecking the Northbridge. Or switch off XMP and see if it still BSODs, that is how you will know.

Switched of XMP and ran manually on 2133 - still BSODs (although I didn't change timings or voltage)

 

[Neur0nauT]

If you up the voltage to your CPU-NB in the bios, to about +0.1v you might see the system become more stable when using XMP. Your RAM configuration should be fine as long as you keep the same kit in the same dual channel slots, so that their specific timings are running in parallel with each other.

 

[Ironsounds]

Hello... Yes, raise your Ram voltage a little at a time... Do not go over 1.65v.

 

[Neur0nauT]

If you are overclocking the RAM this will not help the bottleneck to the Northbridge memory controller. The XMP profiles should set the correct voltage required for the modules regardless. (unless you are setting them manually of course) Just focus on increasing the CPU-NB voltage so that the RAM speed is stable with the NB.

Take note that you may not get a great improvement of performance with 2133 over the standard 1600 speed. I have XMP RAM, but only use it at 1600. Try benchmarking it if you get it stable at 2133 and compare it to 1600, then decide weather it is worth wasting any more time on it. Overclocking degrades the life expectancy of your components too.

 

[elfwrath]

I see. I will try it out when I get home (at work now). I'll see if it still crashes over the next few days and try out your solutions. The thing is that it crashes unexpectedly and I basically have to be on it a lot of time to test things out... so it will probably take a few days at least. I'll keep you posted. Thank you.

 

[elfwrath]

Home right now! Been running the PC for about 4 hours now, did a windows memory diagnostics, downloaded some stuff, watched some youtube... no problems at all. Hope this keeps up. Will update you soon.