GA-X79-UP4 and RAM Slots

**Wheelzup** · 11-18-2012

This is the first board that I've gotten that has 8 DIMM slots, my question is about the best way to populate the slots? After reading the manual it shows the memory for a 32GB set of RAM in Dims 1,and 2 and the other in 3 and 4 but my problem is my cooler is blocking DIMM 1, will it still work properly if I go with DIMM slots 3 and 4 and 7 and 8? The RAM is Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Edition 32GB (4 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 15000) Desktop Memory Model PVI332G186C0QK

Any suggestions would be appreciated...thanks...

**wazza300** · 11-18-2012

idk on that board,any config wont hurt the board though,itll either boot up or refuse,you can then load cpu-z in windows and look at the memory tab to see if your running in dual or quad channel mode ct

**Vinster** · 11-18-2012

what may happen is if not populated properly may not function in Quad Channel Mode.

You can confirm this once you boot up and open CPU-Z, in the memory tab you'll see how many channels you are running.

Vin

**Wheelzup** · 11-28-2012

This what happened, I bought the 1866 memory since it was on sale. It turns out that the heatsink on the Patriot RAM was a little taller than I thought and it wouldn't fit due to the cooler blocking a couple of the DIMM slots so I took the DDR 3 2133 RAM which is only a 16GB kit and dropped them in the recomended DIMM's and the system came up at a default speed of 1600 so I enabled the XMP and it did the trick recognizing the RAM and even the timings. With i7 CPU not being unlocked I wasn't sure it would be stable but it turns out that it is. I see that the same RAM kit has dropped to $129 would it be okay to just get it and fill the remaining slots to see what happens?

**Vinster** · 11-28-2012

they gave you all the slots to fill, I'd give it a go. you might have to tweak a few voltages for having that many memory modules though.

Vin

**Conners** · 11-29-2012

On a diffrent note... yes you can use the same ram to fill those slots. Will they work with tweaking voltages and such? Maybe maybe not. Most manufactures DO NOT guarantee memory to play with each other nicely UNLESS they were a tested as a Matched Set!

**Wheelzup** · 01-13-2013

I finally got some time to mess around with the two kits the Patriot that is 32 GB running at 1866 4x8 DIMMS and the G-Skill kit that runs at 2133 and is 16 GB (4x4) When installed both kits defaulted to 1600 which is what they should do when first installed. This is where things got interesting and confusing at the same time. Kit 1 the 2133 G-Skill kit that is 16 GB easily went up to its rated speed and voltage when I enabled the XMP profile. Since I swapped out the monster Silverstone cooler and installed a Xigmatek Dark Knight II which gave me the room to get the slightly taller 32 GB 1866 Patriot memory into the proper DIMM slots on my board. When I started it up it too defaulted to 1600 but when I enabled the XMP profile the system tried to start but it just kept looping on and off with no beeps indicating any issues that could be checked out. With the 32 GB of RAM could it just be the limit that my CPU has or is it possibly a voltage issue since it's twice the memory of the G-Skill kit that can run at its rated values of 2133. BTW I checked to see if both kits were running in quad channel mode at the speeds I could get them to run at and they are. I still have the 32 GB kit that should be running at 1866 but I left it at its default 1600 and it is working just fine. Even the WEI has it scored at 7.9, so should I just forget it and let it run the way it is or sell the kits and get one that runs at 1600? I was just looking around late one night at some reviews and the new Kingston HyperX Beast is getting some very good reviews and should fit in my system without any trouble.