2gb to 4gb memory upgrade on x64 issue, cpu usage turned 100%, win became slugish.

  • Thread starter Thread starter helluvajob
  • Start date Start date
H

helluvajob

hello,

i bought an extra 2gb of mem (same brand,ocz reaper, but diff timing
3-4-4-15) currently installed is 4-4-4-15, for a upgrade to 4gb on my
pc. currently, im running on win x64, sp1 with nvidia geforce 8800 gtx,
my mobo (msi p6n sli platinum, intel) bios is v1.1. i can't install the
latest bios ver 1.6, win won't let me.

now, when in put in those 2 gb sticks my windows boot up really slow my
cpu is playing between 90 - 100 % usage, sometimes my screen is black
with only my cursor on the screen. i know that those new 2gb of mem are
working fine i used them in replacement of my old ones but only on 2gb
config.

i'm thinking of reformatting my hd and installing the latest bios ver
and reinstall win x64 again with the 4gb at the start, if it will
recognize it.

thanks for reading. i need any input i can get.:)


--
helluvajob

system:
msi p6n sli platinum
intel core 2 quad 2.4 ghz
ocz reaper hpc edition 2 gb - (2 x 1 gb)
nvidia geforce 8800 gtx 768 mb
 
Why did you buy new ram with different latencies? Return the 2GB and get a
set that matches your first 2GB.

"helluvajob" <guest@unknown-email.com> wrote in message
news:e6a32d2e3990c56afc94b304e0dfe638@nntp-gateway.com...
>
> hello,
>
> i bought an extra 2gb of mem (same brand,ocz reaper, but diff timing
> 3-4-4-15) currently installed is 4-4-4-15, for a upgrade to 4gb on my
> pc. currently, im running on win x64, sp1 with nvidia geforce 8800 gtx,
> my mobo (msi p6n sli platinum, intel) bios is v1.1. i can't install the
> latest bios ver 1.6, win won't let me.
>
> now, when in put in those 2 gb sticks my windows boot up really slow my
> cpu is playing between 90 - 100 % usage, sometimes my screen is black
> with only my cursor on the screen. i know that those new 2gb of mem are
> working fine i used them in replacement of my old ones but only on 2gb
> config.
>
> i'm thinking of reformatting my hd and installing the latest bios ver
> and reinstall win x64 again with the 4gb at the start, if it will
> recognize it.
>
> thanks for reading. i need any input i can get.:)
>
>
> --
> helluvajob
>
> system:
> msi p6n sli platinum
> intel core 2 quad 2.4 ghz
> ocz reaper hpc edition 2 gb - (2 x 1 gb)
> nvidia geforce 8800 gtx 768 mb
 
Now that people are starting to fill their motherboard RAM slots to capacity
and RAM is getting faster this is a common problem. It's most likely not a
Vista problem but a motherboard problem. When I upgrade RAM now I always
remove the old RAM and install all the new RAM from the same manufacturer
purchased at the same time. It seems many motherboards are very sensitive to
RAM timings when fully populated. I've seen problems with RAM from the same
manufacturer, with the same part numbers, but purchased six months apart.
You can try playing with RAM settings in the BIOS. Try running the RAM at
the next lowest setting than it is rated for. I still think you will have
problems because of the different timings.

--
Kerry Brown
MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/



"helluvajob" <guest@unknown-email.com> wrote in message
news:e6a32d2e3990c56afc94b304e0dfe638@nntp-gateway.com...
>
> hello,
>
> i bought an extra 2gb of mem (same brand,ocz reaper, but diff timing
> 3-4-4-15) currently installed is 4-4-4-15, for a upgrade to 4gb on my
> pc. currently, im running on win x64, sp1 with nvidia geforce 8800 gtx,
> my mobo (msi p6n sli platinum, intel) bios is v1.1. i can't install the
> latest bios ver 1.6, win won't let me.
>
> now, when in put in those 2 gb sticks my windows boot up really slow my
> cpu is playing between 90 - 100 % usage, sometimes my screen is black
> with only my cursor on the screen. i know that those new 2gb of mem are
> working fine i used them in replacement of my old ones but only on 2gb
> config.
>
> i'm thinking of reformatting my hd and installing the latest bios ver
> and reinstall win x64 again with the 4gb at the start, if it will
> recognize it.
>
> thanks for reading. i need any input i can get.:)
>
>
> --
> helluvajob
>
> system:
> msi p6n sli platinum
> intel core 2 quad 2.4 ghz
> ocz reaper hpc edition 2 gb - (2 x 1 gb)
> nvidia geforce 8800 gtx 768 mb
 
