I'm upgrading a video card for a family member and I'm having problems.

Specifically, she has this motherboard :
ASUS M4A785TD-M EVO
( http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_AM3/M4A785TDM_EVO/#specifications )

And this old RAM will be entirely replaced:
Corsair DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) 9-9-9-24 1.5V 2x2gb
( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145251 )

And this is the new Upgrade RAM:
G.Skill DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) 9-9-9-24-2N 1.5V 4x4gb
( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231426 )

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. 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

I doubt that the sticks are bad because I have tried 3 packages of the same type, 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, but I don't see what it is. The memory is DDR3 1333 10666 which is what it current holds, except the upgrade is a larger amount. What could cause this problem?What happens if you put the old memory in the first two slots and two of the new memory in the second two slots? Does it post then?

Hard to say about pulling too much power without knowing what your complete specs are (all drives, PCI/PCIx cards, USB DEVICES, CPU fan, case fans, etc.). Even with a generous helping of hardware, you probably haven't passed 400w, but impossible to say for sure without knowing more.

Shot in the DARK, but you could try resetting the BIOS as well.The 9-9-9-24-2N got my eye. A quick google search says that the 2N has something to do with the command rate...
http://www.gskill.us/forum/showthread.php?t=8263
The second post is helpful.Thanks for your replies, folks.

I know it doesn't get up to 400W, she doesn't even have a video card. I used a few power calculators and it barely broke 300W with its power needs. I'll post the specs below though:

CPU:
AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649

Motherboard:
ASUS M4A785TD-M EVO AM3 AMD 785G
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131406

Memory:
CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145251

PSU:
Antec NEO ECO 400C 400W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371029

Case:
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

DVD Burner:
LG DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136177

Hard Drive:
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST3500418AS 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148395

As you can see, it's not a really powerful PC so I don't think it gets close to the 400W limit.

How can I access the BIOS to reset it if the memory issue causes the PC not to post? If I reset it when the "good" RAM is in, then will that cause problems since I haven't switched it yet?

I'm going to buy some 9-9-9-24 not -2N and see if that fixes this issue. Here's the new stuff that I just bought:
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

Thanks for the replies, I do appreciate them. I'll post back when I have more info. I tried 9-9-9-24 not -2N and it still does not work. I purchased the one in my last post.

I reset the BIOS and it didn't change anything.

So that's another $20 to repay for the stocking fee and shipping charges lost, which is the 3rd set of RAM purchased that does not work. $60 down the tubes.

Can anyone please give me some advice? I have NEVER encountered this problem before and I've added and replaced loads of RAM modules over the years. Thanks.Why not just get another pair of that XMS3 memory (still giving your your 8GB target)? You already know it works in the motherboard and the board has 4 slots.I could but I'd really like to know why it's not working. =XQuote from: spaghettios on September 19, 2011, 07:36:38 PM

I could but I'd really like to know why it's not working. =X