Ram upgrade problem: Hi all, I have an AsROCK 970 extreme motherboard, with an AMD processor that can take up to 32 gb of 1866mhz ram. I can use 3 of the 8 gb sticks, in any...

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Hi all,
I have an AsROCK 970 extreme motherboard, with an AMD processor that can take up to 32 gb of 1866mhz ram. I can use 3 of the 8 gb sticks, in any combination of the ram slots, as long as one slot is left open, it works fine. When I put a 4th in the final slot, the screen stays black and I can't hear anything other than the fans starting up. It has an SSD and an HDD, and I can usually hear the HDD.

I sent the 4th stick to the manufacturer and got it replaced, even though they said it tested fine. Tried it again, and the same thing. I would have thought maybe it is the motherboard, but since it seems happy as long as one of the 4 slots is open, and it doesn't matter which slot. It seems to be something else? I know nothing about bios and stuff like that, but am open to any suggestions. Maybe something in the bios is configured wrong?

I've never heard of anyone trying, or actually using just 3 slots, but is there an issue with slowing down, or anything with working in that configuration? I guess 24 gig is better than the 8 I started with.

Thanks in advance. This is my main editing computer, and I just want it working at peak performance. (have several projects coming due)

revhen Loc: By the beautiful Hudson

Weird. Contact maker of board with your problem.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

I use Asus gaming motherboards but am not familiar with that motherboard. What I usually do is clean the mem slots first then put in 2 sticks and run a mem diagnostic. You can download one and build a bootable cd (or thumbdrive) with the test. Switch out 1 stick at a time and rerun the test which, will give you confidence they all work or identify the bad one(s). Then try all 4. If 4 still won't work, then you have a motherboard mem configuration issue or a bad mem slot. Is it possible you have a stick that is different from the others? Asus likes to use them in pairs for speed and if one is different you might have a problem. The user manual will tell you which mem slots to use for 2 sticks.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Usually, you install memory in pairs, but your MB may be different. Several questions/suggestions: look in the BIOS settings on the MB to see if you need to change the setting to use different memory capacity and check the manual as well (possibly a jumper) for the max supported DRAM and any configuration changes necessary. What OS are you running, and what does control panel/system say is the max USABLe memory with 3 DIMMs installed? Do you get an Audible “beep” error when you try to boot with 4, and if so, how many “beeps”?

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/433012/Asrock-970-Extreme3-R2-0.html?page=19

Supports DDR3 2100+(OC)/1866*(OC)/1800*(OC)/1600*(OC)/1333/1066/800 non-ECC, un-buffered memory

CAUTION!1. ASRock UCC (Unlock CPU Core) feature simplifies AMD CPUactivation. As long as a simple switch of the UEFI option "AS-Rock UCC", you can unlock the extra CPU core to enjoy aninstant performance boost. When UCC feature is enabled, thedual-core or triple-core CPU will boost to the quad-core CPU,and some CPU, including quad-core CPU, can also increase L3cache size up to 6MB, which means you can enjoy the upgradeCPU performance with a better price. Please be noted that UCCfeature is supported with AM3/AM3+ CPU only, and in addition,not every AM3/AM3+ CPU can support this function becausesome CPU's hidden core may be malfunctioned.2. Whether 2100/1866/1800/1600MHz memory speed is sup-ported depends on the AM3/AM3+ CPU you adopt. If you wantto adopt DDR3 2100/1866/1800/1600 memory module on thismotherboard, please refer to the memory support list on ourwebsite for the compatible memory modules. Non OC mode'sDDR3 1866 is supported by AM3+ CPU.ASRock website: http://www.asrock.com3. Due to the operating system limitation, the actual memory sizemay be less than 4GB for the reservation for system usage un-®der Windows8 / 7 / Vista64-bit CPU, there is no such limitation.4. ASRock XFast RAM is not supported by MicrosoftXP / XP 64-bit.

bkyser wrote:

Hi all, br I have an AsROCK 970 extreme motherboa... (show quote)

BebuLamar

You must use pairs of memory modules so you can use either 2 or 4. If you use 3 you must disable dual memory features in bios.

