Stability issues using 1600 memory, fine with 1333

[samtheeagle]

Stability issues using 1600 memory, fine with 1333

Hi, I have a very strange problem that I am trying to get to the bottom of, but so far without much luck. I recently upgraded my computer with the following:

Gigabyte Z68AP-D3 Rev 2.0
i5 2500K
Crucial Ballistix DDR3 1600 8GB (2x4GB)

I was plagued with problems. A fresh install of Windows8 crashing left right and centre, due to a variety of BSODs. To rule out the issue being Windows8 I did a fresh install of Windows7, and had the same issues. After a load of trial and error I thought that I had found the cause of my issues, a duff memory module! If I tested them one at a time one stick was solid as a rock, and the other gave me BSOD all the time. Both were tested in the same memory slot.

So I RMA'd the memory for a refund, and ordered myself some more replacement stuff. This time I went for some Corsair XMS3. Unfortunately in my hurry to get the replacement memory I messed up and got some 1333mhz stuff :/ I dropped it in the machine anyway, and ran memtest and then prime95 to stress things out, and everything seemed good. But my bro-in-law said that I should really get the 1600mhz stuff if I'm planning on overclocking the 2500K at some point in the future. This is definitely on my todo list, so I figured 3rd time lucky, I'll order some more memory, this time Corsair Vengence 1600, and then return the stuff bought in error.

This morning the Vengence memory arrived and I plug it in. From the first attempt to power on I knew things weren't right. The machine reset itself a couple of times before even attempting to POST. I couldn't believe it, surely I haven't got two lots of duff memory?! So I started doing the tests again. One stick works fine and the system is solid, and the other causes rapid BSODs. I've tried sticks together, on their own, in the same slots, in different slots... You name it.

It just seems too weird for this to be massive bad luck on my part. Can anyone offer some advice as to why my system doesn't seem to like 1600 memory? The board supports it according to the specs. And I've tried a couple of different brands. I think the fact that the 1333mhz stuff runs perfectly proves that the memory slots / controller are functioning properly. I've even managed to run both 1600 chips through a full memtest pass without a single issue being reported. But as soon as I try to boot into windows everything falls apart

I have updated to the latest Ua5 bios, and I still experience the same crash happiness whenever I plug in the 1600 memory

All these memory modules are 1.5V, I'm not doing any overclocking at all, the bios is pretty much set to the defaults of AUTO for everything.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[samtheeagle]

I've upgraded to the latest available bios. My gut feeling was that it's a faulty stick, but for me to get two faulty sticks in a row seemed like long odds, so I wondered if there could be something else going on here?

I'll try explicitly setting the timings later on to see if that helps or not. They're 9-9-9-24 which I think is what the AUTO setting is applying...

One other quick question: The memory is 1600mhz, but atm with a NON OC'd CPU that's running at 1333mhz. So the 1600 chips clock themselves down to match the CPU. Is it wrong for the CPU and the DRAM frequencies to be set differently? It appears that I can override the DRAM speed to force it to run at 1600, but is that bad if the CPU is only at 1333???

 

[samtheeagle]

Sorry about my lack of replies, I've been rather busy becoming a father!

But back on topic... I've memtested each stick individually, both passed ok, albeit not the longest test runs. But as soon as I try to load the OS it dies. Hard. Every single time. A selection of different BSODs I've tried setting the XMP profile, no dice. I've tried setting the values manually, although the auto ones were exactly the same, and no difference.

I'm arranging with a colleague to try the memory out in his system, so that might tell me something i.e. it is the memory or it's some other part of my machine. It's all I can think of...

 

[samtheeagle]

Ok, so I've tried it in another machine now, and it ran fine My colleague is going to keep using it for a while to make sure, but seeing as how it flaked out instantly for me, I reckon it's down to the mobo and or cpu :'(

To be honest, I'm happy sticking with 1333mhz because it's working perfectly atm. But I am now concerned that there's some kind of problem with one of the other major components. I really don't want to have to RMA the mobo or cpu, as I'd be computerless for way longer than I can manage :O

Can anyone think of anything at all as to why this machine is running solid as a rock with 1333 speed memory, but flakey as puff pastry with 1600???

Cheers.

 

[samtheeagle]

The plot thickens. My colleague reported he had a windows crash last night. Just the one so far, so nothing like as unstable as when it's in my machine, but it does possibly, maybe suggest some issue with the ram. His machine is normally very stable.

I'm going to RMA this lot, and maybe at some later point try ordering ANOTHER set of sticks to see how they work, or don't :S From a different retailer tho! I'll be getting a black mark against my name with all these returns