More RAM = Slower Computer??

J

JonH

New Member
Hi guys and gals,

I finished with my first build and, thanks to the members here, it turned out quite well.

But, being a male, I have to fuss with things.

I was able to up my RAM from 4gb to 8gb and the oddest thing happened: The time it took to open Photoshop CS3 was probably double AND the mouse pointer "skipped" across the screen. Also, if I played a simple game like Solitare, the cards dealing out would be hesitant and all jerky.

I returned back to 4gb and all is well again. PS opens in about two seconds and all is smooth running. SO...do I have to do something else OTHER than just install the RAM? Do I need to make adjustments somewhere?

Here's my stuff:

Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz 2X4mb L2 cache
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115017


MOBO: Gigabyte GA-EX38-DS4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128089


Video Card: MSI 8800GTS 512mb 256-bit 678MHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127325


RAM: Corsair XMS2 4gb DDR2 (2X2gb)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145176

This is running on Vista Ultimate 64bit and the extra RAM I got was the same kind.

For those who think I'm nutty for wanting 8gb, I've read that PS likes to use the extra RAM as the scratch disk, there by making the rendering of photos much faster. I also am hoping that video rendering will be quicker and who knows what kind of software will be available in a few years?

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Jon in American Fork
 
Do you have two of the same RAM kits? If you did mix the types of RAM, that could be a cause for slow down. However I believe the issue is that after going from 2 sticks of RAM to 4, the memory controller had to relax the timings and/or lower the speed to accommodate having all 4 RAM modules filled.
 
Omega - Yes, it's the same RAM, both Corsair....

RAM: Corsair XMS2 4gb DDR2 (2X2gb)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145176

Are you thinking that my build cannot accept the extra RAM?


Reddevil - I pretty sure that I put in the drivers. I ran the disc that came with the video card. Maybe I should visit their web site and download the latest drivers?

Thanks again for the help,
Jon in American Fork
 
Have you tried taking out your current 4gbs and putting in the other 4 in its place (and trying the sticks seperately or in pairs in all 4 slots)? Just in case there is some problem physically with it, or the slots, although bad ram usually just makes the computer beep furiously on startup, but maybe worth a shot.

Looking at gigabytes website, the board can apparently take the 8gbs, so I see no reason for this problem. Are you totally sure it's the same kind of memory?

It's not gonna be a video card driver issue if it's happening when amounts of ram change.

I don't know anything about updating the motherboards software (cmos, bios or whatever), I've never had to go there. Could there be an issue with the 64bit o/s and that amount of memory on that m/b? Just thoughts, quite possibly nonsense!
 
Punter,

Thanks for the suggestion about swapping around the RAM sticks. I took out the "old" sticks and installed the "new" sticks in the previously unused slots. Everything seemed fine. So I figured that my second slots AND my new RAM was good. I installed my "old" sticks in again and....drum roll please.....all seems great. Beats the dog poo out of me as to why, but I'm not picky about these kinds of things. I just like them to work!

Thanks again,
Jon in American Fork.
 
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