i7 2600k Sandybridge may be dieing...

[Loko]

Hi,

Well, after a complete disaster weekend with the new rig build, it seems my Sandybridge CPU may have bitten the dust.

I've had constant struggles with stability and system freezes.

There is a question mark over my motherboard (Asus P8P67 Pro), but I'm not sure if the struggles are due to the chip or the board, or both!

It feels that the stability has degraded over the past 3 days.

I now can't get stable running with any BIOS, either 804, 1003 or 1053, my system freezes in Prime95 after about 1 min now. All settings stock bar the RAM at 1.65v and 2133MHz.

I've seen the feedback from Gibbo on voltages, my RAM won't work at anything under 1.65v, it's recommended rating. I purchased Patriot Sector 5 RAM at 2250MHz based on Gibbo's post here that stated it was compatible with Sandybridge, which I'm struggling to see how it is.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18226563

I did manage Saturday and Sunday to run most of the time with the RAM at the correct speeds and timings, under stock conditions and also some overclocked conditions, but would freeze randomly at the desktop or in benches.

Played Crysis and BFBC2 for 30min to 1hr periods ok. Out on the desktop it would freeze randomly, generally after some time.

Temps don't get over 48deg C at load in stock.

So, now the CPU won't TurboBoost above 3500MHz (should go to 3800) if left on Auto, when before it was working on two BIOS revs. Won't work in any BIOS rev now. If I force the Turbo ratio in the BIOS it freezes under Prime load pretty instantly on all BIOS revs.

I've mem tested the RAM and it is ok, but it may be a RAM incompatibility with the board issue mixed in there too, I don't know.

In any case, the system has degraded and I've ran 95% of the time stock settings, bar the RAM as discussed. My highest Vcore was a 30min spell at 1.32v where it ran at 4.8GHz. Temps were really good at 57deg C. Interestingly it ran Crysis a long time ok (a good hour), then exited and was tinkering on the desktop in Internet Exlporer and froze! I tried a 4.6GHz clock with similar results, at Vcore of 1.275v. Then I reverted back to stock settings and trials.

The thread below shows my struggles with the board. Post #52 shows a pic of the 4.8GHz clock.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18226900&page=2

So, at first glance it feels like it is a mem compatibility issue, but why won't the Turbo ratio clock up to x38 under load now? I may be clutching at straws here, but is the RAM voltage affecting the CPU's memory controller? 1.65v is supposed to be safe, it also states it in the manual!

I'm going to run the CPU faster but with the RAM on Auto, see what happens.

Feel like returning everything at the mo!!

 

[Loko]

Hi there

Try setting the RAM to 1600MHz with 9-9-9-28 timings with 1.50v just to rule it out.

We've left a system under prime tonight with memory at 1.65v, see if its still alive in the morning.

Problem is even Sandybridge certified memory is 1.65v when running 2133MHz and higher, so you'd think that 1.65v is safe considering motherboard and memory manufacturers seem to be both saying its safe. I am sure the likes of G.Skill must have tested their memory with Sandybridge to advertise it as Sandybridge suited and with a stock voltage of 1.65v.

Hey Gibbo,

Thanks for the prompt response.

Well I'm running Prime as I type this, everything on Auto except the Turbo multiplier on x42. Running 4200GHz what appers to be stable.

Perhaps it is the RAM being incompatible with the board. I'm going to do some more tests. Which RAM do you recommend Gibbo? I pressume the XMS3 stuff? You have no stock though!!

 

[Loko]

Gibbo, running at 1600MHz, 9 9 9 28 and fixed Turbo ratio at x38, seems to be running ok at the mo, will leave it running over night.

On this basis, what is the fastest memory that works?

 

[Loko]

Well you wanna see if you can get the CPU back towards at least 4.2GHz stable and then towards 4.6GHz.

Then if its stable you know its a memory compatibility issue.

The best memory in my book is memory that will run at 1600MHz with tight timings, like say 7-8-7-24 or even lower with just 1.50v.

So far C8 vengeance seems best and we've got some new lines coming in later this week.

But in regards to high frequency stuff, I'd not like to comment as the older generation I5/I7 dislike high frequency memory and maybe Sandybridge is the same. CPU's do seem to be getting more delicate to high frequency memory which makes one wonder why do memory manufacturers still make it and sell it when on the old I5/I7 it was more down to the CPU's onboard memory controller if you could run those speeds rather than the memory itself. Well maybe Sandybridge is the same, early days yet, but just a gut feeling.

Ok Gibbo, I'll leave the RAM as is and then start bumping the CPU up to 4.6GHz. Thanks for the help.

We'll have to wait and see how things develop from the RAM perspective.

