Upgrading memory started the crashes

Hello all,
First post, long time lurker. I've been using Sonar since Home Studio 4 and have had all of the Producer versions ever since.
I'm currently running Sonar X1b on an Intel quad core 6600, intel D975XB motherboard, 4 gig Corsair XMS DDR2 800mhz, Win 7 64-bit, Mackie Blackbird audio interface, UAD2-Quad Neve. (This machine was built to spec for a Digi002R and had ran PT and previous versions of Sonar 8 with no problems under XP-32bit)
 
When I upgraded to Win 7-64, I formatted HD and started again with a brand new OS install. This configuration was very stable with X1a, but I also upgraded to X1b the day it was posted with no problems whatsoever. Sonar X1 ran like a dream. Yea!
 
My motherboard will support 8 gig, so I thought what the heck and installed 4 Corsair 2 gig DDR2 800mhz chips to max out the board. That is when the pops, clicks, freezes, latency, crashes and other odd issues started. I tried to use the machine for exactly one day and after many reboots, I just got too frustrated. I pulled out the new ram, reinstalled the old, and poof, back to normal smooth running. Whew!
 
I've made this post in the hope that it may potentially help some of the people having stability issues. IF (and only IF) you know what you are doing and you have more than 4 gig of ram, you may want to try taking a few chips out and see how it runs with only 3 or 4 gig. It may or may not help. It was the fix for me and honestly I'm perfectly happy with only 4 gig.
 
umm..Before the flames start, I have jumped off of the PT wagon for now and have been spreading the word about Sonar to my other musician friends (I just love prochannel, v-vocal, and audio snap!)
 
I hope this little post helps and no one breaks their computer!
Peace!

I always test new memory to make sure I didn't get a bad stick. Flaky ram may boot OK but give you all kinds of problems. Try this:

http://www.memtest86.com/

First check to make sure the chips have the same specs. Can't mix ECCC with non-ECCC. Should be arranges in banks. Check your motherboard manual to make sure you're arranging them properly. Some have the banks staggered. For example for Banks A and B the slots could be 

A  A  B  B
or 
A  B  A  B

Sometimes the color of the memory slots will give you a clue to the banks. 

Next, run the Windows Memory Diagnostic that comes with Windows 7. Its in the Administrative Tools section. 

If that doesn't find anything, download memtest and burn it to a CD and then boot from the CD. Let it run overnight.

This has happened to me on several occasions, and every time it was because the new sticks weren't seated properly in their sockets. Those contacts are very small and it's easy to install them just slightly a-kilter so that some of them aren't making good contact. So the first diagnostic step is always to remove and re-insert them. Before inserting any circuit board, it's also a good idea to clean the contacts by rubbing them lightly with a pencil eraser. (Make sure there's no residue afterward!)

Also remember to practice static safety when handling RAM, since they can be damaged by simply walking around while holding them in your hand. Everybody who builds or repairs their own computers should invest in a five-dollar static wrist strap, but if you don't have one at least make sure your body is in contact with the case while installing the sticks and that the power supply is plugged in. That sounds like it might be dangerous, but it isn't, and if the case isn't actually grounded to something there's no point attaching your wrist strap to it.

Yes they are all the same type of chips. I bought the 8 gig , new at the same time-same packaging (sorry if I wasn't clear on that) I previously had (and now rehave) 4 1 gig chips . Yes they were installed properly. I have been building computers for at least 15 years and I've worked professionally in the IT server/Internet hosting industry. Basically I know how to build a machine from the ground up. I have not tested the new chips yet, but I will just to make sure that I did not get a damaged one.  I'm setting up another machine with the same specs motherboard (I have two) to use as a file server and I'm going to try using the new ram. I'll post my results in a few days when I get the results of the test. I highly doubt it is the chips though. Corsair memory has been rock solid for me.   
Yes I do have X1B installed.
Thanks to everyone for the thoughts!!