RAM not being detected

[The_Jonkler]

I recently changed pc’s to a lenovo thinkcentre m73 (desktop) and since it only has 2 slots and my last pc had four i could only put in 8gb of ram (2x4gb) and i realised i cant finish the last of us part 1 without 16gb so I bought a 16gb kit on ebay (2x8gb) before I explain further I did notice the ram was advertised as ‘server ram’ but i asked the seller and they said it would make no difference, I also did a quick google search and it said the same. The pin layout also looks the same but when i put it into my pc i got a memory error code. I then re seated the ram, to no avail. Then i tried different combinations of ram, again not detected. I then dug a little deeper into google and found it was only on supported motherboards. Should this make a difference? If it does, how (and should I) should I go about telling the ebay seller this?

[porina]

Which CPU and exactly how was the ram described?

 

If it was registered or buffered, it wont work on consumer tier hardware. ECC might work, depends on the CPU/platform.

[RONOTHAN##]

6 minutes ago, The_Jonkler said:

I did notice the ram was advertised as ‘server ram’

This is probably an issue. "Server RAM" is a very generic term with no real meaning, but most of the time in the server space, the RAM you'll be using will be registered ECC. Without going into details, registered memory needs a memory controller and motherboard designed to support it, and consumer platforms like the one you're using do not support it. 

 

What does the label on the memory kit say? A picture of the label or the memory stick itself should be enough to determine if it is registered memory and will be an issue. 

[The_Jonkler]

4 minutes ago, RONOTHAN## said:

This is probably an issue. "Server RAM" is a very generic term with no real meaning, but most of the time in the server space, the RAM you'll be using will be registered ECC. Without going into details, registered memory needs a memory controller and motherboard designed to support it, and consumer platforms like the one you're using do not support it. 

 

What does the label on the memory kit say? A picture of the label or the memory stick itself should be enough to determine if it is registered memory and will be an issue. 

 

4 minutes ago, porina said:

Which CPU and exactly how was the ram described?

 

If it was registered or buffered, it wont work on consumer tier hardware. ECC might work, depends on the CPU/platform.

I think it was registered, does that mean I’m out of luck? CPU is i7 4770

[RONOTHAN##]

Just now, The_Jonkler said:

 

I think it was registered, does that mean I’m out of luck?

Yes. Can you include a photo of the stick to confirm if it is or not?

[The_Jonkler]

2 minutes ago, RONOTHAN## said:

Yes. Can you include a photo of the stick to confirm if it is or not?

The one on the bottom is ram I’ve used before with no problem, if that means anything the two 8gb ones are the new ones

[RONOTHAN##]

37 minutes ago, The_Jonkler said:

The one on the bottom is ram I’ve used before with no problem, if that means anything the two 8gb ones are the new ones

The two top ones are registered DIMMs, they will not work in your system. Try to return them if you can.