Getting a little desperate. System not stable.

[uberowo]

Running a new system (specs in my signature), and I've been having some issues with it. First of all it has been getting errors in Prime consistently. Usually within the first 10 minutes. I've tried with 1 DIMM and 2 DIMMs and I've also tried them in different sockets. My main gripe is EverQuest 2 crashing though. Whenever I have 2 ram modules in EQ2 will crash within 20 minutes. With one module it has yet to crash, but I still get errors in Prime. (And running EQ2 with only 1gb of ram is just horribly slow.. ) I've been running the RAM intensive torture test in prime mostly since I suspected a ram issue. It does seem kinda weird that BOTH my ram modules are "broken" though.. So maybe its something else..

I tried clocking my CPU lower then stock now, currently running at 10X instead of 12X, and so far Prime hasnt gotten any errors (been running for 30-40 minutes), but EQ2 still crashes with 2 modules inserted. Obviously I cant guarantee theres not a software issue with the game, but seeing as how I also have been getting errors in Prime I assume its a hardware failure of some sort.

My system is quite hot at load with around 60 degreees, occationally as much as 62.. Could this be my problem? The AMD site says max operating temp for my cpu is 65 degrees.

Anyone have a clue what my problem might be?

 

[raftman]

The temp does seem a little on the high side, especially given that the temp readings can be inaccurate (and in fact vary depending on your reading method). What program are you using to get the temperature? Does the temperature at idle match what you see in the BIOS on startup?

 

[uberowo]

Using the USDM v3.0.7.0 (Unified System Diagnostics Manager) that came with the Epox motherboard. The temp in windows and USDM actually seems to be 5 degrees or so lower then what it says in the BIOS. Sometimes the BIOS temp is completely screwed up though and shows 220 degrees instead of 45ish when I boot up, this is then also reflected in the USDM that shows 256 degrees constantly whenever that happens. Most of the time iit seems fairly accurate however. Starts at 43-44 degrees when booting up and increases to 47-50 on idle. Then increases further to 58-60 degrees on load. Its very hot outside and my cabinet has 4 hds and a 7800 gtx so the temp isnt unrealistically high, though I would certainly like ot get it lower.

 

[Vegitto]

Originally posted by: uberowo
Using the USDM v3.0.7.0 (Unified System Diagnostics Manager) that came with the Epox motherboard. The temp in windows and USDM actually seems to be 5 degrees or so lower then what it says in the BIOS. Sometimes the BIOS temp is completely screwed up though and shows 220 degrees instead of 45ish when I boot up, this is then also reflected in the USDM that shows 256 degrees constantly whenever that happens. Most of the time iit seems fairly accurate however. Starts at 43-44 degrees when booting up and increases to 47-50 on idle. Then increases further to 58-60 degrees on load. Its very hot outside and my cabinet has 4 hds and a 7800 gtx so the temp isnt unrealistically high, though I would certainly like ot get it lower.

Seems like you have money to burn, don't ya? With all that fancy-shmancy stuff? Get two Prometeia's, and have em modded. Let them reinsulate them with R507, and mod one to fit on your graphics card. Leave the other unmodded, but reinsulated for your CPU. Can't get cooler, my friend.

 

[Markfw]

I would see about a new bios, and manually changing the ram settings. Try something like 3-4-4-8 2T with new bios, and see what happens.

 

[blckgrffn]

Originally posted by: Vegitto

Originally posted by: uberowo
Using the USDM v3.0.7.0 (Unified System Diagnostics Manager) that came with the Epox motherboard. The temp in windows and USDM actually seems to be 5 degrees or so lower then what it says in the BIOS. Sometimes the BIOS temp is completely screwed up though and shows 220 degrees instead of 45ish when I boot up, this is then also reflected in the USDM that shows 256 degrees constantly whenever that happens. Most of the time iit seems fairly accurate however. Starts at 43-44 degrees when booting up and increases to 47-50 on idle. Then increases further to 58-60 degrees on load. Its very hot outside and my cabinet has 4 hds and a 7800 gtx so the temp isnt unrealistically high, though I would certainly like ot get it lower.

