Past simple or present perfect for the number of times of doing something

Past simple or present perfect for the number of times of doing something.

I have just called my friend on her cell**,** but I couldn't reach her. Now I want to write her to inform her about it. Would you please tell me which one is correct?

" I have called you three times**,** but I couldn't reach you.

Or

" I called you three times**,** but I couldn't reach you."

COMMENTS:

The past perfect is better, but the simple past is fine. You can also say "I've called . . . ."

Since you didn't actually reach her, it would be more exact to say, "I've tried calling . . . ." or "I tried calling . . ."

NOTE:

Use commas to connect the clauses of compound sentences.

If we consider to use present perfect for unfinished time and the calls were all made on the same day you're speaking, then present perfect would be better:

I have called you 3 times, but I couldn't reach you.