Bad sticks - need to RMA but!

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

So, I am having trouble booting into windows with 500fsb even with a 6 multi on my Q9650. First thoughts were that it could possibly be the mobo. The cpu is ruled out cause it runs default at 3Ghz. When I first got the ram I tested with Memtest86+ and it passed @ 500; now it doesn't. What I'm curious about is could the mobo be possibly causing it to fail Memtest86+ even though it's not booting into windows for the testing?

 

[Denithor]

Try the sticks in different memory slots (if in 1&3 now try in 2&4).

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
First thoughts were that it could possibly be the mobo.
The cpu is ruled out cause it runs default at 3Ghz.
When I first got the ram I tested with Memtest86+ and it passed @ 500; now it doesn't. What I'm curious about is could the mobo be possibly causing it to fail Memtest86+ even though it's not booting into windows for the testing?

I know everyone has read it a hundred times, but...

Troubleshooting Memory Errors:
"<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.memtest86.com/tech.html#trouble">Please be aware that not all errors reported by Memtest86 are due to bad memory.
The test implicitly tests the CPU, L1 and L2 caches as well as the motherboard.

It is IMPOSSIBLE for the test to determine what causes the failure to occur.

However, most failures will be due to a problem with memory module.
When it is not, the only option is to replace parts until the failure is corrected.</a>"

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

There are just soo many variables trying to reach 500fsb - I've read there are bios problems as well, even though its at 1901 for the M (II) F board.

I think the only way to be sure is to test the memory in my P5Q Premium board that is running @ 500fsb - I'm shooting for a high overclock with my Q9650 I'd like to see 4.5Ghz which is no doubt painstakingly a pain in the a**

@ Blain - so if what is true about the testing giving false error readings then is it true it can make passes with errors and not report them?

 

[Gillbot]

500FSB on a quad is tough, try lowering the FSB on the CPU and use the memory divider to increase ram speed. That will allow you to run the CPU at an easier FSB but stress the ram at a higher FSB for testing.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Originally posted by: Gillbot
500FSB on a quad is tough, try lowering the FSB on the CPU and use the memory divider to increase ram speed. That will allow you to run the CPU at an easier FSB but stress the ram at a higher FSB for testing.

I thought of that today while at work, but, wouldn't that negate my attempt at hitting 500fsb? or is it the same thing as 500fsb/1000

EDIT: actually my Premium will do 500fsb because i have a duallie on it so hence my postings with this laptop while i test it at 500fsb. only doing 2 at a time and if it passes 3+ times that means I have to cancel my RMA to new E and pack up the mobo and get an RMA for itself

 

[Gillbot]

It will help you determine what is holding you back. If you crank up the divider and the ram will run 500+fsb while the chip is at 400 or so, then you go 1:1 and run the ram and CPU at 500 but it fails, it could be the CPU holding you back.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Right now, I have one pair of the DDR2 1000 2x2gb on its 3 run of memtest86 with no errors @ 500fsb 1000mhz BUT on my dual core 8400...

So, if the second pair of DDR2 1000 passes 3+ runs then either what could it be, the CPU or mobo? Right now, I know the Maximus II Formula is having problems reaching 500fsb from http://www.xtremesystems.org/f...howthread.php?t=190812 thread (look at last few pages)

 

[Gillbot]

Are you trying to get 500 FSB using 4 sticks of ram total? and with a quad core? That is a serious task for ANY board as 500FSB on a quad is a chore alone, then you add 4 sticks of 2GB ram on top of it.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Originally posted by: Gillbot
Are you trying to get 500 FSB using 4 sticks of ram total? and with a quad core? That is a serious task for ANY board as 500FSB on a quad is a chore alone, then you add 4 sticks of 2GB ram on top of it.

lol, yeah, i didn't know how my problems were squared and to the 3rd power

 

[Gillbot]

If your board can do 500 with a dual and 2 sticks, try the dual with 4 sticks. If it can handle both of those, try 2 sticks with the quad at 500. You might just be over the limit with a quad and four sticks. What PSU are you using to power all of this?

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Before I switched them to my dualie machine, i tried 2 sticks in the quad and it failed. Those 2 sticks are almost through the first pass. The other two sticks did 3 full passes no errors.

Running an Enermax Revolution 950

 

[Gillbot]

I'd have to say that either the CPU can't handle 500FSB or the combination of that chip in your board is too taxing.

I've had my MSI P45 Neo3-FR north of 550FSB but I have yet to get it to handle a Quad over 485 or so FSB. Then again, getting a quad to 500FSB is a chore alone and my MSI doesn't have all the tweaks in bios to get there, such as GTLREF voltages.

 

[n7]

Getting things truely stable with a quad at 500 FSB is nearly impossible.
Please do not run Memtest86+ @ 500 FSB with a quad & wonder why it's failing!
It's failing because FSB/NB + GTLs, etc. are not stable.

Run a reasonable FSB like 375 FSB 3:4 (DDR2-1000) to test your RAM @ DDR2-1000.

I've seen my Mushkin fail at much lower speeds than it's capable of simply because the NB isn't stable...it doesn't always mean bad memory. It can be issues with the mobo (usually NB).

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

Both pairs, (all four sticks) made 3 full passes without any errors @ 500fsb on my dual so it looks like the memory is safe to keep which means Asus Maximus II Forumula and or my quad is the culprit. I'm guessing my board. Wish I would of bought that UD3 for way less.... i pulled the cmos battery and will start from scratch. What worries me now is the need to cold boot on restarts. Now, its almost everytime I have to cold boot it.