Memtest passed for individual sticks but errors when all together. Stabilize me!

[deazo]

Hi all,

This is my system:
Crosshair V Formula
Phenom II X4 965
2x2Gb G.Skill DDR3 1600 - CL9 F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL
2x2Gb G-Skill DDR3-1600 F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ
Geforce gtx570

Before you say so, I know it would be easier to have the same model of RAM but it's a long story and I ended up with these 4 sticks.
At least they have the same brand, voltage and timings, so I thought this would not generate any problem...

I experience occasional freeze and BSOD's when playing intense game (BF3) so I am trying to fix this problem.
I first ran Prime95 Blend test and got many errors very quickly.
Then I ran Prime95 Small FFT test for 12 hours and got no error. I concluded that my CPU is okay (First question to you: Am I right?)
Then I ran Memtest86+ on all four RAM sticks together and got many errors.
Then I ran Memtest86+ on each individual sticks in their respective slots and they all passed 7 passes with no error.

So I guess the issue comes from using them together, right?
I am not an overclocker (even though I will use the easy tools provided in my motherboard later to increase a bit the performance of my rig) and I am very noobish on the subject.
What can I change in the BIOS settings to make this stable?
Please be as detailed as you can with steps and all, this will greatly help me understand the process.

Thank you for your help in advance

[Raja@ASUS]

Setup like this:

http://www.asusrog.com/forums/showthread.php?3468-Crosshair-V-Formula-Easy-Memory-Setup-Guide

You may eed to use more CPU/NB voltage, if 1.20V is not stable then try 1.25V or 1.30V

-Raja

[deazo]

Thanks Raja,

According to what the BIOS was saying, my CPU/NB voltage is at 1V, isn't it very low?
SHould I set it at 1.25 like you said?

[allavett]

SHould I set it at 1.25 like you said?
If you can't get it stable then ofcourse you should change it.

[deazo]

The kind of crash I am getting at the moment is a complete shut down of the computer, no freeze, no warning, no bsod, just a simple reboot.
Can this be considered as just instability or does it go beyond the scope of playing with voltages and frequencies?
I have checked temperatures and they are fine all the way, no significant increase.

[deazo]

The kind of crash I am getting at the moment is a complete shut down of the computer, no freeze, no warning, no bsod, just a simple reboot.
Can this be considered as just instability or does it go beyond the scope of playing with voltages and frequencies?
I have checked temperatures and they are fine all the way, no significant increase.

[Raja@ASUS]

Have you increased CPU/NB voltage yet?

[deazo]

Yes I did. I did put it at 1.25V and I also followed your guidelines.
(sorry for double posting, I am abroad on a weak web connection)

[Raja@ASUS]

Try 1.30V for CPU/NB. IF that does not help, use only two memory modules and see if the issue persists.

[NemesisChild]

You're only asking for troubles like you mention when running unmatched sets of memory.
BF3 uses the Frostbite 2.0 game engine and like BFBC2, the game is very sensitive to memory configurations.
Another issue you could have when running with all dimms populated is the 965 IMC, is it the C2 or C3 revision?

[deazo]

Thanks for the replies.
This is the C3 revision. What is the difference with C2?
I cannot test voltages as I am away from the computer but I am thinking of uping the voltage to 1.3 and if I get more crash, to just give up and use 4G.
I was reading that 4G or 8G for this kind of CPU does not make any significant difference to performance, is it right?

[EVIL_CONSERVATIVE]

These boards are quirky with memory but not as bad as most people on here say. I agree with Nemesis that mismatching probably aint the best idea but you may have to pump some of the voltage settings. (Be careful though). Especially CPU/NB and NB.

oops looks like RAJA beat me to the punch.

[EVIL_CONSERVATIVE]

You're only asking for troubles like you mention when running unmatched sets of memory.
BF3 uses the Frostbite 2.0 game engine and like BFBC2, the game is very sensitive to memory configurations.
Another issue you could have when running with all dimms populated is the 965 IMC, is it the C2 or C3 revision?

I just installed BF3 a couple days ago I can say its running very stable with 16G Vengeance. Not too sure about the game yet though moves way too slow for my likes.

[deazo]

you may have to pump some of the voltage settings. (Be careful though). Especially CPU/NB and NB.

OK I am not sure I mentioned it to you guys but I am very very noobish in regards to OC'ing, I was planning to learn, but not as fast as this!

So could you tell me the difference between CPU/NB and NB ?
Does the RAM voltage have an influence on the stability as well?
Is this a question of playing with all settings and see what we get?
If it is just that, what are the key settings that in my case might make a difference? (I guess settings only related to RAM and CPU right?)

Also in regards to RAM timings, I have forced the BIOS to use 9-9-9-24 (that's the manufacturer's settings) and not 9-9-9-28 it was putting it at.
Was that a mistake, should I left it to auto?

Sorry for all the questions and thank you for your help!!

[Raja@ASUS]

OK I am not sure I mentioned it to you guys but I am very very noobish in regards to OC'ing, I was planning to learn, but not as fast as this!

So could you tell me the difference between CPU/NB and NB ?
Does the RAM voltage have an influence on the stability as well?
Is this a question of playing with all settings and see what we get?
If it is just that, what are the key settings that in my case might make a difference? (I guess settings only related to RAM and CPU right?)

Also in regards to RAM timings, I have forced the BIOS to use 9-9-9-24 (that's the manufacturer's settings) and not 9-9-9-28 it was putting it at.
Was that a mistake, should I left it to auto?

Sorry for all the questions and thank you for your help!!

CPU/NB is the onboard memory controller. Northbridge is an external IO hub on the motherboard.

DRAM voltage needs to be at the specified level for the operating frequency of the DRAM.

Follow the easy memory setup guide on this forum. You may need more CPU/NB voltage than shown in the guide depending upon how good the memory controller in your CPU is.

-Raja

[NemesisChild]

I launched Task Manager the other night to see what kind of CPU usage I was getting in BF3.
As suspected, all 6 cores were being utilized, but I was shocked to see that my system was using 4.2GB of memory.
This is on a highly tweaked copy of Win7 x64 that has no apps installed other than BF3 and BFBC2 with only 40 processes running in the background.

So, if you're playing BF3, I would suggest 8GB of memory for sure.
With memory being so inexpensive these days, I suggest looking at a 2x4GB set of 1866 memory.
Having only two dimms populated will put less stress on the IMC and allow for a more stable system.

[deazo]

My problem is that the RAM I am using is new and no cash is left.
I will first try to improve performance and if I fail then hell with it I'll just follow your advice.

[deazo]

I just wanted to post an update for you and thank you for your help and assistance.
After putting my CPU voltage at 1.2V I do not get Prime95 errors.
BF3 still crashed though but after a bit of googling it appears this happens to a lot of stable systems with this game so it might be an unstability problem after all.