ASRock N68c-GS FX with DDR3 memory

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cateyes

55 posts

Master Geek

#265758 9-Feb-2020 16:57

I've a computer having a motherboard of ASRock N68c-GS FX which was bought in late 2012. ATM it has got 2 2G DDR2 533 RAM sticks installed. It also has 2 DDR3 slots. The motherboard manual says it supports DDR3 1600/1333/1066/800 non-ECC, un-bufffered memory. I also have 2 Strontium 4GB DDR3 1333 SRT4G86U1-H9H RAM stick. Checked online, it should be Non-ECC. These two DDR3 I took off from another computer in early 2016 and put them aside. They were working perfectly on the other computer when I took them off. After a few years, recently I decided to install them onto my ASRock motherboard and remove the 2 2G DDR2 RAM sticks. Found out that The computer cannot boot at all, nothing even displays on the screen, after power it on. Anyone knows what happened here? Could be these 2 DDR3 RAM sticks just simply broken after more than almost 4 years without being used? Thanks,

sqishy

470 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2415264 9-Feb-2020 17:13

Check the website for Asrock and Memory QVL. Also try updating to latest BIOS first this can help.

toejam316

1466 posts

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#2415273 9-Feb-2020 18:28

Check your processor - if it isn't an AM3 chip, it won't have a DDR3 capable memory controller, which I suspect is the case here.

Anything I say is the ramblings of an ill informed, opinionated so-and-so, and not representative of any of my past, present or future employers, and is also probably best disregarded.

sqishy

470 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2415320 9-Feb-2020 21:53

toejam316:

Check your processor - if it isn't an AM3 chip, it won't have a DDR3 capable memory controller, which I suspect is the case here.

Good point ! Would be good to hear :)

cateyes

55 posts

Master Geek

#2415564 10-Feb-2020 13:48

toejam316:

Check your processor - if it isn't an AM3 chip, it won't have a DDR3 capable memory controller, which I suspect is the case here.

Thanks a lot. This is the answer. My CPU is AM2.

cateyes

55 posts

Master Geek

#2415966 11-Feb-2020 10:37

So here is my further question. Is there still an AMD AM3 CPU compatible with my ASRock N68c-GS FX motherboard and I can buy, since the motherboard is quite old now?

toejam316

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#2416128 11-Feb-2020 12:52

You'll want to hit the used market and check the CPU qvl, but honestly you'd be better off investing in a new motherboard and CPU and maybe RAM.
You can pick up a 2c/4t Athoon 240GE for $70, any AM4 motherboard for as low as $88 and 8gb of DDR4 for $80, all brand new.

Anything I say is the ramblings of an ill informed, opinionated so-and-so, and not representative of any of my past, present or future employers, and is also probably best disregarded.

cateyes

55 posts

Master Geek

#2416795 12-Feb-2020 18:30

toejam316: You'll want to hit the used market and check the CPU qvl, but honestly you'd be better off investing in a new motherboard and CPU and maybe RAM.
You can pick up a 2c/4t Athoon 240GE for $70, any AM4 motherboard for as low as $88 and 8gb of DDR4 for $80, all brand new.

Good point. Thanks very much

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sqishy

470 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2416804 12-Feb-2020 18:53

You could go el cheapo:

https://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/components/cpus/amd/listing-2530838225.htm?rsqid=604e9dc1099a45a0aba7dc3a42b6e68b-003

cateyes

55 posts

Master Geek

#2420867 14-Feb-2020 11:46

sqishy:

You could go el cheapo:

https://www.trademe.co.nz/computers/components/cpus/amd/listing-2530838225.htm?rsqid=604e9dc1099a45a0aba7dc3a42b6e68b-003

thanks,

cateyes

55 posts

Master Geek

#2420918 14-Feb-2020 11:50

toejam316: You'll want to hit the used market and check the CPU qvl, but honestly you'd be better off investing in a new motherboard and CPU and maybe RAM.
You can pick up a 2c/4t Athoon 240GE for $70, any AM4 motherboard for as low as $88 and 8gb of DDR4 for $80, all brand new.

A question might be a bit silly though, if i buy a new AM4 motherboard, do i need to change the computer case & PSU?

toejam316

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#2420987 14-Feb-2020 13:23

As long as your PSU is a decent wattage and quality, and the case supports the motherboard form factor, no.

Anything I say is the ramblings of an ill informed, opinionated so-and-so, and not representative of any of my past, present or future employers, and is also probably best disregarded.

Jase2985

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#2421008 14-Feb-2020 14:21

PSU i would likely upgrade anyways as its 8 years old and likely not in the best of conditions for a new motherboard/cpu, and you will likely have issues down the line

cateyes

55 posts

Master Geek

#2421432 15-Feb-2020 15:46

Thank you all for the advice. 😄