Can the memory be failing as a result of too ambitious default timings?

[bupkus]

I bought some Corsair Value Select PC3200 but it crashes UT2004 repeatedly and even by browser once.
I don't want to increase the voltage cause these have no heat spreaders. Besides, that shouldn't be necessary.
It shows up as 2.5 3-3-8 where as my OCZ PC3500 EL ran as default as 2.0 4-4-9. I know, I though it should have run better, too. But atleast the OCZ didn't crash. I don't know why and I don't know what kind or how much $$ I will need to spend to upgrade to 1GB.

I ran memtest 86 v3 for a little over an hour and got 7 errors all in memory between 0-512. memtest ran at default setting so I deduced that the 512-1024 didn't error cause maybe one module was bad.
I took the Corsair back to Fry's and got some other Corsair Value Select but they crashed the game too. Right now I'm planning to just get a refund but I don't know if I should bother with the memory and just let it go until I build my next system.

 

[carpenter]

Hi bupkus, the SPD settings can be changed manually. The manufacturers set those settings so their ram will run with just about anything. With your setup, you could probably have set that OCZ to 2-2-2-11. You've got your barton overclocked, is your memory 1:1 with your processor? I don't know if value ram is very good with an oc'd processor. And there are so many other settings it's hard to say what the problem is. I take it you've overclocked before? Ocz, Mushkin, Corsair and several others make good mem for oc, but they also make cheaper ram for every day.

 

[vshah]

question...it sounds as if you're mixing memory types (OCZ + Corsair), in which case you should manually set the spd timings to match the specs of the slowest stick of ram. good luck

-Vivan

 

[Fern]

Check your vdimm (voltage to ram), may have to bump it a notch. Your mobo maybe undervolting a bit.

Corsair Value Select is pretty good stuff. I've had mine running at those speeds in an Nforce2 mobo, no problem.

Fern