Seems like you have money to burn, don't ya? With all that fancy-shmancy stuff? Get two Prometeia's, and have em modded. Let them reinsulate them with R507, and mod one to fit on your graphics card. Leave the other unmodded, but reinsulated for your CPU. Can't get cooler, my friend.

What was the point of that post? Not really helpfull...

Anyway, sounds like you need make sure you CPU heatsink is seated properly. You will, however have to take it off to check an you will need to be able to clean it and apply some more goop, artic silver preferably or whatever you have that will fit the bill.

Make sure that the ram is inserted into the motherboards recommended slots per your manual.

Alternatively, you could have a bad mobo. Are you using an official bios? Does that bios have any known errors? My recent luck with Epox has been less than stellar, lets hope for you it is something easy

Download and run memtest x86, this should highlight your ram as the culprit, our if one of your slots is bad you can move the ram to the other set of two to see if works out better.

Nat

 

[uberowo]

I sorta spent most my puter budget on that system so I would like to solve this problem without spending that much more ideally.. Allthough I did order another 2gb of ram to see if the same problem persists with another pair of modules. And even if I did get a water cooling system I am not even sure if heat is my problem..

 

[uberowo]

I have removed and reseated my heatsink 3 times, each time properly cleaning with the whole artic silver cleaning thingys. Wanted to make sure, and I am now positive that the heatsink is seated properly. The cabinet is one of those "noise insulated" things though, and its also got 4 hds like I mentioned, so I think thats what is causing the high temps.

About the BIOS I have the latest one, and that is also my only option as support for X2 cpus was added in that one. So atleast for now using another BIOS isnt an option.

I did move around the RAM in all the available slots, trying with both and just a single module. Got the same errors. I'll try to lower my latencies to 3-4-4-8 then, as I havent tried anything but the default 3-3-3-8 its running at. I'll also try to get hold of that memtest thing if that can exclude my RAM as the badguy.

Any and all other theories would be appreciated. Bums me out to buy a new system and not getting it working properly.

 

[blckgrffn]

I feel your pain, been there, done that

Good luck!

Nat

 

[Markfw]

Try the 2T also, very important sometimes

 

[MADMAX23]

Did you buy a matched pair of ram modules from Corsair to be run in dual channel mode??
I ask you this because two guys e-mailed me having stability problems...after several tests with their systems it was the memory from Corsair...One of them have different modules and he bought them as TWINX, the other one have two identical modules but one of them didn't work properly. I suggested them to RMA them. They did that, got new modules and the stability issues disappeared.
It seems Corsair does not check properly the Ram modules it sells as matched pairs or TWINX.
Huge dissappointment!!
You'd better RMA your modules!!
Good luck!!

 

[uberowo]

I took your advice and changed the latency settings to 3-4-4-8 and made sure it was at 2T (thats default though, so it has been at 2T all along I think). I have been running Prime a while now, just passed its 18th test (which is twice as long as normal), allthough I have been able to run it this long on a couple of random occations before. I'm gonna stop and start it a few more times before I get to excited atleast.

About EverQuest 2 I've been searching the forums and theres a known issue with dual core cpus. Apparently it doesnt like them. Theres a bandaid fix for it though, so it seems my EQ2 specific issues are over, making my system once again usable. Even though the prime crashes bother me considerably.

About the RAM though guys.. How come it seems to run better at 3-4-4-8 then the default 3-3-3-8? What actually causes this? The Corsair specs even claim its been tested to run fine at 2.5-3-3-8 at 1T, so what gives? Also, I ordered another 2gb of RAM that I'll get tomorrow, can these cause any other issues I should be aware of?

