Gigabyte EP45-UD3R and Memory h*ll!!

[jiffy760]

Any help on this issue will result in ridiculous gratitude/groveling
System specs:

Antec 900-2 Case
Gigabyte EP45-UD3R (rev. 1.1, BIOS F11)
Intel E8400 (stock)
Xigmatek Dark Knight Cooler
Crucial Ballistix Tracers (w/Red LEDs) 2x2GB PC2-6400 4-4-4-12@2.0v
Asus ATI EAH-4850TOP 512mb PCI-E
LG DVD+/-RW/DL
Seagate 640GB SATA HDD
Maxtor 300GB SATA HDD
Coolermaster 500w PSU

Windows 7 x64 Retail version


I have been getting BSODs since the beginning!! I have been running stock since day one (about 9 months ago). I have gone through 2 different sets of RAM (OCZ Platinum, and OCZ Reaper), now I am using the Ballistix Tracers (as I thought they were more compatible). I have ran Memtest on these two sticks, one @ a time, over night (14 passes), and received 0 errors. However, I ran 1 stick in the first slot an in 1 pass, it got 102 errors. I then ran it in the second slot, and got 0 errors, as well as the 3rd, and 4th slot. I never received an error using the second stick in the first slot, second, third, or fourth.

I receive these BSODs while playing games, or while idle on my computer (desktop). It is always something like 0x00000005. I don't know the exact error, but I do know that it always pertains to the memory write errors, or access violation, etc. This has seriously made me want to go buy a store-bought computer. I have been building computers for 14 years, and I have NEVER had an issue such as this. And seeing that I finally break down and buy "quality" components, I figured it would be smooth as butter, boy was I wrong!! I have alot of minidumps I can post up here if anyone wants to see them, but ultimately, this is a cry for help, as I do not know what to do from here. Do I replace/RMA the motherboard (maybe it is one/all of my RAM slots?) Could it be my PSU? I have already RMA'd my video card, thinking that was the problem. ANY direction would be immensely appreciated, you have no idea!!

[Chike]

Which memtest did you use? memtest86 or memtest86+, what version?
Have you tried to repeat the test in slot #1? Could be the stick was not seated properly.
Please fll your forum signature with your system specs, and a link to your memory specs.
For a start load optimized defaults, set Performance Enhance to standard.
With 2x2GB of memory usually more MCH Core is needed, in the range of 1.2-1.26v, try to increase it step at a time and see how it goes.
In some less common cases less MCH Core is needed if incerasing it doesn't help try 1.05,1.00,09.95v.
Run few passes of memtest86+ before boooting into windows.
A screen capture of MemSet main and spd(click spd) windows may also be helpful.
Latest versions of memtest86+ and MemSet can be found in Latest Overclocking Programs, System Info, Benchmarking, & Stability Tools

[jiffy760]

I am currently at work. I will try it when I get home in about 2 hours and post my results. I believe I was using memtest86+. I havent tried anything with the MCH, that stuff was kind of intimidating tbh. Anyhow, thanks for the reply, I can't wait to get home and try to fix this!

[sharpbiohazard]

I have the exact same ram and the exact same mobo (Same bios version too!!!). This is nothing new, and I don't know how to solve it. I get the memdumps, random windows errors. I am currently running the chips in the 2 & 4 slots instead of the 1 & 3 slots. I got errors on the 1 slot too. I am testing the 2 and 4 slots now, but it has only been a day. You are not alone (I get errors while running a 400FSB. I have tried both 44412 and 55518 figuring that the timings might have been too tight, but no) I have changed my PSU, and just bought an ati 5870 today. I don't think that is your problem.

[jiffy760]

Well, so far so good. I changed my MCH Core to 2.0. It seems to be working...*crosses fingers*. Mine was set at 1.0 I believe. Anyhow, I am about to run some Everest tests on it to see how it works. I ran each stick in slot 1 and slot 3 (separate tests) for 2 passes in Memtest86+ version 4.0. (total of 4 tests). Then, I put both sticks in (1 in slot 1, 1 in slot 3), and ran Memtest86+ for 4 passes. No errors across the board. I hope that was the fix to my problem, because believe me, I am/was going insane! I will keep you posted.

[Lsdmeasap]

I posted a reply to you here >>
Help! I am in Gigabyte Memory h*ll!!

Saw your post there first, sorry about that. 2.0V MCH? WOW< change that NOW, that is WAY to much

For 2x2GB you may need 1.20-1.24 maybe, but not 2.0V, hope that was a typo!

[jiffy760]

LOL!! Yeah, it's 1.20!! I don't know why I typed 2.0! Anyway, I am sooooo excited to finally use my almost 1 year old computer with stability!!!

[Lsdmeasap]

Nice to see all is well, and glad that was a typo! I assumed so, but thought I better ask to be sure

Post back anytime if you need more help! Sorry you had instability for a year and did not find us sooner

[jiffy760]

Ok, got another BSOD. I haven't gotten to see it yet, but I can only assume that it was memory related (I am at work, and my g/f texted me the fantastic news). Anyhow, I only changed the MCH Core to 1.2v. Perhaps other settings need to be changed? I will post my full BIOS settings when I get home (in about 4 hours). Any brainstorming/action plans would be appreciated. Thanks!!

[Chike]

Originally Posted by jiffy760

Any brainstorming/action plans would be appreciated. Thanks!!

brainstorming give me headacehs so I just give ya the standards instead :-)
Have you set Performance Enhance tp standard?
Try more MCH Core, you may need up to 1.24/1.26v.
Instead of waiting for BSODs it is better to run stability tests.
memtest86+ for 5+ passes to begin with, then customized Prime95 blend toture. Start Prime95 select blend, select custom, set Min FFT to 128 and run for 8+ hours.
What is the memory voltage in BIOS HWMonitor?