DDR3 compatibility?

[speedlever]

I just build a new system with an Asus P8Z68V Pro, i5-2500k, G.Skill DDR3-1333 (2x4GB) replacing on older P5BE/E6600/DDR2-800 system. Win7/64 HP on an Intel X25-M SSD (80GB.) BIOS 0902, and for the purposes of this post, the BIOS was pretty much default settings (no OC) except for some minor tweaks for splash screens, etc.

I received as a warranty replacement some AData DDR3-1333 ram (2x2GB) which I added to the current system for 12GB total ram. Unfortunately, the system wouldn't post. I noticed the red LED for DRAM was illuminated, so I pushed the MemOK! button until it began flashing, watched it cycle through several iterations until it remained on steady again.. still no post or boot.

So I pulled the Adata ram and the system booted up normally.

Any ideas why adding the Adata DDR3-1333 ram would cause the system boot to fail? Are systems today so critical that they cannot tolerate same spec ram from different mfgs?

 

[Arcanedeath]

Try the Adata by itself it might be bad.

 

[speedlever]

I thought about that. But even if it checks good, I wouldn't use it exclusively since it's only 2x2GB. If it won't work with my 2x4GB sticks of G.Skill, it's of no use to me.

 

[Coup27]

I thought about that. But even if it checks good, I wouldn't use it exclusively since it's only 2x2GB. If it won't work with my 2x4GB sticks of G.Skill, it's of no use to me.

Thats not really the point of the thread though. You asked if there may be a reason why the system rejected the ADATA ram. Until you try it on its own, a stick at a time, you won't know why. Whether you choose to use it or not is up to you.

 

[speedlever]

Ok. You inspired me to investigate further. So I pulled the GSkill ram from slots 2 and 4 and inserted one stick of AData DDR3 ram in slot 2. The computer booted fine. So I added the 2nd stick of AData DDR3 ram to slot 4. Again, the computer booted fine. Hmm.

So I moved the AData ram from slots 2 and 4 to slots 1 and 3 (the HSinks on them are smaller and work better that close to my HSF.) I then put my GSkill DDR3 1333 ram back in slots 2 and 4. The computer booted just fine again.

So now I have 12GB DDR3 1333 ram, but a mix of different mfgs. No worries as long as it runs fine. I'll have to run some OC tests and see if that affects anything... and probably should run some memtest86+ tests too... just to verify all is well.

Go figure. I cannot explain my initial results.

Computers. 😀

 

[Arcanedeath]

It's possible one of the dimms was not seated correctly and is a fairly common issue.

 

[speedlever]

I suppose. That's the only logical explanation. But when they click into place, I expect them to be properly seated. [shrug]

But thanks to you guys for inspiring me to investigate this further. I'm happy to have 12GB DDR3 ram in my new SB build, even if it is of a Heinz 57 variety. 😉