[PSorokin]

Hello,

My motherboard is an MSI G41M-P31. I started out with 4G of memory from a 6GB tri-channel Patriot memory kit. Recently I decided to buy one more stick to upgrade to 8GB. The 2GB stick I bought was the exact same brand and rating as the tri-channel kit - DDR3 PC3-8500 1066MHZ. (kit model #= PSD36G1066KH, extra stick=PSD32G10662) When I try to add the extra two sticks, the system won't boot - just cycles on and off repeatedly. I get no screen at all. I upgraded the Bios. Didn't help. I've tested combos of the sticks in all of the slots and confirmed that neither sticks nor slots are bad. (It will always boot with any two sticks in any two slots.) Also ran memtest86 utillity, which reported no errors. I called MSI, which had no solution. I called Patriot memory. After I gave them the model #s of the tri-kit and extra stick, they said that there were no manual timings to adjust - everything should work on auto. They said the only other thing they can think of that could cause this problem is a bent pin on the processor connection. Seems unlikely to me, but I'm no expert. (And don't really want to deal with removing the processor, unless it is actually the absolute only other thing it can be.)

Is there anything that anyone can think off that I haven't already tried?

Edited by PSorokin, 05 January 2013 - 11:46 AM.

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Hi PSorokin.
I doubt the Pin theory as well.
The 3 old sticks, coming of the production line together, and the single stick produced possible years earlier or later, may have subtle silicon properties differences that the Mobo memory controller does not like.
With all slots occupied, some Mobos will not boot with one particular brand of RAM but will with another.

Have you tried tripple channel with 2 old sticks and the 1 new stick?
Have you tried with 4 sticks and CPU memory at default settings?

[iammykyl]

Hi PSorokin.
I doubt the Pin theory as well.
The 3 old sticks, coming of the production line together, and the single stick produced possible years earlier or later, may have subtle silicon properties differences that the Mobo memory controller does not like.
With all slots occupied, some Mobos will not boot with one particular brand of RAM but will with another.

Have you tried tripple channel with 2 old sticks and the 1 new stick?
Have you tried with 4 sticks and CPU memory at default settings?

[PSorokin]

Have you tried with 4 sticks and CPU memory at default settings?

Have tried factory settings. No luck

Have you tried tripple channel with 2 old sticks and the 1 new stick?

I had not thought to try that. Just did. It cycled on and off one time and then booted into the OS. However, it's only reading 4GB.

While it was brushed off by tech support, one thing that confused me was that the manual (linked above) shows this:

As all of this Ram is double sided, I wondered if this chart was saying that 4 sticks of DS Ram would be rejected, or if it just means that with 4 installed, only 1 side of each will be readable. I'm admittedly ignorant about this part of Ram. Like I said, tech guys seem to brush this off. And it seems ridiculous that you would have to throw out all your old Ram when upgrading. But just thought I would mention that part of it. . . .

[phillpower2]

If I may chime in with some info folks.

I have seen this situation before and I am sorry to say that it was also an MSI MB involved then and their lack of providing upfront information for people looking to upgrade, the MB will indeed accept 8GB of Ram but this is by using 2 X 4GB sticks of Ram in two slots http://www.4allmemor...series-g41mp31/

Providing a memory support tab alongside the CPU support tab that they do provide would have prevented this from happening.

[PSorokin]

the MB will indeed accept 8GB of Ram but this is by using 2 X 4GB sticks of Ram in two slots

Yeah, MSI tech support certainly never said anything about that when I talked to them. 8GB is the max for the board, so that would mean 2 of the 4 slots would be forever unused/worthless.

Certainly not willing to spend $200 more on Ram. IF 2x4GB is the only option, I suppose I'd be willing to spend $30 and get this from ebay: 8GB kit 2 x 4GB DDR3 SDRAM DDR-3 PC3-8500 240 pin 1066 Mhz

Edited by PSorokin, 06 January 2013 - 08:43 AM.

[phillpower2]

Yes it does seem odd but after receiving a PM from iammykyl I went back and checked the link that I attached, it lists your correct MB details but DDR2 as opposed to DDR3 Ram so it would appear they need to correct their page, I will send them an email and let them know.

To see what the best recommended Ram configuration is for your MB;

Use the Crucial system scanner tool to find the best recommended Ram for your system, no need to purchase from there, write down the details and shop around for the best deal http://www.crucial.c...ner/?click=true let us know what is suggested and we can also look for you.

[PSorokin]

Think I was off one number on the MB model #. Crucial Scanner returned this:

Your G41M-P35 System Specs
Scan Id: 6CC7040831D926C3
Memory:
DDR3 PC3-10600, DDR3 PC3-8500
Memory Type: DDR3 PC3-10600, DDR3 PC3-8500, DDR3 (non-ECC)
Maximum Memory: 8GB
Currently Installed Memory: 4GB
Total Memory Slots: 2
Available Memory Slots: 0 (interesting!)

So, as I'm good with DDR3 PC3-8500, I should be OK to purchase from the ebay link, above. Correct?

[phillpower2]

The link may explain it as it is a P35 MB http://www.tomshardw...Slots,7214.html

Gigabyte also did this http://www.gigabyte....cle_09_p35c.htm

[PSorokin]

The link may explain it as it is a P35 MB http://www.tomshardw...Slots,7214.html

That's actually a different board. Mine is G41M-P35 (vs. G41M-P31, as I originally reported. These 2 are nearly identical, as the manual is for both.)

The GA-P35C-DS3R you linked to is very different. Mine definitely only has 4 slots, and doesn't seem to support DDR2.

Unless anyone sees any red flags with this memory, I'll probably try to get it for the 2x4GB solution.

Edited by PSorokin, 06 January 2013 - 09:42 AM.

[phillpower2]

Yes the MB at the link was only an example as it was the P35 chipset on the MBs that allowed the MB to run the two different types of memory.

Crucial guarantees the results so if the Ram is the same as what they suggest it must be ok, Im not sure why it only reports two memory slots though.

[PSorokin]

Crucial guarantees the results so if the Ram is the same as what they suggest it must be ok,

There's only 1 difference that I can find: Crucial = 512Meg x 64. Ebay link = 256meg x 64. Otherwise, everything is the same.

Will this make any difference in terms of compatibility?

[phillpower2]

Please see the attachment below which states that the MB only supports two memory slots.

Click on Support - Test Report - Memory Module and scroll to the bottom of the page for compatible 4GB modules
and you get http://uk.msi.com/fi...t/TR10_2013.pdf

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820231311

[PSorokin]

Wow! That wraps it up then. I wish their manual had been accurate. Clearly shows usage in all 4 DIMMs.

Appreciate all of your help with this!

[phillpower2]

You are welcome

I hope that you get the Ram and the improved performance that you are after.

[phillpower2]

Excuse the double post but I didn`t want the follow up email that I received to go unnoticed by adding it as an edit;

Hi there!

Thank you for contacting us today. Wow - that is a huge error on our part. We definitely appreciate you noticing that for us. I did confirm on MSI's website that it, in fact, takes DDR3 modules. I am having our administrator fix the listing right now. I apologize for that inconvenience, but thank you again for bringing it to our attention.


If you have any other questions feel free to contact us.
Take Care,
Stephanie O
Customer Care Center Specialist
4 All Memory
Providing Outstanding Customer Service Everyday

The retailers web page is now corrected and shows http://www.4allmemor...series-g41mp31/