Additional thought. I had a very poor performing system and finally
diagnosed the problem as mismatched ram. I had ordered a second pair of
memory sticks to the same specs as the first pair. I didn't notice when I
got them that I had been sent the wrong item. Same brand but different
latencies. Got the right pair and the performance issue cleared up as well
as some other hardware issues like USB problems.

"Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:8D95C2CE-8452-4FEC-ACFB-A3AF0313E79A@microsoft.com...
> Why did you buy new ram with different latencies? Return the 2GB and get
> a set that matches your first 2GB.
>
> "helluvajob" <guest@unknown-email.com> wrote in message
> news:e6a32d2e3990c56afc94b304e0dfe638@nntp-gateway.com...
>>
>> hello,
>>
>> i bought an extra 2gb of mem (same brand,ocz reaper, but diff timing
>> 3-4-4-15) currently installed is 4-4-4-15, for a upgrade to 4gb on my
>> pc. currently, im running on win x64, sp1 with nvidia geforce 8800 gtx,
>> my mobo (msi p6n sli platinum, intel) bios is v1.1. i can't install the
>> latest bios ver 1.6, win won't let me.
>>
>> now, when in put in those 2 gb sticks my windows boot up really slow my
>> cpu is playing between 90 - 100 % usage, sometimes my screen is black
>> with only my cursor on the screen. i know that those new 2gb of mem are
>> working fine i used them in replacement of my old ones but only on 2gb
>> config.
>>
>> i'm thinking of reformatting my hd and installing the latest bios ver
>> and reinstall win x64 again with the 4gb at the start, if it will
>> recognize it.
>>
>> thanks for reading. i need any input i can get.:)
>>
>>
>> --
>> helluvajob
>>
>> system:
>> msi p6n sli platinum
>> intel core 2 quad 2.4 ghz
>> ocz reaper hpc edition 2 gb - (2 x 1 gb)
>> nvidia geforce 8800 gtx 768 mb
>
 
I had a system that would boot and seem to run for a while, but it corrupted
my hard disk because of mismatched RAM. Ouch!

I agree with the people who tell you to get matched RAM.

Cheers,

Earle

"Kerry Brown" <kerry@kdbNOSPAMsys-tems.c*a*m> wrote in message
news:02EB918D-428B-488C-8FA9-68DA371BADA4@microsoft.com...
> Now that people are starting to fill their motherboard RAM slots to
> capacity and RAM is getting faster this is a common problem. It's most
> likely not a Vista problem but a motherboard problem. When I upgrade RAM
> now I always remove the old RAM and install all the new RAM from the same
> manufacturer purchased at the same time. It seems many motherboards are
> very sensitive to RAM timings when fully populated. I've seen problems
> with RAM from the same manufacturer, with the same part numbers, but
> purchased six months apart. You can try playing with RAM settings in the
> BIOS. Try running the RAM at the next lowest setting than it is rated for.
> I still think you will have problems because of the different timings.
>
> --
> Kerry Brown
> MS-MVP - Windows Desktop Experience: Systems Administration
> http://www.vistahelp.ca/phpBB2/
>
>
>
> "helluvajob" <guest@unknown-email.com> wrote in message
> news:e6a32d2e3990c56afc94b304e0dfe638@nntp-gateway.com...
>>
>> hello,
>>
>> i bought an extra 2gb of mem (same brand,ocz reaper, but diff timing
>> 3-4-4-15) currently installed is 4-4-4-15, for a upgrade to 4gb on my
>> pc. currently, im running on win x64, sp1 with nvidia geforce 8800 gtx,
>> my mobo (msi p6n sli platinum, intel) bios is v1.1. i can't install the
>> latest bios ver 1.6, win won't let me.
>>
>> now, when in put in those 2 gb sticks my windows boot up really slow my
>> cpu is playing between 90 - 100 % usage, sometimes my screen is black
>> with only my cursor on the screen. i know that those new 2gb of mem are
>> working fine i used them in replacement of my old ones but only on 2gb
>> config.
>>
>> i'm thinking of reformatting my hd and installing the latest bios ver
>> and reinstall win x64 again with the 4gb at the start, if it will
>> recognize it.
>>
>> thanks for reading. i need any input i can get.:)
>>
>>
>> --
>> helluvajob
>>
>> system:
>> msi p6n sli platinum
>> intel core 2 quad 2.4 ghz
>> ocz reaper hpc edition 2 gb - (2 x 1 gb)
>> nvidia geforce 8800 gtx 768 mb
>
 
