Unstable System

Ironic

Ironic

Ironic

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Joined
18 Dec 2007
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13
Not sure if this is the right section, it concerns multiple components so seemed the most logical, but here goes.

I've spent quite a lot of time on the phone trying to sort out my new system. I recently bought a bundle off OcUK, so it's 'guarenteed compatability'. On install i kept getting random crashes and Blue Screens. Also, it would only boot with one memory dimm in. After speaking to their tech support, i raised the voltage by 0.4v (Board base voltage being 1.8, so this brought it up to 2.2v).

However, i still kept getting problems. I set all the timings as per the stickers (5-5-5-12) and still getting errors. At this point i ran Memtest86 v3.2, on single dimms, i get NO errors at all, in any combination. However, as soon as i put in 2 dimms, i start to get the errors. Any combination, dual channel or side-by-side, i always get errors. One combintion provided about 97000 errors.

I think it's something to do with the voltage. Although it's technially running at 2.2v, the bios status only shows around 1.9, so i overvoltaged it to +0.7v (the status said it's running at a shade over 2.1v now) and ran memtest (while posting this) .. it passes Test 5 which is where it has failed previously. Does this mean that it should be stable now but the fact in theory I'm providing nearlly 2.5v - should i be worried?

I'm using the latest firmware update for the bios. I'm unsure if now it should be stable, or if my motherboard could be faulty. I'm currently overvolting by the maximum allowable amount in my bios, which passes memtest but crashes after a time in vista.

After further play, i've found out the voltage monitor in the bios seems to be very eratic, if you set it to +0.2v it drops to around 1.83 .. yet at any other setting under 1.5 it stays at 1.936v .. (even at normal/auto). I'm starting to suspect the motherboard, but has anyone ever had similar problems?

Thanks

Ironic


Memory:-OCZ2N1066SR2GK
Module size and kit size:-1x2gb
CPU model and rated speed:-Q6600 G0 @ 2.4Ghz
Motherboard and revision:-GA-P35C-DS3R Rev 2.0
Motherboard Bios rev:-F8
Video card:-XFX Geforce 6800 XT 256mb
Power supply:-550W
Operating System:-Vista Ultimate x86
CPU and System Cooling:-Intel Core 2 Quad
CPU and System temps:-CPU 20, Sys 27
Purchased at/on:-OcUK 17/12/2007
Memory voltage:-2.2v (+0.4 overvoltage)
 
Sounds like the PSU, it would be worth getting a new one anyway, so it doesn't risk all that nice kit. A bad PSU can take perfectly good components with it when it breaks.

Oh, and welcome to the forums :)
 
Thanks :)

So could the PSU be giving the random readings on the bios health status thingy?

Also .. are these boards any good? Cos i'm very tempted to RMA it and get one that doesn't give me such a headache.

:)
 
Normally pretty good, they are one of the best selling. That doesn't mean they are infallible.

A dodgy PSU could be doing all kind of stuff, with what's happening to your voltages it leads me to think it is the PSU. Either that or the motherboard.

I would buy a new PSU anyway, then if you still have the problems then RMA the motherboard.
 
Thanks for the reply.

I might look at buying a new PSU, but what would you recommend? Bearing in mind my budget's pretty small and i'll need a 550w+ PSU really.

This is all really annoying as it's right before xmas and i've got a lot of work to be getting on with lol.
 
Thanks, i'll give it a look. Might have a look locally too, means i can source an RMA before xmas if i need too.

On another note, with memtest, if both dimms pass on their own, but fail when paired .. does that mean the ram should be ok? Which means i should only really need to concentrate on the motherboard or PSU?
 
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I think that is the issue, but whats causing the drain in power is what i'm unsure of, i have to heavily overvolt the board to get the voltage i need to run the dimms correctly. Could either be the PSU or the board .. i think i'll try your suggestion for the PSU, then if to no avail, i'll RMA the board .. swap it for a different one or just a replacement?
 
On another note, with memtest, if both dimms pass on their own, but fail when paired .. does that mean the ram should be ok?
Click to expand...
Have you tested both memory slots individually ? May be a broken memory slot.

Also, if that PSU is the one im looking at( here and here )then it dosn't sound all that bad anyway ?
 
DavidB said:
Have you tested both memory slots individually ? May be a broken memory slot.

Also, if that PSU is the one im looking at( here and here )then it dosn't sound all that bad anyway ?
Click to expand...

Thats just it, it works fine with single dimms in all slots, i tried a few random ones and all was ok .. put in 2 dimms and it throws a fit. So that confused me, and all the guys at OcUK.

The power supply i have is the HEC-550TD-PTE which is this one. I'm not sure what to do at the moment .... i need to send off whatever is wrong before xmas, but i don't wanna send away the wrong components. I'm slowly leaning towards a dodgey motherboard.
 
Just for reference, got the system working now. I downgraded the bios to F2 and then set some settings recommended by OCZ. Hopefully it should be stable now - might go for a 3GHz O/C :D
 
yeah pretty much, and setting the correct timings (which i got from OCZ). Would seem the f8 bios revision is pretty useless, f2 seems to be the most useful for my combination.
 
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