Memory throwing Memtest86 into a continuous boot cycle w/4 gigs

[badaxe2]

Specs:
Intel D975XBX2 (Badaxe2) i975x
E6600
ATI HD 3870 512MB
500 watt Aerocool PSU 37 amps on +12v rails

I recently oc'd my cpu 25% to 2.997 ghz but Kingston valueram wasn't able to follow suit so I uc'd it. Wanting to oc my ram too I bought 4 gigs of this memory-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146673

I was able to get the above oc of 25% along with the memory, with 4 gigs installed, but my browsers would randomly crash, even Chrome. So I checked out what was going on with memtest86 v. 3.5 and with 4 gigs installed this is the last thing it shows before rebooting my PC-

I checked all 4 sticks running only 2 gigs at a time and there is no problem. I know it's not the 2nd pair of DIMMs either because I was using all 4 slots running 3 gigs of valueram and it passed memtest completely.

I thought maybe it had something to do with my OS being only 32 bit but that wouldn't matter if BIOS recognizes the 4 gigs, correct?

Another thing, when trying to oc and failing to post, it changes the memory timings I'm using which are recommended by the manufacturer (4-5-4-11) @ 2.12 volts to default (5-5-5-18) @ 1.82 volts. It boots fine without an overclock though. With 2 gigs I can't get it to boot using the oc I originally had with 4 gigs. I tried all the same settings, and also increased the voltages individually as well as simultaneously, disabled Watchdog, C1E, EIST and it still won't post so I'm running stock now.

If anyone has an idea of what's going on with the failed memtest with 4 gigs and/or suggested settings to use for the above overclock to work it'd be much appreciated!

 

[GhislainG]

It probably would have been easier if you bought two 2 GB modules with 4-4-4-12 timings at 1.8-1.9V. Do all 4 run at 5-5-5-18 and 2.0V?

 

[badaxe2]

I think it 5-5-5-18 @ 1.84 volts, and as far as I know all 4 are defaulted to that after a memtest fail/reboot. But it doesn't pass it after it sets them to those values either, just does the same thing, OC or not.

 

[GhislainG]

If they are on the QVL, then RMA them as they should work properly. If they aren't on the QVL, then you should buy modules certified to work either by Intel or by the vendor. Also check how many modules are supported; some modules might be certified if you install only one or two.

 

[MushkinSean]

badaxe2,

First thing I would do is use MemTest 2.11, it's more up to date and is the preferred MemTest
http://www.memtest.org/

Have you tried more Front Side Bus and MCH voltage?

Have you lowered to memory divider to 667?

 

[badaxe2]

I tried various voltages for everything that allowed to be changed. I also tried that in combination with underclocking the RAM and was still unable to boot to Windows. With my old valueram I could underclock it while doing a cpu overclock and have it running well.

I'll check the qvl though, never thought of that.

 

[GhislainG]

I never had RAM issues with Intel motherboards, but knowing how picky they can be with memory, I always buy modules on the QVL.

 

[badaxe2]

I never had RAM issues with Intel motherboards, but knowing how picky they can be with memory, I always buy modules on the QVL.

If the QVL is this-
http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/d975xbx2/sb/CS-026616.htm#tested

that list is extremely limited. There were only perhaps 4 models of memory out of about 5 dozen that were available at newegg, and none of them were even performance-based RAM. Only Kingston and Crucial value RAM.

If there is another list, what is the easiest way to find it? I tried google and only mention of it is limited to random tech forum posts.

 

[GhislainG]

You don't have to buy a kit on the QVL, but memory modules that require so much voltage shouldn't be expected to work properly on an Intel motherboard. The QVL only lists modules that work at 1.8V. Newegg have the following modules that might work:

Kingston ValueRAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134117

A-DATA ADQVE1A16K http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211066

Mushkin 996529 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146599

WINTEC AMPX http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161030

Or any other quality kit that requires 1.8V.

 

[badaxe2]

You don't have to buy a kit on the QVL, but memory modules that require so much voltage shouldn't be expected to work properly on an Intel motherboard. The QVL only lists modules that work at 1.8V. Newegg have the following modules that might work:

Kingston ValueRAM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134117

A-DATA ADQVE1A16K http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211066

Mushkin 996529 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146599

WINTEC AMPX http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161030

Or any other quality kit that requires 1.8V.

I've read Intel boards are sensitive, but didn't know that much about voltage. Thanks for the help.