Re: 2gb to 4gb memory upgrade on x64 issue, cpu usage turned 100%,win became slugish.

Kerry Brown wrote:
> Now that people are starting to fill their motherboard RAM slots to
> capacity and RAM is getting faster this is a common problem. It's most
> likely not a Vista problem but a motherboard problem. When I upgrade RAM
> now I always remove the old RAM and install all the new RAM from the
> same manufacturer purchased at the same time. It seems many motherboards
> are very sensitive to RAM timings when fully populated. I've seen
> problems with RAM from the same manufacturer, with the same part
> numbers, but purchased six months apart. You can try playing with RAM
> settings in the BIOS. Try running the RAM at the next lowest setting
> than it is rated for. I still think you will have problems because of
> the different timings.
>


Yep, exactly right, some places I think you can actually pay for matched
sets but generally any decent vendor will ship from the same batch if
they can. It really IS the only way, sell your old ram or not it is
cheaper in the long term.
 
Matched pairs are tested as a pair and certified that way, if that is what
you are referring to.

"Charlie Tame" <charlie@tames.net> wrote in message
news:Oc40$o2xIHA.1436@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Kerry Brown wrote:
>> Now that people are starting to fill their motherboard RAM slots to
>> capacity and RAM is getting faster this is a common problem. It's most
>> likely not a Vista problem but a motherboard problem. When I upgrade RAM
>> now I always remove the old RAM and install all the new RAM from the same
>> manufacturer purchased at the same time. It seems many motherboards are
>> very sensitive to RAM timings when fully populated. I've seen problems
>> with RAM from the same manufacturer, with the same part numbers, but
>> purchased six months apart. You can try playing with RAM settings in the
>> BIOS. Try running the RAM at the next lowest setting than it is rated
>> for. I still think you will have problems because of the different
>> timings.
>>
>
>
> Yep, exactly right, some places I think you can actually pay for matched
> sets but generally any decent vendor will ship from the same batch if they
> can. It really IS the only way, sell your old ram or not it is cheaper in
> the long term.
>
>
 
Re: 2gb to 4gb memory upgrade on x64 issue, cpu usage turned 100%,win became slugish.

Colin Barnhorst wrote:
> Matched pairs are tested as a pair and certified that way, if that is
> what you are referring to.
>
> "Charlie Tame" <charlie@tames.net> wrote in message
> news:Oc40$o2xIHA.1436@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> Kerry Brown wrote:
>>> Now that people are starting to fill their motherboard RAM slots to
>>> capacity and RAM is getting faster this is a common problem. It's
>>> most likely not a Vista problem but a motherboard problem. When I
>>> upgrade RAM now I always remove the old RAM and install all the new
>>> RAM from the same manufacturer purchased at the same time. It seems
>>> many motherboards are very sensitive to RAM timings when fully
>>> populated. I've seen problems with RAM from the same manufacturer,
>>> with the same part numbers, but purchased six months apart. You can
>>> try playing with RAM settings in the BIOS. Try running the RAM at the
>>> next lowest setting than it is rated for. I still think you will have
>>> problems because of the different timings.
>>>
>>
>>
>> Yep, exactly right, some places I think you can actually pay for
>> matched sets but generally any decent vendor will ship from the same
>> batch if they can. It really IS the only way, sell your old ram or not
>> it is cheaper in the long term.
>>
>>
>


