PSD38G1600KH and ASRock Extreme 3 Gen 3 problems

[grohl]

This is a bit of a saga, and I need some direction.

My initial build (4Gbx2 1600, 2500k, SSD, 6950) went fine. Then random blue screens. Memtest showed errors and I RMA'd the memory AND the motherboard.

While waiting for RMA from you guys, decided to go buy same memory from Fry's.

Summary: (A) memory returned to patriot. (B) memory from Fry's (C) memory sent to me from Patriot. All PSD38G1600KH .

(B) worked just fine in a2/b2 slots on mobo. 1600-9-9-9-24. Passed memtest, gamed for a week, no more blue screens.

Then (C) arrived and placed in remaining slots. Would not post. Able to get BIOS up and run on reduced timings (1333-11-11-11-26). Memtest showed errors!

Now I am thinking, WTH? NEW memory from
patriot is bad (C)? So, I take out (B) and leave (C) in existing slots. Same
POSTing problems as above. Will not accept 1600 set manually. But - run memtest
on (C) only and it passes 6 times.

So, currently running with (B) back in
a2/b2.

Also, tried to run with (B) and (C) switched - same result.

With (C) in slots a2/b2, memtest passes, but fails OCCT testing.

(C) in the a2/b2 slot works same, just as well as (B) in those slots.

Should I give up the thoughts of doing 16gb on this board? Or should I RMA (C), again?

Latest approved BIOS being used 1.30

[Patriot_Ben]

Hello,

So does the replacements work as well as the memory you purchased from Fry's?

In summarizing your issue... it looks like...?

A - Memory returned to Patriot

B - New Memory from Fry's
Works fine in A2/B2 1600 9-9-9-24

C - Replacement Memory from Fry's
Doesn't work with (B) at 1600 9-9-9-24
At first you stated that when you removed (B) this Fails. Does this work in A2/B2 at 1600 9-9-9-24 like B?

Regardless, if the replacement modules sent does not work standalone like new ones purchased from Fry's, we would recommend getting another replacement for this. However I am a bit confused by the last part...

With (C) in slots a2/b2, memtest passes, but fails OCCT testing.

(C) in the a2/b2 slot works same, just as well as (B) in those slots.

Can you confirm that the new memory from Fry's passes memtest AND OCCT testing? The thing is when running the memory together you may have to relax the timings and/or frequency (due to the extra stress on the memory controller). Both memory should work at equal settings by themselves though.

[grohl]

thanks for the reply and I am sorry for the confusion.

Yes. When I place (C) by itself in a1/b1 I get POST problems, as if I had all four sticks in.

POST problems refers to: at start up, fans whir for 5 sec, then shut down for 3 sec, then start up again. Process repeats until startup to BIOS occurs fully after the third fail. In the BIOS I have "BOOT PROTECTION" enabled wtih 3 tries - I guess that is what is happening here. I am considering this a POST problem of some kind.

After (C) in a1/b2 (by itself) goes to BIOS, then relaxed timings are then forced regardless of what I specified (1333, 11-11-11-28), but I will get complete memtest passes.

With (C) in a2/b2 (by itself) I get 1600-9-9-9-24. Running OCCT in Windows I get errors and shut down at 34 mins, note I do not get this on (B) in the same slot.

I guess I can accept the fact that I would need relaxed timings to run (B) and (C) together, EXCEPT I am getting POST problems as above, which does not seem right.

[Patriot_Ben]

Ok thank you for clarifying. If that is the case yes, we would recommend working with our RMA Department to setup another replacement.

Do you have an RMA Number? If so, I can contact them to expedite this for you. They should be able to accomadate you if you've had a prior return.

[grohl]

Thanks for your help once again.

I have an RMA issued on Feb 14. (RMA806485) - from the original return of (A)

Can I use the same number and send back (C)?

[Patriot_Ben]

Thanks for your help once again.

I have an RMA issued on Feb 14. (RMA806485) - from the original return of (A)

Can I use the same number and send back (C)?

Hey grohl,

I'll give them a ping to see if they can initiate this for you.

[Temukahn]

The processor's integrated memory controller does its best overclocking work when 2 memory sticks only are used. This includes any using DDR3_A1 and B1, or, DDR3_A2 and B2. When you use 4 memory sticks, the processor will set default 1333MHz 9-9-9-27 timings in the BIOS. Getting to 1600MHz will require a minimum of 1.65 volts and the frequency selected manually. You are in fact overclocking which may or may not work depending on your motherboard and processor.

I'd suggest starting with slots DDR3_A1 and B1 setting the memory timings to 1333MHz 9-9-9-27 and 1.65 DDR3 Voltage manually. Save the BIOS settings and confirm the system is stable. If it's stable, power down and insert the second memory kit. If the motherboard and CPU are running optimally, the system should now accept it.

I have had the Extreme 4 and Extreme 7 which have worked well with many different memory kits. Hopefully your board is up to the task. Consider flashing the BIOS with ASRock's software if your board isn't up to date.