Faulty Memory

[brandonberg]

Hi all,

I’m having some problems with one or both of my memory DIMMs. I keep having windows and application based memory errors popping up causing unexpected BSOD and crashes respectively. I have run MemTest 86+ and results show that there are ~33280 errors after completing the whole test. My specs are below:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4Ghz - Over clocked to 3.0GHz
Asus Striker II Formula
2x2GB Corsair Dominator RAM (TWIN2X4096-8500C5D)
Windows 7 Ultimate x64 Build 7100

While my CPU has been over clocked, ratio has been set as unlinked and the memory timings/frequency and voltage has remained default. I’ve had the current over clock for the past 8 months with no error until now. I can also add that overheating isn’t a factor as my cooling is adequate. Tested with CPU at default clock speeds with same outcome. This problem has only surfaced within the last week or 2 but is repeatedly causing the same crashes since the start. it does appear to happen intermittently and doesn’t appear to be linked to any specific program or task.

Before I submit a warranty claim, I’m wondering if someone would be able to tell me whether it is most likely a faulty DIMM or more likely a software/OS error.
Any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Brandon

[MatthewG]

You have memtest errors so it points towards faulty RAM. It may be the board though, try and test with other RAM.

[chipsaway]

Agreed, try to test with other RAM to make sure its not your board.

Remind me which one that is? 680i? 780i? 790i?

It could be caused from your OC. OC'ing incorrectly can damage any components that are attached to the board.

What speeds and timings are you running on your RAM?
Try installing your RAM sticks into the other slots.

Obviously while trouble shooting, I would suggest you remove any and all OC's.

Try slowing your RAM down to 800Mhz 5-5-5-15 2T and run a few tests. Do you still get errors?
If you don't, then up the speed to 800Mhz 4-4-4-12 2T
Then up it again to something like 1066Mhz 5-5-5-15 2T

In my experience DDR2 doesn't play well on 1T timings, unless your a pro OC'er.

Also what voltage are you running on your RAM? Remember that DDR2 default is 1.8v
A lot of high speed DDR2 comes out of the box running 1.9v or even 2.0v, so make sure its not being over juiced.

Give that lot a try, and tell us how you go.

Good luck bud

[brandonberg]

I havnt got any spare DDR2 RAM floating around so i am unable to test to see if its the board specfically. FYI MB Chipset is the 780i

I reset the BIOS (removing OC) and have everything running at default (which includes 800Mhz, 5-5-5-15, 1.8V for the RAM) but still receive errors in Memtest 86+
When my OC was in place the only change i had made to the memory was bumping it to run at 1066Mhz with the same timings. 1066Mhz is supported by both the RAM and MB so i didnt beleive this would cause any problems. As mentioned above however, i reverted it to default 800Mhz when testing in case this was creating errors.

I am currently running Memtest passes on each stick indivually to try and see if its one stick in particular causing problems. Will report as soon as completed.

Brandon

[brandonberg]

Ive ran Memtest 86+ individually on each stick. One DIMM had 0 errors on the first pass. Second DIMM has errors all over the place. Im writing this while the test is still going on other PC. Pass at 8% shy owing 12544 errors and increasing. This leads me to beleive that is my second DIMM that is definately fauly. I used the same slot on my MB (first slot) to test both DIMMs.

Does this prove its my second DIMM which is fauly given my first passed with 0 errors? Or could their be another explanation? Note that during individual testing all settings were defaults.

Brandon