Yes, it was. I have been to one professional store on a couple of
occasions for the same spec RAM only to find they have changed supplier
this month or something, and frankly same maker, same spec, same
purchase produces the fastest most reliable machine. Not so critical if
you are dealing with older (slower) hardware, usually safe then to plug
in and see, but with new stuff you want the best.
 
Right on. Vista is way more hardware sensitive than XP. When the hardware
is right it flies. When the hardware isn't a bottleneck develops and
performance goes south fast.

"Charlie Tame" <charlie@tames.net> wrote in message
news:eOf3AG4xIHA.3680@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Colin Barnhorst wrote:
>> Matched pairs are tested as a pair and certified that way, if that is
>> what you are referring to.
>>
>> "Charlie Tame" <charlie@tames.net> wrote in message
>> news:Oc40$o2xIHA.1436@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> Kerry Brown wrote:
>>>> Now that people are starting to fill their motherboard RAM slots to
>>>> capacity and RAM is getting faster this is a common problem. It's most
>>>> likely not a Vista problem but a motherboard problem. When I upgrade
>>>> RAM now I always remove the old RAM and install all the new RAM from
>>>> the same manufacturer purchased at the same time. It seems many
>>>> motherboards are very sensitive to RAM timings when fully populated.
>>>> I've seen problems with RAM from the same manufacturer, with the same
>>>> part numbers, but purchased six months apart. You can try playing with
>>>> RAM settings in the BIOS. Try running the RAM at the next lowest
>>>> setting than it is rated for. I still think you will have problems
>>>> because of the different timings.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Yep, exactly right, some places I think you can actually pay for matched
>>> sets but generally any decent vendor will ship from the same batch if
>>> they can. It really IS the only way, sell your old ram or not it is
>>> cheaper in the long term.
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>
> Yes, it was. I have been to one professional store on a couple of
> occasions for the same spec RAM only to find they have changed supplier
> this month or something, and frankly same maker, same spec, same purchase
> produces the fastest most reliable machine. Not so critical if you are
> dealing with older (slower) hardware, usually safe then to plug in and
> see, but with new stuff you want the best.
 
Re: 2gb to 4gb memory upgrade on x64 issue, cpu usage turned 100%,win became slugish.

Well, will let you know if "This" hardware survives the approaching
Tornado. You gotta love summer in Iowa. Roasted this morning (after
listening to thunder all night) hotter and humid all evening and now
it's time to sleep a another series of thunderstorms, sirens wailing and
hail, rain and bits of tree hitting the windows :)

And when I finally get to sleep (read if) the inevitable call from work
saying the power is off - will I come in and make sure the emergency
generators are okay.


Colin Barnhorst wrote:
> Right on. Vista is way more hardware sensitive than XP. When the
> hardware is right it flies. When the hardware isn't a bottleneck
> develops and performance goes south fast.
>
> "Charlie Tame" <charlie@tames.net> wrote in message
> news:eOf3AG4xIHA.3680@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> Colin Barnhorst wrote:
>>> Matched pairs are tested as a pair and certified that way, if that is
>>> what you are referring to.
>>>
>>> "Charlie Tame" <charlie@tames.net> wrote in message
>>> news:Oc40$o2xIHA.1436@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>> Kerry Brown wrote:
>>>>> Now that people are starting to fill their motherboard RAM slots to
>>>>> capacity and RAM is getting faster this is a common problem. It's
>>>>> most likely not a Vista problem but a motherboard problem. When I
>>>>> upgrade RAM now I always remove the old RAM and install all the new
>>>>> RAM from the same manufacturer purchased at the same time. It seems
>>>>> many motherboards are very sensitive to RAM timings when fully
>>>>> populated. I've seen problems with RAM from the same manufacturer,
>>>>> with the same part numbers, but purchased six months apart. You can
>>>>> try playing with RAM settings in the BIOS. Try running the RAM at
>>>>> the next lowest setting than it is rated for. I still think you
>>>>> will have problems because of the different timings.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Yep, exactly right, some places I think you can actually pay for
>>>> matched sets but generally any decent vendor will ship from the same
>>>> batch if they can. It really IS the only way, sell your old ram or
>>>> not it is cheaper in the long term.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> Yes, it was. I have been to one professional store on a couple of
>> occasions for the same spec RAM only to find they have changed
>> supplier this month or something, and frankly same maker, same spec,
>> same purchase produces the fastest most reliable machine. Not so
>> critical if you are dealing with older (slower) hardware, usually safe
>> then to plug in and see, but with new stuff you want the best.
>
 
