RAM Issue

[[fr31ns]Karrde]

Ok so here's my mobo http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_S...6/P6X58DE/ or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813131641
For a while now one of my ram chips hasn't been working.  I have a 6 GB triple channel set in there: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820145286
The system reads 4 where it should read 6.  It worked intermittently for a while, then stopped.  I'm going to narrow down in a bit whether it's a slot or chip issue.  If it's a chip issue, obviously not a big deal.  Just buy new ram.  The issue is if it's a slot problem.  So this thing needs (I believe) the ram to be in the first 3 slots for triple channel to work.  My issue is lets say one of the slots is toast.  Triple channel's out, but where do I go from here?  I'm not game to replace the mobo at this time.  My goal is to get the most ram functionality possible here.  Can I just drop chips into other slots and have it work out of triple channel or if one slot is dead am I kinda boned?

[HeK]

Lots of ram have lifetime warranty. Swap the dimms around and hopefully narrow it down to that.

If not, check the warranty on your mobo. Then prey to the Asus gods, for they should have pity for your plight.

[rilnac]

If you narrow it down to a slot issue try amping the ram voltage by 10-15% in the bios

[[fr31ns]Karrde]

Derp.  A lot of things I'm reading suggest running memtest86+ for 12+ hours  :o  I don't have time for that today.  Assuming it's a bad chip or bad slot would problems likely show up pretty fast?

*edit*

on the plus side I'm learning more about RAM functions now.  Things beyond "set this timing, it works."

[k0ala]

If you test one stick at a time in memtest86, problems show up more quickly. Time goes faster when it's someone else's messed up memory, sorry dude ;P

[[fr31ns]Karrde]

Hmmmm, ok here we go.  I'm getting an "Overclocking Failed" message on one of the chips.  Keep in mind I'm running it at reccomended timings and specs.  Might be a funky chip.  Or funky to the point that it's not stable at reccomended settings.

[k0ala]

You've found 1 (of x) faulty sticks. Keep testing  :-*

[[fr31ns]Karrde]

here's the weird thing.  It runs fine when not at OC'd settings (again, reccomended by manufacturer)

[Didzo]

Have you tried just shuffling the sticks around? That resolved whatever mysterious issue I had with my RAM a while back.

[[fr31ns]Karrde]

Ok, so I've got it finally reading out the correct ram in triple channel after flashing the bios (some compatability fixes).  Now, the RAM is rated at a voltage of 1.65 it at 1600 mhtz at 7-8-7-20.  I'm going to try undervolting it a bit at 1.60 and see if it stays stable.  I have a feeling that it might have been overvolting itself based on some reading I did.  Any major consequences to undevolting in this manner?

[HeK]

Karrde link=topic=6410.msg248623#msg248623 date=1341082846]
Ok, so I've got it finally reading out the correct ram in triple channel after flashing the bios (some compatability fixes).  Now, the RAM is rated at a voltage of 1.65 it at 1600 mhtz at 7-8-7-20.  I'm going to try undervolting it a bit at 1.60 and see if it stays stable.  I have a feeling that it might have been overvolting itself based on some reading I did.  Any major consequences to undevolting in this manner?

You can cause instability from undervolting. What is the exact part number of your ram? You should check with the vendor's website and see what their published spec is as what SPD reports is generally incorrect.