5 replies to this topic

[uchkur]

Hello

 

I want to upgrade my RAM. I currently have 2x2GB ddr3 corsair 1333mhz. I have 2 free slots. Can I buy 4gb RAM running on 1600mhz from different brand than corsair? My MB is ECS A890GXM-A (dunno if v1 or v2). My motherboard's site lists the compatible memory, and the ones I currently have are not listed there lol.

[terry1966]

if your motherboard site says the ram sticks are compatible then yes you can use them but they won't run at 1600 speed, they will down clock and run at the 1333mhz especially if used together with your current ram sticks.

 

to get the new memory to run at 1600 speed you will have to completely remove the slower ram sticks and overclock your motherboard.

 

motherboard ram specifications.

 

º Dual-channel DDR3 memory architecture
º 4 x 240-pin DDR3 DIMM socket support up to 32 GB
º Support DDR3 up to 1800(OC)/1600(OC)/1333/1066 DDR3 SDRAM
º *(Due to the DRAM maximum size is 4GB at present, the memory maximum size we have tested is 16GB)
º *(Due to AMD CPU spec limitation, memory OC figure (1600+) is not guaranteed, please refer to Memory QVL for more information)
Due to the operating system limitation, the actual memory size may be less than 4GB for the reservation for system usage under Windows^® 32-bit OS.
For Windows^® 64-bit OS with 64-bit CPU, there is no such limitation

 

v2 :- http://www.ecs.com.t...nuID=19&LanID=0

 

[8210GUY]

As well as the great advice from terry, I would also suggest going to Crucial and running their scan (it requires you to install an activex control), it's free, it will scan your system, and tell you what you have, and what the max is you can have (in total for the system and per slot), then they recommend their best option for you, prices are very competitive as well buying direct, and guarantee it will work in your system if bought from the scan results, but even if you get another make, that info should help find what should work in your system, as this at least tells you the spec,  just a thought for you.

[uchkur]

Here's what happened.

 

I bought a 1600mhz kingston hyperx blu 4GB DDR3 ram stick. Inserted, my pc wont boot. Removed my 2 old sticks, still won't boot. Tried the new RAM in all different slots, still no boot. Put my old RAM back, it works fine. Called a friend, he said check BIOS. My BIOS version is the latest. Call friend, friend says remove battery. I say battery below GPU, I'm scared to touch this, never did. He say come to me. I go to him, he see case he say "omg how ur computer works??" i say my computer works fine 4 years. He say "this fan here, instead of getting power from PSU, it gets power from motherboard. this slow down whole computer work, and weird how ur computer work fine 4 years" he gets another cable and connects fan to psu.

 

He now go back to original problem. Remove GPU, remove battery. Wait. Insert battery, insert GPU. Put new RAM stick. Still no work. Try all slots, still no work.

He say "return ram, he bad". I say try on ur comp "he say no, doesnt matter, this memory considered not good if no work on ur computer. even if it work on mine what difference does it make u must return and ask for same type but different stick" he 99% sure new stick will work. I go back to store, store clerk say "1 in 1000 ram not functional. "I can return ur money now but cant give u same brand but different stick" he sure my problem is my motherboard. I say ok. I stay with old ram and suffer. Plan is save more money and buy new computer.

 

Edited by uchkur, 28 May 2014 - 02:39 PM.

[8210GUY]

He say "return ram, he bad". I say try on ur comp "he say no, doesnt matter, this memory considered not good if no work on ur computer.

 

 

I'm sorry but your mate couldn't be more wrong, QVL's are there for a reason, they are known to work well in that board, yes other ram can also work in your board, even if it's not in the list, BUT, there is a lot more than just numbers in getting the right ram for your board, sometimes it must be matched pairs, or specific sizes, I've had a system that only accepted ram in 2 gig or 4gig, but not 6gig, another system I had only accepted ram with the chips on 1 side only, even with the spec matching, it still wouldn't work unless it was single side chips.

 

The 1st thing that is suggested when troubleshooting ram is to try it in another system, when ram is faulty it won't work in any system, but if ram works in 1 system, and not another, then it's NOT faulty, it's a compatibility issue, and you have bought the wrong ram for that board, so IMHO the shop keeper hit the nail on the head, and as to their other comments, I am not that up on this to say for sure, but I'm fairly sure powering a fan from the board does not make a difference to the performance, not unless your system is so low powered it can't cope, if you list your full spec we can advise on possible changes if prices are ok.

[uchkur]

if you list your full spec we can advise on possible changes if prices are ok.

CPU: Phenom II x4 3.4ghz
MB: ECS a890GXM-A v1.0
RAM: 2x2GB DDR3 Corsair 1333 mhz
GPU: ATI 5770 HD 1GB DDR5
 
but no thanks, don't bother, I don't plan to upgrade. I'm kinda mad at my board and I'm kinda starting to hate my GPU but I should hate game developers. Anyways, I think I'll go with this computer for a year or two and sell it or perhaps less if I spare more cash.

Edited by uchkur, 29 May 2014 - 02:22 PM.