Wont recognize new RAM

[zoran]

1st post here chaps and Im hoping I can receive some good advice.

Today I bought 3 x 8 corsair vengeance DDR3 RAM. it gets a bit tricky here.. the reason I bought 3 and not 4 is because the
person that built my machine placed the CPU fan covering the fourth slot.

I installed them and booted and it only shows 6g available. I re boot again and then shows 10 g available. when I re boot it
either shows 6 or 10. I dont know the relevance of this but thought i would mention it

summarry
3x8g ram installed

maximum shown is 10g

specs
cpu intel i5 2500k
Motherboard Asus Maximus IV Gene Z
Ram - 8gb gskill 1600mhz (replaced with 3x 8g corsair vengance
Video card Nvidia GTX 560ti
Power supply corsair 650W CPU Cooler - coolermaster V6
SSD 128Gb
HD 1Tb

[Zka17]

Welcome to the ROG forum!

The thing is that today's motherboards are pretty sensible with choosing the right memory modules/kits for them... Like yours, which was designed with four DIMM slots. Citing the manufacturer: "You may install 1GB, 2GB and 4GB unbuffered and non-ECC DDR3 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets", also mentioning that "The max 32GB memory capacity can be supported with DIMMs of 8GB..." What may not be very clear from the mobo's manual is that you need to use matching sets of memory modules. Even if the individual modules are produced by the same manufacturer, and their specs are the same, they still needs to be tested together in order to be a matching set.

These said, your problem may be caused by the non-compatible RAM modules. You can find compatible RAM modules for your mobo either by checking the QVL from the Asus site (http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Int..._IV_GENEZ/#MSL) or, if you want to go with the Corsair, then check it's suggestion for the specified mobo (http://www.corsair.com/learn_n_explore?id=12373).

In your case, I have a feeling that the choosen memories are not suggested by Asus or Corsair... Which does not mean that they could not work (since is practically impossible to try all existent memories), but in your case they doesn't.

You have several options for resolve the situation:
1. You can use Memtest and check every module in every slot - to be sure that all working by itself. Then check them in pairs (in the red slots).
2. Simply buy a kit from the QVL.
3. Change your cooler or it's setup and by a 4 DIMM kit.

[zoran]

Zk thanks for your detailed reply.

just a few more questions.


"Simply buy a kit from the QVL.. " whats a QVL kit?

Also can I run 3x8 or must I run them in pairs?

The other option is to take the sticks back to the retailer who is the same person who built my pc and buy a comparable set of
RAM

[Baalberith_NL]

U bought a tripple channel set? And want to use it with a dual channel proc. Most likely the memcontroller is picky with the modules.

[Zka17]

Zk thanks for your detailed reply.

just a few more questions.


"Simply buy a kit from the QVL.. " whats a QVL kit?

Also can I run 3x8 or must I run them in pairs?

The other option is to take the sticks back to the retailer who is the same person who built my pc and buy a comparable set of
RAM

QVL = qualified vendor list

I don't think that 3x8GB is an optimal setup for your mobo...

Yes, the best option is to take it back to whom build the system! I didn't know if it was you or someone else - but this is the better situation. As I said, you also may ask for an optimal cooler to allow using all 4 DIMMs...

[Myk SilentShadow]

Just out of curiousity Zoran, when it says you have either 6 or 10GB RAM, is this from BIOS or Windows?...if it's Windows, what version are you running?

[zoran]

"U bought a tripple channel set? And want to use it with a dual channel proc. Most likely the memcontroller is picky with the modules."

BB I suspect this is the case.

Im running win7 64

so Im getting the picture that I should be running 4x8g which means moving the CPU cooler to access the 4th slot and buyinganother 8g stick

I can gather from my limited knowledge that this rig will not run effecrivley without all 4 slots active.

I have swapped them around and running on 2 with a gap in the middle of the slots produces the same memory as 3 lined in a row

[Zka17]

"U bought a tripple channel set? And want to use it with a dual channel proc. Most likely the memcontroller is picky with the modules."

BB I suspect this is the case.

Im running win7 64

so Im getting the picture that I should be running 4x8g which means moving the CPU cooler to access the 4th slot and buyinganother 8g stick

I can gather from my limited knowledge that this rig will not run effecrivley without all 4 slots active.

I have swapped them around and running on 2 with a gap in the middle of the slots produces the same memory as 3 lined in a row

I would not suggest you to buy an another 8GB stick! What you need is a complete kit (matching set of modules)- sell these modules and get a complete kit.

Your mobo can run "effectively" with even one single module/slot (check the manual) - the question is only that if it will be enough for your applications...

What is your CPU cooler model (the one which blocks the first DIMM slot)?

[Myk SilentShadow]

Win7 x64...which edition though? Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise or Ultimate?

[Zka17]

Win7 x64...which edition though? Home Basic, Home Premium, Professional, Enterprise or Ultimate?

If it's 64 bit, why would it matter if it is Home Basic, Premium, Pro, Enterprise or Ultimate? I had the sensation that all 64 bit OS can handle more than 4GB...