Upgraded from 16GB to 64GB RAM

blackroseMD1 · Mar 18, 2023

Hey @Brink
I just got new RAM as well and wanted to ask your opinion on something. When I bought it, I didn't realize that it was only verified for 2 slots on my new motherboard. Once I popped it in and tried gaming, I started getting CTDs pretty regularly, with Event Viewer pointing towards the RAM being the issue. Downclocking it to 3733 from the XMP 4000 seems to have gotten it stable.

If you were in my position, would you return it and buy a set of RAM at 4000 verified for all four slots, or just not bother with the hassle of returns and keep it at 3733?

The RAM in question is four 16 GB sticks of G.Skill Trident Z RGB DDR4 4000 (PC4-32000) CL18-22-22-42 F4-4000C18D-32GTZR.

Brink · Mar 18, 2023

blackroseMD1 said:
Hey @Brink
I just got new RAM as well and wanted to ask your opinion on something. When I bought it, I didn't realize that it was only verified for 2 slots on my new motherboard. Once I popped it in and tried gaming, I started getting CTDs pretty regularly, with Event Viewer pointing towards the RAM being the issue. Downclocking it to 3733 from the XMP 4000 seems to have gotten it stable.

If you were in my position, would you return it and buy a set of RAM at 4000 verified for all four slots, or just not bother with the hassle of returns and keep it at 3733?

The RAM in question is four 16 GB sticks of G.Skill Trident Z RGB DDR4 4000 (PC4-32000) CL18-22-22-42 F4-4000C18D-32GTZR.

Hey Brian,

You most likely will never notice any difference between 4000 MHz and 3733 MHz.

If the timing isn't worse or better, then I'd just keep them since they're running stable now. Might stress test them a bit to verify the stability.

It also depends on much you'll save by getting more compatible RAM instead.

blackroseMD1 · Mar 18, 2023

Brink said:
Hey Brian,

You most likely will never notice any difference between 4000 MHz and 3733 MHz.

If the timing isn't worse or better, then I'd just keep them since they're running stable now. Might stress test them a bit to verify the stability.

Thanks! That's kind of the way I was leaning, but I'll put it through it's paces and see what happens. Appreciate the input.

Dru2 · Mar 18, 2023

@blackroseMD1,

Just FYI, but XMP certified RAM is "guaranteed" to run at the XMP spec listed so if you can't run them @XMP spec, either the board doesn't support that configuration (doubtful) or the RAM is bad. And you already state Windows is pointing towards the RAM, so...

blackroseMD1 said:
with Event Viewer pointing towards the RAM being the issue. Downclocking it to 3733 from the XMP 4000 seems to have gotten it stable.

blackroseMD1 · Mar 19, 2023

Dru2 said:
@blackroseMD1,

Just FYI, but XMP certified RAM is "guaranteed" to run at the XMP spec listed so if you can't run them @XMP spec, either the board doesn't support that configuration (doubtful) or the RAM is bad. And you already state Windows is pointing towards the RAM, so...

I've run both the Windows memory test and memtest 86+ (overnight) with no errors. The RAM I have is only certified for 2 slots on this board, not 4, which is the configuration I have them in. I'm fairly sure that's the issue. I got it through Amazon, so I have plenty of time to return it if issues pop up. Just gonna do some more testing to find out if I need to.

johnlgalt · Mar 21, 2023

2 slots (as in dual channel)? That actually sounds more like a motherboard problem. And it is a problem that has been known to plague both Intel boards and AMD boards, across a few different generations of DDR, for that matter.

My old X58-based motherboard refused to boot most OSs with 3 / 6 slots populated, had to be taken down to a single DIMM installed (that rare platform that supported triple channel memory). Windows, thankfully, once I got to Windows 10, never had that issue again, but trying to boot Linux on it and it ran straight into kernel panic mode every time if I did not remove sticks during boot, until I configured my own kernel.

So, I'd double verify it's not a board problem.

pparks1 · Mar 21, 2023

The memory controllers can struggle with more than 2 RAM chips installed. I always try to use only 2 of the slots. So, when I went for 64GB's (for VM's), I did 2 x 32GB. It's doubtful if I wanted to upgrade that I would get 2 more sticks, but rather replace the 2 sticks that I have.

Dru2 · Mar 21, 2023

blackroseMD1 said:
I've run both the Windows memory test and memtest 86+ (overnight) with no errors. The RAM I have is only certified for 2 slots on this board, not 4, which is the configuration I have them in. I'm fairly sure that's the issue. I got it through Amazon, so I have plenty of time to return it if issues pop up. Just gonna do some more testing to find out if I need to.

I'm not aware of ANY RAM that specifically says its "only certified for 2 slots". That makes no sense. The motherboard might specify how the RAM should be installed and configured, but the modules are still what they are. If you buy 4000MHz RAM modules, they're guaranteed to run at 4000MHz. If the "motherboard" doesn't support it, that's the board, and also indicates you bought unsupported RAM.

