Overheating RAM

[stark]

Background is that I purchased 2x LN14277 (4 Gig) for my main PC it installed OK but the PC would crash without warning - mostly blue screens with memory faults and IRQ != errors. I ran a full RAM check in Vista and there were no problems. Things got even worse when I closed up the case - crashes every 5 mins rather than every 30-45. I figured that overheating ram was to blame.

I've tried both sets of 2 gig in banks 0 and 1 for several hours each with no crashes but both times the ram is 40+ degrees (I didnt check with a thermometer but they were touch hotter than the water radiator which has a CoreDuo, 2 8800s and a HDD feeding it). I've already got a 180mm fan in one side of the case and and other 120mm on the back feeding in air.

What is the warranty situation with overheating RAM, would void warranty to remove the plastic casing a replace whith a heat sink and fan (LN15702 + LN11844)?

Thanks

[Fraz]

I don't quite understand why you think the RAM is to blame if you have performed checks with no problems. Try using Memtest86+ v1.7 (boots from a floppy, or a usb key if appropriately set up) and see what that says.

What are other temps in your system?

[Steve B]

what is your motherboard?

[stark]

what is your motherboard?

Asus P5N-E SLi - LN17232

What are other temps in your system?

I'll check tonight

[markbrown83]

Asus P5N-E SLi - LN17232

I have a P5N-E Sli Plus, and my rig runs hot... especially the cpu around 45 idle. Motherboard is generally around 35 and my gpu is 60 - 70.

[EzyRyder]

I know what I can be!

Go to your bios and check how much voltage is the mobo supplying the memory. If it's 1.8v try to raise it to 1.9v or 2.0v and see what happens.

[markbrown83]

I know what I can be!

Go to your bios and check how much voltage is the mobo supplying the memory. If it's 1.8v try to raise it to 1.9v or 2.0v and see what happens.

First check what your memory should be running at... mine defaults at 1.9v I think it is but should be set to 2.1v. don't up it until you find its recommended voltage... you don't want to pop anything.

EDIT: Ignore that, 2.1v should be fine... its the same RAM as mine I think. But double check.

[EzyRyder]

It is Corsair ram, it should be OK to put it to 2.1v as you have said Mark.

[stark]

Hi thanks for the advice regarding RAM voltage (to 2.08v), unfortunately it didnt stop the blue screens.

[Tetras]

I've already got a 180mm fan in one side of the case and and other 120mm on the back feeding in air.

What is the warranty situation with overheating RAM, would void warranty to remove the plastic casing a replace whith a heat sink and fan (LN15702 + LN11844)?

Thanks

Most regular ATX cases are set up to have a flow of air from the bottom front of the chassis, through the case and up out of the rear, you shouldn't have all the fans blowing in.

RAM overheating (at least when not overclocking with very high performance memory that is not designed for it) is extremely rare, so rare I would bet that it is not your problem, what makes you so sure it is?

What did you use to test the memory and for how long? You say within Vista, do you mean with Microsoft Windiag? If so how many passes?

Blue screens are often RAM it is true but not always. This tutorial will tell you how to read the minidumps saves after a blue screen: http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35246 (in Vista you have to right click the debug program and run as an administrator)

What is your PSU, processor, case, motherboard and OS?

[IAmATeaf]

I've never really heard of RAM overheating to be honest. The casing on the RAM should be metal not plastic to aid the dissipation of heat.

More likely is that you've got a stability problem with running 4gb (4 sticks) in your mobo. If the RAM voltage is not set correctly then that's the first thing you should do. Next thing is to run a memtest on each stick individually to see if they are OK, then run the test with 2 stick and finally with all 4 sticks.

Also what PSU do you have?

[HelixVonSmelix]

I would do the standard things first.

Check CPU and h/sink seating

also is the PSU ok with the load? Try taking some load off it

[stark]

What did you use to test the memory and for how long? You say within Vista, do you mean with Microsoft Windiag? If so how many passes?

Yes, and three.

What is your PSU, processor, case, motherboard and OS?

PSU = 750W XCLIO X14 PSU
MotherB = Asus P5N-E SLi NF650i S775
CPU = E6600 Core2Duo
OS = Vitsa home premium 64bit
case = CS-3060 X-CLIO2 TOWER

I'm running 2 8800 GTS too, CPU temp is about 36C (its water cooled like the GTS's) with no overclocking.

Next thing is to run a memtest on each stick individually to see if they are OK, then run the test with 2 stick and finally with all 4 sticks.

I've tried both sticks in their origional pairs in Banks 0/1 and haven't had any problem with either, just when its the full 4 gig.

also is the PSU ok with the load? Try taking some load off it

Well, I don't have any other blue screen issues unless there is 4Gb installed, the whole PC apart from the new RAM has been running without problem since Feb this year. I was thinking that it was an over heating issue b/c the placement of the RAM on the mother board is right up next to one of the chipset heatsinks, its also close the the main drive enclosure so I've got a HDD/DVD burner and a water reservoir all mounted in there. I'm thinking if its not a heat or voltage issue then its either gonna be not enough available current from the PSU or a motherboard issue, either BIOS or a problem with banks 3/4.

If the current was that marginal surely I'd have other lock-ups during gaming and the like, when both 8800 are running at max. Having said that I have noticed a few USB problems with my setup, I'm running a USB mouse/keyboard and intermittently Vista fails to find them so I cant log in (I've tried using the USB front and rear panels and running the mouse and keyboard separately)

[Tetras]

Try knocking the RAM down to 533 and 667 Mhz (apologies if I missed you saying you tried that) as I think the nvidia 650i chipset, like P965 and 975X, doesn't support 4GB+ at 800 Mhz.

You could ask Yellowbeard on the corsair forum but I am pretty sure that 40C+ is perfectly ok for your memory. Around 60 - 70 I'd guess is the limit but I'm not sure on that.

Did you try getting more detail from the BSOD minidumps in the tutorial I linked?

[stark]

Did you try getting more detail from the BSOD minidumps in the tutorial I linked?

Thats tonights job

I'll dial back the ram speed first.

Thanks