3XS SLIK NANU Core i7 950 Bundle - CPU Bluescreens

[pugsley]

I have had my O/C bundle since December 2010. After much delay, due to my bundle failing system stability tests, I was very happy with the system. I Installed the bundle in January 2011, and the system ran at the pre-O/C i7 at 4.2Ghz for a good couple of months.

After running benchmarks and monitoring temps / activity of the CPU / Motherboard I was very content with the bundle itself. I wasn't really stressing the CPU at all.

However, in March, I performed some Video editting / Rendering. After extensive use (2 hours), my CPU obviously became hotter, but nothing that I would consider to be unsafe (60-70 C on load).

From here, my system started to Blue screen when rendering video. Obviously, I thought this may have been a rarity. However on continuing to render video files, I kept blue screening.

I performed clean installs of windows 7 (on both my SSD & SATA HD), removal of my GFX card etc, driver cleaning etc. To ensure that this was not a software based error / other hardware. But no, leaving the O/C bundle at the pre-tested 4.2ghz, of which passed the 3XS extensive testing,was still bluescreening.

From here, I then went into BIOS and downclocked the CPU to its original setting. (2 presets are stored in the bios 3XS O/C & 3XS Stock.) Downclocking the i7 960 to its 3.2ghz default, results in full stability. No bluescreening, when video rendering / or long game play of high end graphic games.

After more testing, I found that increasing the clock from 3.2 to to the saved preset O/C of 4.2 kept resulting in bluescreening. Obviously there is a fault with either the CPU. I am not willing as of yet to test the RAM myself, as I seek advice as to what should be done now.

Bluescreen errors relate to CPU problems.

machine_check_exception
system_service_exception
"A clock interrupt was not received on a secondary processor within the allocated time interval"

Here are the temps i tested, when running prime95.

At Bios setting - 3XS Stock - (3.2 ghz i7) - No bluescreen
idle : 38C
load: 60C

At Bios setting - 3XS O/C - (4.2 ghz i7) - Bluescreen after running prime95 for just 2-3 seconds!
idle : 42C
load: 74C

More to my frustration, I encounter random bluescreens even when clocked at default now. This is very disappointing, as I was assured that my 3XS bundle was stable.

I personally believe that the installed heatsink / fan was not a sufficient enough cooling option for the CPU itself, or after stressing my CPU with video rendering, it has become damaged and now the 4.2 O/C i7 is unstable.

My case ambient temp is around 28C, I have excellent cable management and have the bundle stored in a Coolmaster HAF 932 Advanced.

I have been running my machine on the default clock for the last month, to see how the system performs. And it is very stable, with the odd blue screen. I am very disappointed, and was wondering if my warranty covers this.

What now?....

Thanks. Adam

[pugsley]

I don't wish to rant, but after a delayed e-mail response prompted by a call i made to scan customer services. (Which took 4 attempts), my matter was attended to. Of which i would like to thank Aaron for his help. However, the solution provided did not solve the matter, thus my bundle is to be put in for an RMA.

I e-mailed scan on the 29th May, informing them that the solution did not work, i then e-mailed again on the Tuesday. I did not get a response until i called customer service on Wednesday at 1PM, where i was informed that RMA would be arranged for my bundle.

I did not receive any email from scan. i resent an email this morning (9AM), requesting RMA instructions. I did not hear anything until again, until i called where i then received RMA instructions at 2:30 today.

Im wanting this process to be as hassle free and quick as possible, after emailing back within 20 minutes of the RMA instructions to arrange a date for collection (Which i would like tomorrow). I have not received a confirmation, which only leaves me to believe that my broken bundle will not be collected tomorrow.

I am quite disappointed with scan. it has been almost a week and a half, and the only form of response i got was when i had to call them.

I've never had a problem with scan and i really hope that this RMA can be turned around quick. But unfortunately based on the level of communication / customer service so far. i don't wish to get my hopes up.