GA-770TA-UD3 and memory instability.

[IceColdBeer]

Yeah, and it is always easy to be wise after an event.

And why woudn't the memory be compatible - they all made to a specification.

[Dark Mantis]

And to (mis)quote George Orwell "all memory is equal but some memory is more equal than others"

[IceColdBeer]

Do you work for Gigabyte or are you just here for fun?

[Dark Mantis]

No I don't work for them just enjoying myself If you want to talk to someone from Gigabyte you will need to pm runn3R. He's the main man on this forum and is the only one who's employed by Gigabyte.

[IceColdBeer]

Well, if anyone from Gigabyte is reading this, then the email support ID was 946275.

I must say I am disappointed.

I think Gigabyte support should have tested the memory in their lab to confirm TW3X4G1333C9DHX is not compatible rather than letting me do the work - it would have been nice to know if it does work rather than saying it just should.     Not all qualified memory is still available and does go obsolete.   Manufacturers should at least warn suppliers there is a potential compatibilty issue.

The other point is that I think this problem is linked to temperature as the RAM problems started during the heatwave here in Southern Germany.   Moreover, since the memory does initially work for 30 minutes before the RAM failing does seem to suggest something is getting too hot on the motherboard.  

I'd gladly send the GA770TA-UD3 motherboard and DIMMs to Gigabyte for anlaysis as the supplier won't exchange them.

[IceColdBeer]

Well, I have received a new version of the BIOS from Gigabyte Tech Support to flash to the motherboard and try.

Will post back when I have some news of whether it was successful or not.   

[r9ball]

I have same MB and ram slot issues even after getting my "everything is working fine mb" back from RMA..... I got so frustrated even when on phone with their tech support trying to get this mb to work correctly (with 8gb),,, I wanted to destroy it and send them the pieces....I am going to start over again and post later to see if I am missing something.... I am beginning to think this MB is just too picky or has flaws... aaggghhh   hope you have some luck

[Dark Mantis]

I have same MB and ram slot issues even after getting my "everything is working fine mb" back from RMA..... I got so frustrated even when on phone with their tech support trying to get this mb to work correctly (with 8gb),,, I wanted to destroy it and send them the pieces....I am going to start over again and post later to see if I am missing something.... I am beginning to think this MB is just too picky or has flaws... aaggghhh   hope you have some luck

r9ball, you sound like you have had a rough ride! If you want to start your own thread we will see if we can do something about getting your  machine fixed.

[IceColdBeer]

I have same MB and ram slot issues even after getting my "everything is working fine mb" back from RMA..... I got so frustrated even when on phone with their tech support trying to get this mb to work correctly (with 8gb),,, I wanted to destroy it and send them the pieces....I am going to start over again and post later to see if I am missing something.... I am beginning to think this MB is just too picky or has flaws... aaggghhh   hope you have some luck

Sorry to hear you are having similar problems r9ball.      

I've basically replaced the two GA-770TA-UD3 motherboards with other MBs that are QA'd with the type of memory I'm using.    The motherboards tend to be alot cheaper than the RAM, otherwise I would have done it the otherway around.      I was thinking of buying some Ballistic memory that is QA'd with the Gigabyte motherboard for a 3rd PC I'm building, but i'll have to see as I need a long rest now.

This type of problem has been hard for me as the memory tests initially pass but failed sometime later on.    Hope you don't have to go through what I did....

[Dark Mantis]

Quote from IceColdBeer

I've basically replaced the two GA-770TA-UD3 motherboards with other MBs that are QA'd with the type of memory I'm using.    The motherboards tend to be alot cheaper than the RAM, otherwise I would have done it the otherway around. 

 I am glad to hear that you finally got your problem sorted out. It is a long haul sometimes but that can be the only way to get where you need to go.

[IceColdBeer]

Cheers Dark Mantis...

Guess I've just been unlucky with the type of memory I'm using.   

[Dark Mantis]

How do you think I learnt   It was an expensive and steep curve at times but as long as we get there in the end that is what matters.

[absic]

It might be worth noting that there has been a problem with the AMD Phenom ii and RAM rated at 1333 Mhz or above which is quite widely documented. You might want to read through this article: http://www.tweaktown.com/news/11382/amd_s_phenom_ii_am3_has_memory_problems/index.html with regard to this.

Most of the issues have been fixed with BIOS updates but I wouldn't be surprised if there are still some outstanding problems due to the Memory Controller and the design of the Phenom ii.

[Dark Mantis]

That's very interesting absic, I have learnt something new today. I wasn't aware of that fact. Thanks.

[absic]

No, unfortunately it isn't shouted about too much and I only discovered this after I had spent ages trying to get my 1600 Mhz Corsair RAM to run at stated speeds. Eventually I had to bring it down to 1333 Mhz where it ran quite happily.

However, same memory, same motherboard (GA-790XTA-UD4), new Phenom ii X6, new BIOS and hey presto, my RAM is now running at 1600 Mhz. But if I use the old X4 it will still only run at 1333 Mhz.

(Update) Sorry should have mentioned that this is with 2 x Corsair Dominator CMD4GX3M2B1600C8 (8 Gig total)