GA-EP45T-UD3LR and Crucial Ballistix Memory Issue (8GB). 4gb is fine. 8 GB !=

[Dempseyb]

Gang... last ditch attempt before pulling all of my hair out.
I have a Gigabyte GA-EP45T-UD3LR that I'm trying to put some additional RAM in.  I'm not overclocking or doing anything of the sort. 
Currently I have 4GB of Crucial Ballistix memory.

The exact kit I have:

4GB kit (2GBx2), Ballistix 240-pin DIMM, DDR3 PC3-10600 memory module
BL2KIT25664BA1336

    * Module Size: 4GB kit (2GBx2)
    * Package: Ballistix 240-pin DIMM
    * Feature: DDR3 PC3-10600
    * Specs: DDR3 PC3-10600 • 6-6-6-20 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1333 • 1.8V • 256Meg x 64 •

Everything runs fine with 4GB and stable, as LONG as I manually set my timings in the bios to 6-6-6-20 @ 1.8.    I forget the exact setting name, but there is a setting related to DRAM performance, it's options are something like Extreme, turbo and standard.  I have that switched to standard.

I want to add another 4gb, so I ordered the same kit.  NO LUCK.  Windows 7 64 bit either blue screens or reboots during boot.  Memtest shows fine, and to boot, I took the memory in to another computer at work and ran 8gb stable for two days.  Brought the memory back home, and had the same issue.  If I try to boot from a linux Live CD, I experience either a hard lock or a kernel panic.

I can run 4gb of the old memory fine, or take that out and run 4gb of the new kit I ordered just fine.  But when I put the full 8gb in, everything goes -crazy-. 

Does anyone have any suggestions on other settings I can change in the bios.

[absic]

Hi there and welcome to the forum.

You don't say which revision your motherboard is or what version of BIOS you are running but I notice that F7 improves memory compatibility. If you are running an earlier version of BIOS I would suggest that you update to F7 or later.

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum.

You seem to have a problem there. The obvious answer is that when you fill all the slots you need to raise the voltage a little to compensate for the extra loading. You say you tested the memory but did you use Memtest86+ on each module seperately for about ten loops each?

Damn! Absic snuck in there again. Makes note to self "make answers shorter"

[Dempseyb]

Wow everyone, thanks for the quick replies.
I do have the latest bios installed from their site.  F10 I think.

I have rev 1.0 of the motherboard.  Sorry for not including that

I did *not* test each module a individually just as a whole.  I will try that if bumping the voltage does not help.
Even though the memory is rated for 1.8, it won't hurt going a *little* higher.

Thanks again!

[Dark Mantis]

I am not sure of the maximum voltage for your memory but anything up to that should be fine and often will make it stable.

[Dempseyb]

Ok, the stick says 1.8 and I'm already running at 1.8.  Should I go a little higher?

[Dark Mantis]

Well if that is the recommended voltage it will obviously be safe at that point, so a little extra shouldn't hurt. The only thing is you will invalidate your warranty by exceeding the manufacturers specs. If it were me I would try and extra step up and see if it made a difference. If it worked then fine if not then return it to standard voltage. Of course the decision must be yours.

[Wonderwrench]

I would also try increasing the tRFC value as higher values are needed with all 4 slots populated. Bumping the north bridge voltage slightly may help also. I have seen P35/P45  chipset boards that will not run all slots populated at full rated speed.  As a last resort try dropping down to DDR1066 and see if it fixes the problem.

Bill

[Lsdmeasap]

MCH Voltage will also need increased for 4-8GB, on P45 you may need 1.24-1.32 MCH voltage for 8GB