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RAM Timing & Compatibility

N

Niksa

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 8, 2005
Messages
228
Quick newbie question. I'm upgrading a video card for a family member and I'm wondering about compatibility with the motherboard.

If the Timing required for a mobo is 9-9-9-24 and the module is 9-9-9-24-2N, is that incompatible or is the -2N just "omitted extra information"?

Specifically, she has this motherboard
ASUS M4A785TD-M EVO

And this old RAM will be entirely replaced:
Corsair DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) 9-9-9-24 1.5V 2x2gb

And this is the new Upgrade RAM:
G.Skill DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) 9-9-9-24-2N 1.5V 4x4gb

However the Upgrade RAM doesn't post - black screen. Put 1 stick in the first slot, tried them individually and as a group, only the new sticks, but they didn't post. I assume it's not compatible but it seems like it should be. I thought timing only had to do with the other sticks of ram being "in sync" with each other, and so if they were all 9-9-9-24-2N then it would be compatible given that the sticks were already compatible. Thought maybe it could be the PSU not giving enough power, but it's 400W which should be sufficient for this system.

Machine specs:
CPU: Phenom II X3 720
PSU: Antec 400W
Windows 7 64bit, integrated video

So do I need explicitly 9-9-9-24 Timing or is there another incompatibility that I am overlooking? This G.Skill DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) 9-9-9-24 should work, right? I doubt that the sticks are bad, I have tried several of the same types, all new, with the same results. But since it recognizes the old ram of the same exact type, so I still have to assume it's a compatibility issue. Any thoughts?

Sorry for the complete and utterly embarrassing newbie problem but I'm at a loss. Thanks folks.
 
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No, sorry, the motherboard I listed is:
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_AM3/M4A785TDM_EVO/#specifications

Here's the newegg link, same mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131406

It lists the compatible memory as DDR3:
4 x DIMM, Max. 16 GB, DDR3 1800(O.C.)/1600(O.C.)/1333/1066 ECC,Non-ECC,Un-buffered Memory

Like I said in the original post, the current memory is DDR3 and it works. It only stops working when I use the exact type of memory but a larger amount. She currently has DDR3 1333 2x2gb and I've upgraded to DDR3 1333 2x4gb and they do not work. I've tried 3 different packages now to make sure it wasn't DOA and they all do not post. This has me quite stumped.
 
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I tried adding 9-9-9-24 RAM (not 9-9-9-24-LN) and it still does not work:
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) 9-9-9-24
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231426

I reset the BIOS also. No go.

The motherboard takes DDR3 1333 PC10666 which is what is currently plugged in and it works, except it's 2x2gb. I am upgrading to 2x4gb.

Same slots used as the working sticks.
Same DDR3 1333 PC10666 specs, same as the working sticks.
Same 9-9-9-24 as the working sticks.
Same 1.5V which is what the old sticks use.

Does not post. The restocking and shipping & handling fees are piling up at this point and any nudge or hint in the direction would be great. What am I overlooking? What can I try? Aside from scrapping the motherboard...

Thanks for any help.
 
Seems like it should work by the specs of the ram and the board. Have you looked to see if there is a BIOS update for that board. A lot of times manufactures will update there boards to be more compatible with other memory etc..

Also I would suggest trying to run the new memory in something else if that is an option. You may have gotten a bad kit. Although this is unlikely due to the fact that having two bad sticks together is rare. I would start with the BIOS before RMAing the memory. They have several BIOS updates that deal with memory.

And lastly did you check Asus's QVL on the memory? They do have an extensive list of approved memory.
 
I updated the BIOS after posting my last message, and that did fix the problem. Memory is all present and working now. Thanks very much for the help and sorry for the late reply. :)
 
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