Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 with G.Skill RAM issue

[singo79]

Hi All,

Am running an Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 with Intel 2600k CPU, 16GB DDR3 RAM (2 x G.Skill F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR2), Seagate Momentus XT (500GB), Samsung Multidrive CD/DVD-R/RW, Antec TurePower 550W PSU, Win7 Ultimate 64-bit.

I am not running a video card on this system as it was built for a simple process of dealing with processing of ip Cameras.

The thing is, the system was completely stable when I was running on 8GB of RAM in the system. Essentially when I built the system I only bought and installed the G.Skill 8GB kit, but after a number of weeks I noticed that there was a need to install more RAM. After installing the second 8GB kit (total of 16GB) the system is totally unstable. I have run memtest86 on all RAM sticks and everything comes back fine, I have also run the Microsoft memory test and that raised no issues. I have tried isolating the RAM sticks just in case there is a problem with one stick or slot in particular, but that has failed to isolate the problem. I have tried swapping RAM sticks in DIMM slots, I have tried different combos of RAM sticks, I have tried almost every combination of RAM sticks in DIMM slots, but I have not been able to isolate the issue.

At the end of the day it comes down to the following facts that I have been able to prove. When running only 8GB of RAM, in whatever DIMM slot or RAM combintation the system runs fine, when running 16GB the system is totally unstable and crashes after several minutes of booting up. At the moment I am running the system with 12GB of RAM and it is totally stable, no issues whatsoever, so I am left with no other belief then the mobo has an issue running 16GB of RAM. Whether it is isolated to G.Skill RAM or in particular this specific model of RAM, I cannot run anything more then 12GB of RAM in the system.

In the Bios I have everything set to default, except the XMP which I have enabled. I have tried different Bios options also, but that has failed to successfully run 16GB of RAM. Ultimately my problem is this, if I run 16GB of RAM the system crashes, anything under 16GB and the system is fine.

Hoping that someone can help here.

[SaphireX]

Re: Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 with G.Skill RAM issue

The key here is "kit" the 1rst 8GB Kit you bought was tested to work as a pair. The 2nd 8GB kit was also tested to work as a pair...By mixing 2 Kits you have discovered why? it is necessary to purchase from the start what you want as the maximum RAM for your build. Since you need 16GB you will need to purchase a 16GB Kit. Just because the 2 8GB Kits are the same model number does not mean that they are made from the same memory batch chips hence the incompatibility...

I am sure even if you posted your issue in the GSkill Forum GSKILL TECH FORUM - Powered by vBulletin that "Tradesman" would advise the same thing...

Good Luck
SaphireX

[singo79]

Re: Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 with G.Skill RAM issue

The key here is "kit" the 1rst 8GB Kit you bought was tested to work as a pair. The 2nd 8GB kit was also tested to work as a pair...By mixing 2 Kits you have discovered why? it is necessary to purchase from the start what you want as the maximum RAM for your build. Since you need 16GB you will need to purchase a 16GB Kit. Just because the 2 8GB Kits are the same model number does not mean that they are made from the same memory batch chips hence the incompatibility...

I am sure even if you posted your issue in the GSkill Forum GSKILL TECH FORUM - Powered by vBulletin that "Tradesman" would advise the same thing...

Good Luck
SaphireX

Thanks for the reply SaphireX, I appreciate your time to reply to my thread, however I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this point of mixing the two kits. This isn't the first build that I have done where I have bought a RAM kit and then later I have bought another kit and installed it into the system without incident or BSOD.

In fact the PC that I am using right now is a Gigabyte X58A-UD7, Intel 980X CPU, 12GB of G.Skill Jipjaws (2 x Kits of F3-12800CL8T-6GBRM). I started off with only one 6GB kit and about 12 months down the track I added in the second 6GB kit. I have had no issue at any stage with the RAM in this PC and it is the exact same situation with my new Z68 platform. I have built computers for friends and have often mixed RAM kits without incident. Therefore I respectfully disagree with the thought that it is the mixture of the two kits that are somehow incompatible with each other. I actually mixed the two kits together, ie. I took one stick from the first kit and paired it in the system with a stick from the second kit and all worked well. I did many combo tests like this and the only time the system crashed was when I had both kits in all DIMM slots. I paired the originaly kit in A1 & B1 and the new kit in A2 & B2 and it crashed after several minutes. I then changed the kits about the new kit in A1 & B1 and the new kit in A2 & B2, the system crashed after several minutes. I then mixed it up and put a stick from the old kit in A1 and a stick from the new kit in B1 and did the same process in slots A2 & B2, again the system crashed. As soon as I take one stick out, doesn't matter what stick I take out as I have tested every combination, the system is totally stable and runs for hours on end without issue.

I tend to believe that it may be a Bios setting that I am missing, or maybe even an issue with the actual Bios or Mobo itself.

[wazza300]

Re: Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 with G.Skill RAM issue

What amount of dram and vtt voltage are you using? Even if it passes memtest it still could need more vtt,no higher than 1.2v on sb

[kick]

Re: Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 with G.Skill RAM issue

Aside from the above, are you overclocking?

Even if you arent, give the memory extra voltage to try and equalise the performance on the sticks, and see if that cures it,I wouldnt go above 1.59 V in bios.
nb my gskill ram was detected at 1.59v when originally installed.. its 1.50v ram, 1 run it at 1.56v