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2008-12-21 17:18:22
jsnipy
...
+3,277|6785|...

My motherboard: ASUS P5N32-E SLI Plus (it think its )

My memory ...
Slots 0, 2 contain CORSAIR XMS2 DHX 2GB DDR2 (PC2 6400)
Slots 1, 3 contain CORSAIR XMS2 1GB DDR2 (PC2 6400)

Processor: Core 2 Duo E6850
OS: Vista x64 Ultimate

* Memory explicitly set to the 4/4/4/12 with 2.1 volts in BIOS
* No overclocking, but it has by only using nub bios options in the past



I originally had 4GB (2 sets of these) in the system, but after  while I was having random freezing with certain applications. Running memtest with each chip individually confirmed on of them was bad. I ordered replacement ram since I could also use the extra ram. I chose the replacement ram based on the fact that it had same suggested timings and voltages as existing ram.

It has seemed to be running fine for the past couple of weeks, over the past couple of days I've had the same issues with freezing. I've not really changed my usage pattern, since installing I've had applications running consuming large amount of ram. This time I ran memtest without touching anything and I noticed before the first pass was complete that errors were occurring. I might be nubbish at interpreting how memtest works so I want to pose a couple of questions:


(1) Can the errors a result of some malfunction with the motherboard (if yes how likely)?
(2) For future reference can I mix memory that have different timings/voltages (are they suggested or hardfast))?



https://img514.imageshack.us/img514/2282/wwwwsf5.jpg

I plan on RMA'ing them regardless.

Last edited by jsnipy (2008-12-21 23:40:31)

2008-12-21 23:08:29
Scorpion0x17
can detect anyone's visible post count...
+691|7029|Cambridge (UK)
Wait there...

You had freezing apps.

And you ran memtest, which showed errors.

So then you bought new ram.

Then you installed new ram.

And it helped, but you're still getting apps freezing sometimes.

And so you ran memtest again.

And your getting errors.

And you've got 6GB of ram.



And you've got 6GB of ram.



And you've got 6GB of ram.



Spoiler (highlight to read):
Maybe try taking the faulty ones out and you won't get the errors. Oh and no, though it may be possible and may sometimes work, I wouldn't recommend mixing RAM voltage requirements. If you're running them all at 4/4/4/12 with 2.1v, then you're seriously over-stressing the 5-5-5-18 1.9v 1GB sticks.
2008-12-21 23:13:28
jsnipy
...
+3,277|6785|...

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

Maybe try taking the faulty ones out and you won't get the errors. Oh and no, though it may be possible and may sometimes work, I wouldn't recommend mixing RAM voltage requirements. If you're running them all at 4/4/4/12 with 2.1v, then you're seriously over-stressing the 5-5-5-18 1.9v 1GB sticks.
In this case they were all the same. I had a colleague that bought ram about this time for a similar system and he mixed voltages. I though that was cross. I just though it fishy that I lost another set and maybe the board might have had some hand in it.


Scorpion0x17 wrote:

And you've got 6GB of ram.

And you've got 6GB of ram.

And you've got 6GB of ram.
point?
point?
point?

Last edited by jsnipy (2008-12-21 23:14:50)

2008-12-21 23:19:24
Defiance
Member
+438|6934

6GB (mixing 2GB and 1GB) is awkward. Not to mention when they have different timings/volts.

I'd trying using only the 2GB sticks at their intended settings in both slot configs (0,2 and 1,3). Then the same with 1GB sticks at their intended settings. See if you get errors.
2008-12-21 23:25:32
Scorpion0x17
can detect anyone's visible post count...
+691|7029|Cambridge (UK)

jsnipy wrote:

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

Maybe try taking the faulty ones out and you won't get the errors. Oh and no, though it may be possible and may sometimes work, I wouldn't recommend mixing RAM voltage requirements. If you're running them all at 4/4/4/12 with 2.1v, then you're seriously over-stressing the 5-5-5-18 1.9v 1GB sticks.
In this case they were all the same. I had a colleague that bought ram about this time for a similar system and he mixed voltages. I though that was cross. I just though it fishy that I lost another set and maybe the board might have had some hand in it.


Scorpion0x17 wrote:

And you've got 6GB of ram.

And you've got 6GB of ram.

And you've got 6GB of ram.
point?
point?
point?
You're almost certainly either running the 5-5-5-18 1.9V 1GB sticks over-voltaged AND over-timed, or you're running the 2.1V 2GB stick under-voltaged and under-timed.

It's no surprise you're getting errors.

And it's no surprise you only get them occasionally now.

The point about the 6GB is that you have 2x2GB+2x1GB installed, and the way round you have them installed, the faster, higher voltage 2GB sticks work fine, then when you go over 4GB RAM usage... BAM! APP FREEZE!

Having said that, some mobo's may allow seperate control over voltages and timings on each slot or pair, but I've never seen one that does.

Defiance wrote:

6GB (mixing 2GB and 1GB) is awkward. Not to mention when they have different timings/volts.

I'd trying using only the 2GB sticks at their intended settings in both slot configs (0,2 and 1,3). Then the same with 1GB sticks at their intended settings. See if you get errors.
Correct-a-mundo.


