ASUS K8V SE Deluxe problem

[mvardzel]

I just recently purchased an ASUS K8V SE Deluxe and a dual pack of Kingston Hyper X RAM (KRX3200K2/1G). I installed both pieces of RAM and the pc wouldn't start. I took one of the sticks out, and it started ok. So I switched sticks and it wouldn't start up. So I figured it was just a bad piece of RAM. I called Kingston tech support and they tell me that the K8V SE Deluxe does not support this kind of RAM, and they were surprised the pc even started at all! They recommended I take it out immediately before I damage the mobo. They also recommended a different type of RAM to me (the KVR400X64C3A/512), but I want to make sure of a few things first:

1)Will the original RAM work ok with this mobo? I realize that the RAM isnt supported, but will it work after I replace the defective chip?

2)Will the original RAM damage my mobo?

The guy with tech support said that this RAM is for servers only, but does this make a difference? I don't want to replace the RAM if I don't have to, as I'm wanting the best performance possible. I'm also a bit pressed for time as I ordered this off of ZipZoomFly, and their return policy length is 15 days. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.

 

[jbritt1234]

Your original RAM is ECC RAM and generally is only used in Servers. You need to get the Non-ECC RAM that they suggested or Non-ECC RAM from a different Co.

1. No, probably not.

2. Not sure if it will actually damage it, but it won't run at it's best.

Edit: ECC is a Parity RAM and it's used for error checking. ECC Ram will generally run a bit slower than non-ECC because of the error checking.

 

[mvardzel]

Thanks for the help and quick answer. Got another one for you: How can I tell if the RAM is ECC or non-ECC? What's the main difference (is it just the error checking)? Thanks again.

 

[Algere]

The ASUS K8V SE Deluxe can use ECC ram, just not registered. Afterall it does explain the ECC options in the K8V's BIOS.

As for your problem if I am right did you install the ram in dimm slots 1 and 3 or 1 and 2?

 

[mvardzel]

Tried em both. Could it be that I am using the wrong mobo? Meaning, should I have gotten the ASUS K8V instead of the K8V SE Deluxe? It has support for registered ECC and non-ECC RAM.

 

[jbritt1234]

Originally posted by: Algere
The ASUS K8V SE Deluxe can use ECC ram, just not registered. Afterall it does explain the ECC options in the K8V's BIOS.

I left off the registered part...

mvardzel, you need to return that RAM before the return policy is up and get Non-ECC.

 

[Algere]

SE version also has support for ECC ram

 

[mechBgon]

You should not use Registered memory in a K8V SE Deluxe. Gasoline engine + diesel fuel... get the picture?

edit: Algere is correct here, ECC is ok, it's the Registered (buffered) part that is not ok.

 

[mvardzel]

Right Algere, but it also says it supports registered RAM. AM I better off trying to exchange my RAM (which cost me like $380) or try and exchange my mobo to the K8V ($115)?

 

[jbritt1234]

Others on here may know otherwise, but ECC RAM is a bit slower that non-ECC ram. about 2% from what i've read.

So, i'd never use ECC in anything but a Server.

 

[Algere]

You can return it and get Non-ECC which would obviously be cheaper and AFAIK all versions of the ASUS K8V(Deluxe, SE Deluxe, & plain) support the same type of ram requirements.

EDIT: Do you plan to OC? If not you can get by with value ram which is pretty much under $200 for a gig.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: mvardzel
Right Algere, but it also says it supports registered RAM. AM I better off trying to exchange my RAM (which cost me like $380) or try and exchange my mobo to the K8V ($115)?

Directly from the K8V SE Deluxe owners' manual:

UNbuffered ECC and non-ECC Unbuffered is the opposite of Registered.

The standard K8V is exactly the same, it will not accept buffered/Registered modules either.

 

[mvardzel]

Thank you guys so much for helping me out with this. I freaked out yesterday when he told me to get the RAM out before it hurt my mobo. I'm going to make sure that ZipZoomFly is kosher with me doing the exchange and then I will get the other chipset.

 

[mechBgon]

Hehe, you're gonna be on pins & needles waiting for that FedEx truck Hang in there!

 

[LiLithTecH]

This may be of interest.

THG Puts 13 Bleeding-Edge Memory Modules, 14 Mobos To the Match-Up Test

 

[nanaki333]

hmmm... could using ECC ram or registered ECC cause a motherboard to go bad?