HELP! RAM issue? or MB issue?

[wuzupfoo]

Setup is below:
E8400 (stock)
P5E x38
4x1GB G.Skill CAS 4 memory. (2x1 GB newly installed) stock timing & voltage.
Corsair HX520

Didnt know where to post this but figured this is the best.
I got a wierd problem after installing a second bank of RAM. The computer will lock sound repeating, typically it happens when gaming so its under load (no BSOD) and require a hard reset, ie. turn off PSU. Even then sometimes it will not boot, no POST nothing. It just sits there, I dont have a speaker so no idea if its giving me beeps.

So to diagnose, I first thought it was a memory issue b/c I took out the new and rebooted and everything was fine. Then to test the new memory I replaced them for the old and ran memtest. This came clean after letting it go for about 8 hours, to my surprise. I then installed all four sticks and ran memtest for 24 hours. Again came up clean.
So I used the computer for a couple days with no issues until I started gaming. I was probably in a 3 hour session when all of sudden it crashed again. So instead of removing all three I decided to only remove one of the new sticks. Voila works again. The ram was pretty hot as my case doesnt have the greatest airflow in the area ram is in so could it be a overheating issue? But that wouldnt explain why it works fine when 3 or even just 2 sticks are in.

So my question is, is it possible my MB is causing the issue since the memtest comes up clean? and when I remove only one stick its rock solid? Or is this some strange memory issue that can create this? Is there another testing utility out there that I can use to see if I can get the problem to show up?

I can RMA the RAM but not the board so it will decide what Im gonna do.

btw, Ive also gotten a PSU tester to see if my ageing Corsair was causing issues but nope.

 

[mfenn]

It could be that the memory controller can't handle driving all four DIMMs. Try loosening the timings to 5-5-5 and see if that solves the problem.

 

[wuzupfoo]

thanks, good idea, Im going to attempt that this weekend when I have some time.

 

[wuzupfoo]

yup timing and Northbridge voltage bump settled it down.. works perfect.. though what im curious about is whether this is usually the case when installing 4 dimms..

 

[mfenn]

It isn't suppose to be the case, but sometimes the memory controller or DIMMs (or just the combination of the two) can be just a little out of spec. I'd keep an eye on it, sometimes these things can deteriorate over the course of months/years.

 

[wuzupfoo]

good advice, I did notice when I bought the second set that these DIMMS were slightly different configuration than the originals I had bought a couple years ago. For now I just have my fingers crossed that all is good.