Is my memory at fault?

Korsun

Korsun

Korsun

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Joined
30 Aug 2009
Posts
289
Location
Redditch , Worcestershire
Hi all

Hope yo can help me with a problem. My machine was happily playing BF3 until 2 nights ago without crashing. Now I get various lock ups and screen coruptions. I have run Prime 95 for 12 hours with no errors. My cpu is clocked from 3.5 to 4.4 and has run perfectly for 2 months. After it locked up tonight, I quickly loaded and ran Memtest 86+. After 5 mins this was displayed on screen.

http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc333/splishy1968/IMG-20120717-00736.jpg

Is this image proving that my memory is faulty?
 
What exactly is your RAM. Thats not exactly a mem test error but its massive corruption for sure.

I would make sure the CPU is at stock and run mem test two full passes again and see what that throws up.

What exactly is your RAM and the timings volts etc that your using. Including IMC volts often called VTT on ASUS its VCCIO not sure about ASrock.

Running things like prime 95 for hours shows 1 thing your PC can run Prime 95 for hours not that the system is stable. A truly stable system can only be established by using it as you normally would. These days I stress test for about an hour tops in windows, Prime 20 mins, IBT 1 pass, AIDA system 20 mins and then unigen let it run for 20 mins. Then I just use my pc and adjust settings according to any errors or problems this throws up.
 
Try using lower frequency and timings for ram. If it works it's likely your ram can't run at it's rated spec and you can RMA in most cases.
 
Hi Brian, I haven't touched the ram timings since I first installed the ram 2 months ago. The settings have all been left on auto. I don't fully understand why they should need changing now after this time? :confused:
 
Well, you can't really fault the ram until you actually configure your system to run them as the manufacturer says they are meant to be used. Could be that your motherboard is using the wrong timings, though it's unlikely I think it's worth checking. It at least rules it out.

Could just be that your ram had a life of 2 months. It happens, and is unfortunate. Hope you have luck with them.

In screenshot it's set up fine. But what I was trying to say was, see if ram works at a lower MHz and looser timings. If they do you can say to corsair/ocuk that you need to RMA for a reason.
 
Worth a go Brian. I will try the settings on the back of the packet CL9 9-9-9-24 (1333Mbps)
 
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Had any luck? I'm running mine at 8-8-8-20 (1152mhz) cuz im too lazy to tweak it. Works fine though. Not sure if my sticks even run at 1600MHz...but I don't need them to at the moment.
 
Ok this is what has happened today.....

1. put my Evga GTX470 in to system. CPU overclocked to 4.5ghz. Ran memtest86 with timings 11-11-11-28. Corrupt screen after 3 passes as before. Then changed timings to 9-9-9-24 and 3 passes of memtest86 all ok. Then ran BF3 on ultra settings for 1 hour no problems at all....

2. Put my Gigabyte GTX670 Windforce in the system replacing my Evga card. Ran memtest86 with settings 11-11-11-28 failed. Then tried BF3 on ultra settings with memory settings of 9-9-9-24 fail after 3 minutes, tried again with 7-7-7-20 failed again fter 3 mins...

So is my GTX670 card along with my memory faulty? I'm getting confused :confused:
 
You are supposed to raise the numbers, should go from CL11 to CL12 etc, you tightened them which would have course fail if it couldnt run at CL11.

It really makes no sense to me how your ram and graphics card are behaving. I am also confused now! xD Is your ram capable of running with the 470 at CL11? If not I would ask for replacement myself.
 
This should be an easy problem to sort. With 3770k you should be able to run those modules at 2133mhz+ no problem and easy at 1600mhz. In my system I can run em at 2666mhz no problem at all with both 3770K and 3570K. I only use ASUS boards though.

Lets go through some settings and see if I can help. Sadly you have no control of the third timings which aid stability but we can still sort this easy at 1600mhz.

Firstly Reset Bios and then load optimised defaults and save.

Set DDR Frequency to 1600mhz and DRAM Voltage 1.60 and VTT to 1.1. the DRAM voltage can come down but we need to make sure its not this causing you errors. Set PLL 1.70.

Right on DRAM page set
9-9-9-25 2T
TWR 16
TRFC 147
TRRD 6
TWTR 10
TRTP 10
TFAW 28
Trcl 8

Now mem test and see how this goes.

I would also see if a new bios is available for your board as this may improve stability especially with Gen 3 cards.
 
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Hi 8 Pack,

I have reset my bios via cmos switch and have loaded default UEFI settings.

I have input the figures you suggested, with 2 exceptions;

TWTR has a max of 9 on my board not 10 so i have used 9.

Don't have a Trcl function but I think tCWL is the equivalent on my board, so I set this to 8.

I have ran mentest86 for 2 passes (53mins) all ok no errors. Played BF3 on ULTRA settings (Evga GTX470) maxed out for 40 mins all ok,

Then I changed the card for my new Gigabyte GTX670 Windforce, game maxed out on ULTRA settings as above,crashes within 3 mins of me joining a multiplayer game, did this twice. I have an image of the second crash here http://i525.photobucket.com/albums/cc333/splishy1968/IMG-20120722-00748.jpg

I notice red squares within the screen shot very noticable on the players weapon and the tank. This looks like the Gigabyte cards faulty, or the 620w psu is not powering the card enough? What do you think?
 
That card does look faulty yes, definite corruption. Are you clocking the card???

With those settings the RAM should be fine. Do you have another PSU to try??? Also you could try forcing Gen 2 PCI ex in Bios if it allows as Gen 3 on these new Nvidia Cards is problematic without a Bios update.

Also when you played BF3 was the CPU overclocked or not???
 
Hi 8 Pack,

Thanks for your knowledge and quick response its greatly appreciated.

I don't have another psu to try but I can put the Gigabyte card in to my mates machine this week:)

The card itself is not clocked by myself and has been running fine for a month until now. The Evga card is not overclocked either. I have updated to the latest bios 1.90 and noticed that the cpu was on some sort of auto overclock but never went above 3.7ghz. This again was the same with either card. Have just played BF3 on the Evga card for a further 40 mins again ran sweet.

As for forcing Gen 2 PCI, I assume this is within the UEFI bios of the board,yes?
 
Yes indeed. Also are you on the latest Nvidia drivers and removing and reinstalling when you change cards???

I think you can rule out RAM to be honest now.
 
301.42 yes. To be honest I'm just taking the cards in and out, though the 301.42 drivers were installed when the Gigabyte card was in. You suggesting I use driver cleaner each time and install fresh drivers each time as well?
 
Just to give you all an update. Have uninstalled drivers and used Driver sweeper to clear completely.

Installed new drivers 301.42 with Gigabyte card and still crashes within 3 minutes.

Unistalled drivers, driver sweeper again.

Installed Evga card and new drivers 301.42.

Ran card at same settings as Gigabyte card, BF3 ran faultless for 2 hours. Then reapplied my 4.5 overclcock, ran faultless for another 2 hours.


Conclusion......Gigabyte GTX670 Windforce buggered!!!:(


i would like to thank people for taking time to help me out with this issue, especially 8 Pack :)
 
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