 

[uberowo]

Originally posted by: MADMAX23
Did you buy a matched pair of ram modules from Corsair to be run in dual channel mode??
I ask you this because two guys e-mailed me having stability problems...after several tests with their systems it was the memory from Corsair...One of them have different modules and he bought them as TWINX, the other one have two identical modules but one of them didn't work properly. I suggested them to RMA them. They did that, got new modules and the stability issues disappeared.
It seems Corsair does not check properly the Ram modules it sells as matched pairs or TWINX.
Huge dissappointment!!
You'd better RMA your modules!!
Good luck!!

Yes I bought a matched pair from Corsair, 2x1gb CL2 pc3200 that the the documentation claims have been tested together to run at 2.5-3-3-6.. Lying bastards.

 

[blckgrffn]

Nah, just leave it loose and drop it all in

Glad to hear you have it figured out, althogh make sure you are running 2 instances of prime (pain in the butt, imo) and let it run for a good 12+ hours in the blend mode. Use the bootable memtest to test your ram for 12+ hours. If both of those go, well, you should be fine

Nat

 

[uberowo]

I am definently not taking anything for granted here. It does seem "more stable" now, but I'm still not convinced the problem is solved. Gonna keep running Prime a while to see if it stays like this.

If anyone can explain to me the RAM latency issue I mentioned above I'd very much appreciate that btw. Would be nice to get a better general understanding of how these things work.


How do I run two primes? I tried but couldnt get it working..

 

[Markfw]

Actually, I don't trust prime. The best indicator I have seen, is to run 2x F@H (folding @ home for the noobs to DC). If you can go a week with no failed units running 24/7 THEN you have a guaranteed stable system IMO.

 

[Nocturnal]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
I would see about a new bios, and manually changing the ram settings. Try something like 3-4-4-8 2T with new bios, and see what happens.

I concur. When things like this happen BIOS updates is one of the first things I would look into. Possibly check to see if the release notes say anything regarding adding more compatible memory issues.

 

[uberowo]

Heh. So much for fixing the problem. Trying to run the Prime Blend test now and it crashes almost immediately every time.

Any more suggestions?

 

[jose]

All I can say is maybe time to rma the mobo and try a diff. one. I lost 6 weeks w/ a Asus A8N-SLi , now I have 3 DFI's w/out a single problem..

Good Luck,
Jose

 

[blckgrffn]

Yeah, I would blaming the mobo now, blend doesn't use much ram, that is why I start super32m first and then blend, that pretty much takes out the PC.

Prime95 probably isn't the end-all, but it is pretty good for some quick stress testing when used in conjunction with other tools. Hell, my 2500+ ran @ 2.167 for almost 2 years before I tried prime, it failed almost instantly. While running at that speed, I hosted some good sized LAN parties (12+) and ran 64 bot BF and UT Onslaught (dedicated) with 1 lockup the entire time!

Nat

 

[uberowo]

Ok, I'll try the new ram sticks tomorrow and if they dont help I guess I'll conclude that the mobo is the problem. Like you said though, as long as everything else seems to be running fine I suppose I should be able to live with prime not running flawlessly. That said, it does annoy me greatly to know that *something* is not right with my puter, so I'll probably end up replacing the mobo if thats the case. :|

 

[blckgrffn]

Yep, I promptly lowered the multiplier on my barton, too

Nat

 

[uberowo]

I just noticed the DFI Lanparty has finally found its way to Norway so I ordered one of those as well. Now with new RAM and a new mobo I cant go wrong! (right..)

 

[jose]

If you get the DFI mobo follow this:
1 - make sure you plug all 4 power connectors into the mobo.
2 - use the orange mem slots
3 - upgrade your bios 623-3
4 - select opt. defaults & apply
5 - set whatever changes you want in the bios & save
6 - get & use NF4 chipset 6.53

7 - make sure you have a native 24pin psu...

Now your ready to install XP w/ sp2 already slipstreamed...

Regards,
Jose

 

[uberowo]

Any particular reason I should get SP2? Kinda been avoiding it so far and running SP1 only on my puters.. Also, I'm gonna have 4gb of RAM most likely so I'm gonna have to use all four sockets.. is that a problem?