Find a single 16Gb DDR3 stick at online retailers or local electronics stores.
Find a single 16Gb DDR3 stick at online retailers or local electronics stores.
In short, your board interferes with any stick placed in the second channel, causing errors. I’m looking for a 16GB DDR3 stick since I can only get them in 32GB packs or similar bundles. Using an 8GB stick is too limiting, and the pile of old DDR3 units is discouraging. Where can I purchase one?
What kind of motherboard are you considering? A 16GB unbuffered ECC DDR3 chip is quite expensive but comes from Intelligent Memory if you manage to locate one. Otherwise, DDR3 modules are limited to 8GB each before moving to registered memory, which is only available on server boards. Don't forget your board might not even support 16GB DIMMs. In that case, it's usually wiser to replace the board rather than trying a temporary workaround.
The motherboard must support 16 GB modules. Some chipsets or processors are limited to 8 GB sticks. For typical desktops, use DDR3 or DDR3L (low voltage) unbuffered non-ECC modules. Workstation or server models usually have ECC support, but the sticks may be registered or buffered—registered ones are compatible while buffered ones won’t work. Most listings on eBay feature registered modules; you can usually tell by the design, such as the Hynix chips with a distinct middle chip indicating registration. The label also provides clues, for example the 14900R designation where 'R' stands for registered.
What kind of board? A single-channel setup can hurt CPU performance, so consider swapping it if you can't resolve the problem. Try dunking or spraying 99% IPA on the RAM slots and let them dry. Spray the socket with 99% IPA and allow it to dry. Dunk some 99% IPA onto the back of the CPU to clean the pads. This should remove any debris causing the issue. If it doesn't work, switch boards and possibly upgrade the entire base—CPU, board, and RAM together—unless you're looking for extremely cheap options.
It's Broadwell, it works on one channel. Yet it's Broadwell, replacing it with a new board isn't worth $100. But since it's Broadwell, moving to another platform doesn't seem right—there aren't any games I can play yet. The 128MB cache makes this hardware feel special and exciting, so I'm not interested in getting rid of it. Unless it's a 5800X3D, because speed matters more than anything else. *checks* That doesn’t sound like a good deal. It always had some weird compatibility problems. Even the PCI slot acts up, sometimes refusing to load. Gigabyte has strong hardware, but their software is really bad. The Z97X-SLI-CF V1.0 only supports 3 phases, and the best CPU for it has a 65W TDP—so I’m not sure why they’d need an 8-phase board for that.
It’s really the worst-looking VRM I’ve seen on a Z97, but it works as long as you install a fan. The TDP only affects the base clock, and boost will use more power, though I’m not sure even a 4790k would exceed 125W because of these older CPUs’ limited cores and slow boost speeds. It could be a cool project to experiment with and test how much VRM you can push with proper cooling. If you don’t want to spend time cleaning, you could replace the CMOS battery, clear the CMOS for a couple minutes, remove heatsinks and thermal paste, then soak the board in water for an hour, dry it thoroughly, and let it rest for a few days. This should mostly eliminate dirt buildup. I’ve tested this on a “dead” board before, and even with my 99% IPA, it usually fixes most issues. You might also try an ultrasonic cleaner or a dishwasher—though the dishwasher option is uncertain. Ultrasonic cleaning seems like a simple water-based method; otherwise treat it like a regular bucket of water.
Overclocked, the 5775c only reaches a maximum of 90 watts in games at 4ghz with 1.3v. Adding more voltage doesn’t boost performance past that point on this chip—it’s the first generation of 14nm from Intel. Still, it’s not ideal for running the CPU at full power, given its tiny 4790k die and the extra cache built into it. The motherboard has always faced this problem, making it a real hassle. You might wonder why you didn’t request a return, since I couldn’t afford a new board while dealing with Gigabyte’s slow RMA process for three months, and I wouldn’t want to risk losing it just to be told it’s fine.