RAM compatibility problem (PC)

[Ziggy]

Yes, it's the latest (and probably final) BIOS.

So to recap:

- Not a hardware problem with the mobo
- Not a power supply issue
- latest BIOS installed

Is it a coincidence that only RAM purchased ~5 years ago works but two different sets of RAM purchased today don't? Like, this new RAM isn't compatible with this old board. I'm thinking maybe the mobo can't read the SPD and set the timings and whatever other settings for it.

edit: I'm thinking these are my two options at this point: One, try this set from Crucial that's "guaranteed" to work.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820191517

Then risk having to pay a THIRD 15% restocking fee on that when it doesn't work.

Or option two, I use two of the stick from my PC. It'll only total 4GB, but at least it'll work, and it'll be dual channel instead of just one stick. I'll have to get RAM for my PC. I could just grab another 3x2GB kit and run one triple channel then put the left over 2GB stick in the second channel. It'll run a triple channel then just a fourth stick, right? So I'll bump up to 8GB.

Ugh.

[Hobie-wan]

This reminds me of my adventures with my first AGP video card. It was a self build machine from used parts that was still miles beyond the PC I was using before it. Still had the old PCI crappy card for a while, then was trying to buy an AGP card from a dude I worked with. AGP slot specs were still a bit nebulous at the time and it turned out that there was a pretty wide range of voltages between cards and mobos and I had a combination that was no go. He'd already spent the money so I ended up with a HD from him instead. I ended up buying a Matrox G400 a few paychecks later which was a much better card again anyway.

[Stark]

Yeah did you ever try falling back to the onboard video? Maybe there is an issue (or the beginnings of one) with the video card or the slot it's in.

[Cronozilla]

I might be wrong ... but I think it might be CPU socket compatibility.

It looks like the LGA775 socket boards did not commonly use DDR3. They were split systems. So, they used DDR2 or DDR3, you had to choose.

If you look at the first stick of RAM you tried, it explicitly lists two Intel sockets and then the AMD platform it's compatible with. LGA775 is not the socket it lists.

So, my guess, at this point in time is that, current DDR3 isn't compatible with that CPU. It works with the i series.

Then again, there are boards being sold now that are LGA775, same chipsets, and they support DDR3, and people still buy those. So, maybe not.

But there are some other GSKILL sets that explicitly say they're not compatible with LGA775. So, it's possible.

[Ziggy]

I might be wrong ... but I think it might be CPU socket compatibility.

It looks like the LGA775 socket boards did not commonly use DDR3. They were split systems. So, they used DDR2 or DDR3, you had to choose.

If you look at the first stick of RAM you tried, it explicitly lists two Intel sockets and then the AMD platform it's compatible with. LGA775 is not the socket it lists.

So, my guess, at this point in time is that, current DDR3 isn't compatible with that CPU. It works with the i series.

Then again, there are boards being sold now that are LGA775, same chipsets, and they support DDR3, and people still buy those. So, maybe not.

But there are some other GSKILL sets that explicitly say they're not compatible with LGA775. So, it's possible.

I mean, I've never heard of new RAM not supporting an old chipset when all the other specs match. But yeah, that's what I've been thinking all along. I'm testing and ruling out all of these "what if" theories because I don't want to believe it.

I noticed when I was buying it that the G.Skill set says it supports those two Intel sockets but not the 775 specifically. And if you look at the picture of the packaging, it says "Supports latest i5 and i7" or something like that. I thought it was just marketing bullshit. Like how there's a sticker on my monitor that says "Compatible with Windows Vista."

Yes, early 775 boards used DDR2 and later boards used DDR3. That's why it's a weird situation to be in. I've never encountered a problem like this, and it's not something that I would have ever put any thought into.

Now you can see why I'm super hesitant to try a third set of RAM!

Yeah did you ever try falling back to the onboard video? Maybe there is an issue (or the beginnings of one) with the video card or the slot it's in.

Nah, I didn't. I suppose I could still give that a try but at this point I think it would just be a waste of time. The DDR3 1600 (2x2GB) sticks that I took out of my PC worked, it's just these new RAM sticks that aren't working (the above theory of incompatibility with the old chipset).



What I'm probably gonna end up doing is sending the Kingston 8GB kit back for store credit, less the 15% restocking fee, and buy the Crucial set even though it's pretty expensive. Then if THAT doesn't work, look for me on the news I guess I'll take the RAM out of my computer to put in my brother's. He'll only get a total of 4GB, but at least it'll be dual channel because right now he only has the single stick. Better than nothing.

I was considering just swapping the mobo out. Perhaps either a newer 775 board that uses DDR3 (might be more likely to be compatible with the latest RAM, like the Kingston set I have right now) or get a used older board that uses DDR2. But I already decided against the mobo swap. It'll be a pain in the ass. I just did a clean OS install, and it was a pain because my brother got the upgrade version of Win7. It took a few attempts to get it to activate. I don't wanna risk a mobo swap. I'll definitely have to reactivate it, or else do another clean install (which would be annoying anyway since I JUST did it).

[Cronozilla]

I would either swap motherboards ... or I'd buy the RAM used.

You know there's a factory reset mode for Windows 7, right? It resets all factory information on the drive so it'll re-authenticate and re-register all the hardware in the machine, and doesn't require the OS to be reinstalled.

I found out when I had trouble setting up this box.

I believe it's called "Out of the box experience" http://www.oxhow.com/transfer-installed ... -computer/ some information there.

However, it shouldn't actually complain, I don't think. The chipsets are the same on the newer motherboards as the one you're using.

[marurun]

Voltage variance can also be an issue. I know for DDR2 there were 1.8 and 2.0 volt sticks of memory, and that could affect compatibility. My computer is a DDR2 LGA775 PC, so I can't help you with DDR3, but make sure you have supported voltage numbers and CAS latency timings as well. Some systems are a bit picky.

I will also recommend Crucial. If you use their system scanner or picker tool, that compatibility guarantee can be very helpful. Also, Micron (Crucial's owner) makes good quality memory.

[ExedExes]

I for one would like to see an update & resolution to all this.

Crucial rocks.

[Ziggy]

I for one would like to see an update & resolution to all this.

Crucial rocks.

The update is that I've RMA'ed the Kingston (second set) RAM back to NewEgg. At least 6 people, on this forum and the other I posted this problem on, have said to try Crucial. So, that's what I'm gonna do. I might not order the RAM for a few weeks though. I'll be sure to post the results though.