Added TWIN2X4096-6400C5C, problems started

[silvanthalas]

This is going to be long-winded, but I want it to be complete, as I am not actually sure what the problem is, only that it began when I went to add more Corsair memory.

 

I built this system 2 years ago with a set of TWIN2X4096-6400C5. No problems over the last 2 years. Six weeks ago, I ordered TWIN2X4096-6400C5C from Amazon.com to get my system to 8gig.

 

I put the new RAM into the open slots, and the computer would not POST. So, I took all of the modules out, and started with one of the new RAM modules in slot 3 (the preferred 1st used slot for this motherboard), and it failed to POST again. After letting it sit for a bit, I tried again, and it would finally POST. I then installed each of the other modules, and had no problems.

 

Two weeks later, my computer abruptly shuts down after being on for several hours. I was not doing anything graphic intensive, nor even particularly memory intensive. I went to boot the machine again, and it wouldn't POST. I gave it a bit, and then it booted normally.

 

No problems again for another two weeks until this past Sunday, when it did it again: the computer was on for several hours, and I wasn't doing anything in particular when it up and shut down. I waited a bit, turned it on again, and it only lasted 10 minutes before it shut down again.

 

After that, I decided to get all the memory modules tested with memtest. Although each module only takes about half an hour for a pass to be completed, it took nearly 4 hours to test them all, as by this point the computer was pretty much refusing to POST. While it was only a single pass on each module, no errors were found.

 

After I got the final module tested, I put all the memory back in, and was unable to get the computer to POST again until last night after I had done some shopping. I picked up a power supply tester, and as far as I can tell, the power supply is checking out normally.

 

So I started the process again of unplugging/removing everything and connecting things one by one to the power supply to see if I could narrow things down, but I have been unable to. I was still getting random failures to POST: sometimes after I went to install a memory module, and even once after I reconnected my second optical drive. There doesn't seem to be a specific memory module or DIMM slot that causes a POST failure.

 

In the end, I am unsure that the memory is actually to blame - I'm suspecting the motherboard more and more - but since additional RAM was the most recent hardware I added to my system, it seems like the first place to seek help.

 

Edit: I picked up another power supply today and put it in the machine. Same result: fans, no POST. Numbers from the tester seem to indicate that the PSU is within specs. I know that 'straight out of the box' testing isn't ideal, but I didn't have a spare PSU.

[senkaku]

I'm having a very similar problem to yours. What is your stick's version? As far as I can tell from various user feedbacks, newer versions are returning more errors than corsair's earlier production sticks.

[Wired]

I'm having a very similar problem to yours. What is your stick's version? As far as I can tell from various user feedbacks, newer versions are returning more errors than corsair's earlier production sticks.

Incorrect seeing that version has nothing to do with when they were made.

[RAM GUY]

Mixing memory is not suggested or supported officially but if you do I would suggest setting the memory frequency at DDR667 and since it seems that one of the new modules may be failing I would suggest getting the new set replaced please use the link on the left and request an RMA, I would suggest you also consider getting an RMA for all of the modules so there is a better chance they all match but the first statement still applies.