[SOLVED] RAM failing stress test

[olip74]

Hi, I'm upgrading the RAM in my neighbours laptop which is an Acer Aspire 5742, model PEW71. It came with 3GB RAM from Kingston, ACR256X64D3S1333C9 and ACR128X64D3S1333C9, which are 1.5V, PC3-10600.

I purchased 2 modules from eBay, both Kingston 99U5469-045.A00LF, which are 1.35V PC3L-12800. I understood that PC3L should be compatible with 1.5V and that the RAM should simply clock down to 1333MHz. BIOS registers the full 8GB but Memtest 86+ just crashes with both sticks installed or individually and the laptop obviously won't boot. This makes me think the likelihood is incompatibility rather than a fault with the memory.

Was there another factor I should have taken into consideration?

 

[SteveRX4]

If you RMA the ram then they'll test it. They won't work in your laptop though.

 

[olip74]

If you RMA the ram then they'll test it. They won't work in your laptop though.

Thanks, I will contact the seller to see what can be done. However the question was why that would be the case?

 

[olip74]

Thanks, I will contact the seller to see what can be done. However the question was why that would be the case?

No one? Same form factor. Is it something to do with chip density?

 

[SteveRX4]

The ram itself could be faulty. It could be that it just won't work with your motherboard.
Most ram is only made up of kits of sticks that have exactly the same part number. Yours doesn't.
On a pre-built, such as you've got, you might not be able to find info on what ram has been tested for what CPU and found OK for your motherboard. Whereas I can find that easy on self built PCs by a quick google search of the motherboard.

 

[egda23]

Hi, I'm upgrading the RAM in my neighbours laptop which is an Acer Aspire 5742, model PEW71. It came with 3GB RAM from Kingston, ACR256X64D3S1333C9 and ACR128X64D3S1333C9, which are 1.5V, PC3-10600.

I purchased 2 modules from eBay, both Kingston 99U5469-045.A00LF, which are 1.35V PC3L-12800. I understood that PC3L should be compatible with 1.5V and that the RAM should simply clock down to 1333MHz. BIOS registers the full 8GB but Memtest 86+ just crashes with both sticks installed or individually and the laptop obviously won't boot. This makes me think the likelihood is incompatibility rather than a fault with the memory.

Was there another factor I should have taken into consideration?

What is your Bios version ?
Updates can be have here
https://www.acer.com/ac/en/GB/content/support-product/3277;-;AS5742

 

[olip74]

What is your Bios version ?
Updates can be have here
https://www.acer.com/ac/en/GB/content/support-product/3277;-;AS5742

Thanks. A good shout and I did upgrade the BIOS but no joy.

 

[SteveRX4]

Have a look here and see if you can work out ram that you can have in the laptop - https://www.upgradeable.com.au/acer...7B8tu3gfPKV5F--M1_EUfzTTNCIgsg2hoClGsQAvD_BwE

 

[olip74]

Have a look here and see if you can work out ram that you can have in the laptop - https://www.upgradeable.com.au/acer...7B8tu3gfPKV5F--M1_EUfzTTNCIgsg2hoClGsQAvD_BwE

Thanks. I'm going to go for the same spec this time (PC3-10600) from a seller with a returns policy and not be clever. There's always a bit of hit and hope with these things, especially as you say, with pre-assembled HW.

 

[SteveRX4]

RAM is real finnicky. Not all ram works with all motherboards.

See https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/ddr-dram-myths,4155.html#p6

 

[olip74]

Thanks. I'm going to go for the same spec this time (PC3-10600) from a seller with a returns policy and not be clever. There's always a bit of hit and hope with these things, especially as you say, with pre-assembled HW.

Got some new RAM, works a treat. Also found another laptop to test the original RAM, which also works so I'm confident to resell on eBay. Thanks for the pointers all!

 

[SteveRX4]

No worries. Happy gaming.