OCZ Reaper HPC won't run at advertised speed (CRC errors)

Rainmaker

Rainmaker

Rainmaker

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Hi guys,

I bought this RAM about 18 months ago from OcUK. It's this kit. I have:

Biostar TPower I45 mobo (P45), E8600 CPU, 2x 2GB OCZ Reaper HPC edition PC8500C5 1066MHz RAM, XFX GeForce 8600GT, 500GB Seagate Barracuda 32MB hdd.

Although I messed around trying to oc my new self-built rig, it always fell over even on moderate settings. I gave up in the end and ran it at stock. Recently however I noticed that the BIOS (set to 'auto' for everything) was running the RAM at 800MHz (400MHz DDR), so I went into the BIOS and set the RAM manually to 1066MHz, the volts to 2.18 (as per the sticker) and left everything else alone.

The PC boots fine, and I'd never given it a thought. HOWEVER, if I download something from Usenet, often I get "could not repair/extract" errors. QuickPar can't fix it either, despite having enough repair blocks. It tells me the memory is probably bad:
ram-checksum-failure.png


When I download an Ubuntu (or Fedora etc) live CD to my hdd, the SHA and MD5 for the image I downloaded match the published figure perfectly. But when I then try to burn the ISO to CD or to USB the resulting image fails SHA and MD5 tests. I did the USB test to rule out a faulty DVD-RW drive. Somewhere between a perfect ISO on my hdd, and burning to CD or USB, the file always corrupts without fail.

Now firmly suspecting the memory, I did a Windows Memory Diagnostic which confirmed hardware errors. Memtest also failed after a few minutes. I removed one stick of RAM, rebooted and tested again; which failed. I swapped it for the other stick (in a different slot just in case) and again it failed.
ram-win7-report.png


Remembering that the mobo had set it to 800MHz instead of 1066MHz when on 'auto' settings (it's definitely rated 1066MHz on the sticker), I went into the BIOS with both sticks installed again, set them to 800MHz (400MHz DDR) and rebooted... No errors, memtest passes, Win Mem Diag passes. All is fine again. EDIT: It fails on these settings now, too.
ram-cpuz.png


Please help. :(
 
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Thanks Guest2, I'll try that... but bear in mind so far 100% of MD5 matching ISOs I try to burn to optical media, or USB stick, end up corrupted. Windows Memory Diagnostic is also saying damaged memory, so it's not just memtest. I tried switching channels (moving them from slots 1 and 3 to 2 and 4) but that didn't help. Looks like I'm RMAing them. :(
 
WTF? I managed to burn the ISO properly, and ran it. It failed fairly quickly, BUT... Am I correct in reading the following to say that I have my RAM set to 1066Mhz (top), but the RAM info is hardcoded to say it is DDR400 (800MHz)??

That would explain why the mobo detects and runs it at 800MHz on auto, and why it's crashing out at 1066MHz - because it's running WAY over spec? I've effectively burnt out my memory by running it way over rated speed... but yet the sticker and packaging both say it's 1066MHz. In fact, I returned an earlier set of 800MHz to OcUK when I decided to pay the extra for 1066MHz, which they duly sent me. I've double checked the RAM and it definitely says 1066MHz. Am I reading this wrong, or is my RAM mislabelled? :o

ram-memtest.jpg
 
what does the spd say ? my reaper x is supposed to run 5-4-4-15 but it won't do that best I got from it is 5-5-5-18
 
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C64 said:
what does the spd say ? my reaper x is supposed to run 5-4-4-15 but it won't do that best I got from it is 5-5-5-18
Click to expand...

Sorry, what's the "SPD"? Is the information you're asking about not in the memtest shot in the post above yours? The sticker on the RAM says 2.2v 5,5,5,15 if that's any help?

I've ordered a plain "value" DDR2 800MHz stick to test out tomorrow, so that I can confirm 100% it's a RAM issue not a mobo or other issue. At least that way if/when it turns out to be the RAM, I can use my PC while they're away on RMA. :)

Here is the OCZ page with specs if that's any use to you?

EDIT: Bear in mind I've had this RAM for almost 18 months and only this week have the constant "checksum error/faulty memory" messages started appearing in QuickPar, WinRAR etc. That seems to indicate a fault rather than a settings issue, as otherwise this would have been happening for the last 18 months?
 
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SPD tab on cpu-z

EPP 5-5-5-18 it says on the spec page not 15
 
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The memtest screenshot above certainly suggests that your running 1066mhz reaper, ive owned both the 800mhz and 1066mhz reaper kits in the past, part no's can be seen on theese screenshots.

800mhz pc6400, part no oczrpr800c42g
hwmon.jpg


On the above screen, my timings were loosened to 5-5-5-18

1066mhz pc8500, part no oczrpr10662g
untitled-4.jpg


Ran the 1066mhz kit at 5-5-5-15, both sets were ran in a p5q deluxe motherboard at 2.02 vdimm (p5q's reputedly overvolt ram by +0.08v, so it was set at 2.1v actual).
 