We Coloradans happily send you our finest thunderheads. Only the best for
you Iowans, we always say!

"Charlie Tame" <charlie@tames.net> wrote in message
news:u8WjMn4xIHA.2208@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Well, will let you know if "This" hardware survives the approaching
> Tornado. You gotta love summer in Iowa. Roasted this morning (after
> listening to thunder all night) hotter and humid all evening and now it's
> time to sleep a another series of thunderstorms, sirens wailing and hail,
> rain and bits of tree hitting the windows :)
>
> And when I finally get to sleep (read if) the inevitable call from work
> saying the power is off - will I come in and make sure the emergency
> generators are okay.
>
>
> Colin Barnhorst wrote:
>> Right on. Vista is way more hardware sensitive than XP. When the
>> hardware is right it flies. When the hardware isn't a bottleneck
>> develops and performance goes south fast.
>>
>> "Charlie Tame" <charlie@tames.net> wrote in message
>> news:eOf3AG4xIHA.3680@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> Colin Barnhorst wrote:
>>>> Matched pairs are tested as a pair and certified that way, if that is
>>>> what you are referring to.
>>>>
>>>> "Charlie Tame" <charlie@tames.net> wrote in message
>>>> news:Oc40$o2xIHA.1436@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>>> Kerry Brown wrote:
>>>>>> Now that people are starting to fill their motherboard RAM slots to
>>>>>> capacity and RAM is getting faster this is a common problem. It's
>>>>>> most likely not a Vista problem but a motherboard problem. When I
>>>>>> upgrade RAM now I always remove the old RAM and install all the new
>>>>>> RAM from the same manufacturer purchased at the same time. It seems
>>>>>> many motherboards are very sensitive to RAM timings when fully
>>>>>> populated. I've seen problems with RAM from the same manufacturer,
>>>>>> with the same part numbers, but purchased six months apart. You can
>>>>>> try playing with RAM settings in the BIOS. Try running the RAM at the
>>>>>> next lowest setting than it is rated for. I still think you will have
>>>>>> problems because of the different timings.
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Yep, exactly right, some places I think you can actually pay for
>>>>> matched sets but generally any decent vendor will ship from the same
>>>>> batch if they can. It really IS the only way, sell your old ram or not
>>>>> it is cheaper in the long term.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Yes, it was. I have been to one professional store on a couple of
>>> occasions for the same spec RAM only to find they have changed supplier
>>> this month or something, and frankly same maker, same spec, same
>>> purchase produces the fastest most reliable machine. Not so critical if
>>> you are dealing with older (slower) hardware, usually safe then to plug
>>> in and see, but with new stuff you want the best.
>>
 
helluvajob737155 Wrote:
> hello,
>
> i bought an extra 2gb of mem (same brand,ocz reaper, but diff timing
> 3-4-4-15) currently installed is 4-4-4-15, for a upgrade to 4gb on my
> pc. currently, im running on win x64, sp1 with nvidia geforce 8800 gtx,
> my mobo (msi p6n sli platinum, intel) bios is v1.1. i can't install the
> latest bios ver 1.6, win won't let me.
>
> now, when in put in those 2 gb sticks my windows boot up really slow my
> cpu is playing between 90 - 100 % usage, sometimes my screen is black
> with only my cursor on the screen. i know that those new 2gb of mem are
> working fine i used them in replacement of my old ones but only on 2gb
> config.
>
> i'm thinking of reformatting my hd and installing the latest bios ver
> and reinstall win x64 again with the 4gb at the start, if it will
> recognize it.
>
> thanks for reading. i need any input i can get.:)


