Is my OCZ causing me to BSOD?

[Relly]

I've been getting lots of BSOD's lately, and it only happened after installing 2GB of DDR2 PC2-8500 OCZ Platinum memory. At first, everything ran great, so it seemed. Then I noticed icons loading slower, games randomly crashing.. then getting lots of BSOD's. They were too quick for me to read but they consisted of "page_fault", IRQ or something, dumping of physical memory.. just random stop errors. These BSOD's don't happen randomly, it's when launching an application or like loading a font tool in photoshop.

My friend told me to come here because you guys are the best. I've been telling him that it has to be the RAM, but he insists that it could be anything. On top of it, if it is indeed the RAM, maybe you guys can recommend a nice pair of sticks that is compatible with my setup.

My specs are the following:
Motherboard: Asus P5N32-E i680 SLI w/ BIOS version 1203
CPU: Q6600 2.4GHz at 3GHz
OS: Windows XP Pro x32
RAM: OCZ Platinum SLI PC2-8500 1066MHz
PSU: Antec NEO 550W HE
GPU: Nvidia 8800GTS 640MB stock

My voltages were:
Vcore: 1.35
HT: 1.3
NB: 1.4
SB: 1.5
VTT: 1.45
Memory: 2.1

Now I have everything on auto voltage because of the BSOD's and instability. I've used various timings, and none seem to make a difference. The last ones I tried were 5-5-5-18-2T

Also, everything is running very cool. CPU at 30C idle, 43C load. Motherboard at 25C. GPU at 49C idle, 60C max.

I've also been getting random artifacts when playing certain games, which I quite don't understand because my temperatures are fine.

Another issue is CPU-Z is incorrectly reading my Max Bandwidth as PC2-5300 (333Mhz), same happens with SiSoft Sandra. The actual DRAM frequency reads correctly to whatever I set it to, but it's quite annoying seeing the PC2-5300 instead of PC2-8500.

Right now I've set my RAM to auto in BIOS. Instead of going to the stock speeds of 1066Mhz, it goes to 667Mhz. Right now I currently have all the timings and voltages at auto. My CPU is currently clocked at 2.9GHz.

Any ideas guys? Thanks in advance. :)

Sorry for the long post ;)

edit: I forgot to add I ran memtest through BIOS for 8 hours straight. About 12 passes on each individual stick, then on both together. No errors at all.

[Lsdmeasap]

I dont know about Asus BIOS so you will have to wait on other suggestions for the Voltages, but for 2x2gb sticks you do need 52-62 for "Refresh to act" (tRfc)

[wayout44]

I think that I'd been scaning for malware but have you recently installed something else (software/hardware) at around the same ?

[ANZAC_ELITE]

To get the blue screens to sit and be readable go into System Properties > Advanced Tab > Startup and Recovery Settings button > uncheck Automatically Restart

Try dropping your oc back to 2.8GHz or even stock and see if the problem persists, 680i + 65nm quads don't play nice when overclocking sometimes

artifacts on a stock card usually indicate memory going bad, which driver are you using? (I have that same card in my second pc)

Originally Posted by OCZ site

OCZ SLI-Ready memory modules are programmed to boot at 1066MHz DDR2 with supremely fast timings of 5-5-5. Only motherboards equipped with the custom-designed BIOS, such as those designed for NVIDIA nForce SLI MCPs, can detect the optimized SPD profiles and ensure the memory functions under the best possible conditions. The exclusive OCZ SPD specifications take out the guesswork and provide enthusiasts and gamers with significant overclocked performance with no manual adjustment or compatibility issues.

Is your bios compliant?? One would assume maybe it isn't. If the modules run at the correct speeds and timings when manually set then it is all good imo. As to the speed I would suggest that for ordinary "non customised" bios' that the modules SPD table is indeed programmed to 333MHz JDEC standard, the OCZ site is a little vague on detail in that respect.

Anything in the logs pertaining to the BSODs??

EDIT: You say that your temps are fine and the cpu is 30°C which leads me to ask what you are using to read your temps?

Real Temp and Core Temp (the best programmes for Core processors at present) report all four cores so I guess you're not using either of those. I ask because 1.35v vcore is a lot for 3.0GHz. You say now you have everything on auto, does that include voltages?

Have you tested the 12v rails with a multimeter?

[Relly]

Thanks for the replies.

The only way I don't get any BSOD's or errors is when I have my super underclocked to 667Mhz with default timings. I had to manually set the voltage to 2.1v because for some reason, at auto it undervolts it to 1.8v.

I use CoreTemp to monitor my temps.

I have a multimeter.. but where would I connect the negative and positive leads to maintain polarity?

Also, at 3GHz, what should I set my CPU to for vcore?

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'm pretty certain it's definitely my memory. What RAM should I get? Lots of people have told me the PC2-6400 G.Skill is good.

[ANZAC_ELITE]

OK, 2.1v is the bottom end of the range, your modules can run a range from 2.1v - 2.3v, have you tried 1066MHz with 2.3v?

NOTE: OCZ have this disclaimer on their site, so be sure to check.

**Do not exceed 2.1V specification if listed on the module label

Which version of Core Temp, what is the TjMax it is using? and what are the four readings?

Test with the multi meter on a molex connector.

Voltages for 3.0GHz will vary depending on local factors (your boards vdrop and vdroop), try around the 1.2v to 1.3 range. My P5K used 1.3v (shocking vdroop on that board), my P5E3 uses 1.225v for 3.2GHz so you should be able to use below or about 1.225v

Memory brand preference for me is Kingston HyperX, each to his own.

EDIT: Refer to the QVL list for your m/board.

[Relly]

Core Temp 0.97.1

Temps are actually now hovering around 35,34,33,32 on all cores.

I'll set my Vcore at 1.225 to see.

Also, my OCZ does mention 2.1v

TjMax on Core Temp is 100 C.

[ANZAC_ELITE]

OK TjMax is good, temps are good. Core Temp 0.98.1 is available for d/load

What are the load temps? with something like Prime95, Orthos or OCCT running?

Does the sticker on the modules give a voltage range of 2.1-2.3v or just the 2.1 on its own??

EDIT: I've got to go see my Mum (Mothers Day), I'll check this when I get back.

[Lsdmeasap]

Get some Mushkins and be done with all this mess!!!

[ANZAC_ELITE]

hey lsdmeasap, OT question for you

X3075 - GA-P35-DS4

3075 is a dualcore Xeon, no X and is Socket 771, GA-P35-DS4 is Socket 775 ???

Hammer much ??