Can't Solve BSODs!

[KyleGates]

Ok, so here is my problem, my system randomly BSODs during gaming. (only way to trigger a BSOD with reliablility is to run 3DMark 2006.....it'll BSOD during the Blimp Test very time).

Here is the FULL Lowdown:


The Problem:

My system BSODs at random times during gaming. System will sit on the desktop just fine, or websurf or word process. Its during a game (AOE3, Farcry2, Fallout3, etc) where it will BSOD after 30-60 mins).

My Specs:
Power Supply - 1050Watt Enermax Revolution 85+
CPU - Core 2 Duo E8400
Mobo - EVGA nForce 780i SLi
Mem - 4GB GSkill DDR21066 2x 2GB
Video - BFG 285 GTX OC2 x2 SLi
Sound - Onboard (XFi XGamer is out at the moment)
HDD - 500GB Seagate SATA PerpRec
Ethernet - Onboard Gigabit
DVDRW - Lite-On
BluRay - Lite-On
Monitor - Dell 27" WFP2707
Speakers - 5.1 Logitech Z680
Mouse - Logitech MX518
Keyboard - Logitech G11
OS - Windows Vista Ultimate 64 w/ Service Pack 1

Temps Under Load:
GPU(s)- 70c
CPU- 52c
SPP- 56c
MCP- 65c
Mobo- 32c

Current Motherboard Info:
780i SLi, I acquired it via the step up program. P/N 132-CK-NF78-A1

Voltages:
(I have tried a ton of different setups (Including all on Auto)but this is the one I am currently on)

CPU Core- Auto
CPU FSB- Auto
RAM- 2.1
SPP- 1.4
MCP- 1.525
GTLREF Lane 0- Auto
Lane 1- Auto
Lane 2- Auto
Lane 3- Auto

Memory Settings:

SLi Mem- Expert
Clock Mode- Linked
Memory Ratio- Auto
FSB QDR- 1333

All Memory timings set to auto


Detailed Memory Specs:

GSkill 4GB kit F2-8500CL5D CL- 5-5-5-15

BIOS Version:

2.053.E6

BSOD Info:

The BSODs seem to be of the NVLDDMKM.sys variety every time.


Stuff thats been tried:

-Updated BIOS
-Vista with and without SP1, Tried XP Pro as well (Always with other windows updates enabled)
-BSODs occur with Dual GTX 285s, Single GTX 285
-BSODs occur with either 285 even in another machine
-Swapped CPUs, e8440 and a..nother.....e8400
-Swapped Mobos 780i and a 750i
-Swapped HDDs (tried an sata and an ide)
-Swapped out DVD Drives (Again an ide and an sata)
-Swapped PSUs from a 750w PCP&C to a 1050w Revolution 85+
-Switched wall outlets
-Wiped the system 5+ times
-Ran from bare hadware (1 stick of mem, 1 HDD, 1 Vid Card, no sound Card)
-Tried different power cofing for the vid cards:
Card A with Hard Wired 6pins...BSOD
Card A with Modular 6pins...BSOD
Card B with Hard Wired 6pins...BSOD
Card B with Modular 6pins...BSOD
-I have RMA'd the 285s and the ones I got back have the same problem.
-Also tried each config with one stick of mem and each with two..all BSODs.
-Tried the whole expand nvlddmkm.sy_ to nvlddmkm.sys solution....didnt help.
-Tried an exorcism....nuthin
-Tried disabling UAC...nuthin.
-Video Card Drivers: 182.50
-Motherboard Drivers: 15.25


Ways to trigger BSOD (Random times during gaming (FC2, Crysis, AOE3, Empire, Etc.)but a BSOD can be triggered with):

-If I run 3DMark 2006 (patched or not) it will BSOD...normally during the Blip Test.
-3DMark 2003, and 2005 also BSODs at random times during first run.


Test that have been run:

-Memtest on both sticks of memory together and seperatly for 10+ hours each. Zero errors.
-Prime95, all modes for 8+ hours each, zero errors.
-3DMark Vantage will run, all other 3DMarks will BSOD



THE SOLUTION:

The video cards are GTX 285 OC2s........if I load Rivatuner and downclock the cards (GPU, Memory, Shader) to reference clock speeds, they run flawlessly. Can't get a BSOD no matter what I try. At OC2 settings.....BSOD.

So, it would seem its just the cards, but I have RMAd them BOTH and BOTH cards I got back to the same (wether I use one, or both in SLi).\

Now, I could CARE LESS about that little bit of extra speed but A- I don't like the thought that at reference speeds I am just a hair away from a card that will BSOD and B- I guess its the principal of the thing....I paid for OC2, Id like OC2 speed.

So, anyhow, thanks for reading my saga. Any opinions? Is it the cards? The PSU? The Mobo?

HELP?!?!

 

[mpilchfamily]

Its definatly the cards. Either go with a differnt brand or keep them clocked down to referance speeds.

 

[GaryJohnson]

Have you tried a memtest on your RAM? From your list, it seems like you've swapped everything but the RAM.

 

[KyleGates]

Originally posted by: GaryJohnson
Have you tried a memtest on your RAM? From your list, it seems like you've swapped everything but the RAM.

Yep ran memtest many times and never got a single error.

 

[daw123]

Originally posted by: GaryJohnson
Have you tried a memtest on your RAM? From your list, it seems like you've swapped everything but the RAM.

The OP has tried Memtest:

Originally posted by: KyleGates

Test that have been run:

-Memtest on both sticks of memory together and seperatly for 10+ hours each. Zero errors.
-Prime95, all modes for 8+ hours each, zero errors.
-3DMark Vantage will run, all other 3DMarks will BSOD


HELP?!?!

I agree with mpilchfamily. It looks as if your graphics cards are causing BSODs. I would try this as a process of elimination (same as you did with the RAM):
Running one graphics card at a time at OC2 speeds and at ref speeds trying different PCI-E slots using the bench tests (see if a single card and/or O/C is at fault).
Running the two together at ref speeds (see if the combined O/C is at fault).

Maybe you got a dodgy batch of cards. Very unlinkely, but you have pretty much tried everything else and I'm clutching at straws.

 

[Matt1970]

Have you tried a different keyboard? I have seen keyboards do some whacky things and you have tried just about everything else.

 

[KyleGates]

Originally posted by: Matt1970
Have you tried a different keyboard? I have seen keyboards do some whacky things and you have tried just about everything else.

Ya know....two months ago (when this began), if you had suggested that I would have laughed and been like "yeah right!"

But now....I'll tell ya that is something I haven't tried and at this point I'll try ANYTHING, so later tday I'll pop another keyboard on the machine and see whats what!

 

[Matt1970]

10 years ago I would have laughed too, but around that time I had an old Pac Man game and noticed when I brought my machine into work that he moved around the screen noticeably slower. It turned out to be my keyboard.

 

[Modelworks]

Do you have a volt meter ? If so check the voltage at the wall outlet. If it is seriously low, like 90Volts it would be more than most supplies can make up for.
What is the pc near ? Is their anything that is near the pc that would generate RF or EMI interference ? Anything like a wireless router, or maybe something else plugged in on the same circuit that makes the power noisy, like a air conditioner ?
Do you use a wireless mouse or keyboard ? It is rare but I did see one case where a wireless mouse was causing a lcd display to shake quite a bit. Also saw where a wacom tablet was causing a pc to reboot if the tablet was placed on the table next to the pc case.


Really grasping at straws here, but you have pretty much covered everything else.

 

[lenjack]

Try tis article from MaximumPC.

http://www.maximumpc.com/artic...urvival_guide?page=0,0