Computer won't run with 6gigs of ram

Kris_xK

The Problem:
I've recently built a system and whenever I seat 6 gigs of ram (using 3x2gig sticks) the computer BSODs within 20 min. Using 4 gigs (using 2x2gig sticks) I have no problems.

Components:
OCZ DDR3 PC3-106 (in 2gig sticks)
MSI X58 Pro Motherboard

What I've Tried:
Different OS (Happens in both Win7 64bit and WinXP)
Reseating RAM (Yes, I did follow the instruction manual and put them in the right place. Then I tried everything else)
Switching RAM (All sticks work in the 4 gig total configuration)

So I'm really at a loss here, I have no idea what to do. I don't suspect the mobo because it works (sorta) and the ram looks ok. I've heard that changing the voltage going to the ram might help, but I cannot change it in my BIOS.

Tzyr

Is that 64 bit Win7/WinXP? Or 32 bit?

Just need to get that out of the way first since 32 bit OS cannot use more than 4 gigs total ram.

Mustachio Jones

The thing is that it wouldn't crash. A 32-bit OS can only use a maximum of 4GBs total, that is, both RAM and VRAM from the video card. That said, it still wouldn't just crash.

I'm willing to bet that this is a thing though, since he mentioned XP and no one in their right mind would use XP64.

Kris_xK

Sorry, it's 64 bit Win7

travathian

memtest, run 2 sticks at a time, test all 6 slots sequentially

edit: also, your memory is on the compatibility list for that motherboard right? have you checked to see if it has any BIOS updates that address your issue?

Kris_xK

travathian wrote: »

memtest, run 2 sticks at a time, test all 6 slots equentially

Did that when I was doing the stick swaps. No issues.

elliotw2

Does your motherboard support 6GB of RAM?

Mr. Buttons

Did you buy the RAM as a three-channel package? or is it a dual channel package of two and a third stick you picked up at the same time? how are you installing it? just in the blue (1-3-5) or just in sequential slots (1-2-3)?

If triple-channel is the same as dual channel was, if the ram wasn't packaged as pairs (or triplets now I guess) it could cause the problems you're having now.

Tiosan

I just heavily researched that mobo for the new rig I am piecing together and there's an inordinate amount of RMA's done for the current line of MSi motherboards because of bent pins on the CPU socket. Take a flashlight and shine it through the gap between the die and the socket and see if any pins aren't seated properly. If the pin carrying the signal from one of the ram slots is bent it could cause issues like you've described. That specific mobo seems to have several other issues as well, like the RAM being too close to stock cooling solutions for the CPU and the southbridge overheating, though I don't know if they would apply here.

Dehumanized

I would look into BIOS updates and do some memory tests.