GA-990FXA-UD5 memory errors

[Nihth]

Hi,

I have recently bought a new MB, RAM and CPU for my computer and put it together.

MB: GA-990FXA-UD5 Rev 1.0
RAM: Corsair CMZ32GX3M4X1866C10 4x8 sticks at 1866MHz
http://www.corsair.com/us/memory-by-product-family/vengeance/vengeance-32gb-quad-channel-ddr3-memory-kit-cmz32gx3m4x1866c10.html
CPU: AMD FX 8350 8 core 4GHz

Since the AMD memory controller doesent support 1866MHz with 4 sticks I need it to run at 1600MHz

When I try to run everything on default settings in BIOS I get memory errors and BSOD in Windows, it defaults to 1333MHz.
I tried to clock it up to 1600MHz and the settings 9-9-9-24, then the MB sets the voltage to 1.6 but I still get the memory errors.

I have done a memtest of all the sticks one at the time and all of them get errors. The computer runs fine with another set of RAM sticks I got (CMZ16GX3M4A1600C9)

This is where I have got help to get this far: http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?p=622356#post622356

Edit: My goal is to either run at 1600MHz or 1333MHz, it doesent matter that much as long as its stable.

[absic]

Hi there,

You don't say which bios version you are running but this is the first thing I would check and update to the latest version. Use the qfllash utility not @bios for this as it is often safer.

[Nihth]

Hey,

I did run @BIOS yesturday not sure where to check the version but could it be called F11?

Edit: Got some help from peanutz94 over at the Corsair forum http://forum.corsair.com/v3/showthread.php?p=622379#post622379
and it seems like its either broken BIOS or the MB itself, since it works with 4x4GB sticks but none of the 8GB sticks will work. But Im not sure, Im not that into the tweaking and clocking part. What do you think?

[absic]

There have been several posts now about 8Gb Corsair sticks causing problems on various motherboards so it could well be a BIOS issue.

The best thing to do is to contact Gigabyte Technical Support here: http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/technical-support.aspx and see if they are aware of an issue.

In the meantime, if I were in your position, I would do the following:
Reflash the BIOS using the QFlash utility and make sure you disable the Keep DMI Data option on the QFlash homescreen before running the update.
If you are not sure how to flash the BIOS using QFlash check here: http://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php/topic,2441.0.html
When the BIOS flash has completed Power down the PC DO NOT let it restart.
Swap the RAM and insert two of the 8Gb sticks.
Restart the PC and, if it lets you, go into BIOS and load Optimized Defaults - If you can get to this stage then you should be able to continue as normal which would be restart the PC, go back into BIOS to make changes to SATA controller and other items as required, restart and done. Note the RAM may default to 1333MHz but at this stage, if it is working I wouldn't worry too much as we can get around to tweaking it later on.

If The PC doesn't start with the 8Gb sticks, power down and swap back to original memory.
Start up and go into BIOS and load Optimized Defaults and follow the same process as previously mentioned.
If this is the situation that you are faced with, then you will probably have to wait for Technical support to progress further with the 8Gb modules.

[Nihth]

Sweet we might be on to something here.

I used the Qflash to upgrade the BIOS while using the 4GB sticks, then when it powered off changed to two of the 8GB sticks and placed them in the 1 and 3 slot. Then went in to BIOS and hit the load optimized defaults.

I tested the two sticks in Memtest now and let it run for only 5 minutes, but I only got 1 error! Unlike the other times I tested individual sticks and got several errors within seconds.

Could it be that one of the 2 sticks I use now are broken and the BIOS/MB problem is now fixed?

[Nihth]

I tested the 8GB sticks 1 by 1 now in memtest and two failed within a few seconds while one failed around 9 minutes and the last one around 15min.

So is the MB broken? Or anyone got any more tips or tricks?

[absic]

What speed did you test the RAM at? 

[Nihth]

In BIOS it was set to default 1333MHz and I dident do any changes in Memtest.

[absic]

OK. do you know how to tweak RAM voltage settings in BIOS?

[Nihth]

Yea I know how to increase the RAM voltage, but not like 100% sure what everything is/does.

Btw I just noticed that in Memtest the 4GB sticks gets tested at 800MHz DDR1600 CAS 1-3-3-3
While the 8GB sticks gets tested at 200MHz DDR400 CAS 1-3-3-3 does this matter?

[absic]

To be honest I have never tested 8GB sticks of RAM so I am not sure how Memtest works with them. 

I would suggest tweaking the RAM Voltage a little higher to see if that helps with stability. Sorry, but there are no exact figures I can give you for this and it will be a case of up the Voltage a little, test, increase a little more if still unstable. I would probably try 1.51V (or nearest setting) first and gradually increase if the system is still unstable, but I wouldn't go above 1.65V

Also, before you increase the RAM Voltage, check the default timings for the RAM, at 1333MHz it should be 9,9,9,24, 2T. If they are set to these and you are concerned over increasing the Voltage you could try slackening them off a little, say 10,10,10,27 and see if that helps.

[Nihth]

Okey, I did some tweaking while being helped in the Corsairs forum and then I used these settings:
1600MHz 9-9-9-24 2T and 1.6V do you think that would work?

[absic]

If that has been recommended by Corsair Forum then it is a good place to start.

If system is still unstable then back off the timings a little or lower the speed to 1333 MHz as I feel that stability is more important than speed at this stage.

[Nihth]

They dident recomend it but those are the SPD settings. I will test them and also see if I can make memtest do a matching test.

[Nihth]

Okey did these tests:

1600MHz 1.6V 9-9-9-24 unstable
1600MHz 1.6V 10-10-10-25 unstable
1333MHz auto voltage 10-10-10-25 unstable

The 1333MHz setting is somewhat stable, lets me do stuff in Windows but things like Catalyst Controll Center and Windows Gadgets keeps crashing.

And btw: regardless of what I set in BIOS, CPUZ tells me my timings are 4-5-5-15 for some reason (got the latest version)