Unstable system - Gigabyte EP35

[Latoof]

I built a new system 2 months ago and it has been unstable from day 1.

 

Gigabyte EP35-DS3-R

2x 1G Corsair 6400C5DHX (originally 4G but 2 are still in RMA from day 1 :bigeyes:)

VISTA 64 home ed.

Powercolor HD4850

Enermax 620W PSU

 

System locks up, explorer not responding, processes crash etc.

 

I tried running memtest today and get errors! Should I be running memtest with 2G installed or 1 DIMM at a time?

 

What are the correct BIOS settings for the RAM?

 

I have read that I need to set the voltage higher. Is this correct? Will this help? I have also read that Corsair and Gigabyte just dont get along...

[DerekT]

Corsair and Gigabyte get along just fine.

 

Let's try this.

1. Shut the system down
   
2. Remove one stick of DRAM (Leave the one in the first slot, remove the other)
   
3. Remove the power cord
   
4. Remove the CMOS Battery
   
5. Set the CMOS_CLR Jumper to On
   
6. Press the power button for 10 seconds
   
7. Let sit for 10 minutes
   
8. Set the CMOS_CLR Jumper to Off
   
9. Insert the CMOS Battery
   
10. Insert the Power Cord
    
11. Restart the system
    
12. Enter the BIOS
    
13. Load Default Settings
    
14. Save Default Settings and Exit
    
15. Restart the System and enter the BIOS
    

Download memtest from--->

Here

.

and extract the ISO image. Burn the ISO image to an CD-ROM disk.

Download CPU-z from

Here

.

Enter your BIOS. On the main BIOS screen press Ctrl + F1. You will see the screen flicker. Next select the MB Intelligent Tweaker option. On that screen you will see many additional settings that were not there before.

 

MIB Intelligent Tweaker (M.I.T.)

 

Robust Graphics Booster = Auto

CPU Clock Ratio = 9

CPU Host Clock Control = Enabled

CPU Host Frequency (Mhz) = 333Mhz

PCI Express Frequency = 100Mhz

C.I.A.2 = Disabled

Performance Enhance = Standard

System Memory Multiplier = 2.4

Hi Speed DRAM DLL Settings = Option 2

DRAM Timing Selectable = Manual

CAS Latency Time = 5

DRAM RAS# to CAS# Delay = 5

RAS# Precharge = 5

Precharge Delay (tRAS) = 15

ACT to ACT delay = Auto

Bank Write To READ Delay = Auto

Refresh to ACT Delay = 0

Read to Precharge Delay = Auto

 

System Voltage Control

 

DDR2 OverVoltage Control = +.2V

PCI-e OverVoltage Control = Normal

(G)MCH OverVoltage Control = +.02

CPU Voltage Control = Auto

Run Memtest for two full passes. Shut the system down, remove the first stick and insert it into the third slot and retest. Finally, remove the first stick, and insert the second stick in the first slot. Retest.

 

Results?

[Latoof]

thanks for the prompt post. I'll give it all a go.

 

I already have memtest 3.34 on bootable CD. I assume that's ok to use

 

Oh... what screen on CPU-Z do you want me to post?

[DerekT]

thanks for the prompt post. I'll give it all a go.

 

I already have memtest 3.34 on bootable CD. I assume that's ok to use

 

Oh... what screen on CPU-Z do you want me to post?

 

I would use version Memtest86+ version 2.01 from http://www.memtest.org. It is the standard testing tool. Please post the CPU, Memory and SPD tabs. SPD for both modules.

[Latoof]

Ok I have tested both DIMM's using memtest v2.01 and one DIMM errors the other passes fine in the same slot. I guess that means I got 2 sets of fragged RAM... will have to RMA this pair as well... still waiting on the other replacements to arrive GRRR... :mad:

 

I set the BIOS as suggested... Seems to work but S.L.O.W. att with only 1G installed :eek:

 

my BIOS did not have

 

Hi Speed DRAM DLL Settings = Option 2

 

and Refresh to ACT Delay = 0 was not possible so left it as AUTO.

 

Is there any point now in posting the CPU-Z screenies?

[Latoof]

With 1 set of RAM in RMA for 2 months (out of box failure) and the other set obviously faulty I went and bought 4G (2 x 2G) set of RAM and so far the system is rock solid...

 

Now to RMA the latest failures...

[DerekT]

That's tough. It's so very unlikely for such a thing to happen but you are proof that they do, in fact, happen. I'm sorry to hear that you've had such a rough time and glad that it's finally over.