So, what's the deal with G-Skill RAM???

Tyrsonswood · Dec 9, 2010, 01:05 AM

Little over a week ago I got 2 sticks of G-Skill DDR3 2X2gig (G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL) and when they came in one stick was completely DOA..... System wouldn't even post with it in there. The other stick seemed okay, system booted into windows but I did no further testing. Both sticks were "gladly" replaced by newegg (starting to hate these guys.... long story

)

So the replacement sticks come in today....... Installed, booted, went into BIOS and it said there were two sticks, 2X2gig running at 1333. Hmmmm, whatever.... save and exit and it won't boot into windows. Power off, try it again..... no boot. Interesting, both times it knocked my main monitor "out of range" but could still see the post screen on the secondary.

Set to boot off CD and run memtest, it reboots during the first few seconds of memtest. Go into BIOS and slow down the memory speed, run memtest and errors all over the place. WTF!!!

Put my old RAM in and the system is flawless as always.

System specs are over here

<<<<<<<<

Is this G-Skill stuff just garbage or what?

After I send these back it will have cost me to NOT upgrade my system with all the shipping back I will have and have already paid for. And newegg is likely to charge a restocking fee if I go for a refund, they tried to on the video card I just returned from the same order..... ( Card was also faulty and after a phone call they dropped the restocking fee. luckily)

So, what's the deal?

Neshi · Dec 9, 2010, 01:26 AM

I've heard good things about G-skill, never used them myself though.
Sounds like your motherboard doesn't like those sticks.

I think you just got very, very unlucky with receiving 2 DOA sets of ram. That's why I'd rather buy stuff local, as you won't have to deal with fees sending stuff back when something breaks during warranty..

***Veridian3*** · Dec 9, 2010, 01:36 AM

Not so good. Could be a random compatibility issue (BIOS up to date?) or could be bad luck. What I would say is that I have 3x G.Skill sticks in this very machine which runs 24/7 without issue.

Tyrsonswood · Dec 9, 2010, 01:40 AM

Funny, they are listed on AsRock's "compatible memory" page.......

Local for me is over 50 miles away, so that's not as easy as it sounds.

[hobo]eclipse · Dec 9, 2010, 01:44 AM

have y tried some bios adjustments? setting the proper timings n voltage. Can u make the CPU run stock with the RAM at he rated speed of 1600 or do u need to OC the CPU bus to get it there? (Not up n up with AMD chipset options). I ran Gskill DDR2 1066 at DDR2 1130 for quite some time.

such a quik crash on memtest, i would try to up the RAM voltage a lil if it ist to high already, or possibly more.voltage somewhere else(main board chipset, or CPU memcontroller) because now your using 2x2 GB ratherthan the 2x1 GB.

1st thing tho i would set timings, voltage, and mem speed as close to rated as possible.

Tyrsonswood · Dec 9, 2010, 02:00 AM

At the moment everything is set to "auto" nothing is over clocked or changed from what the chips or the cpu tells the mobo is correct. I can change settings, yes...... But should I need to?

[hobo]eclipse · Dec 9, 2010, 02:35 AM

yes it is semi common for RAM to need setting to proper spec.

Tyrsonswood · Dec 9, 2010, 03:11 AM

Okay, I'll give that a shot. Thanks

Tyrsonswood · Dec 9, 2010, 03:28 PM

Made a few changes in BIOS and then booted into Windows..... Downloaded and burned a new copy of memtest+ while I was in there and am running memtest now. Fingers crossed, toes too.

Now, what I set was speed (1600) CAS (9) and voltage (1.53 was as close to 1.5 without being under) as these are listed specs.......

There are about a zillion other settings on this ASRock mobo and I left them as they were. How in the heck am I supposed to know what does what without going back to school? .... Which, by the way, I'm not going to do.

I mean is there a guide for all or some of these settings that makes sense to those of us with brain damage?

I also couldn't find a good listing of required specs for this RAM... G-Skill's site just had an advertisement for them.

***Veridian3*** · Dec 9, 2010, 03:46 PM

All you should need to bother about is CAS (which you have done) and tRCD (9) tRP (9) and tRAS (24) with the timings/command rate set to 2T (usually the only options are 1T and 2T).

1.6v would be fine on those sticks if you still have a problem and if its not abreviations in the bios its

CAS Latency (CL)
RAS to CAS Delay (tRCD)
RAS Precharge (tRP)
Cycle Time (tRAS)

blibbax · Dec 9, 2010, 03:52 PM

I know this sounds ridiculous but is it possible that you're causing issues unboxing? Rubber soled slippers on laminate floor etc. etc.

