Adding RAM to Z87-A - Issue

[sdm7]

Hoping someone can help me please...

I'm trying to add an additional 16GB RAM ( 2* 8GB of Kingston HyperX Fury) to my existing base set up which is a Z-87A, Intel® Core™i7 Quad Core Processor i7-4770k, GTX 1660 TI with 16GB RAM (2* Kingston HyperX Genesis). They're both DDR3 1600 so can't see an issue on that front.

I can physically install the RAM with no issues but when I boot just keeps beeping and the DRAM LED flashes red. No screen shown or options to go to BIOS.

I'm assuming their is a setting in the BIOS I need to update before the physical installation but all I can find is articles on how to change the XMP settings for overclocking and I'm guessing this is not what I'm looking for.

TIA

 

[sdm7]

Assuming that things like voltages etc of the RAM are the same (just because both sets are HyperX doesn't necessarily mean you can mix and match...in the same way as just because they are DDR3 1600 doesn't mean you can either..it's more complicated than that), then you need to be certain that the new RAM is functioning correctly. Open up the case and remove the old RAM....if the system boots without issue, then the new RAM is fine and I suspect that there is an incompatibility between the 2 sets.

Might be worth running CPU-Z with each set of RAM and make note of things like timings, voltages etc in the app and see if they are majorly different:

CPU-Z | Softwares | CPUID

CPU-Z for Windows® x86/x64 is a freeware that gathers information on some of the main devices of your system : Processor name and number, codename, process, package, cache levels. Mainboard and chipset. Memory type, size, timings, and module specifications (SPD). Real time...

www.cpuid.com

Of course, the question is: What applications are you running that are causing enough issues to think doubling the RAM will help? I only ask as I am wondering if doubling RAM will make the difference you hope for in a platform that is 10 years old (your PC may not be but that CPU was launched in 2013)

Hi

Thanks for the super quick response!

I've tested switching out the RAM and it boots fine for both.

CPU-Z is showing the following readings - not being an expert I don't know if the variances are material enough to be causing an issue with incompatibility

And yes, I'm aware the CPU is old and there is probably very limited benefit for what I'm using it for (video editing and gaming emulators ) but TBH I figured I'd try it as the RAM was super cheap and some of the programs were lagging.

Cheers

 

[ubuysa]

Is this a PC Specialist build?

 

[sdm7]

Is this a PC Specialist build?

Originally was a PCS build - 575098. Upgraded the graphics card and SSD since.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Originally was a PCS build - 575098. Upgraded the graphics card and SSD since.

Can you post the full specs from the order page please?

 

[sdm7]

Original spec in image below. Since then following changes:

- Intel SSD replaced with Samsung Evo 850 500GB
- Additional Evo 870 500GB SSD added in RAID 0
- 650Ti replaced with MSI 1660Ti
- 2nd and 3rd storage drives recently removed as one was corrupted (in process of trying to resolve that)
- Updated to Windows 10 OS

Thanks

 

[sdm7]

Can you post the full specs from the order page please?

See in above post - thanks

Also here if easier than image

Case
COOLERMASTER SILENCIO 650 QUIET MID TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 Quad Core Processor i7-4770k (3.5GHz) 8MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® Z87-A: ATX, USB3.0, SATA6GB/S, SLi, XFIRE
Memory (RAM)
16GB KINGSTON HYPER-X GENESIS DUAL-DDR3 1600MHz, X.M.P (2 x 8GB KIT)
Graphics Card
2GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 650Ti BOOST- 2 x DVI, HDMI, - 3D Vision Ready
1st Storage Drive
240GB INTEL® 520 SERIES SSD (up to 550MB/sR | 520MB/sW) (Special Offer)
1st Storage Drive
2TB WD CAVIAR BLACK WD2002FAEX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE (7200rpm)
1st Storage Drive
2TB WD CAVIAR BLACK WD2002FAEX, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64MB CACHE (7200rpm)
RAID
RAID 1 (MIRRORED VOLUME - 2 x same size & model HDD / SSD)
DVD/BLU-RAY Drive
24x DUAL LAYER DVD WRITER ±R/±RW/RAM
Power Supply
CORSAIR 650W ENTHUSIAST SERIES™ TX650 V2-80 PLUS® BRONZE
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
Super Quiet 22dBA Triple Copper Heatpipe Intel CPU Cooler
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Wireless Network Card
WIRELESS 802.11N 150Mbps PCI-E CARD
USB/Thunderbolt Options
4 PORT USB 2.0 INTERNAL PCI CARD + STANDARD USB PORTS
4G Module
NONE, I WILL BE USING BROADBAND
Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit w/SP1 - inc DVD & Licence
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) DVD with paper sleeve
Office Software
NO OFFICE SOFTWARE
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Monitor
ASUS VN247H 23" ULTRA FAST FULL HD LED DISPLAY
Monitor
ASUS VN247H 23" ULTRA FAST FULL HD LED DISPLAY
Speakers
Creative GigaWorks T20 Series II 2.0 Multimedia Speakers
Cable Management
3 x JML 1.5M Zip Cable Tidy - Professional Cable Management
Warranty
3 Year Platinum Warranty (3 Year Collect & Return, 3 Year Parts, 3 Year labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 7 to 9 working days

 

[sdm7]

I don't really have enough knowledge about RAM (or at least I always forget) but I still think it's a compatibility problem given that both sets work fine on their own and your MOBO will take 32GB (the max).

As mentioned earlier, I doubt that adding more RAM would make any difference.....given your uses, I'd say it's the GPU that is the issue. You'd probably get just as much benefit from doing a clean reinstall of Windows as that usually speeds systems up

Thanks, and you're probably right regards RAM vs. GPU - just it's a lot cheaper to try the RAM solution first

I've done a clean install in the last couple of months on Windows anyway but may try again depending on how this goes.

Cheers

 

[SpyderTracks]

Thanks, and you're probably right regards RAM vs. GPU - just it's a lot cheaper to try the RAM solution first

I've done a clean install in the last couple of months on Windows anyway but may try again depending on how this goes.

Cheers

In case you weren't aware, a reset from within the windows start menu isn't a clean install and will duplicate the same issues.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Hi

Thanks for the super quick response!

I've tested switching out the RAM and it boots fine for both.

CPU-Z is showing the following readings - not being an expert I don't know if the variances are material enough to be causing an issue with incompatibility

And yes, I'm aware the CPU is old and there is probably very limited benefit for what I'm using it for (video editing and gaming emulators ) but TBH I figured I'd try it as the RAM was super cheap and some of the programs were lagging.

Cheers

They're different sticks

Ones running at 1324Hz, the other is at 1600MHz.

It's likely different voltages, that's what generally denotes not booting

 

[sdm7]

If you open CPU-Z again as before...only this time, click on the SPD tab, it will then list the voltages of the RAM sticks....if you check that tab with the 2 sets, it will likely show the difference.

Hi.

Finally had chance to do this and voltage on the sticks is the same - differences on other elements - see attached images

 

[SpyderTracks]

Hi.

Finally had chance to do this and voltage on the sticks is the same - differences on other elements - see attached images

The timings are different, that's all I can think would prevent them booting together.