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[fionab]

Hi there
I have recently been running since I built my PC with 3 X 4GB RAM chips (Apacer 4GB UNB PC3- 10600CL9)
I have now decided as I was finding the machine a bit slow to upgrade to 4 chips. When I insert the 4th the machine boots then hangs after getting into windows. Remove the 4th chip and all is fine. I have done a test using the new chip in the 3rd place to see if it was a chip issue but it runs fine. All chips are the same make and capacity.
Is it a setting issue? Not sure where to look next.
My PC setup is as follows:

CPU brand, model and speed = Intel i5 3.3GHz
Motherboard model = MSI PH67S-C43 (B3)
Memory brand, type/speed, size, number of sticks Apacer DDR3 4GB X 3
Video card brand, chipset type, memory size MSI N240GT -MD16, PCI-E, 1024M, GDDRS
Hard drive(s) brand, size, type, speed = OS C:\ WD 500GB SATA 32MB Caviar Black, Data drive WD 500GB SATA 16MB Caviar Blue ( both connected to the fastest SATA connection) 3rd Drive Media Seagate 2TB Barracuda
Any other peripheral cards and devices ( currently removed additional HDD 1 TB and PCI USB 3.0 Card)
Operating system and version (including if 32 or 64bit!) Windows 7 PRO 64 Bit
Power Supply Unit brand and output in watts and DC output (amps) - Raptor 500W

I will post a picture of the board setup just need to connect my USB connections

[Stu]

I have now decided as I was finding the machine a bit slow to upgrade to 4 chips.

Bit slow? 12gb of RAM is more than enough RAM for most people's needs!

[Bernhard]

A machine will only benefit from more RAM in terms of performance if you are constantly running into swap files due to too little RAM. As Stu pointed out, 12GB is really only needed if you are into CAD or similar graphics intensive design programs.
Please check that memory slot carefully for any foreign matter/dirt in the slot and also for any bent fingers.
Bent CPU socket pins also sometimes cause that a mem module in a certain slot will cause this behaviour.
Did you do any BIOS flashes since you got the machine ?  What BIOS is currently on there ? I see a couple of the latest BIOS versions all state improved memory compatibility. If you do a BIOS flash >>Use the MSI HQ Forum USB flasher<<
You may want to try a CMOS clear in between inserting the 4th mem module and restarting with the 4th module. >>Clear CMOS Guide<<

[fionab]

Yes I do memory intensive video and photoshop work so need the extra especially with the newer versions of software.
I run live update so have upto date drivers and BIOS setup.
Will look for dirt, can confirm no bent pins.
To reset the CMOS what else does this effect and is there any risk?

[fionab]

Tried the CMOS clear no change. Any other suggestions. I checked for dust and seems clear.

[fionab]

It boots into windows but as soon as you start running any application or opening explorer it freezes. I have run antivirus and malware checks, so not attributing it to that and the fact that it stays stable on 3x chips of memory would rule that out.

[fionab]

Running memtest86 v4.2 with all slots populated to see if it detects any issues.

[Bernhard]

Do a CPU socket inspection and check for any bent pins. You may need a strong light and a magnifier.

[fionab]

Thanks for the reply, how would you do that inspection? Remove the fan, then the chip?
BTW the memtest86+ failed at test 4 @ 37% which is 15% complete. Not sure if that helps any more.

[Froggy Gremlin]

BTW the memtest86+ failed at test 4 @ 37% which is 15% complete. Not sure if that helps any more.

Yup. Using a triple channel RAM kit wasn't the best choice in the first place. Now might be the time to get a 2X8GB or 4X4GB dual or quad matched kit. I've had good results with Corsair brand.

[Bernhard]

Seems to me that there maybe a memory related issue after all with that memtest failure evident.
The Corsair kits HU16E already mentioned are also reflected in my signature, and I have only had good results from them.
As for the CPU inspection, yes you have to remove the fan/heatsink and then the CPU to be able to check.

[badboy2k]

Yup. Using a triple channel RAM kit wasn't the best choice in the first place. Now might be the time to get a 2X8GB or 4X4GB dual or quad matched kit. I've had good results with Corsair brand.

i agree! get 4 identical dimms either a 4 chanel corsair kit or 2 dual channel kits of maching type from the same place at same time (thats what i did 2 dual channel kits of corsair dominator modules 2x2x4GB all at the same time)!

waiting to upgrade ram at a later time is like playing the lottery and trying to get the same balls on 2 different draws a week apart its not very likely to happen (always buy as much ram as you want in one go. manufacturers tend to have a propensity to update chips on the same series of memory as a new type comes availible)

[fionab]

Thanks for the replies. Spoke to supplier and they will swop out for RAM in the same serial # sequence.

[fionab]

Been reading some of the other posts and decided to calculate my PSU requirements. It seems I need 550W, my current PSU is only 500W. Could this be a reason for the crashes which now happen 30min after working and this is back with the 3 chip setup as before?

[fionab]

Latest update
Ok so I disabled all but main HDD, removed PCI-e USB 3 card, have no USB devices except keyboard mouse via front USB.
Will see if it stays up longer than 30min before freezing.
Just some other observations. I see that in several posts related memory, it is indicated that the 1st slot to populate is closest CPU, although manual references that as 4th. Is that correct as I have the 3 chips in the 3 slots starting from the opposite side to CPU.
I then also ran the program HWinfo64 and have the following info which may help in assisting me.
Memory load max 23%
CPU usage max 38.8%
Core clocks each run at max 3691.7MHz
In the memory details
Dual channel mode
9.9-9-9-24
1.5V
From this it shows me that it is not running at high load and usage. Should I be getting such slow response when video editing.
Thanks in advance for assistance.

[Froggy Gremlin]

The primary dimm slot is the closest to the CPU (blue). Normal dual channel operation would be slots 1 and 3, both of the 'blue' dimm slots. In the case of ridiculous excess size CPU coolers, many haven't been able to use the primary slot, so in that situation, they have been successful using slots 2 and 4. It is my opinion, you should sell off the triple setup and get a kit of 2X8GB sticks optimized for your platform.

[fionab]

Thanks am looking into the 2x8gb option.