Why do I get random crashes during video rendering, unless I down-clock my 1600 MHz RAM to 800 MHz?

The Tiger · Jul 6, 2014

I'm trying to render simple 720p videos with minimal filters, in my desktop computer:

Specs: (i5 3570, B75 mainboard, GTX-650Ti with updated drivers, 550W Antec PSU and Corsair Vengeance 1600MHz RAM - 2x4GB in dual channel mode).

I've tried many softwares like Sony Vegas, Adobe Premiere, After-Effects, Corel Video Studio; everywhere the problem is the same: The application either hangs or crashes randomly during renders, and the rendering never reaches 100%. Even if I split the project to small parts, it crashes randomly. (Only the app crashes, not the entire OS).

But the same thing renders fine in my laptop (Core i7, 8GB 1600 MHz RAM, GT 630).

I have tried a fresh reinstall of the OS (Windows 8), tried installing Windows 7, tried using a single memory stick, tried increasing the default RAM voltage from 1.524 to 1.560, but to no avail.

Today, I downclocked the RAMs from 1600 MHz to 1333 MHz to 1066 MHz to 800 MHz, and voila! The rendering was fully stable at 800 MHz (1.524 Volts), but not the other frequencies.

Memtest returns no error in either and both RAMs.

But this is not what I want - running a DDR3 RAM at DDR2 speeds! Why is this happening? What is the permanent solution? Could you please help me?

[The Corsair Vengeance RAMs are rated at 1600 MHz, 1.524 Volts, 9-9-9-24.]

Thank you very much.

Tradesman1 · Jul 6, 2014

Try with the DRAM at 1600, 1.55 and look for the VCCSA or System Agent Voltage and set it to 1.1

The Tiger · Jul 7, 2014

Thank you very much for the answer, Tradesman. But I can't find the VCCSA/System Agent voltage anywhere in the BIOS of my Gigabyte GA-P75-D3 mainboard.

The Tiger · Jul 10, 2014

Maybe it's not adjustable for a B75 Chipset?

Tradesman1 · Jul 10, 2014

Should be in the advanced voltages section I believe

Rexer · Jul 16, 2014

A friend and I found the problem in his crashing computer a while ago. We searched his hardware several times when it crashed one last time. The problem turned out to be his PSU. Even though it listed at 550 watts, he had only 23 amps. For the video card he was using (Radeon HD7850) he needed at least 32 amps (It's a curiosity most common talk about power is in watts and volts). He mentioned a his fan was always ramping but became quiet the last few months (on it's way out) so it was hard to tell until the lite went out. We pulled the power supply and read the label on the back. 23 amps. But physical crashing could be all sorts of problems. Capacitors that are slowly going bad are hard to detect. You may need a hardware test at the local computer shop. Do you have a UPS unit? Brownouts and power surges are notorious cripplers of electronics. Both can make your electronics weak, hard to detect a fault. Have you updated your chipset and bios?

toyftw · Jul 16, 2014

Rexer :

A friend and I found the problem in his crashing computer a while ago. We searched his hardware several times when it crashed one last time. The problem turned out to be his PSU. Even though it listed at 550 watts, he had only 23 amps. For the video card he was using (Radeon HD7850) he needed at least 32 amps (It's a curiosity most common talk about power is in watts and volts). He mentioned a his fan was always ramping but became quiet the last few months (on it's way out) so it was hard to tell until the lite went out. We pulled the power supply and read the label on the back. 23 amps. But physical crashing could be all sorts of problems. Capacitors that are slowly going bad are hard to detect. You may need a hardware test at the local computer shop. Do you have a UPS unit? Brownouts and power surges are notorious cripplers of electronics. Both can make your electronics weak, hard to detect a fault. Have you updated your chipset and bios?

A system with one 7850 needs 21 +12v amps

Tradesman1 · Jul 16, 2014

Yep, a 500 with 21 AMPs on the 12 volt rail

Rexer · Jul 20, 2014

You guys are right. I checked and I stand corrected. Thanks.

The Tiger · Aug 12, 2014

Sorry for the late response.

Thank you very much for your replies.

I tried everything, but couldn't solve it. And there's no option to adjust memory controller voltage in the advanced settings; only memory voltage. Guess it's not adjustable for the chipset.

Rexer: Thank you for your reply. Yes, I have a UPS. Meanwhile, I also checked with a 650W PSU. Same problem.

Thanks again, everyone, for your time and help.

Rexer · Aug 16, 2014

UPS means clean power, PSU is ruled out, Ram, updated all the drivers, fresh install of Windows (was a success? So were other programs?), adjusted memory voltages, cpu isn't letting Windows go to a dead black screen, you didn't mention any DirectX error windows so I assume it's fine. Hmm. Did you see a blue screen error (BSOD)?
A stress test of the video card would be helpful. Is there another desktop computer available (or a friend such as a neighborhood PCgamer)? On board video ram sometimes flinches and does artifacting (looks like a disjointed mosaic picture) when it can't resolve or is going bad.
If you were overclocking the video card, crashing the video card comes randomly but you don't seem to be a gamer and it's usually their territory. I don't think it's your CPU because you only seem to be crashing off video apps but I'm not ruling it out. If your video card and ram are good, it just may be your CPU.
Do you know how to get into the event viewer in computer management? There may be an error code relating to the problem.

The Tiger · Aug 21, 2014

Rexer :

Thank you very much for your answer. Yesterday the mainboard has started failing with power error beeps. I guess that points out that the mainboard was weak, and led to the crashes.

Thank you very much, everyone, for your overwhelming support. You people are really wonderful indeed!

Rexer · Aug 25, 2014

It was the board. Well, no points for me (lol) but I'm glad you managed to see a physical problem. Happy trails, Tiger.

Tradesman1 · Aug 25, 2014

Let us know how the replacement mobo does

The Tiger · Aug 28, 2014

Thank you! The board is in the service center. Once I get it back, I'll let you know.

Rexer: See who got one point!

Rexer · Sep 1, 2014

Going to a lowly in-town pub. In Bellingham, WA, they have tier 1 brews. You guys should get yourselves one, too. You deserve it.

The Tiger · Sep 1, 2014

Surely! I'm craving for one!

Why do I get random crashes during video rendering, unless I down-clock my 1600 MHz RAM to 800 MHz?

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