Motherboard Problem

[2211]

Hi, i've got a Gigabyte GA-EP45C-DSC motherboard which i bought about a year and a half ago. At the time i put 2  DDR 2 memory sticks in it. Yesterday i bought some DDR 3 memory sticks because on the motherboard and the box it came in it says that it can take DDR 3 as well. I have taken the DDR2 sticks out and put in DDR3 in their slots. When i turn on the computer it goes to the motherboard splash screen then restarts itselfs all the time. I could'nt find any UK number to speak to anybody. Does it only take older DDR3 or a special kind or only certain manufactuers only. Does it only work with bios updates? Any advise and help would be great. The new memory stick i tried to put in is  = Team Group DDR3 , 1066 mhz, CL 7-7-7-21. It only works again when i put the DDR2 back in. Thanks in advance.

[Fatman]

Do you need to change the voltage for that ram?
DDR2 takes a much higher voltage than DDR3

[Dark Mantis]

What I don't understand is that DDR2 and DDR3 slots are physically different. Or are there two different types of slots on the board?

[absic]

Hi,

Have you updated your BIOS? Sometimes this can solve memory issues, especially as you have been running OK with DDR2 for about 18 months.

What I don't understand is that DDR2 and DDR3 slots are physically different. Or are there two different types of slots on the board?

These boards allow for DDR2 & DDR3 there are different slots on the Mobo to accommodate them. However you can only run 1 type, either DDR2 or DDR3 you can't mix and match.

ATB

[Dark Mantis]

Hi,

Have you updated your BIOS? Sometimes this can solve memory issues, especially as you have been running OK with DDR2 for about 18 months.

What I don't understand is that DDR2 and DDR3 slots are physically different. Or are there two different types of slots on the board?

These boards allow for DDR2 & DDR3 there are different slots on the Mobo to accommodate them. However you can only run 1 type, either DDR2 or DDR3 you can't mix and match.

ATB

Thanks for clarifying that absic115, I thought that must be the case.

[2211]

Thanks for the responses people,the board has got 4 slots for DDR2 and another 2 for DDR3. Any ideas on exactly what i should update because of things like  Bios, chipset & quickflash, should i update everything or just some of the things (any links would be most helpful). On the other point any ideas what voltage settings i need to set. Also when i put the DDR3 sticks in it won't let me into the bios at all so i would have to make the settings with the DDR2 sticks in.

[Fatman]

Before we get started with flashing your bios, we need to clarify something first! You state your board is GA-EP45C-DSC. Are you sure that is correct and not a GA-EP45C-DS3...Because if you flash to the wrong bios you could end up with a non-functioning board. Also the DDR3 ram you have is that compatible with that board? It may not be?? is it on the qualified vendors list (QVL)? If it is you have to look at the voltage requirement on the side of the ram and then (I'm not sure what you will see in your bios) maybe with your DDR2 ram in set the voltage maually to match the specs needed for the DDR3..Just having a bit of a punt here but that's what I would look at. After all I don't know your board. What bios are you running right now?

[2211]

Hi,Sorry, i did put down the wrong motherboard number, it is a DS3. I managed to flash the bios last night but still no joy, it does'nt restart itself anymore but it still don't go past the motherboard splash screen. Where could i find this QVL list? I was told that any DDR3 stick would work as long as the board takes DDR3.

[Dark Mantis]

You can dowload the QVL(memory support list) here:

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=2871#dl

You were definitely given bum info  if you were told any old DDR3 will do.

[2211]

Thanks for the info, i'll have a look at the QVL list and worst case looks like i'll have to bring the memory sticks back.