CPU core fault?

[Shade]

Glad you got to the bottom of it

 

[Corasik]

OK, problem finally solved. Props to Shade for correctly calling this. The fix was:

1. Look up datasheet for Kingston HyperX RAM.
2. Find SPD settings
3. Set RAM settings to exactly those SPD settings.
4. Computer now works.

I will RMA the RAM because it won't run at the optimum settings but at least it's a stable build

Before you RMA the ram, which version of HyperX is it? Many of the HyperX DDR2 parts will only run at the tightest "official" timings with 2.2V up its ass according to kingstons own website. Some of it even needs 2.3V! As reducing the timings has given you stability ramping up the voltage for the ram will probably allow tighter/faster memory settings.

I would post a link to Kingstons website, but they sell direct so it's probably against OCUK's forum rules. However if you simply google Kingston HyperX DDR2 you should find the same page that I did, and know how many volts it needs.

I have no specific AMD experience, so perhaps a Phenom II owner could post to say if the Phenom has the same issue as the I7 where ramping up the voltage on the memory can cause the memory controller on the CPU to fail and/or what is the highest "Safe" voltage for the Phenom II's DDR2/3 controller.

Anyway, should be no need to RMA, just ramp up the ram's voltage until its within Kingstons spec, (IE the ram is not Jedec spec, it needs a custom voltage to run fast).

Glad you are sorted now!

 

[SMAndy]

I know a similar fault.

My PC, MA790XT-UD4P, PII X3 720, DDR3-1333Mhz OCZ Gold

I had random BSOD's when i first set it up. thought there was an issue with my setup, so i tried relaxing timings and stuff, because I knew that the bsod was memory related.

Was about to RMA it when i discovered that my RAM has that nice little thing OCZ call EVP (Extended Voltage Protection) that means its within warranty up to that extended voltage limit. In this case, it was good to 1.95v. A little high for DDR3, since it defaults at 1.6v, but i was still getting errors on 1.7v.

I wouldn't necessarily say its a problem with the chipset or the board. I just think some memory needs more voltage than others, and SPD settings don't include voltage.

Also Corasik. The way you've said that suggests on an i7 chip, you can increase the voltage of the memory controller itself? That can't be done on an AMD chip. You increase the RAM voltage, or nothing. CPU-NB voltage can be increased to get a higher CPU-NB speed, but that doesn't do too much.

 

[Corasik]

Also Corasik. The way you've said that suggests on an i7 chip, you can increase the voltage of the memory controller itself? That can't be done on an AMD chip. You increase the RAM voltage, or nothing. CPU-NB voltage can be increased to get a higher CPU-NB speed, but that doesn't do too much.

No, what I mean is the DDR controller in I7 and Phenom is on the CPU die itself, when you increase the voltage to the ram, that same voltage is fed to the DDR controller on the CPU as they are directly connected.

Thats why on I7's overvolting the ram can lead to terminal CPU failer, and I believe early AMD's with intergrated memory controllers suffered the same problem to a lesser extent. So just advising caution.

The CPU-NB voltage is not relavent in this case, as the memory controllers on Phenoms (and I7s) is in the CPU not the northbridge.