RAM caused crashes due to stick configurations?

[farfignugen]

so I've got a seemingly weird problem here: running a FX-55, ECS KN1 Lite, Antec Phantom 500, 7600GT, Audigy 2.

When I fill all 4 RAM slots with 2 sticks of matched 1GB OCZ Platinum and 2 x 512MB of HyperX (both PC3200) everything runs dandy. And when I run just the 2 x 512MB sticks everything works great. However when I just have the 2 1GB of OCZ's, games "hiccup" every 45 seconds or so and usually crashes out (BSOD) after 45minutes or so...

Any thoughts? I'd like for this rig to be ok with just the 2GBs so I can throw the 2x 512s into another...

 

[hardcandy2]

Double check your memory timings in the motherboard bios setting. I had a similiar problem and it was the memory timing that had to be increased.

 

[hardcandy2]

I had to increase about around .5 ms and then my memory was stable.

 

[Bobthelost]

Hiccuping every 45 seconds could be that you're running out of RAM (?) Check your peak useage when you're gaming (open task manager (not technically required) then alt tab out after 20mins or so and check under performance). You'd pretty much have to be in Vista for that to happen though, (or have great big apps running in the background).

BSOD does sound like RAM, could be that you're getting localised heat buildup around the RAM slots, as hardcandy said try relaxing the timings and dropping the voltage if you're overvolting, run memtest86 overnight to make sure that it's not them.

 

[betasub]

Check you are not relying on AUTO settings for memory speed/timings in the BIOS.

Then memtest your troublesome config.

 

[farfignugen]

hmm, I am relying on AUTO settings for memory timings... what values should I put in?

 

[hardcandy2]

Try the manufacturers timing ratings. The OCZ package insert or the website will give the rated timings for the RAM.