Question Issue with my pc

Parven97

Junior Member
Dec 18, 2020
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Hi there, I have a pc with the specs as listed below... I have been having a problem with running ram in dual channel on my Asrock Z77 Extreme 3 mobo. I've tested the four ram slots individually with each of the two sticks and they all function, just not as either two sticks in any config together or in dual channel mode. Is there a way fix this issue??

PC specs
I7 3770k
Asrock Z77 Extreme 3 (Bios 1.5)
2*4gb Corsair Vengence LP 1600mhz DDR3 Cl 9
GTX 1070 ti
128gb Intel SSD
1tb Western Digital HDD

Thank youuu...
 

Shmee

Memory & Storage, Graphics Cards Mod Elite Member
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Sep 13, 2008
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Hard to say for sure, but it may just be the board acting up due to age issues (it is a pretty old board now). You could try resetting any OC, if applicable. You could try loading optimized defaults in BIOS, or clearing the CMOS and see if that helps. Also do you have any other DDR3 to test with?
 
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Jimminy

Senior member
May 19, 2020
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All good advise above, and ...

If both modules simultaneously work, but in single channel mode, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Only certain software takes advantage of dual channel. You'd likely not notice much difference.

Another thing you might want to try is running memtest86 (or the plus version) from a usb flash drive.
 
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Feb 4, 2009
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Hi there, I have a pc with the specs as listed below... I have been having a problem with running ram in dual channel on my Asrock Z77 Extreme 3 mobo. I've tested the four ram slots individually with each of the two sticks and they all function, just not as either two sticks in any config together or in dual channel mode. Is there a way fix this issue??

PC specs
I7 3770k
Asrock Z77 Extreme 3 (Bios 1.5)
2*4gb Corsair Vengence LP 1600mhz DDR3 Cl 9
GTX 1070 ti
128gb Intel SSD
1tb Western Digital HDD

Thank youuu...

While I am a total amateur regarding ram, I do know that manufacturing processes change and even though you think you have matching sticks....you don’t.
I had a random problem with adding some memory last year to my 3800x machine. Memory worked fine in pairs in any slot pairing, would not work together as four sticks no matter what I did. Model number had an extra letter at the end of the new memory which I assumed was the color but maybe that meant a new process to make the ram.
I know this answer sucks, I’d try messing with the speed (make it slower), messing with looser timing but at some point it is just not worth having double the memory when it is slower and has more latency (as in a lot slower and a lot more latency)
 
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Leeea

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2020
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but at some point it is just not worth having double the memory when it is slower and has more latency (as in a lot slower and a lot more latency)
While that is frequently the case, I am going to disagree with you in this case.

Parven has 2x 4 GB sticks for a total of 8 GB. Parven is using a 3770k which is rather forgiving to memory latency.

If Parven runs just 1 stick, that leaves him with just 4 GB. Which is not enough, we all need at least 8 GB even if it is slightly higher latency.

Keep in mind in this case Parven is only losing a touch of latency, and keeps the bandwidth* the same. Losing a tick or two off of CAS and RAS is completely worth it for Parven97.

*this is Parven's issue, his bandwidth should be doubling, and it is not :(
 
Feb 4, 2009
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While that is frequently the case, I am going to disagree with you in this case.

Parven has 2x 4 GB sticks for a total of 8 GB. Parven is using a 3770k which is rather forgiving to memory latency.

If Parven runs just 1 stick, that leaves him with just 4 GB. Which is not enough, we all need at least 8 GB even if it is slightly higher latency.

Keep in mind in this case Parven is only losing a touch of latency, and keeps the bandwidth* the same. Losing a tick or two off of CAS and RAS is completely worth it for Parven97.

*this is Parven's issue, his bandwidth should be doubling, and it is not :(

Ah I missed this part and I totally agree. 4GB today is next to useless.
 

Parven97

Junior Member
Dec 18, 2020
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Hard to say for sure, but it may just be the board acting up due to age issues (it is a pretty old board now). You could try resetting any OC, if applicable. You could try loading optimized defaults in BIOS, or clearing the CMOS and see if that helps. Also do you have any other DDR3 to test with?
Hi there thank you for the swift reply. No I dont have other mem sticks to try with. Plus I have given it to a local computer repair shop and they said it could be either a processor or motherboard fault..... what is your say in this sir???
 

DAPUNISHER

Super Moderator CPU Forum Mod and Elite Member
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Hi there thank you for the swift reply. No I dont have other mem sticks to try with. Plus I have given it to a local computer repair shop and they said it could be either a processor or motherboard fault..... what is your say in this sir???
Boards are statistically far more likely to fail than CPUs. The caveat is if the CPU has suffered degradation due to heavy overclocking. Personally, I always start by swapping boards at that point in a troubleshoot.
 
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blckgrffn

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May 1, 2003
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www.teamjuchems.com
Boards are statistically far more likely to fail than CPUs. The caveat is if the CPU has suffered degradation due to heavy overclocking. Personally, I always start by swapping boards at that point in a troubleshoot.

Agree. The number of components on the motherboard is ridiculously high and they are built in environments not nearly so controlled as CPUs.

The problem is finding older Intel boards at reasonable prices :/

You can still get a 3500x alibaba special and a b450 board for ~$200, and a 3700k could bring ~$130 on eBay right now.

Or pick up a used ~i5-8400 or similar and decent board for about the same price.

At some point you just take a big step into the future rather than spending way too much on a legacy motherboard.

My $.02.
 
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DAPUNISHER

Super Moderator CPU Forum Mod and Elite Member
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Agree. The number of components on the motherboard is ridiculously high and they are built in environments not nearly so controlled as CPUs.

The problem is finding older Intel boards at reasonable prices :/

You can still get a 3500x alibaba special and a b450 board for ~$200, and a 3700k could bring ~$130 on eBay right now.

Or pick up a used ~i5-8400 or similar and decent board for about the same price.

At some point you just take a big step into the future rather than spending way too much on a legacy motherboard.

My $.02.
You are not wrong. DDR4 is cheap now too.