C64, the SPD is auto-detected by the mobo as being 5,5,5,15 and I'm sure that's what the specs said at the time. I can't be 100% though to be fair, as I just removed the RAM and the sticker only says CAS 5,5,5 it doesn't have a fourth digit at all. :o

At any rate I just changed the BIOS settings to:

1066MHz, timings 5,5,5,18 with 2.18v (Biostars don't have absolute settings, only +0.5, +1 etc for voltages).

They still fail memtest and Windows Memory Diagnostic almost instantly. I'm guessing this confirms them as faulty? I'll get this new generic stick tomorrow and make sure that runs without errors to be safe before I RMA the set though.
 
Yea faulty was just asking because the page says 5-5-5-18 mine wont do advertised specs either but cant afford to rma them at the mo what with ddr2 being so expensive.RMA time.
 
C64 said:
Yea faulty was just asking because the page says 5-5-5-18 mine wont do advertised specs either but cant afford to rma them at the mo what with ddr2 being so expensive.RMA time.
Click to expand...

Thanks again C64, you've set my mind at rest. I'll RMA them tomorrow.

FWIW I got this generic stick of 1GB DDR2 RAM from a respected competitor for under £15 including insurance. OcUK were out of stock, and this competitor is close enough for me to collect in person so I went with that. The point I'm making is it's not that dear if you shop around really, especially since the 'new' RAM only needs to last as long as your real set is away on RMA.

My email is in trust if you'd like to take this generic stick off me once my RMA is complete. You'd only need to supply postal cost and the stick's yours? Then you can RMA your RAM without hassle. :)

EDIT: BTW, thanks very much setter - my CPUZ SPD tab is identical to that of your 1066MHz screenie.
 
Thanks for the offer but these are rock solid @ 5-5-5-18 but wont do what the spd says which is 5-4-4-15.
So am sticking with until ddr2 prices drops again if ever.
 
C64 said:
Thanks for the offer but these are rock solid @ 5-5-5-18 but wont do what the spd says which is 5-4-4-15.
So am sticking with until ddr2 prices drops again if ever.
Click to expand...

Sorry I misunderstood. I thought you had a dodgy set away someplace you didn't want to RMA because you couldn't afford to buy a replacement to keep your PC online in the meantime. :D Thanks again for the advice; OcUK is handling the RMA so it should be plain sailing... *touches wood*
 
Quick update, and more confusion... I got the brand new stick of DDR2 PC6400 and installed it. Restored the BIOS defaults, then set the ram to AUTO and booted. Memtest fails badly (worse than my Reapers!) within seconds. I reboot, change the settings to 1.8v and 5,5,5,20 as there are NO ratings on the RAM itself or the packaging. Windows bluescreened on boot, memtest fails.

Basically new RAM won't work. I'm guessing my RAM is actually probably OK, and my mobo is screwed? That or I'm super unlucky and the brand new RAM is also uber faulty. I wish I had a spare DDR2 capable machine to test on lol

I'm guessing this has to be the mobo and not the RAM after all though, right? :(
 
where did you buy the ram ? there must be specs of it somewhere try 2 volts and 6-6-6-18 400mhz but yea does sound like the board but i have never heard of 1gb stick of pc6400 ram being 5-5-5-20 it's normally 4-4-4-12 or 4-4-4-15.

Have you got access to another power supply you could test on your rig ?
Could also try upping the northbridge voltage to say 1.29 volts default is 1.25 volts could be that your memory controller has just aged a bit and needs more voltage.After 2 years my abit ip 35 pro will no longer boot with 4 sticks but is fine with 2 so it can wear and tear I guess.

Luckily you could easily replace that board with an asus p5q pro or similar for around £50 second hand or even a p35 board for £30 ish.
 
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Hi again C64; the stick was from a competitor (simply because it was a case of turn up and buy it rather than wait). It's listed simply as CAS5, and that's all the sticker says too - no further timings or voltages available. I've tried it on 5,5,5,15 and as slack as 6,6,6,20 to try to get it running, on 1.8 and then 2.1v. No luck.

I haven't got a spare PSU unfortunately, but will try the nb volts increase tonight. As you say a new mobo isn't the end of the world. I'm thinking Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3LR.
 
OK so I ended up buying a brand new mobo (Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3LR) from OcUK. It arrived today so I stripped down my rig, installed the new mobo and then seated the OCZ RAM. I fired her up, set the BIOS to 5,5,5,18 at 2.2v and it fails the tests as usual.

I rebooted with the "new" stick (1GB DDR2 800MHz cheap-o stick) and set that to auto (no timings or volts on the sticker except 'CAS5' remember). Fails tests also. Rebooted, set it to 5,5,5,18 and then 6,6,6,18 at 1.8v and again it fails. Tried at 2v and it won't even boot (blue screen). ARGH.

I've just spent £85 inc and still not got a properly working rig. So either I have faulty OCZ sticks AND a faulty new stick (worst luck ever?), or else my PSU is borked but only the RAM is getting affected? :(
 
Rainmaker said:
OK so I ended up buying a brand new mobo (Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3LR) from OcUK. It arrived today so I stripped down my rig, installed the new mobo and then seated the OCZ RAM. I fired her up, set the BIOS to 5,5,5,18 at 2.2v and it fails the tests as usual.
Click to expand...

Silly question but must ask, you did reinstall Windows after the board swap?

EDIT: If refering to bootable memtest please ignore me
 
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