[z77 Extreme 4] 2x4 Go Crucial Tactical LP DDR3-1600 8/8/8/24 1.35v = BSOD

[Pluc]

Hello,

I just build a computer with this MB, but I fail at settings RAM to its proper specs. Here is my system :

• Asrock z77 Extreme4
• Intel Core i5 3570K
• Noctua NH-U9B
• 2x4Go Crucial Tactical LP
• BeQuiet! Straight Power E9 CM 680W
• Crucial M4 256Go SSD
• WD Blue 1To
• WD Green 2
• ToWin7 Pro

The problem is with my RAM, they have the following specs : DDR-1600, CL 8-8-8-24, 1.35v
The BIOS set them to DDR-1333 CL9 by default, so I obviously want to change this, but using the XMP profile or setting manually both give me random BSOD in Win7.

Any thoughts ?
Cheers

[parsec]

So you are fairly sure that the BSODs are caused by the memory when used at 1600, 8 8 8 24, at 1.35V?

Which slots on the mother board are you using, A1, A2, B1, B2?

Are you sure the memory voltage in the BIOS is set to 1.35V? It is possible that the memory voltage is changed after a reboot.

You should test the memory by running memtest, first at the default, 1333 settings, and then at 1600, to be sure the memory is not faulty.

You may need to increase the memory voltage a bit, say to 1.375V or 1.4V.

Are you over clocking the CPU?

[- wardog -]

You may need to increase the memory voltage a bit, say to 1.375V or 1.4V.

hehe, yea, especially if the BIOS didn't already default them to 1.58v.

Slots A2 and B2, manually set the following; 1600, 8-8-8-24 all other timings to Auto or Default, DRAM Voltage to 1.35v

[parsec]

hehe, yea, especially if the BIOS didn't already default them to 1.58v.

Slots A2 and B2, manually set the following; 1600, 8-8-8-24 all other timings to Auto or Default, DRAM Voltage to 1.35v

Well, I know our boards set the Samsung memory to that odd voltage, but all RAM? I don't recall what the G.SKILL memory I first used with my Z77 EX 4 board was set to by default. I figure that it's just more of the left field nature of the Samsung memory that is causing that, but who knows?

[- wardog -]

Well, I know our boards set the Samsung memory to that odd voltage, but all RAM? I don't recall what the G.SKILL memory I first used with my Z77 EX 4 board was set to by default. I figure that it's just more of the left field nature of the Samsung memory that is causing that, but who knows?

While I haven't checked on the Z77 EX6(only placed Sammys so far), the 990FX EX4 set the same Auto to 1.58 voltage for both the AMD/Patriot and Samsung. 1.28/1.35 and 1.5 respectively.

So worth checking. Too much unnecessary voltage applied will, among other possibilities, cause what the OP is describing too.

[parsec]

Sounds like a trend to me, particularly if this happens on two very different boards, AMD and Intel.

1.58V is beyond the safe spec of some CPUs with integrated memory controllers, so this is a significant problem with ASRock's default BIOS settings, and needs to be fixed. It looks like a carry over from older platforms, since I haven't used more than 1.5V for my memory since DDR2 memory.

[Pluc]

So you are fairly sure that the BSODs are caused by the memory when used at 1600, 8 8 8 24, at 1.35V?

Which slots on the mother board are you using, A1, A2, B1, B2?

Are you sure the memory voltage in the BIOS is set to 1.35V? It is possible that the memory voltage is changed after a reboot.

You should test the memory by running memtest, first at the default, 1333 settings, and then at 1600, to be sure the memory is not faulty.

You may need to increase the memory voltage a bit, say to 1.375V or 1.4V.

Are you over clocking the CPU?

hehe, yea, especially if the BIOS didn't already default them to 1.58v.

Slots A2 and B2, manually set the following; 1600, 8-8-8-24 all other timings to Auto or Default, DRAM Voltage to 1.35v

I'm sure it's just caused the RAM clock/voltage configuration. I'm using A2 + B2 slots.

Using the XMP profile or manually set 1600Mhz / 8-8-8-24 / 1.35v gives me BSOD, with or without cpu overclock. I have no problem whatsoever with default configuration (1333 / 8-8-8-24 / 1.35).

Now, I used the second XMP profile : 1600 / 8-8-8-24 / 1.5v, and it works perfectly (multiple reboots, cpu stress, games, etc, not a single bsod).

I assume it's just about the voltage, why can't I use them at 1.35v ? :o

[- wardog -]

why can't I use them at 1.35v ? :o

Well, assuming the 2x4GB kit you have is P/N'd BLT2K4G3D1608ET3LX0, in looking at the reviews for them in NewEgg don't feel alone.

Almost half of the reviews there state they wouldn't run 1600 at 1.35v, but instead req'd 1.5v.

Now knowing you're not alone, this is beginning to evolve into a topic that should maybe be addressed/posted at the Ballistix section on Crucial Forums. Or by contacting their Tech Support via email or phone.

Can you post a screen grab of both CPU-Z's Memory tab and SPD tab?

[- wardog -]

Opps. Me bad. I've corrected the link to the to Ballistix Forum in the above post of mine.

My apologies for the duh moment I made there.

[Pluc]

Well, assuming the 2x4GB kit you have is P/N'd BLT2K4G3D1608ET3LX0, in looking at the reviews for them in NewEgg don't feel alone.

Almost half of the reviews there state they wouldn't run 1600 at 1.35v, but instead req'd 1.5v.

Now knowing you're not alone, this is beginning to evolve into a topic that should maybe be addressed/posted at the Ballistix section on Crucial Forums. Or by contacting their Tech Support via email or phone.

Can you post a screen grab of both CPU-Z's Memory tab and SPD tab?

I need to check the reference but yes I think it's the one. I went to newegg and indead almost all comments talk about this problem ^^

It's not a big deal since it works at 1.5v and it's not a power saving computer... Is there any consequences or limitation, especially if I want to overclock them ?

I'll take a screen when I manage to get home :o