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Not a motherboard expert but would suggest checking Bios to make sure something isn't set to limit memory, especially considering it runs with odd number of sticks (see Bebulamar post). Another scenario might be to upgrade to just two 16s, making sure you can return if your board won't work with them.

TBerwick Loc: Houston, Texas

Based on the quote just above, you need to check the BIOS to make sure dual memory is turned on. Then put all 4 modules in. That said, it would be my guess that the 4th bank has a physical problem and will not recognize any memory. You could try putting in 3 sticks and put the 3rd in the 4th bank & see if it's recognized. If it is, then shut down & move it to the 2nd bank & see if it's recognized. Remember: banks 0 & 2 comprise one dual memory bank & banks 1 & 3 form the 2nd dual bank. Doing the slot test should confirm whether there is a physical problem with the 4th bank (slot 3). If not, it's a BIOS configuration error, most likely. Also, all RAM module should be the same make and speed.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

jeep_daddy wrote:

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/433012/Asrock-97... (show quote)

Thanks for the detailed post. Unfortunately, It's above my head. My CPU is an 8 core AMD3+.

I'm running Win10. (if that helps)

Not sure exactly how to access the "unlock CPU core" feature.

I'm not bad at using computers, but when it comes to the nuts and bolts, I function at about the same level as a 5 year old.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Strodav wrote:

I use Asus gaming motherboards but am not familiar... (show quote)

Very interesting idea. Would you be willing to tell me how to do the bootable thumbdrive and do the ram test? I can run it with 1, 2, or 3 sticks, in any slot, so just removing the one in B1, (how I have it now with 3.... A1 and A 2 and B 1) I can have just one pair at 16gb. I just don't know how to get to the bios, or do tests or anything.

I'd love to learn it, though.
Thanks
Bob

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

TriX wrote:

Usually, you install memory in pairs, but your MB ... (show quote)

The manual was pretty generic. That was the first place I went. I'm sure it means something to people who do this stuff all the time, but basically it just said this is slot A1, B1, A2, B2, and if installing ram for dual channel use, do A1 and A2, or B1 and B2. It also said that it accepts 32 gb max ram, and 1866mhz is one of the speeds that it will work with.

When I start up with 1, 2, or 3 sticks, I get the beep, and it starts up right away. (thanks to the SSD) When I put in 4, nothing comes on but the fans, and the fan LED's, no sound. If I remove one, it works perfectly again.

If you could direct me on how to get to the bios and where to look to find out if the ram has a funky setting, I'd be very thankful.

Thanks
Bob

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

BebuLamar wrote:

You must use pairs of memory modules so you can use either 2 or 4. If you use 3 you must disable dual memory features in bios.

It's actually working with 3 now, do you think the bios is set to something that won't allow it to use 2 pairs? If so, how would I go about getting to the bios, and once there, changing what setting?

Thanks

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

bkyser wrote:

Thanks for the detailed post. Unfortunately, It's above my head. My CPU is an 8 core AMD3+.

I'm running Win10. (if that helps)

Not sure exactly how to access the "unlock CPU core" feature.

I'm not bad at using computers, but when it comes to the nuts and bolts, I function at about the same level as a 5 year old.

I don't know that I'd worry about it - if you have an 8 core you probably don't have any extra cores. If I'm remembering it right, AMD used to only make quad core processors but when they were tested, if 1 or 2 cores failed they would get locked and the chip would be sold as a 2 or 3 core processor for less money. Unlocking the "extra" core could introduce instability - there's a reason it failed....

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

TBerwick wrote:

Based on the quote just above, you need to check t... (show quote)

Actually, that's the first thing I did. If I remove any dimm from any slot, it fires back up (of course, I shut it completely down and unplug before making any changes) It's only when there are 4.

Ram all came together, same speed, same make, same model, etc.

Is there an easy way to change bios configurations? Like a download or something?

IR Jim Loc: St. Louis

What is the wattage of your power supply? You may need a beefier one.