:geek: *SOLVED* :geek:

thanks for the people who responded, i learned alot from your inputs.
the problem ( i call it opportunity ), was solved by flashing my bios.

i updated my bios from v1.1 to v1.6, windows recognized the 4gb right
away. my os is now running smooth even better than before. i can even
run avchd files now easily. the difference is noticable between a 2gb
and 4gb mem in the system.

here's a summary of what i did....i checked the mfg site ( msi ),
downloaded the latest and the greatest ver bios of my mobo. downloaded
"the tool" apps. for flashing my bios. formatted my usb stick to fat.
now, i clicked on the tool apps. it recognized my mobo. then it asked me
to point where i download the .zip file ver of my bios. the apps moved
all the files to my usb stick, in th f drive, and rebooted from there.
once everything is done and successful i cleared my cmos, removed the
usb stick and again rebooted my system.

windows vista x64 booted faster and i scored 5.5 on the board, before
it was only 5.2.

thanks again. now, i'm a happy man :D


--
helluvajob

system:
msi p6n sli platinum
intel core 2 quad 2.4 ghz
ocz reaper hpc edition 4gb
nvidia geforce 8800 gtx 768 mb
700w psu
zalman cnps9700 cpu cooling fan
 
Re: 2gb to 4gb memory upgrade on x64 issue, cpu usage turned 100%,win became slugish.

helluvajob wrote:
> helluvajob737155 Wrote:
>> hello,
>>
>> i bought an extra 2gb of mem (same brand,ocz reaper, but diff timing
>> 3-4-4-15) currently installed is 4-4-4-15, for a upgrade to 4gb on my
>> pc. currently, im running on win x64, sp1 with nvidia geforce 8800 gtx,
>> my mobo (msi p6n sli platinum, intel) bios is v1.1. i can't install the
>> latest bios ver 1.6, win won't let me.
>>
>> now, when in put in those 2 gb sticks my windows boot up really slow my
>> cpu is playing between 90 - 100 % usage, sometimes my screen is black
>> with only my cursor on the screen. i know that those new 2gb of mem are
>> working fine i used them in replacement of my old ones but only on 2gb
>> config.
>>
>> i'm thinking of reformatting my hd and installing the latest bios ver
>> and reinstall win x64 again with the 4gb at the start, if it will
>> recognize it.
>>
>> thanks for reading. i need any input i can get.:)
>
>
> :geek: *SOLVED* :geek:
>
> thanks for the people who responded, i learned alot from your inputs.
> the problem ( i call it opportunity ), was solved by flashing my bios.
>
> i updated my bios from v1.1 to v1.6, windows recognized the 4gb right
> away. my os is now running smooth even better than before. i can even
> run avchd files now easily. the difference is noticable between a 2gb
> and 4gb mem in the system.
>
> here's a summary of what i did....i checked the mfg site ( msi ),
> downloaded the latest and the greatest ver bios of my mobo. downloaded
> "the tool" apps. for flashing my bios. formatted my usb stick to fat.
> now, i clicked on the tool apps. it recognized my mobo. then it asked me
> to point where i download the .zip file ver of my bios. the apps moved
> all the files to my usb stick, in th f drive, and rebooted from there.
> once everything is done and successful i cleared my cmos, removed the
> usb stick and again rebooted my system.
>
> windows vista x64 booted faster and i scored 5.5 on the board, before
> it was only 5.2.
>
> thanks again. now, i'm a happy man :D
>
>


Thanks for the detailed reply, I am a bit surprised that the
manufacturer missed that in the original BIOS though.

However quite often people are told things by well intentioned friends
and a mistake in the process you describe can result in a desktop
paperweight, so congratulations too for following the instructions :)
 
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