Memory Upgrade

Hi All, I am currently using a Gigabyte GA-990X gaming mobo with an AMD FX 8350 processor,I have 8Gb of Ram (2x4Gb Ballistic), I've been given 2x8 Gb modules one Crucial and the other Dell, both are 240 pin, 1600mhz,DDR3,but when installed my machine wont boot-up, I tried all combinations but it still wont boot, I haven't altered the BIOS settings which show Memory at 667 mhz. Any ideas/suggestions would be appreciated, cheers

 

Did you look on the Memory QVL (qualified vendors list) for that motherboard. The QVL is a list of RAM the board maker has tested and verified works with that board. There are just too many RAM makers and models to test them all so you don't have to buy listed RAM but you should buy RAM with the same specs as listed RAM to ensure compatibility.

When I look here, I only see 1 8GB stick listed. So clearly, widespread support for 8GB sticks is just not there. The one listed is for Samsung M378B1G73AHO 1300MHz . "In theory", the 1600MHz RAM "should" toggle down to your 1300MHz speeds. Remember RAM is DDR - "double data rate" so 2 x 667 = ~1300.

It should also be noted that "In theory", with all other compatibility issues being met, two sticks of RAM with the same specs from two different manufactures "should" work and play well together.

The problem is, "real-world" and "theory" do not always jive. This is why you typically see the recommendation to use "identical sticks from the same manufacturer" when pairing up RAM modules and to use RAM with the same specs as QVL listed RAM.

You said you tried all combinations. What about 1 8GB stick at a time?

Assuming your BIOS is current, if 1 stick at a time still does not work, that RAM is no compatible with your board - assuming the RAM is not faulty.

 

Thanks for the prompt reply, I have tried one stick at a time with the new modules and the computer won't boot, have also checked at it does seem that these sticks are incompatible with my board, strange thing though I put a 2Gb Corsair and a Gb unbranded stick in together with the 2 ballistic modules and it works fine, will try the 2 8Gb sticks on another computer and see what happens, if not Ebay here I come. Again thanks for your help/advice, it's much appreciated.

 

Not that strange when you look at the QVL and see all the 2GB sticks the board supports.

Again, make sure you have the latest BIOS firmware. Quite often BIOS updates are developed just to add compatibility support for newer and bigger RAM.

 

Sorry about the delay in replying, have checked BIOS and it is the latest version, have been advised that as I already have ballistix modules installed I can only upgrade with the same brand,seems logical to me so will use the other memory elsewhere, again thanks fro all your help/advice.