RAM upgrade problem

[Lamar Diasso]

Hi, I have recently bought new RAM-memories for my motherboard. My current ones are 2x2GB 1333MHz, and the new ones are 2x2GB 1600MHz. The store told me that all I had to do is to insert the new RAM into the empty slots(slot 1 and 3) and it would boot up with 8GB, that I doubt due to previous experience, and that I had right to doubt because it did not work. So I tried just to preclude, all different slot combinations(I have 4) with the memories, but that seems not to be the problem. My current ones are on slot 2 and slot 4, because it is dual-channels and not single-channels. What is the problem? Is it because I mix old RAM with new RAM? In that case I'll buy 2x2GB 1600MHz, just identical to the ones I just bought and see if it works.

[ElMartu]

yeah there are issues with different brands, related to voltage and stuff like that

[Devin]

Tell me the model of your motherboard to begin with.
If the board is compatible with 1333MHz and 1600MHz you can run them both, although the 1600MHz ram will run at the 1333MHz speeds.
If you are going to run all 4 Ram Modules, then run the two 1333MHz in two paired slots and the two 1600MHz in the other two slots to be safe.

So put the two 1333MHz modules into Slot 1 and 2, and the two 1600MHz modules into Slot 3 and 4.

If your motherboard does not support 1600MHz then you will have problems.
Another thing is your CPU, The CPU determines the speed requirement of the Ram modules, what CPU are you running?

[Lamar Diasso]

MSI, MS-7599, can't open right now but I think it says on the motherboard 870A-G54, if that's needed.
And alright, I have tried to put both modules like you said before, the PC will start but it wont launch up, only if I have 2 identical modules on slot 2 and 4.
CPU is AMD Phenom II X4 955. My new ones are Corsair Vengeance and the old ones are made by the brand Crucial I think.

[Devin]

I've found the problem, your motherboard is capable of running the DDR3 1600MHz modules, although your CPU is not which leads to your problem.
The highest speed/frequency Ram modules your CPU can support is DDR3 1333MHz, so it's safe to say you will need to swap those 1600MHz modules for 1333MHz modules..

[Lamar Diasso]

Okay thank you man, but how come I can run on the 2 new modules with 1600MHz right now? :S

[Devin]

If you are able to run the two 1600MHz modules by themselves, then they are more than likely running at 1333MHz to match the CPU, you're better off getting two more 1333MHz modules.

[Lamar Diasso]

Thanks man you've been a great help, but I still have a problem. Today I swapped the memories into 1333MHz ones, but the PC will only work with 3 as max. New ones on slot 3 and 4 and an old one on slot 2, not 1, works only on slot 2. If I put another old one on slot 1 it will not work. I have tried every combination, it will only work with 3. So now I got 6GB RAM, a little bit further on my upgrade...you know how to solve this? 

[Devin]

Either your motherboard is damaged, or something is wrong within your BIOS.
It could even be down to dust in the Ram slot too or the ram module was/is not fastened/clipped in firmly.

[Lamar Diasso]

What could be wrong with BIOS do you think?

[Devin]

There's always a possibility that someone has set something incorrectly, is it just the 1st slot that wont work? Or do any 3 work in any combination?

[Lamar Diasso]

Hard to explain, it works this way:
SLOT 1          SLOT 2              SLOT 3              SLOT 4
new RAM       new RAM          unused              old RAM

or

SLOT 1         SLOT2                SLOT 3              SLOT 4
unused        old ram              new ram            new ram

But I'm currently checking on BIOS, I think it might have to be updated with a good file, as it says some files are corrupt and that BIOS is damaged. Thank you for your help!

[Devin]

Odd, so one of your old ram modules don't work anymore? Are you sure you haven't damaged it in some way?
Try this, install all 4 Ram modules then on boot open the bios, once you have that open select "Load Optimized Defaults"

A BIOS does not simply become corrupt as the only time the code can change is if you flash it, or electronic damage such as a power surge.  :roll:

[Lamar Diasso]

No it works, it doesn't matter which one I use, the problem is that the PC will start up, but the system wont boot up, the screen wont respond when I have 4 modules in. It doesn't say anything at all about being damaged when I only have 2 modules in. The PC started to work with 3 modules after flashing it with an update file on a FAT32 formatted USB-drive, haven't tried with 4 yet.

[Devin]

Alright, give what I said a try with the "Load Optimized Defaults" if you have no luck then try "Load Fail-Safe Defaults".

By the way, what Power supply are you running?