RAM causing computer to freeze up

[lordbardill]

A few weeks ago my computer completely froze up while browsing online, all open programs (Chrome, Steam, Skype etc) all started to freeze one by one until the entire machine had jammed, I couldn't even get to the task manager. I updated my BIOS and it didn't happen again for around two weeks, then it suddenly started happening daily after a fair few hours of use.
I thought the RAM would be an easy place to start, so I removed one of the two 4GB sticks and went a couple of days with no freezing.
However, a friend then pointed out to me that both of my sticks were in the wrong slots, I have a Gigabyte board, so they order 4-2-3-1, and my RAM was in slots 2 and 1, when the instructions show they should be in slots 4 and 2. I had removed the stick from slot 2. So I thought I'd test different configurations.

Putting two sticks in slots 4 and 2 as the instructions state got me memory error beeps when I hit the power button.
I put both sticks in slots 1 and 3 and the computer booted fine, although it took a good few seconds for it to beep at me, however the machine then completely locked up as before mere minutes after booting.
I have tried every single and dual configuration in every slot since, and have experienced the freezing after minutes, even seconds, of booting up. I even went back to having one stick in slot 1, as that didn't freeze for two days straight, but this time it froze almost immediately after booting up.

Does anybody have any idea what I'm dealing with here?

Specs:
intel i5 6500
2x4GB corsair value 2133mhz, 15-15-15-36, DDR4 RAM
Nvidia GTX960 SSC
Gigabyte GA-H170-HD3 DDR4 motherboard
Sandisk z400 256gb SSD
Windows 10

 

[Tanyac]

Have you tried running memtest for a few hours to put the RAM through it's paces?

Is your system running at stock BIOS Settings?

What are the specifications of your memory (frequency, timings). The model of the RAM will tell you

http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

 

[lordbardill]

Have you tried running memtest for a few hours to put the RAM through it's paces?

Is your system running at stock BIOS Settings?

What are the specifications of your memory (frequency, timings). The model of the RAM will tell you

http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

I ran the Windows memory test several times and got nothing. Unfortunately the computer freezes too quickly for me to do anything with it at all now.

Yes, stock BIOS settings, I was told the voltages could be wrong but it was set to the default 1.2volts

2133mhz, 15-15-15-36 latency

 

[SkyNetRising]

For 2 module configuration, correct usage is #1 module in channel A, module #2 in channel B.
You must use slots 1,2 or slots 3,4.

Your initial configuration using slots 1,2 was correct.
Second attempt using slots 2,4 was incorrect.

It's possible that by messing around with ram you have damaged it with electro-static discharge.

 

[lordbardill]

For 2 module configuration, correct usage is #1 module in channel A, module #2 in channel B.
You must use slots 1,2 or slots 3,4.

Your initial configuration using slots 1,2 was correct.
Second attempt using slots 2,4 was incorrect.

It's possible that by messing around with ram you have damaged it with electro-static discharge.

I thought it was, but the instruction manual says to use slots 2 and 4 for dual configurations. It booted with every configuration except slots 2 and 4 though, which just gave me memory error beeps.

And yes that's possible but the problems started from the moment it was built.

I bought the parts from www.scan.co.uk, should I RMA the motherboard and RAM and get them tested?

 

[SkyNetRising]

There is Dual Channel Memory Configurations Table in the manual.
And it states that for 2 module configuration you must use slots 1,2 or slots 3,4.

Slots 2,4 are for same channel. Dual channel mode can not be operated if all modules are in the same channel.

 

[Tradesman1]

Do you have the latest BIOS? Check that first and update if you don't, it may not have proper settings for the model of DRAM. Then would put the sticks in slots 1-3 (counting from CPU) - (in your manual it calls them 3-4), boot to BIOS and ensure the proper timings are loaded, then raise the DRAM voltage + 0.05 (should be to 1.25) and see how it goes

 

[lordbardill]

Do you have the latest BIOS? Check that first and update if you don't, it may not have proper settings for the model of DRAM. Then would put the sticks in slots 1-3 (counting from CPU) - (in your manual it calls them 3-4), boot to BIOS and ensure the proper timings are loaded, then raise the DRAM voltage + 0.05 (should be to 1.25) and see how it goes

Yeah I updated the BIOS, it stopped the freezing for around two weeks then it started again worse than before. I've returned the RAM to the original/proper slots and all the BIOS settings are correct.
As for the voltage, I know it's at the default 1.2volts. I've never altered things like this before, I assume a 0.05 increase will be safe?

 

[Tradesman1]

Yes, no problem, it may stabilize the sticks