Memory Error after RAM card install

[GabeM94]

Hi everyone,

I have a Pavilion 550-113a desktop and am wanting to upgrade the RAM to simply get more breathing room for programs running in parallel.

I checked compatibility of my card type and I think the new card is correct (PC3L 1600MHZ original; new card DDR3 1600MHZ) and I'm going from the standard 8GB RAM single card to two new Viper Patriot 8GB DDR3 1600MHZ 12800 cards. 

When I installed the new cards (there are two slots only, and yes they were very clean and I re-isnserted several times to make sure they were properly seated) I got 3-long, 2-short beeps from the tower, which apparently is a Memory-related error code.

I did a bit of googling to try and troubleshoot. I am sure that these cards are compatible and that they are inserted correctly, so what other options do I have to test them? I don't have another computer that I could test the new cards on. My BIOS is not the latest version though. Is it likely that my Outdated BIOS version would be the cause for the read error?

It starts up totally fine with the old single RAM card in it.

Any help appreciated!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Is this the memory you bought?

#2 PATRIOT Viper 16GB (2X8GB) DDR3 1600MHz PC3-12800 1.5V PV316G160C9KRD Memory | eBay

If so, the 9-9-9-24 timing spec is too fast for your PC.

You need to use a memory chip like the one HP installed.

You just need to buy a second 8 GB DDR3L-1600 MHz memory chip with the same specs that came with your PC.

Something like this...CL11

Timetec 8GB DDR3L / DDR3 1600MHz (DDR3L-1600) PC3L-12800 / PC3-12800 (PC3-12800U) Non-ECC Unbuffered...

[GabeM94]

Hi Paul_Tikkanen,

Thanks so much for your prompt response, much appreciated.

Very close but not exactly the same as the ones that you sent the link for. Attached is the image of the 2 RAM cards that I got. The RAM timing sequence for the cards in the link that you sent is 9-9-9-24, as you mentioned, and the sequence for my cards is apparently 10-10-10-27.

I am slightly embarrassed that I wasn't aware of this critical detail before I purchased them, but I guess we all learn at some point down the way. It would be nice if the manufacturer explicitly stated this requirement on their hardware upgrade page, but at least I am now aware for this little detail next time. I will probably just get a pair of the standard cards as you suggested, that way if any deterioration has come of the current card, at least then there will be not only a matching pair but also cards that have not run for about 10 years of use now.

Thanks for the help!

 

[GabeM94]

Additionally, where would I find the timing requirements for my pc?

Thanks.

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

Yes, the 10-10-10 timing specification would still be too fast.

Those timing specifications would not be listed anywhere, but the CL11 spec is the JEDEC standard timing specifications for DDR3/L memory.

The memory you bought is for gaming/performance PC's where you might be able to go into the BIOS and tweak memory settings and whatnot.

You have a PC with a locked BIOS (no advanced settings to tweak), and it only uses the standard DDR3 memory timings that most other PC's use.

Since the PC's BIOS cannot automatically adjust to the faster timing speed and you can't go into the BIOS to make those adjustments, the PC doesn't boot up and gives you the 3.2 beep code.

That is why I always recommend to folks not to buy performance memory unless the PC specifically uses performance memory, which yours does not.