Ram Question

[aggressiveGrey]

Hello

So i have a 2gb ddr3 and a 4gb ddr3 ram stick.

Both together seem to have no issues, even after running memtest.

But alone the 4GB reveals 92 errors on memtest within seconds of running.

2GB is perfect even after 7 passes.


Should i keep the 4gb in with the 2gb and what is the best option or is it like "buy new one" type thing

 

[sajunky]

Should i keep the 4gb in with the 2gb and what is the best option

Answer is in your previous thread. You tried both already (before running MEMtests) and end result was corrupting Windows, so you couldn't boot anymore. http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/695640

The best option? Lets see what others say. As 4GB stick was the original one and it was working fine, so why is not working now? My answer is - give this job to the computer shop.

 

[aggressiveGrey]

The 2GB was the original one

 

[sajunky]

The 2GB was the original one

It is conflicting with your previous statement:

Currently Using the Patriot 4GB, but contemplating possibly putting in the 2gb to make 6GB ram in total

If 4GB stick is a new one and doesn't work alone, just return it to the shop, end of the story. But I think it is not true, for two reasons:

1. 2GB stick is using a newer generation of chips than 4GB. It suggests that 4GB stick was an original one, unless you bought second-hand computer very recently.

2. There is no any single rank 2GB module on the motherboard compatibility list which suggests that these chips were not in production when motherboard was released.

Lets live it alone, we are here to find solution. However it is more difficult to give right suggestion when having do deal with such basic discrepancies.

Now I have important question:
Did you ever perform setting BIOS to defaults (since computer was new)?

 

[aggressiveGrey]

Apologies for the misconception:

I had the 2GB in already, it was second hand and came with the mobo hence i did not choose it.

A friend gave me the 4gb to try, I place it in first leaving the 2gb out as im pretty sure they wouldnt run dual channel effectively.

The 4GB gave issues, took it out, put in the 2gb into the first slot and 4gb in the second.

But the question remains, I do not seem to get problems using both, just the 4gb gives issues.
Running both memtest reveals no errors, Running them individually shows the 4gb is faulty.

As far as i understand, a pc would give issues should it use a faulty address on the faulty ram, but this is not the case, well hasnt been. Have no issues with both.

When i start up my PC with both rams, post says:
"Memory runs in Flex Memory Mode"

if that makes any difference

 

[sajunky]

I never heard about Flex mode, but Google brings many results. Some say it is a mode with relaxed timing to accomodate slower stick. If it is a true, then nothing to worry about. 4GB stick might be over specs and generate errors when BIOS is using original SPD timing for this stick. If it works with relaxed timing, then fine.

You can verify it by booting to MiniXP (from Hiren's boot CD) and checking CPU-Z data for each stick and both together. Make a note from Memory tab (or screenshots) and post here.

 

[aggressiveGrey]

They the same in memory tab, but the overspec isnt causing the errors in memtest

 

[sajunky]

Vague answer. Can't comment unless you post screenshots with actual data. Also post screenshots of SPD tab for each stick.

 

[AlexGouws]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Sorta.... Basically, if your pc works fine with both sticks in, just keep both in. And if one of the sticks die then you just get a new one. RAM isn't too expensive. Although it leaves me to wonder, did you try the 4Gb stick in another PC? If so, what were the results?