RAM Upgrade

[diogolive]

My hp laptop had 2x2GB sticks but i waanted to have 8GB (the limit). I bought a set of used SK Hynix RAM since the laptop had the same brand. 2 sticks of 4GB but they were 1600MHz instead of 1333MHz (the original frequency), but normally this is not a problem since it is normal that if the PC doesn't support the frequency, it downclocks to a supported one.

I tested the RAM and in the BIOS it detects all of the 8GB, i also ran a couple of tests in BIOS (Memory tests) and it checked out and were ok. But when trying to boot from them i get always a BSOD. Tried to boot from a USB Pen to repair windows, it wouldn't let me, always crashed or BSOD. I tried Linux and it also crashed or spewed out an error.

If it detected both sticks and ran the memory tests and turned out ok, wouldn't it work on Windows? or Linux? or anything for that matter?

The problems all disappear when i put back the original sticks. My BIOS is the latest, at least from what i found (F.1 C) and i'm trying to run Windows 10.

Thank You

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

Yes normally memory downclocks but on that system the memory bus is 1066 mhz. 1333 is generally supplied and downclocks fine but 1600 is going to have issues. Is it low voltage 1600 memory? DDR3L? Even more likely to have problems. Lastly its a first gen Intel Core (i7-720QM) and those systems must have low density memory with 8 black block on the side of the manual. What exactly did you install?

[diogolive]

it was a 2 sticks of SK Hynix 4GB 1RX8 PC3L-12800S-11-13-B4. By the way mine is teh i5 tier. I thought that it would be less strict than this.

Based on what you said, an Adata 2x4GB 2rx8 PC3-10600 1333MHz DDR3 would work rigth?

[Huffer]

Something like this:

low density DDR3-1333 SO-DIMM

And you might want to accept as solution. The problem was identified. You were using DDR3L-1600 high density which we knew a lot of folks will try to install and it causes problems on this model series. 

[diogolive]

Ok thank you! Sorry this may seem stupid but it defines as low density and high density?

I was thinking of buying these ones? I think it may work. I only don't know if they are high density or not..

[Huffer]

Those will work High density = 1R (1 rank or a single row of 4 black blocks) and Low density = 2R.

[diogolive]

ok thank you very much! Now i understand why!

[diogolive]

Hello again, 

The new ram sticks didn't work either

[Huffer]

What happens?

[diogolive]

BSOD with the same error messages. This time if i put the 2 new sticks it wont even show an image. If i mix the new with the old one i can enter BIOS and perform a memory test, it checks out ok. But when i try to enter windows it just BSOD's immediatly.