Z97 Extreme 6 and RAM compatibility

A new build. It was never this difficult before. I think I should just stick to jigsaw puzzles. Am too stupid for all this. Fractal Design R4, ASRock Z97 Extreme 6/A, 1 x Samsung EVO 500gb SSD, 1 x OCZ Arc 100 256Gb SSD, assorted HDD x 5, i5 4690, be quiet L8 630W, be quiet Dark Rock cooler, crap monitor. And RAM (2 x 8Gb) that I cannot get to work as intended.

ASRock Z97 Extreme 6 with Bios P1.40 fresh out of the box. Factory settings. i5 4690 also out of the box. RAM in Slots 2 & 4. As Cooler obscures Slot 1.

I tried my build with GSkill Ripjaws X - F3-12800CL10D-16GBXL (2 x 8Gb). Would only POST with 1 x 8GB installed. So at least I assume that the CPU is working. But would not POST with 2 x 8Gb.

This RAM was just now replaced with GSkill Ares 2 x 8Gb F3-1866C10D-16GAB. Shown as compatible by GSkill. RAM GSkill 8Gb module x 2. F3-1866C10D-16GAB

1. Listed on GSkill site as compatible with above motherboard.
2. NOT listed on ASRock site as compatible.

Error Code 55 from Dr Debug.
No POST, at all, even with only 1 x 8Gb installed.
Reset CMOS. No change.
We know CPU works from first attempt with 1 x 8Gb Ripjaws X - right ?

Now I get Code 55 = Indicating the RAM is not detected - incompatible.

HELP please.

(all suggestions on 2 x 8Gb RAM that does actually work on this motherboard gratefully recieved)

Muppet

mydogmuppet wrote: Thanks. RAM is RAM. I do not really understand the marketing hype around speed & latency ' special better RAM'.  It seems much more orientated towards enriching the manufacturers/marketers than any tangible benefit unless you are running an automated derivatives trading system. And no I dont play games. I havent since Lemmings. And yes I remember having to edit Config.sys and Autoexec.bat files to get unwanted drivers out of the OS to shoehorn the game into 640kb of maximum memory. But back to my pile of dead electronics. 1. The cooler is no longer stock - now a 'be quiet 'Dark Rock. 2. I do not want to yank the CPU. It worked fine on one stick of the original 8Gb GSkill RAM. 3. Maybe the RAM is too rich. I'll go and get some bargain basement cheapo DDR3 RAM. 4. I cannot see GSkill putting bad/dead RAM into the marketplace; it'd ruin their reputation. 5. But I cannot explain why current GSkill Ares RAM is on their compatible list but doesn't POST. Onwards

Sorry to say, but RAM is RAM is not that simple. It was that way more so with DDR2 memory, but not with DDR3 memory.

The memory controller in a PC system, in this case it is part of the CPU, has specific specs about the memory chip types and configuration it will work with. That is the main thing that determines memory compatibility. For example, these are the memory specs for your CPU:




Do we try to match these specs when we buy memory? No, in most cases you can't find this information from the memory manufactures. No chance it is on the package, you'd need to find the datasheets on the Internet. So we have memory compatibility lists.

Notice there is only one memory chip type and configuration for 8GB DIMMs. That is a limiting factor for anyone wanting to use 8GB DIMMs.

I know you are frustrated with your build, but don't let your problem make you dislike your hardware. I have a Z97 Extreme6 board, and it may be the best board I've ever had. In many ways it is my favorite board.

Memory slots 2 and 4 are the recommended slots to use when using two DIMMs.

The G.SKILL GBXL model memory you have should have worked, it is possible to get a bad DIMM from the factory.

I suggest you try using the Memory Support List for your board for trying other memory models. Always clear the CMOS/BIOS when you change DIMMs and use default, Auto settings for the first start up with the memory. Don't use the XMP setting on the first start.

Awesome to hear. I hope it sorts your problem 

Edited by Xaltar - 08 Jun 2015 at 10:32pm