Two different memory kits installed

[Tech Wizard]

Hello team,

 

I used to have 24GB (6x4) DDR3 @ 1866MHz / 9-11-9-27 installed on my ASUS X79-Deluxe motherboard. Here's the link to the kit/modules: http://www.kingston.com/datasheets/KHX1866C9D3_4G.pdf

 

My father has another different 24GB (also 6x4) kit, that's also running 1866MHz with same timings as mine. Long story short, he doesn't need 24GB, so we decided to take out 2x of his modules (8GB), so that he would have 16GB (4x4) installed, and that I would get 32GB (8x4). Here's the link for his kit/modules: http://www.kingston.com/datasheets/khx1866c9d3k2_8gx.pdf

 

I installed the 2 modules (8GB) I got from him, and started my PC, but it would not even reach the bios. Kept turning on/off/reseting while showing some error codes on the motherboard, so I used the reset CMOS/BIOS button with the I/O Shield. Now I could get into the BIOS, and noticed that the 2x modules that I had just installed, were running @ 1333MHz, so I fixed the frequency & timings to match my old modules. (Btw, is that the reason why it went into a boot-loop without even making it to the BIOS, because the modules were running different frequencies/timings/voltages?)

 

Booted fine into Windows. All the sticks are recognised in CPU-Z, running @ 1866MHz / 9-11-9-27, which is the XMP Profile for both the different memory kits. I guess I'm just being paranoid, but I feel like something is wrong with running two different memory kits, even though they are same speed, timings and manufacturer. Does anyone have any good RAM Stability Tests? I was thinking of Aida64 memory only, or memtest. Thanks in advance for your comment / information

 

  

[Bananasplit_00]

the deep sub timings that you often cant touch are probably different and that may be the root reason for the bootloop, but the speed differance sure didnt help either

[Kahir]

Running two different types of ram modules is usually fine. It's just ram. As long as you keep them at the same speed and timings. But if you want to be shure you can use x86memtest. It will take whole night probably but will chceck everything.

[elis]

Aren't those kits identical ? I mean, same frequency, same module size (it doesn't matter that one of them comes in groups of two, it's still the same).

 

The thing that I suspect is that they have been running in different frequencies in different motherboards. That, or there is a problem with motherboards when it comes to recognizing RAM modules that have previously run on other machines.

 

I don't know if the situation will look similar, but let me give you a couple of examples : 

 - My 800 MHz module that had been running on 667 MHz for a long time on a 667 MHz mobo, wouldn't be recognized at all by my 800 MHz mobo.

 - My cousin's 800 MHz module that had also been running for a long time on a 667 MHz mobo, would be recognized but would only run at 667 MHz on the same 800 MHz mobo I tried the other module too.

Both modules were tested separately from each other and any other modules.

 

What I think is that after running for a long time under a certain frequency, the RAM modules could somehow get locked unto that frequency. Of course that's just a hypotheses but someone with more technical knowledge could give some more info. 

[Kahir]

I was onece using 3 different types of ddr3 modules on my old s775 rig. It was ok for about 3-4 years. No problem, eventually it was GPU faliure that forced me to move on to something never 

[Kahir]

@elis

Computer parts aren't magic. They don't get stuck. If module is able to run at certain speed it will, if you apply proper settings. But some motherboards don't support some types of ram (compatibile list is on manufacturer's site). If ram is not supported it usually runs anyway, but sometimes with wierd problems. Or refuses to work at all.

[Kahir]

@elis

You should plug your memory into motherboard, clear the BIOS/CMOS and then set them to 800mhz. It usually works. RAM itselve don't have any type of memory or other way to save it's settings, it comes with manufacturers speeds applyed to XMP profile, that you have to enable in BIOS because if you plug memory to mobo for the first time it's going to be clocked at lowest possible.

[elis]

6 minutes ago, Kahir said:

@elis

Computer parts aren't magic. They don't get stuck. If module is able to run at certain speed it will, if you apply proper settings. But some motherboards don't support some types of ram (compatibile list is on manufacturer's site). If ram is not supportet it usually runs anyway, but sometimes with wierd problems. Or refuses to work at all.

1 minute ago, Kahir said:

@elis

You should plug your memory into motherboard, clear the BIOS/CMOS and then set them to 800mhz. It usually works

If the module has been built to run on 800 MHz, why is it then running on 667 MHz ? And, I am talking about DDR2 in this case, no fancy XMP. They are supposed to be plug and play. And I know they aren't magic. But they are made of circuits, transistors, diodes and such other electrical/electronic elements. There could/should be some type of consumption/degradation.

Anyway, I will try cleaning CMOS again, and see if that resolves the issue.

 

[Kahir]

@elis

Degradation in computer parts doesn't work that way (Linus made video about this). Computer stuff is in fact working completly properly or completly broken. Not a chance for decrese in performance after time, since it doesn't have any moving parts, it's not an engine where something can get used due to friction or sth. My bet is that you have your modules set to 667mhz in the bios and that's why they are running at that speed. Bios says so, they don't argue ;P

Change your memory speed in bios and everything is going to be fine

[elis]

1 minute ago, Kahir said:

@elis

Degradation in computer parts doesn't work that way (Linus made video about this). Computer stuff is in fact working completly properly or completly broken. Not a chance for decrese in performance after time, since it doesn't have any moving parts, it's not an engine where something can get used due to friction or sth. My bet is that you have your modules set to 667mhz in the bios and that's why they are running at that speed. Bios says so, they don't argue ;P

Change your memory speed in bios and everything is going to be fine

I have 3 modules right now running at 800 MHz (2 x 1 GB + 1 x @ GB). That's why I don't understand why the other modules don't work. It's not like my mobo has been set to run at 667 MHz.

By the way, every electrical component has some resistance  to current going through it, and it could vary with time.

[Kahir]

Yeah, but with the margine of error. 10y old GPU runs as fast as new. (Again Linus'es video). I think each module has to be set separately... but I don't know. I haven't been playing with my computer so much in times of ddr2. I think it may be time to make your own topic @elis

[Tech Wizard]

39 minutes ago, elis said:

Aren't those kits identical ? I mean, same frequency, same module size (it doesn't matter that one of them comes in groups of two, it's still the same).

No, I checked in CPU-Z in each computer before starting to uninstall/install the RAM, and my modules are named: khx1866c9d3/4g
My father's modules with exact same frequency/timings were named; khx1866c9d3k2/8g

 

After installing his 2 modules in my rig for 32GB RAM, I noticed CPU-Z reads all 8x modules as "khx1866c9d3/4g" now 

[elis]

2 minutes ago, Kahir said:

 I think it may be time to make your own topic @elis

Nah, lol. I just wanted to show a similar case to OP's one. Or at least one I saw as similar. And I think this issue can't be addressed by a single review, but it would need a technician (or most probable a scientist) to explain it.

 

4 minutes ago, Tech Wizard said:

No, I checked in CPU-Z in each computer before starting to uninstall/install the RAM, and my modules are named: khx1866c9d3/4g
My father's modules with exact same frequency/timings were named; khx1866c9d3k2/8g

 

After installing his 2 modules in my rig for 32GB RAM, I noticed CPU-Z reads all 8x modules as "khx1866c9d3/4g" now 

I suspect there could be something related to the dual/quad channel configuration. And the way I see those numbers (/4g or /8g or /8gx ?) is just about the commercial codes of the products. You could even have /16g or /16gx meaning the kit comes with 16 GB thus 4 modules. What makes them identical is the frequency and memory size per module. But anyway, good thing you don't have any issues now.