model of the motherboard: Asus Rampage Extreme
model of the memory: F3-12800CL7D-4GBPI (2x2Gb)
model of the CPU: Intel C2D E8600
I purchased this kit of memory recently, to replace my Kingmax DDR3-1600 memory (2x1Gb) - thought it'd be nice with 4Gb instead.
Have had naught but problems since - on most occasions the system freezes on DET DRAM, sometimes a step further on CHECKCPU. Sometimes the POST screen shows and then it freezes with USB FINAL or INIT ROM displayed in the LCD. I've managed to get into BIOS a couple of times, have changed to all thinkable settings but the system remains highly unstable and freezes randomly.
I've tested with 1333 and 1600, rated timings on manual as well as XMP and also with AUTO settings. Increases voltages as suggested in some forum threads, tried with FSB strap and other settings. It's labile as can be.
Managed to get one stick into memtest at 1333 and it didn't give errors. Changed to rated timings and 1600 and it wouldn't pass POST. Back to 1333, memtest again -> seemed fine. Should add that it requires several attempts for it to pass POST and make it into memtest (running from CD). Added the other stick, made it into memtest after some attempts where system froze randomly, and got massive errors and then it froze. All attempts after and wouldn't come as far, freezes as indicated above during POST. Tried with only the other stick, made it into memtest once and got treated to a screen filled with coloured blocks and frozen system again.
Have tested all memory slots, same issue.
If I remember correctly I did manage to get memtest running on each stick (1 at a time) some days ago, and no errors were found then. If I recall correctly that was at 1333Mhz.
Am I suffering an unlucky combination of motherboard and memory, or is something wrong with the memory? I read in a forum topic dedicated to the Rampage Extreme that it was verified with this precise kit of memory. But I can't seem to get my gear to work at any setting, not even lower clock and with looser timings (tested with 9-9-9 as well).
I'm at a loss, running my KingMAX memory again as at least it's stable. I do not have access to another motherboard to see if I can get the memory working there, but as I can't really make it into memtest in a proper fashion I cannot really be sure that the memory is faulty either.
What do I do? Should I process an RMA and hope that I get a new kit and that it works? I don't dare sell the memory either, as it might be faulty.
I did run the memory at 1.9V and also tried 1.95V, in case the memory wasn't getting enough. PSU is a Be Quiet 1000W and apart from the system indicated above it's driving a 9800GX2 and some harddisks, so I reckon the PSU has enough cream in it, and then some.
Any suggestions for settings I should check? I could write down a list of things I tried, but from all I have found through google searches most people suffering instability can manage to get the memory to POST and boot the system properly and run memtest to check for errors and stability (or start windows and run tests there). But that's more than I can achieve.
Please let me know what more I can test and how to proceed, I'm really disappointed with my purchase and wondering if I'm doing something really wrong, or if there's simply a problem with this kit.
Best regards,
Joris
Sweden
model of the memory: F3-12800CL7D-4GBPI (2x2Gb)
model of the CPU: Intel C2D E8600
I purchased this kit of memory recently, to replace my Kingmax DDR3-1600 memory (2x1Gb) - thought it'd be nice with 4Gb instead.
Have had naught but problems since - on most occasions the system freezes on DET DRAM, sometimes a step further on CHECKCPU. Sometimes the POST screen shows and then it freezes with USB FINAL or INIT ROM displayed in the LCD. I've managed to get into BIOS a couple of times, have changed to all thinkable settings but the system remains highly unstable and freezes randomly.
I've tested with 1333 and 1600, rated timings on manual as well as XMP and also with AUTO settings. Increases voltages as suggested in some forum threads, tried with FSB strap and other settings. It's labile as can be.
Managed to get one stick into memtest at 1333 and it didn't give errors. Changed to rated timings and 1600 and it wouldn't pass POST. Back to 1333, memtest again -> seemed fine. Should add that it requires several attempts for it to pass POST and make it into memtest (running from CD). Added the other stick, made it into memtest after some attempts where system froze randomly, and got massive errors and then it froze. All attempts after and wouldn't come as far, freezes as indicated above during POST. Tried with only the other stick, made it into memtest once and got treated to a screen filled with coloured blocks and frozen system again.
Have tested all memory slots, same issue.
If I remember correctly I did manage to get memtest running on each stick (1 at a time) some days ago, and no errors were found then. If I recall correctly that was at 1333Mhz.
Am I suffering an unlucky combination of motherboard and memory, or is something wrong with the memory? I read in a forum topic dedicated to the Rampage Extreme that it was verified with this precise kit of memory. But I can't seem to get my gear to work at any setting, not even lower clock and with looser timings (tested with 9-9-9 as well).
I'm at a loss, running my KingMAX memory again as at least it's stable. I do not have access to another motherboard to see if I can get the memory working there, but as I can't really make it into memtest in a proper fashion I cannot really be sure that the memory is faulty either.
What do I do? Should I process an RMA and hope that I get a new kit and that it works? I don't dare sell the memory either, as it might be faulty.
I did run the memory at 1.9V and also tried 1.95V, in case the memory wasn't getting enough. PSU is a Be Quiet 1000W and apart from the system indicated above it's driving a 9800GX2 and some harddisks, so I reckon the PSU has enough cream in it, and then some.
Any suggestions for settings I should check? I could write down a list of things I tried, but from all I have found through google searches most people suffering instability can manage to get the memory to POST and boot the system properly and run memtest to check for errors and stability (or start windows and run tests there). But that's more than I can achieve.
Please let me know what more I can test and how to proceed, I'm really disappointed with my purchase and wondering if I'm doing something really wrong, or if there's simply a problem with this kit.
Best regards,
Joris
Sweden
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