08-24-201906:17 PM - last edited on 03-06-202407:41 PM by ROGBot
After many hours of tweaking every related setting to include the most likely ones (DRAM voltage/VCCIO/SA/increased current capability) I can not get 128GB of G.Skill F4-3600C17-16GTZKW working reliably. It fails memtest on the most basic of tests and hard locks almost instantly on the Prime 95 large FFTs test. I've tested all the way down to 2133 at 20-22-22-42 without success.
At this point I'm thinking either a (very) crappy memory controller on my 9980XE, or a BIOS incompatibility issue with my modules. Running the latest 0702 BIOS, but I also tested what was in my BIOS 2 bank, which was really old (like 0204 or something). I have a custom loop that includes cooling the memory, so heat likely isn't an issue.
I'm leaning toward a BIOS problem because the memtest/P95 results are pretty much the same at any settings between 2133-3200, meaning that they don't last any longer at more conservative settings. It won't POST above 3200 which is understandable for 128GB and certainly not my concern at the moment.
I left out a lot of details on everything I've tested just to keep this shorter, so please feel free to suggest anything.
Like Hopper said your mixing 4 kits of memory which are dual channel, they sell quad channel kits for a reason so there's no compatibility issues between dims.
It was actually 2 64GB kits - The part number I listed is just what the individual sticks identify as. I think you guys are on to something (unfortunately for me!). Beyond what was mentioned, my step son used to work for a major memory manufacturer and confirmed that each kit size had different SPD information based on the size. That would explain the consistent failing results that I get all the way down to 2133MHz.
I'll go with this theory for now and either try to manually set everything in the BIOS or swap the kit. I don't know if the BIOS exposes everything that is shown using an app like SIV to read the SPD so that may not be an option, plus I'd need the info from G.Skill unless someone has such a kit. Option #2 will be painful due to the water blocks, but it is what it is. I fall in the "I've combined kits for the last 30 years" category, but it may finally be biting me.
As to why I need 128GB - Easy answer! The same reason I need 18 cores and an extreme i9 - just because 🙂 - This is about an $11k RGB everything build (I have 16 RGB fittings if that tells you anything) that I'll post pics of once I get past fun things like this.
Mixing kits is not advised even if they are the exact same part number. More sticks just means more problems. As for a 128GB kit......If its just because Id back off. 16GB modules are always harder to OC than the 8GB. Im running 8X8GB corsair dominator RGB 3600/18 kit OCd to 3800 and C16 without touching the voltage. I do a lot of content creation, 3D rendering, video edits as well as photo batch and Ive not come close to saturating 64GB. Only reason I went ahead and stayed with the 8X8 is my OCD wont let me have empty slots.
Sticks are first binned by their attributes like 3600 withh CL 18. Then they are binned together as kits being it 2, 4 or 8 sticks. The more sticks the less likely you are to get them to work so the cost goes up. Not saying that the chances of getting the same part number of different kits will never work. Just that your chances are slimmer with the more sticks you add to the mix and as speed goes up its even more risky. Your odds of getting non kit binned sticks to run at XMP are 50/50 at best. Probably more like 25% chance. Forum is full of the same issues of sticks from different kits.