Spoiler (highlight to read):
sry, snipy, you just done one of them "like, D'UH!" things, that's all
Spoiler (highlight to read):
and if I'm wrong I'll eat all the FM sig/avatar texts

Last edited by Scorpion0x17 (2008-12-21 23:31:20)

2008-12-21 23:37:59
jsnipy
...
+3,277|6785|...

Defiance wrote:

6GB (mixing 2GB and 1GB) is awkward. Not to mention when they have different timings/volts.

I'd trying using only the 2GB sticks at their intended settings in both slot configs (0,2 and 1,3). Then the same with 1GB sticks at their intended settings. See if you get errors.

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

A
You're almost certainly either running the 5-5-5-18 1.9V 1GB sticks over-voltaged AND over-timed, or you're running the 2.1V 2GB stick under-voltaged and under-timed.

It's no surprise you're getting errors.
Oops, wrong link in op, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6820145034 are the 1GB modules I have, they are 4/4/4/[email protected]. Sorry for the confusion

Like I said they are all the same time and voltages. But you did answer question 2.

Last edited by jsnipy (2008-12-21 23:49:49)

2008-12-21 23:52:52
Scorpion0x17
can detect anyone's visible post count...
+691|7029|Cambridge (UK)

jsnipy wrote:

Defiance wrote:

6GB (mixing 2GB and 1GB) is awkward. Not to mention when they have different timings/volts.

I'd trying using only the 2GB sticks at their intended settings in both slot configs (0,2 and 1,3). Then the same with 1GB sticks at their intended settings. See if you get errors.

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

A
You're almost certainly either running the 5-5-5-18 1.9V 1GB sticks over-voltaged AND over-timed, or you're running the 2.1V 2GB stick under-voltaged and under-timed.

It's no surprise you're getting errors.
Oops, wrong link in op, http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a … 6820145034 are the 1GB modules I have, they are 4/4/4/[email protected]
OK. That makes all the difference.

jsnipy wrote:

Like I said they are all the same time and voltages. But you did answer question 2.
If they're same voltage/timings ignore everything I said.

It's not that.

Right, to be certain, you still need to check the differently sized pairs, and then possibly individual sticks, to make sure you haven't just ended up with yet more bad ram.

Though, to now answer question 1, yes, a bad mobo can cause stuff that looks like a RAM issue. So can a bad CPU.

But check the RAM using mem-test anyway - oh, also try the two pairs in the slots they're not currently in, and try just one pair in each pair of slots, and one stick in each individual slot - it may just be one slot that's faulty.

Last edited by Scorpion0x17 (2008-12-21 23:53:26)

2008-12-21 23:54:41
jsnipy
...
+3,277|6785|...

With the 3 1 GB chips I have in now they make 3 passes successfully (i usually stop it after that).
3 less the 1 bad that I too out previously.

Very likely its just bad ram, wouldn't be the first time

Last edited by jsnipy (2008-12-21 23:55:37)

2008-12-21 23:57:15
Naturn
Deeds, not words.
+311|6868|Greenwood, IN
I don't think this is anything of use but I have the exact same ram and you don't need to apply 2.1v to them to get 4-4-4-12.  1.95v is enough because thats what I have set on my board.  But since you have them can you try something out?  See if you can push them to 3-3-3-10 @ 2.1v.
2008-12-22 00:00:07
Scorpion0x17
can detect anyone's visible post count...
+691|7029|Cambridge (UK)

jsnipy wrote:

With the 3 1 GB chips I have in now they make 3 passes successfully (i usually stop it after that).
3 less the 1 bad that I too out previously.

Very likely its just bad ram, wouldn't be the first time
OK, now try with 2x2GB+1x1GB (use one of the 3 1GB chips you've tested and have passed)

Last edited by Scorpion0x17 (2008-12-22 00:01:12)

2008-12-22 00:01:47
jsnipy
...
+3,277|6785|...

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

jsnipy wrote:

With the 3 1 GB chips I have in now they make 3 passes successfully (i usually stop it after that).
3 less the 1 bad that I too out previously.

Very likely its just bad ram, wouldn't be the first time
OK, now try with 2x2GB+1x1GB (use one of the 3 1GB chips you've tested and have passed)
Ok, I'll give that a try tomorrow.
2008-12-22 00:07:31
Scorpion0x17
can detect anyone's visible post count...
+691|7029|Cambridge (UK)

jsnipy wrote:

Scorpion0x17 wrote:

jsnipy wrote:

With the 3 1 GB chips I have in now they make 3 passes successfully (i usually stop it after that).
3 less the 1 bad that I too out previously.

Very likely its just bad ram, wouldn't be the first time
OK, now try with 2x2GB+1x1GB (use one of the 3 1GB chips you've tested and have passed)
Ok, I'll give that a try tomorrow.
OK, if you get errors, take one of the 2GB sticks out and test again.

If you still get errors, take the remaining 2GB stick out and put other back in and test again.

If you still get errors, move the 1GB to another slot, then repeat again, first with 1x1GB+2GB, then 1GB+just one 2GB, then 1GB+other 2GB.

If you still get errors, try another slot for the 1GB, and so on...

Basically, start with what you know works, i.e. 1 one of the 3 1GBs, then slowly add more sticks, or different combinations of sticks, and in different combinations of slots and you should be able to work out which sticks or slots are or aren't faulty.

Last edited by Scorpion0x17 (2008-12-22 00:09:10)

 

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