Having trouble with the RAM, System behaving Badly!

[Seanb2uk]

Hello guys,

I recently built a quad core gaming system for a customer.

Here are the specs:
OCZ Stealth XStream 700W PSU
Gigabyte GA-EP45T-DS3R iP45 Socket 775 8 channel audio ATX Motherboard
OCZ 2GB PC3-14400 DDR3 Platinum (2x1GB)
Sapphire HD4870 512mb PCI-E
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 SLACR, Kentsfield Core, Sok 775, 2.40GHz, 1066MHz, 8MB Cache, OEM
750 GB Samsung HD753LJ Spinpoint F1, SATA 3Gb/s, 7200 rpm, 32MB Cache, 8.9 ms, NCQ
Coolermaster CM-690 V2 Dominator Black Midi Tower Case with Mesh Top Panel w/o PSU
Akasa AK-975 Intel LGA 775, 2U shape Heatpipe cooler with Lo-noise side blow PWM fan

The CPU is having no problems overclocking, since I was able to push it from 2.40ghz to 3.3ghz, whilst keeping the ram down below 1300mhz.

The ram is PC3-14400 which is meant to run at 1800mhz and beyond.
However, I can't even post the system beyond 1400mhz. I set the voltage to 1.9V...OCZ recommends a maximum of 2.0v, but thats for overclocking! I can't even get anywhere near its rated speed. I set the timings to 8-8-8-24.

Here is the OCZ page for the ram: ocz_ddr3_pc3_14400_platinum_edition

Even at 1400mhz, the system crashes after an hour of gaming, which then currupted windows.


Is there a chance the ram is faulty? If i was to return it, and Aria.co.uk tested it as 'working' they send you back the same parts!

 

[shabaa]

However it seems that you may be dealing with a heat issue..... not necessarily a memory issue ... as you said "after an hour of gaming" I would test the system with Orthos to see if the problem is due to the CPU or memory and run Hardware monitor (concurrently) from the CPU-Z folks... it will show those temps as well as the GPU temp..... Temps are more than likely your killer.....

 

[Seanb2uk]

Shabaa, The system runs very cool (Theres 6 fans in there!), even under load, theres no way its gotten so hot its crashed the system.

I forgot to mention all this information:

Multiplier: 9x
CPU Frequency: 3.00Ghz from 2.40ghz
FSB: 333mhz
PCI Express Frequency: 100mhz
System Memory Multiplier: Auto
Memory Frequency: 1333mhz (Ram is rated to run at 1800mhz, so its very underclocked)
Timings: 7-7-7-24

CPU Vcore: 1.35v (from 1.31250v)
CPU Termination: 1.2v (Default)
CPU PLL: 1.5v (Default)

MCH Core: 1.2v (from 1.1v)
ICH I/O: 1.5v (Default)

DRAM Voltage: 1.9v (OCZ allow voltages up to 2.0v without wrecking the warranty)

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Have you run memtest86+ overnight to test for RAM errors? You may have a bad stick of RAM.

 

[Seanb2uk]

Im running Memtest now, and during the first pass, i've had 1 error so far.

It's only running at DDR1333. 10-10-10-30. Which is severely underclocked, with looser timings.

What do you guys think, bad RAM?

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Yup, I RMA RAM that gets any errors at all at its rated speed/timings/voltage. RAM that's working as designed will not get any errors at all.

 

[Seanb2uk]

Ive put in an RMA now. Thanks guys.

 

[yoyojam55]

Give it 2.0 volts. I had some RAM that was rated for 1.9 volts, but i only gave 1.8 volts. It couldnt pass memtest. Before you RMA it, at least try raising the voltage.