And the fun continues: Who to blame

[J22]

Afer putting my system together last week I started having all kinds of problems. Constant BSOD after booting. Ran memtest86 and got tons of errors at anything much over 166 FSB even with low multipliers (x10). I was running 2x 512 MB OCZ PC3500 in a Abit NF7-S v2. I tried the sticks individually, different slots, dual channel, single channel, and even started increasing the voltage. I finally RMA'd the memory and got some Mushkin Level One PC3500. The first thing I did was run memtest. The first few speeds ran OK, although I only let memtest run a couple times through. Once I started creeping up near 195 or 200 FSB, I started getting tons of errors. Once again I tried one stick at atime, different slots, etc., but nothing really helped. I ended up running memtest overnight at 185 for 12 hours and got about 6 or 7 errors. What do most people consider acceptable for errors? Zero? Is there any chance that the motherboard is to blame? Am I just an idiot? Is anyone else having similar problems? I really dont't want to RMA the motherboardd if I don't know that it is the problem. I'm not asking for the world here, at this point I would be happy with rated speeds.

Oh, and as an added little bonus, when I got home yesterday my monitor died!! So now I'm going cross eyed on a crappy 17" monitor!!!

 

[myocardia]

Well, unless you did something idiotic (like trying to install Windows with your system overclocked), you need to RMA your motherboard. And yes, any errors in Memtest is unacceptable.

edit: It would be a good idea to try running your processor and memory in a system that you know to be stable at or above 200fsb.

 

[J22]

No, I didn't OC while installing Windows. I haven't even reached rated speeds yet. LOL. Even so, that wouldn't cause problems running memtest86 would it?

I wish I had another system to test parts in, but my old PC is only a XP 2000+, Soltek MB, and PC2100 memory.

I was going to pick up a motherboard at Best Buy today to do some testing, but they don't even sell any in the stores around here.

 

[magratton]

A few of us were posting recently on issues with Mushkin Level One ram when the memory voltage was >2.6v. Perhaps you left your motherboard >2.6 from previous memory tests? Check it out.

Edit: This was for folks with the NF7-S V2.0 mobo.

 

[myocardia]

Jay, has anyone ever told you that running a Barton that fast requires a very powerful power supply? I'd recommend the Antec TruePower 430: link, although this the SL450 has the same amount of power, but less features, and is only $8 less, so isn't as good of a deal: link. You need roughly 38A on the 5v rail to be able to overclock a Barton to or past 2.4ghz.

 

[ParatoOptimal]

I don't mean to go off-topic but you there was mention that you should OC when installing Winders.

Should I install the XP-M and RAM at stock values, install XPPro, 98SE, Linux and others and then OC my XP-M?

Thanks

 

[Lonyo]

Originally posted by: myocardia
Jay, has anyone ever told you that running a Barton that fast requires a very powerful power supply? I'd recommend the Antec TruePower 430: link, although this the SL450 has the same amount of power, but less features, and is only $8 less, so isn't as good of a deal: link. You need roughly 38A on the 5v rail to be able to overclock a Barton to or past 2.4ghz.

No you don't
<- 20A on 3.3v
<- 30A on 5v
<- 15A on 12v (actually 11.7v)
300w PSU

Barton 2500+ @ 2.4GHz (18x133), 1GB PC2100, 2x80GB HDD, 1xCD-RW, 1xDVD+-RW, ATi 9800, SB Audigy, Abit NF7, PCI 56k modem. 4x80mm case fans and 1x80mm fan on CPU heatsink (Volcano 7) + NB fan.

 

[AWhackWhiteBoy]

Originally posted by: Lonyo

No you don't
<- 20A on 3.3v
<- 30A on 5v
<- 15A on 12v (actually 11.7v)
300w PSU

Barton 2500+ @ 2.4GHz (18x133), 1GB PC2100, 2x80GB HDD, 1xCD-RW, 1xDVD+-RW, ATi 9800, SB Audigy, Abit NF7, PCI 56k modem. 4x80mm case fans and 1x80mm fan on CPU heatsink (Volcano 7) + NB fan.

he said roughly,its a good rule of thumb and generally holds true,but power supplies are hard to put your finger on. there are many variations with them one must take into account.

edit: my antec 380 true power puts out 35A on the 5 volt and i can't push much beyond 2.4ghz even with good stepping and 37C cpu die temp. if i got a new PS i'm rather confident i could pull 2.6ghz on air.