This also applies if you buy a quad package (4 RAM moules) but the board can only handle two modules. That's the board. However, the RAM is still guaranteed to run at it's specified speed if properly supported.

blackroseMD1 · Mar 21, 2023

Dru2 said:
I'm not aware of ANY RAM that specifically says its "only certified for 2 slots". That makes no sense. The motherboard might specify how the RAM should be installed and configured, but the modules are still what they are. If you buy 4000MHz RAM modules, they're guaranteed to run at 4000MHz. If the "motherboard" doesn't support it, that's the board, and also indicates you bought unsupported RAM.

Yeah, that's what I meant, I just phrased it poorly. I went by the support list on G.Skill's site when I bought it, rather than the support list on Gigabyte's site, which was my mistake.

From Gigabyte's site:

I've decided to return this RAM and just grabbed the F4-4000C18D-64GTZR kit in the list above.

Dru2 · Mar 21, 2023

blackroseMD1 said:
Yeah, that's what I meant, I just phrased it poorly. I went by the support list on G.Skill's site when I bought it, rather than the support list on Gigabyte's site, which was my mistake.

All good, and yeah stuff happens.

Anyway, I've never paid any attention to Gigabyte's list when buying RAM for my Gigabyte boards. In fact, neither of my modules were initially on their list when I first bought them, and I've never had issues. On the flipside, I only use Corsair RAM, which everyone (Intel) supports, so...

That said, I'm also aware AMD boards (I only do Intel) are far more finicky where RAM is concerned, and thus highly advisable to check said list before buying any RAM. So yeah, were I using AMD boards, I'd definitely check the board's list before purchasing RAM.

PerpetualCycle · Mar 21, 2023

blackroseMD1 said:
Yeah, that's what I meant, I just phrased it poorly. I went by the support list on G.Skill's site when I bought it, rather than the support list on Gigabyte's site, which was my mistake.

From Gigabyte's site:
View attachment 55921

I've decided to return this RAM and just grabbed the F4-4000C18D-64GTZR kit in the list above.

Some higher capacity and frequency RAM XMP will only work with two sticks, particularly if the board has a daisy-chain memory topology, If you look at the board manufacturers support site memory QVL list for these boards, you will see that for higher XMP frequencies - above 4000 or so - they only have two stick kits listed, no 4 stick. Listed 4 stick kits will top off at around 3600 or so on these boards.

EDIT: I believe the 2x32 you are purchasing is the same memory chips as what I have, just a different bin - I have 4266 19-26-26, but am running them at 4200 C18-24-24 so I can use lower voltages. Anyway it is probably SK-Hynix cjr die memory chips, which are pretty decent.

Dru2 · Mar 21, 2023

geneo said:
Some higher capacity and frequency RAM XMP will only work with two sticks,

Agree with Geno on this, and why you should know what your board can handle before buying it, and RAM modules. When I look at a board, outside the tech, I need to know how much RAM it can handle for a given configuration- 2 vs 4 sticks.

Both my backup (Z270) and main system (Z390) run 4 sticks. Backup is 3333MHz (XMP). Mian rig is 3600MHz (XMP). Corsair.

bfunke · Mar 21, 2023

CountMike said:
Looks a lot like 1963 German Ford Taunus 17, my uncle had, but as long as it wasn't Pinto you were safe.

Dru2 · Mar 21, 2023

johnlgalt said:
My old X58-based motherboard refused to boot most OSs with 3 / 6 slots populated, had to be taken down to a single DIMM installed (that rare platform that supported triple channel memory).

I remember triple channel memory as I had an Intel board (D850MVL) that supported it. The RAM was RD RAM or something like that.

Anyway, I still have my Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD5 board, which also ran in a triple channel configuration. It 6gig (3 x 2gig) of RAM.

johnlgalt · Mar 22, 2023

Yeah, I had 3x 4 GB DIMMs in mine. Once I migrated to Windows 10 I was happy to never have to remove a DIMM again for clean installs lol.

Dru2 · Mar 22, 2023

johnlgalt said:
Yeah, I had 3x 4 GB DIMMs in mine. Once I migrated to Windows 10 I was happy to never have to remove a DIMM again for clean installs lol.

I don't remember ever having to remove DIMMS on my board(s) just to install an OS (Windows 7). In fact I'm sure I've never done it, cause that's something you don't forget. And it would have been mentioned in my post for the board here.

johnlgalt · Mar 22, 2023

Yeah, it was something specific in that case to the X58 platform with eVGA boards and their BIOS versions. But it was something that happened across the platform on multiple vendors. I think most of them were able to fix it via BIOS updates, but eVGA, sadly, never did.

Dru2 · Mar 22, 2023

johnlgalt said:
I think most of them were able to fix it via BIOS updates, but eVGA, sadly, never did.

That's weird. Almost sounds like there was a design flaw EVGA could never overcome and thus why it was never fixed

Upgraded from 16GB to 64GB RAM

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