 

[Loko]

I don't seem to have QPI VTT voltage in the Asus P67 Pro BIOS?

 

[Loko]

Just to point out that the Patriot 2250 Ram you have together with the Patriot 2400 ram I have is on the Asus compatibility list for the P8P67 Pro (In the manual that came with my board). It even shows that it should be at 1.66v.

I'm also wondering if the PLL voltage change in the Asus 1053 bios may be causing issues.

Gibbo, what bios are you running on the test P8P67?

I'm going to flash mine back to 1003 before I install my new chip arriving today.

Unlikely I think. This adds the option for internal PLL over voltage and is disabled by default. It's to help in extreme overclocking. In all my testing the 1053 bios has been the most stable.

 

[Loko]

Its amazing how something can be taken from a handful of failures, how many actual people here have had a CPU die, I think 1 so far, other more like teething setup issues. We've sold over 500, then plus what competitors have sold I don't think Sandybridge has any issue its mainly down to teething issues with setups, nothing more.

Were working to try and find out what can causes such issues hence the high level of interaction from OcUK staff and our own in-house testing to try and find the do's and don'ts with Sandybridge.

Fully agreed. Chinese wispers and forum'itis where people are suddenly experts on processor micro-architecture can yield a damaging image.

The initial impression from the events was that the CPU was degrading, as the crashes appeared more frequent, though this may have just been random. My concern was the multiplier not going to x38 with Turbo on under load. Perhaps the BIOS was playing safe after so many identified system crashes (overcloking failed report on POST - it think this as running forced RAM speed/timings).

Now I think it is clear that my problem certainly seems to be a memory compatibility issue / motherboard / BIOS issue. As has been stated, it's on the approved list and even states 1.66v.

At 2133MHz, standard timings and this voltage the system crashes randomly. Mostly what appears to be mundane tasks. Interestingly it can run Crysis at 4.8GHz and full memory speed for 1hr, yet jump out to desktop and crash whilst browsing the web. Madness.

Another point to note, the Asus P67 boards with EPU, when this is enabled, Windows 7 treats the PC as a laptop and will have various power management profiles. The default one is "Balanced Power" and this by default comes with go to standby after 30mins. I couldn't understand why the pc was off when I woke up in the morning after stability tests over the w/e at stock/auto settings!! It turns out that the BIOS doesn't pick up that 100% is not idle!!

Mine ran Prime overnight fine, still running now at 4.5GHz, RAM at 1600MHz 7 8 7 24. All voltages forced at stock bar Vcore at 1.26v (best guess, haven't tried lower yet). Temps stable at 58deg C.

Will check if it's still running ok when I get back from work. My CPU has been running at 4.8GHz fine for a good lenght of time during tests over the weekend in Crysis, so I think my issue is resolved.

Need an improved BIOS and tinkering with timings to get good memory bandwidth, running around 21Gb/s now. Was at 28Gb/s (if I recall right) when at 2133MHz.

Getting there. Thanks for the help all.

 

[Loko]

Reset my Asus P8P67 bios back to 1033 and tested the RAM using memtest 4.2 DOS Booted from CD.

Patriot 2400 2x2GB completed test at 2133 9,11,9,27 1T at 1.5v
OCZ 1600 low latency 2 x 2GB completed test at 1600 6,8,6,24 1T at 1.4v

For the record the OCZ's have just completed at 1866 6,8,6,24 1T at 1.575v (ah but failed 2nd pass)

Both sets of ram say 1.65v as their Standard.

Good to know. Hopefully system will still be running when I get home. If so, can conclude that CPU is ok and it is a memory compatibility issue.

Now I know we are barking up the right tree, I will focus my investigations on memtests at different speeds, timings and voltages. Certainly RAM rated speed, voltages and timings aren't liked by the machine. Though it is strange, becuase I've had it running at rated RAM settings and 4.8GHz in Crysis fine! Then Prime kills it. Slightly reduced clock tighter timings seems the way forward.

 

[Loko]

Ok boys, just got back from work, was a long day.

PC still happily running Prime at 4.5GHz, thats 16 hours, satisfies my stability quibble.

Definitely agree on Speedstep, Turbo ratio and DRAM speeds not working right! Hopefully BIOS will sort that.

 

[Loko]

Thinking of buying a Sandybridge i7 2600k with Asus P8P67 Pro or deluxe Motherboard.

Im going to leave it at stock though for the time being so would it be ok at stock/auto or should i still set the Back clock to 100 just incase, even though il be keeping it at stock?

Sure i saw on a post that memory works fine when left at stock/auto?

Thanks

Nope you need to define the values, there is a question mark over auto settings.