[hobo]eclipse · Dec 9, 2010, 03:58 PM

glad you got it going, i should have clarified more about just setting the primary timings, all the others as Veridian said are usually best left at auto.

You shouldn't need to mess with any other voltages(chipset, mem controler) unless you still run into issues with the RAM a stock ratings. If it is needed it more than likely wont be much.

comp_ali · Dec 9, 2010, 04:03 PM

You are so unlucky these days , reminds of me of the 4870x2 I won over here.
I haven't tried Gskill before so I can't help you but good luck anyway.

Chaos · Dec 9, 2010, 04:13 PM

I have been using G Skill DDR 3 1600 in this system for some time now without issues but had to manually set the CL9 value Veridian 3 mentioned and the onchip SPD settings kicked in with remaining settings on auto after setting CL to 9. I get better performance from that RAM when i underclock it and increase my FSB to overclock my CPU. With my FSB increased from 200 to 266 and the RAM speed multiplier set to 5.33 the RAM is now running CL 7-7-7-20 CR1. Lowering the multiplier gives me the lower CL7 instead of CL9 and reduces the CR from 2T to 1T. The CR1 value seems to have the most effect on performance in my case.

Tyrsonswood · Dec 9, 2010, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blibbax

I know this sounds ridiculous but is it possible that you're causing issues unboxing? Rubber soled slippers on laminate floor etc. etc.

No..... If things were getting zapped from static my original ram would be fried as well as the other 4 systems I've been mucking around with these last few weeks. I'm always careful about that, especially during the winter when it's dry as toast. Also, after removing the G-Skill from it's package I've been sticking the Patriot sticks in there for safe keeping. As I've said, they are fine.

So far they have passed one+ round of memtest without errors, Still running.

Tyrsonswood · Dec 9, 2010, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaos

I have been using G Skill DDR 3 1600 in this system for some time now without issues but had to manually set the CL9 value Veridian 3 mentioned and the onchip SPD settings kicked in with remaining settings on auto after setting CL to 9. I get better performance from that RAM when i underclock it and increase my FSB to overclock my CPU. With my FSB increased from 200 to 266 and the RAM speed multiplier set to 5.33 the RAM is now running CL 7-7-7-20 CR1. Lowering the multiplier gives me the lower CL7 instead of CL9 and reduces the CR from 2T to 1T. The CR1 value seems to have the most effect on performance in my case.

*Sits here nodding his head with a blank look in his eyes.... thinking "but.... this goes to 11" *

Okay, I'm not that bad, but close, most of this makes little sense to me..... I'm sure I could follow along but I'm not really overclocking anything here at least not today.... Are tweaks like this something I would see benefit from in daily operation, or mostly for benchmarks?

After changing the CL to 9, speed to 1600 and voltage to 1.53 with everything else to auto the system went through two passes of memtest+ with no issues. It did set the other timings for a 9-9-9-24 automatically..... CPU-Z says CR is 2T and whatever the heck tRC is.... it's at 40.

Booted into Windows and ran "Kane Creek" in DiRT2 without any issues (outside of the occasional "jerky, lag deal" that I've seen before, so nothing new) Seems I've got 4 gigs of RAM now......... on to a Win7 install. (I'll probably run memtest a few more times before I do that, let it run while I'm out at the store to get more COFFEE!

)

Thanks for the help everyone that posted, I'll pass around some +1 to everyone that the system allows me to...... and let you know how things fly from here.

blibbax · Dec 9, 2010, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyrsonswood

No..... If things were getting zapped from static my original ram would be fried as well as the other 4 systems I've been mucking around with these last few weeks. I'm always careful about that, especially during the winter when it's dry as toast. Also, after removing the G-Skill from it's package I've been sticking the Patriot sticks in there for safe keeping. As I've said, they are fine.

So far they have passed one+ round of memtest without errors, Still running.

Ok, sorry if I was slighlty patronising, you gotta be sure with these things :P

Tyrsonswood · Dec 9, 2010, 07:22 PM

No problem, man.... I'd be wondering the same thing.

Tyrsonswood · Dec 10, 2010, 12:46 PM

So........

I had a lockup in Windows yesterday and all the system was doing was sitting with the screensaver running, (still XP) so I ran memtest for 4 passes with no errors....

I was able to run DiRT2 for awhile later on last night and all was fine, sort of.... The game wouldn't shut down requiring a reset.

I let memtest run all night and this morning errors all over the place, escaped and let it restart..... Instant errors. So I pull the CD and reboot to see if it will go into Widows (figuring it wouldn't) and it can't find the boot files on the hard drive.......

