BSOD with 8GB RAM

[raavi]

I recently assembled a machine for my work and the detail are as follows.

1. Asus Maximus Formula X38 - motherboard
2. Intel Q6600 quad-core - CPU
3. Arctic freezer pro 64 - CPU Cooler
4. 8GB(PC2-6400) - RAM from OCZ
5. 600W Coba Nitrox - Powersupply. (I have the identical one at home which work fine)
6. 1 TB Hard drive
7. MSI-8800GT - Graphic Card

I did not change any BIOS settings, except the BOOT order.

The installation of OS and drivers all went fine.

After that I installed SpeedFan to check temps and so on...and on executing the speed fan I get BSOD. So, I un-installed speedfan and reboot the machine and it all booted well...no problems...after that I try to execute VMWare server, BSOD again.

What could be the reason?

 

[evongugg]

Did you set the correct memory voltage?
Do a test with memtest86+.

 

[evongugg]

Update to this bios also or the latest (1207):

Maximus Formula 1201 Bios
Improve Memory compatibility

 

[raavi]

I use Prime95 to test the memory. Do we have any other tool to test the same?

Also, I did not touch the BIOS settings except, changing the BOOT order and the BIOS version is 1207, 23/07/2008.

 

[juvealert]

I use Prime95 to test the memory. Do we have any other tool to test the same?

Also, I did not touch the BIOS settings except, changing the BOOT order and the BIOS version is 1207, 23/07/2008.

yes theres Memtest



http://www.memtest.org/

 

[Shadow703793]

You need to increase RAM voltage.

Also if you are willing to spend a little more money get a better PSU. I recommend Corsair or PC Power & Cooling.

 

[raavi]

What is the optimum RAM voltage? Do you think, the power supply causing the instabilities?

 

[roadrunner197069]

+1 for more ram voltage.

 

[raavi]

Okay. I like to clarify one more thing. There is 12V supply for CPU, with 8-pin socket. I only inserted to 4-pin. Is it okay...or do I need to insert to other 4-pin too..

 

[HPCE_Larry]

Why didn't you plug in the other 4 pin?

 

[roadrunner197069]

If you got the other 4 use it. If not dont sweat it.

Bump the dam ram voltage already.

 

[Scotteq]

Insert the other as well, please.

 

[raavi]

memtest is running now. May take some more time, before I tweak RAM voltages. But, I have no idea how much should I go for...I am very much newbie into this area...

 

[raavi]

seems that memtest will take another year to test 8 GB RAM...

 

[roadrunner197069]

Well id say go atleast 2.0-21. and see if it bluescreens.

If the ram is 2.1 stock try 2.3.

I know Asus boards are famous for not likeing ram with high voltage.

A buddy of mine had issues yesterday on a Asus board he was tryin to run 2.2-2.3 volts and it would crash constantly and memtest spit out errors.

I got him to bring the voltage and speed down from 2.2 and 1200 to 1.9 and 900 and he actually went from 4.0 on his e8400 to 4.5 stable, just by bringing down the ram volts and speed.

 

[raavi]

VCORE - 1.288V
CPU PLL Voltage - 1.616V
NB Voltage - 1.360V
DRAM - 1.984V
FSB Termination - 1.248V
SB - 1.072V
DDR2 controller REF voltage - 0.992V
SB 1.5V - 1.552V
3.3V - 3.248V
5V - 4.992V
12V - 11.984V

There are the info I read from BIOS.

 

[billin30]

Yer PSU might not be that great...try the other things first obviously before changing components. Otherwise get a quality PSU (Corsair, PCP&C, OCZ Elite).

 

[raavi]

Well in Germany, it is one of the best selling parts. I have the identical one at home, which underwent many torture test and runs stable. But, thankyou very much for the comment.

Problem, is I have four RAM strips with 2GB each and I suspect 1.984V is not enough for that. I am planning to increase to 2.1V and see what happens. Interestingly, when I remove one strip the above symptoms are not seen.

Meantime, I am running memtest and after completion I will increase the DRAM voltage....

 

[raavi]

Will it be okay to increase DRAM voltage alone or do I need any other tweaking for better co-operation. Since, I have no plans to overclock in the near future and only looking for a rock stable system.

 

[roadrunner197069]

Set your Dram to 2.1 and it should be fixed. 1.9xx aint enough for 8gigs.

 

[raavi]

That comment has read my mind, will do it now.

 

[raavi]

Do we need any other tweaks apart changing DRAM voltage for better co-operation. As I said before I have no plans for overclocking...just want a stable system to run...

 

[shortstuff_mt]

If just raising the RAM voltage to 2.1v does not work, you may need to up the NB voltage a notch since you're using 4 dimms. What is the manufacturer recommended voltage for your ram? I know a lot of OCZ ram needs more than average voltage to work correctly.

 

[Scotteq]

You're manually setting voltage - Manually set your timings as well. And also, ensure tRFC ("Refresh to Activate Delay") is set to 54 or greater.

Doing this should get you running just fine. If not, then the next step is to bump the voltage to your Front Side Buss a LITTLE BIT - 1 or two notches. If you need more, then go back and check the other settings.

4/8GB infor from OCZ: http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36964

 

[raavi]

What timings will be appropriate for DRAM frequency 800MHz?