Kingston ram problems

[Ben]

I purchased 2 sets of "Kingston" Hyperx blu ddr3 1600 1.65v ram.
each set has 2 @ 2Gb ram =8GB.
My problem is I cannot get my system stable using all 4 sticks, I have tried to manually set the volts, timings, etc, but to no avail.
When I contacted Kingston this was their reply:

"Dear Kingston Customer,
Thanks for you contacting Kingston Technical Support.Please be noted that Kingston recommends customer to install 1 kit of HyperX memory installation for better stability. Since when install more than or equal to 2 kits of HyperX memory, system may not be stable and we
don't guarantee if the memory can overclock to published speed under this condition. Besides, all Kingston products are tested individually to meet our
published specifications. Not all systems or motherboard configurations will operate at these published specifications. Optimal settings for individual system configurations may be less than the published HyperX  module speeds and timings. Performance from installing additional kits is not guaranteed. Remove existing memory before adding HyperX to achieve optimal performance. Overclocking the CPU or the Memory Bus may result in
damage to computer components. Kingston does not recommend that any user attempt to run their systems faster than OEM or system published
specifications. Please refer to your OEM, system or other component vendors technical specifications for any additional information"

So what they are telling me is I should have bought 2, 4GB sticks & not 4, 2GB sticks, as it makes my system unstable, why was this not mentioned to me at the computer store I got them from,as I asked if they would be okay.
I am hoping that someone out their had the same problem & found some way to get around it, as I said I have tried playing around with the BIOS but this is more of a guessing game to me.
Ben.

[Aussie Allan]

 Welcome Ben

 Right one thing at a time....did you get a BSOD code we can work with ...... it'll be something like......0000000xXXX

  But do this regardless.........Put 1 stick into your boards master slot and test each module with Memtest.....ten full passes each and post your results

  yes this takes a long time but is critical to finding a fix......and fix it we can!

  We'll talk later about Kingston.....10 yrs ago they were number one ...... not anymore with that sort of attitude.....what a load crok that email!

  Aussie Allan

  Aussie Allan

[Ben]

G"Day Aussie Allan.
Have ran all tests on my chips, with 3 chips & all settings on manual everything is okay.
Some of the tests I have run are: Memtest, Intel, OCCC, Prime & HeavyLoad, all turned out okay on the 3 chips 6GBs.
Just that my system hate's  having all 4 (8GBs) in, it does a dummy spit.
I have done these tests individually on each chip, at times my temps were 80c.
Another problem I have discovered when I can get it running on all 4s as soon as I put a USB thumb drive in, my system locks up, but only on the 4, it is okay on the 3 chips.
So I am wondering if there is an underlying problem.
I am running an Intel i7 2600/430 GPU/Corsair TX650 PSU/Gigabyte GA-X68X-UD3R-B3 board F5 BIOS.
Win 7 Home premium 64 Bit.
No BSOD yet.
Thanks hope this helps.
Ben.

[Dark Mantis]

Hi

It is possible that you have a power problem but I think it is much more likely as Allan has suggested that it is due to your memory. You will have to increase the voltage on the memory controller to make up for the increased loading.   You may also need to tweak other settings as well. It can be sorted though as long as the modules are ok. If they are not don't forget to RMA the whole kit not just the faulty one.

[Aussie Allan]

  Hi Ben

 Right! so the memory passed all tests!...... Bugger!  ...  we'll have to do this the long way....

  Need you to confirm you're running manual at 1600, ....1.64 - 1.66V....CL 9-9-9-27 and can you confirm which memory out of these....and can you tell me what your QPI/VTT voltage is might also help.....sorry for all the question but all are relivent

  Thumb drive wobbles confirms unstable me thinks!..... DM is probably right there as well with the power slant .... we might have to tweak a few settings a touch

  KHX1600C9AD3B1K2/4G

  KHX1600C9AD3B1/2G

  KHX1600C9D3B1K2/4GX

  KHX1600C9D3B1K2/4G

  80C is warm but manageable if this is full load not idle....you didn't say what cooler you're running ?...if your running water you're in real trouble .... If you can get it back home,  you want to try out a new thermal compound ....IC Diamond ..... truly a wicked break through .... dropped my load temps by 6C

  thats enough for now

  Aussie Allan

[Dark Mantis]

Just a word about the voltages. If your default voltage for this memory is 1.65v you will need to increase it up to 1.68 -1.70v even when you have all four sticks running.

[Aussie Allan]

Just a word about the voltages. If your default voltage for this memory is 1.65v you will need to increase it up to 1.68 -1.70v even when you have all four sticks running.

Live and learn!.... Thanks DM ... I do know Kingston Memory has a high voltage tolerance, ....should have though of that!

  Aussie Allan

[Dark Mantis]

Only one caveat to that bit of advice and that is to make sure that the QPI/Vtt is kept to within 0.5v of the voltage you use otherwise you risk burning out the memory controller. Therefore if you are using 1.7v you must have the QPI/Vtt to at least 1.2v to be safe.

[Ben]

Sorry about the delay, just got home from work.
Okay here goes at the moment my system is stable at 6Gb. Tried it with all 4 sticks (8GB)  System froze on start up. So back to 3 again.
Kingston ram  "KHX1600C9D3B1K2/4GX"
Bios settings;
XMP on, Extreme turbo on, Running 1600MHz  on manual, Dram v=1.655v, VTT 1.1v, PLL 1.830v, timings 9-9-9-27.
CMD 2. Latency A=2, B=1.
running 3.8GHz. Multiplier 38.
Ran Prime for 2 hrs on this setting no faults.
CPU Cooler is a Noctua NH-U9B-SE2. plus 2 Noctua NF-S12B FLX 120 case fans.
Will increase volts & see what happens.
Thanks.
Ben.

[Dark Mantis]

Hi Ben

Just to be clear I take it that the motherboard that you have is actually a GA-Z68X-UD3R-B3 not a GA-X68X-UD3R-B3 as you posted ?

[Aussie Allan]

BEN

      Right .....for starters QPI/VTT and Memory voltage MUST maintain a ratio of , and not exceeding a .5V differential   ....(it can be lower, but not higher) at the moment you are at .55V differential  

  this can damage your controller in the CPU or the Memory or both ..... Raise QPI/VTT and keep it within .5 of the memory voltage

  Aussie Allan

[Ben]

Wow thanks for that extra info regards volts.
At the moment I am running 8Gb, Turbo at standard, But will change the VTT volts to 1.2, as Dram is at 1.7v.
Yep typo was "Z" sorry about that.
So far my system has been running without a hitch. Also I disabled Isochronous support & now my USB is stable as I can plug it in without my system freezing I also transferred 20GB of data to my USB HDD without a glitch.
Will change the volts on the VCC & run some tests.
Thanks again guys.
Ben.

[Dark Mantis]

Well good luck and if you hit any other snags(not sausages!) we have more tricks to use.

[Ben]

Okay so far so good, running at turbo standard (standard,turbo,extreme) might try turbo tomorrow.
VTT 1.2, Dram 1.7. 'Ran heavy load' all okay, ran 'Intel burn test' at standard, high & stress, on stress the animated flame stopped for a second or 2 but I still could move my mouse so computer was not frozen like the other times.
By the way are the Noctua fans a good brand, I only went on price plus I love the beige/brown look.
Thanks again.
Ben.

[Dark Mantis]

Yes the Noctua fans are some of the quietest compared to performance on the market. Personally I am not a lover of the colour but that isn't too important after all.