No time to muck with it today, I go down to see my Dad on Fridays.....

You know, this was going to be so easy. Upgrade to 4 gig for Win7 and add a video card for eyefinity hookup......

It's been nothing but a nightmare. RAM/DOA... Video card/flaky... Both returned, New RAM..... flaky and then FAIL...... now a dead HD?????

I knew Win7 was a curse

***craig5320*** · Dec 10, 2010, 12:55 PM

Soon as you get it stable slap Win7 on there and forget about XP.

Have you tried the 1.6v as V3 suggested?

Tyrsonswood · Dec 10, 2010, 01:22 PM

I've been trying to get it stable with the upgraded parts for two weeks........ That's the problem.

Tyrsonswood · Dec 10, 2010, 02:09 PM

All-rightly then.......

Changed voltage to 1.6v (1.59 was my BIOS choice) did nothing, mass errors in memtest and no boot, can't find boot files.

So while getting dressed I'm changing RAM in my skivvies..... Put the 2 gig of Patriot back in, reset everything to auto...... Boots right into Windows.

Judas · Dec 10, 2010, 03:18 PM

yeah that sounds totally faulty... shouldn't need to set 1.6v

I've 3 different gskill ripjaw memory here and all of them default to proper speeds/timings excluding the frequency....

i manually set it to the rated timings such as 1333 or 1600 and without touching voltages or anything else.... it works flawlessly..

Any ram i cannot get to run at their defaults or failsafe without error i send back because i've learnt in the last 5 years... there is NO point in pissing around with them as they either continiously do this.. or they fail later on, and usually after warranty is up..

Send em back is my suggestion. And being it's not the first bad set in a row.... i'd suggest switching to patriot again......

[hobo]eclipse · Dec 10, 2010, 06:18 PM

im still skeptical of the RAM being bad again, and it really being some sort of compatibility issue. your cpu mem controller is rated up to ddr3 1066 from AMD, as per these pics and this page.

AMD Athlon? II Processor Model Numbers and Comparisons

note the 1st pic, only DDR2/3 1066 support for the dual core, and the Type of Memory Supported toward the bottom on the page. Seems ddr3 1333 is only sported in the 3 and 4 core Athlon II CPUs

I seen quotes on the AMD forums, while digging, saying if the board supports 1333 then the 2 core cpu should, but i cant seem to find again now.

So there for if the board supports ddr3 1600 then the 2 core cpu "should"

this is where the memory controller on board the CPU comes in

with the 3 n 4 core cpus, supporting 1333 by default the jump to 1600 "should" be less of an issue

with the 2 core supporting up to DDR3 1066 the jump to 1600 Mhz RAM is more out of spec and produces more strain on the MEM controller.

folks here see the memory default to 1333 wen presented with ddr3 1600 on a 3 core as it should, the fact that your 2 core defaults to 1333 is a good sign IMHO that the memcontroller supports 1333 np

Athlon II max supported RAM DDR3 1333?

this takes us to the MEM controller voltage adjustment

from poking around i do not think your board has the option to increase the voltage to the CPU mem controller, but increasing this voltage will allow it to run higher mem speeds

here is a discussion on your board and the mem controler voltage. some folks saying u can get this adjustment from installing AMD overdrive

Confused with "NB Voltage" in Asrock M3A790GXH/128M BIOS - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net

alternatively you could try to tune in the 1600 mhz RAM u have to 1333 mhz.
before when your mobo defaulted to 1333 the voltage or timings may have been way off.

also when new main components are installed, like RAM or CPU, its a good idea to into the bios upon 1st boot with them and reset the bios to default and reboot, this will usually make sure the new components are detected correctly and thing such as all those auto RAM setting are where the they should be for auto.

by the way:

what bios are you running? (sry if i missed). 1.4 revision here has memory changes, but as i think the problem is with the cpu mem controller, its doubtful this will help, but always good to know where your bios stands, and maybe worth a shot.

ASRock > Products > Motherboard > M3A790GXH/128M > Download

there is also the mem QVL but this relates to mobo approved and is old being last revised feburary.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/memory/M3A790GXH128M.pdf

Tyrsonswood · Dec 10, 2010, 08:47 PM

Latest BIOS...... 1.9 I think.

Tyrsonswood · Dec 10, 2010, 10:47 PM

So what I'm getting from hobo's post is my processor is compatible with my motherboard.... and my motherboard is compatible with the ram.... but the processor is not compatible with the ram....

Sweet!

