Advice on recurring issue

SF4AE1 · 8 Mar 2016 at 10:39

After I built my PC up (spec in sig) back in January I always had a random BSOD crash - Not usually when gaming more when in Firefox or on you tube.

I ignored it the first couple of times thinking/hoping it would not continue but recently it has got the better of me.

Now it almost always happens once and the errors can either be memory management or IRQL and I think have also saw bad service pool - After the system has this BSOD and restarts it is fine for the rest of the period I am using it and there are no issues.

I have done a fresh install of Windows 10 and only saw it happen once so far whilst on you tube in Edge browser.

I am using 16GB of Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) 3000 MHz CL15 XMP 2.0 DDR4 RAM and read a few other people having same issues using this in the same board as me - Z170 Pro so I am going to try lowering the clock rate of the ram and see if that helps any.

Has anyone else had experience with an issue like this in the past? If so what was the cause and fix?

Cheers,

OJ46 · 8 Mar 2016 at 10:48

Did you set the RAM to 3000mhz via the BIOS XMP profile? If you use the Asus software it puts far too much voltage through the RAM, though I'm not sure if this would cause the stability problems you mention it is definitely worth correcting before it does any damage.

SF4AE1 · 8 Mar 2016 at 10:52

OJ46 said:
Did you set the RAM to 3000mhz via the BIOS XMP profile? If you use the Asus software it puts far too much voltage through the RAM, though I'm not sure if this would cause the stability problems you mention it is definitely worth correcting before it does any damage.

Thanks I didn't know this I just let the BIOS set it automatically.

OJ46 · 8 Mar 2016 at 11:01

SF4AE1 said:
Thanks I didn't know this I just let the BIOS set it automatically.

If you used the XMP profile in the BIOS it should be fine, but if you let the Asus software decide optimum settings instead it can put over 1.5v through the RAM instead of the 1.2v - 1.35v it should be using, which obviously can't be good! Have you tried running memtest or removing sticks of RAM? Updating the board to the latest BIOS? Best to try the simple / free fixes first but guessing if they don't work it could be time to try a different PSU or motherboard

SF4AE1 · 8 Mar 2016 at 11:17

OJ46 said:
If you used the XMP profile in the BIOS it should be fine, but if you let the Asus software decide optimum settings instead it can put over 1.5v through the RAM instead of the 1.2v - 1.35v it should be using, which obviously can't be good! Have you tried running memtest or removing sticks of RAM? Updating the board to the latest BIOS? Best to try the simple / free fixes first but guessing if they don't work it could be time to try a different PSU or motherboard

Will check tonight when I am in but im pretty sure I let the board set optimum settings.

I have changed to a new PSU and have ran mem test which found no errors.

Have not tested with just one stick of RAM yet.

OJ46 · 8 Mar 2016 at 11:24

I'd try updating to the latest BIOS & reset to full default settings and try it, then if that's stable set the RAM to use the XMP profile and try that. If that fails then try one stick of RAM at a time and Memtest them separately

SF4AE1 · 11 Mar 2016 at 09:23

Quick update guys,

Since Wednesday I update my BIOS lowered the speed of the RAM and ensured the voltage was within good levels - All seems to have cured the BSOD's (touch wood) have not had one in games, browsing or anything giving this was a daily occurrence before I think/hope that's a win.

Now last night I ended up with a new issue - System had been on all day after a bit of gaming I ended up browsing for a bit had a number of tabs open in Firefox and my system just completely locked up - Screen froze, Audio looped making that buzzing sound and nothing was responsive only way to restart was VIA the power button upon turning back on there were no error beeps or messages from the BIOS or Windows.

OJ46 · 11 Mar 2016 at 09:31

Glad to hear you've solved the BSOD issues, did you set the speed / voltages of the RAM to default or go with different settings? If it's solved it at default personally I'd try going with the XMP profile and see if that gives any issues, as it would still keep voltages far lower than what Asus set and well within sensible limits.

As for the new issue I'm a bit stumped, but Firefox is renowned for memory problems so sense the issue could be linked. I'd try CPU on completely default settings (not Asus optimised) and RAM on XMP, see if that gives you any joy. Good luck though, I know how frustrating issues like this can be so hope you solve it soon

SF4AE1 · 11 Mar 2016 at 09:47

Thanks Buddy will do tonight and see how we get on.

Yeah Firefox has caused a lot of drama for me in the past don't know why I keep going back for more.

Played Black Ops 3 for hours online and it was fine.

OJ46 · 11 Mar 2016 at 10:05

No problems, glad to be of help

I use Firefox on Linux and it has some annoying issues on there to. Occasionally the computer will slow to a crawl and when I look at the system monitor it'll be Firefox using 2 cores of the CPU at about 90% and taking 3GB+ of RAM, climbing steadily until it's force closed and restarted. We may as well stop using Memtest and just open Firefox for 10 minutes instead

SF4AE1 · 11 Mar 2016 at 10:42

OJ46 said:
No problems, glad to be of help

I use Firefox on Linux and it has some annoying issues on there to. Occasionally the computer will slow to a crawl and when I look at the system monitor it'll be Firefox using 2 cores of the CPU at about 90% and taking 3GB+ of RAM, climbing steadily until it's force closed and restarted. We may as well stop using Memtest and just open Firefox for 10 minutes instead

Haha that last sentence gave me that Friday laugh.

fobose · 29 Mar 2016 at 13:17

I have had the same trouble since last June with my devil's canyon chip and 16GB DDR3 ram. I would always get either the memory management BSOD or the IRQ one, but only once every 3-4 weeks and always when doing something basic like surfing (never when gaming).

I forgot to set the XMP profile so after I set that late last year I did not have any more issues for quite a few months but had one a couple of weeks ago. When I checked the memory voltage in bios it was slightly under the maximum (1.55 - 1.65V is the range I think) and it was at 1.64V. I have set mine to 1.66V to try that as it wont let me set it to 1.65V. Seems strange it needs to be so high though.

I have been really busy with college work and been too lazy to investigate any further, hopefully that has sorted mine out at least.

Has your issue resolved now?

SF4AE1 · 5 Apr 2016 at 16:32

Sorry not been very active last few weeks,

I have not tried using the XMP profile since OJ46's original advise of updating BIOS etc but my PC has still been running fine since except for 1 BSOD whilst in Firefox but I did have way to many tabs open and I was rendering a video so I think I will let it slide.

PC has been stable no issues gaming or anything and more importantly no random lock up freezes.

I wish I could help you further but voltages are out of my league I still need to educate myself on that - if I had a question about them I would be asking these guys in a new thread.