fostert wrote:
Grab http://www.memtest.org/download/4.20/memtest86+-4.20.iso.zip and burn image to CD. Put in the sticks two at a time (for dual channel operation, which is how you would normally want to be running them) and test for a minimum of three passes. If *any* errors are found (even one) switch out one stick and test again. Continue until you have narrowed which stick(s) has/have bad ICs. Sticks with errors must be RMA'ed with the manufacturer, and identifying the problem sticks makes the RMA go much more quickly.

The G74 can definitely handle 32GB: I have been running 32GB for 8 months now in my G74SX and hammer all 32 GB pretty hard in my daily usage, with never a single problem seen.

Hi Fostert,

Would like to know what type and what brand of 32gb rams you use in your g74sx? please give link to the rams? is it possible to use high performance rams on G74sx??

Cheers
Pizzazz

Pizzazz wrote:
Hi Fostert,

Would like to know what type and what brand of 32gb rams you use in your g74sx? please give link to the rams? is it possible to use high performance rams on G74sx??

Cheers
Pizzazz

I have four sticks of Corsair (CMSO8GX3M1A1333C9) 1x8GB DDR3-1333 MHz 9-9-9-24 204 pin. See (for example) http://ncix.com/products/?sku=64472&vpn=CMSO8GX3M1A1333C9&manufacture=Corsair
which is where I purchased them from (see also http://www.corsair.com/en/memory/laptop-memory-upgrades/value-select-8gb-ddr3-sodimm-memory-kit-cmso...). Works outstandingly well in my G74, and has been going strong in there for 9 months now. Linux flourishes with 32GB. Will never need a memory upgrade again.

It is possible to use high-performance RAM on the G74; however, you will be limited to using 2x4GB=8GB total. For some reason the ASUS BIOS cripples the G74's ability to use 4 sticks of 1600 or even 1866 MHZ RAM, which the Intel Sandy Bridge chip's memory controller can handle without breaking a sweat. Despite many, many voices on this forum begging them, ASUS has not released an updated BIOS to fix this or other problems (e.g. the numlock issue) since October of last year. Sigh.

Performance RAM is mostly gimmick and gives essentially no advantage using real-world applications over regular 1333MHz DDR3. Its really just for overclockers and those into competitive benchmarking; since benchmarks test RAM *specifically* for things such as clock speed and CAS latency timings, of course, performance RAM boosts your scores. Trust an old overclocker: I went from 1333 CL9 to 1600 CL7 sticks in my desktop, and saw d**k all in gains, even in some of the benchmarks I used. I have since wised-up. You can't overlock the G74 (again, a crippled BIOS limitation), so my advice: don't waste your money on anything but 1333MHz RAM in your G74. You might as well light cigars with paper $.