Seeing as it did run at 1600 for quite some time, after manually setting it, and then flipped out I would tend to think something became damaged...... more than likely the ram, since the patriot ram is fine as usual at auto settings.

So even if I set things at 1066 or 1333 it may not run at all with this ram........ and if it does I've wasted my money.

Double Sweet!!

Why would the Patriot sticks auto sense when the G-Skill didn't?

My brain hurts.

Tyrsonswood · Dec 11, 2010, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyrsonswood

Sweet!

Seeing as it did run at 1600 for quite some time, after manually setting it, and then flipped out I would tend to think something became damaged...... more than likely the ram, since the patriot ram is fine as usual at auto settings.

Double Sweet!!

My brain hurts.

Okay, The G-Skill sticks are dead from running them at 1600 9-9-9-24 as I can't get them to run at any speed or reasonable setting. They is toast.

Running memtest on the Patriots right now and they seem fine so I would guess processor and motherboard are okay... it boots into Windows fine also.

Guess I'm out some cash.

blibbax · Dec 11, 2010, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyrsonswood

Okay, The G-Skill sticks are dead from running them at 1600 9-9-9-24 as I can't get them to run at any speed or reasonable setting. They is toast.

Running memtest on the Patriots right now and they seem fine so I would guess processor and motherboard are okay... it boots into Windows fine also.

Guess I'm out some cash.

You can't RMA them?

Tyrsonswood · Dec 11, 2010, 01:03 AM

If I killed them?

***craig5320*** · Dec 11, 2010, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyrsonswood

If I killed them?

Sounds to me like they were DOA

Dec 9, 2010, 01:26 AM	#2
Neshi S.N.A.F.U. Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Wellington, NZ Posts: 3,378 Rep Power: 177 System Specs	Re: So, what's the deal with G-Skill RAM??? I've heard good things about G-skill, never used them myself though. Sounds like your motherboard doesn't like those sticks. I think you just got very, very unlucky with receiving 2 DOA sets of ram. That's why I'd rather buy stuff local, as you won't have to deal with fees sending stuff back when something breaks during warranty.. __________________ If one does not attach himself to people and desire, never shall his heart be broken. But then, does he ever truly live? Life is just too damn short for if's and maybe's

Dec 9, 2010, 01:36 AM	#3
*Veridian3* Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cloaked Posts: 5,028 Rep Power: 181	Re: So, what's the deal with G-Skill RAM??? Not so good. Could be a random compatibility issue (BIOS up to date?) or could be bad luck. What I would say is that I have 3x G.Skill sticks in this very machine which runs 24/7 without issue.

Dec 9, 2010, 01:44 AM	#5
[hobo]eclipse ...just bummin 'round Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,907 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	Re: So, what's the deal with G-Skill RAM??? have y tried some bios adjustments? setting the proper timings n voltage. Can u make the CPU run stock with the RAM at he rated speed of 1600 or do u need to OC the CPU bus to get it there? (Not up n up with AMD chipset options). I ran Gskill DDR2 1066 at DDR2 1130 for quite some time. such a quik crash on memtest, i would try to up the RAM voltage a lil if it ist to high already, or possibly more.voltage somewhere else(main board chipset, or CPU memcontroller) because now your using 2x2 GB ratherthan the 2x1 GB. 1st thing tho i would set timings, voltage, and mem speed as close to rated as possible. Last edited by [hobo]eclipse; Dec 9, 2010 at 01:49 AM.

Dec 9, 2010, 02:35 AM	#7
[hobo]eclipse ...just bummin 'round Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,907 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	Re: So, what's the deal with G-Skill RAM??? yes it is semi common for RAM to need setting to proper spec.

Dec 9, 2010, 03:46 PM	#10
*Veridian3* Administrator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cloaked Posts: 5,028 Rep Power: 181	Re: So, what's the deal with G-Skill RAM??? All you should need to bother about is CAS (which you have done) and tRCD (9) tRP (9) and tRAS (24) with the timings/command rate set to 2T (usually the only options are 1T and 2T). 1.6v would be fine on those sticks if you still have a problem and if its not abreviations in the bios its CAS Latency (CL) RAS to CAS Delay (tRCD) RAS Precharge (tRP) Cycle Time (tRAS)

Dec 9, 2010, 03:52 PM	#11
blibbax What does this do? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 4,230 Rep Power: 254 System Specs	Re: So, what's the deal with G-Skill RAM??? I know this sounds ridiculous but is it possible that you're causing issues unboxing? Rubber soled slippers on laminate floor etc. etc. __________________ Donate the spare computing power of your PC to help to cure Alzheimer's, ALS, Huntington's, Parkinson's disease and cancer: Fold for HH!

