I suspect Faulty Ram, what do you guys think?

[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.

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!

[Biscuit]

What are you mulitplier/fsb/vcore/NBcore etc settings all at?

[Seanb2uk]

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)

[Seanb2uk]

I've ran memtest at stock. No errors on both chips.

Which puts my CPU to 2.4Ghz, FSB at 266mhz and Ram at DDR1066 with 7-7-7-16 timings at auto voltage (around 1.5-1.6v).

The ram is rated to run at DDR1800 with 8-8-8-24 timings, at 1.95v.


I can't get the system to even post if the RAM is set faster than 1400mhz.

[Biscuit]

Iv not really had any experience using DDR3 but to get those kinds of frequencies from the ram you will probs need to bump more voltage through the north bridge. It does say on the mobo description that to reach the higher ram speeds it requires overclocking. Not sure what the safe voltage is for P45s so i would find that out then try pushing up towards it till you get it stable.

[Seanb2uk]

Thanks biscuit, I'll try raising the MCH Core (Northbridge) voltage from default 1.1v to 1.3v and then run Memtest again.