Dec 9, 2010, 03:58 PM	#12
[hobo]eclipse ...just bummin 'round Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,907 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	Re: So, what's the deal with G-Skill RAM??? glad you got it going, i should have clarified more about just setting the primary timings, all the others as Veridian said are usually best left at auto. You shouldn't need to mess with any other voltages(chipset, mem controler) unless you still run into issues with the RAM a stock ratings. If it is needed it more than likely wont be much.

Dec 9, 2010, 04:03 PM	#13
comp_ali Sniper Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Egypt Posts: 10,469 Rep Power: 339 System Specs	Re: So, what's the deal with G-Skill RAM??? You are so unlucky these days , reminds of me of the 4870x2 I won over here. I haven't tried Gskill before so I can't help you but good luck anyway. __________________

Dec 9, 2010, 04:13 PM	#14
Chaos Number Nine Join Date: May 2002 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 5,268 Rep Power: 167 System Specs	Re: So, what's the deal with G-Skill RAM??? I have been using G Skill DDR 3 1600 in this system for some time now without issues but had to manually set the CL9 value Veridian 3 mentioned and the onchip SPD settings kicked in with remaining settings on auto after setting CL to 9. I get better performance from that RAM when i underclock it and increase my FSB to overclock my CPU. With my FSB increased from 200 to 266 and the RAM speed multiplier set to 5.33 the RAM is now running CL 7-7-7-20 CR1. Lowering the multiplier gives me the lower CL7 instead of CL9 and reduces the CR from 2T to 1T. The CR1 value seems to have the most effect on performance in my case. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Last edited by Chaos; Dec 9, 2010 at 04:28 PM.

Dec 10, 2010, 12:55 PM	#20
*craig5320* HH Administrator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 8,568 Rep Power: 445 System Specs	Re: So, what's the deal with G-Skill RAM??? Soon as you get it stable slap Win7 on there and forget about XP. Have you tried the 1.6v as V3 suggested? __________________ HardwareHeaven on Facebook

Dec 10, 2010, 06:18 PM	#24
[hobo]eclipse ...just bummin 'round Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,907 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	Re: So, what's the deal with G-Skill RAM??? im still skeptical of the RAM being bad again, and it really being some sort of compatibility issue. your cpu mem controller is rated up to ddr3 1066 from AMD, as per these pics and this page. AMD Athlon? II Processor Model Numbers and Comparisons note the 1st pic, only DDR2/3 1066 support for the dual core, and the Type of Memory Supported toward the bottom on the page. Seems ddr3 1333 is only sported in the 3 and 4 core Athlon II CPUs I seen quotes on the AMD forums, while digging, saying if the board supports 1333 then the 2 core cpu should, but i cant seem to find again now. So there for if the board supports ddr3 1600 then the 2 core cpu "should" this is where the memory controller on board the CPU comes in with the 3 n 4 core cpus, supporting 1333 by default the jump to 1600 "should" be less of an issue with the 2 core supporting up to DDR3 1066 the jump to 1600 Mhz RAM is more out of spec and produces more strain on the MEM controller. folks here see the memory default to 1333 wen presented with ddr3 1600 on a 3 core as it should, the fact that your 2 core defaults to 1333 is a good sign IMHO that the memcontroller supports 1333 np Athlon II max supported RAM DDR3 1333? this takes us to the MEM controller voltage adjustment from poking around i do not think your board has the option to increase the voltage to the CPU mem controller, but increasing this voltage will allow it to run higher mem speeds here is a discussion on your board and the mem controler voltage. some folks saying u can get this adjustment from installing AMD overdrive Confused with "NB Voltage" in Asrock M3A790GXH/128M BIOS - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net alternatively you could try to tune in the 1600 mhz RAM u have to 1333 mhz. before when your mobo defaulted to 1333 the voltage or timings may have been way off. also when new main components are installed, like RAM or CPU, its a good idea to into the bios upon 1st boot with them and reset the bios to default and reboot, this will usually make sure the new components are detected correctly and thing such as all those auto RAM setting are where the they should be for auto. by the way: what bios are you running? (sry if i missed). 1.4 revision here has memory changes, but as i think the problem is with the cpu mem controller, its doubtful this will help, but always good to know where your bios stands, and maybe worth a shot. ASRock > Products > Motherboard > M3A790GXH/128M > Download there is also the mem QVL but this relates to mobo approved and is old being last revised feburary. http://www.asrock.com/mb/memory/M3A790GXH128M.pdf Last edited by [hobo]eclipse; Dec 10, 2010 at 07:03 PM.