RMA'd Mobo & CPU. Still failing Prime95. Please help.

[TriggerHappy101]

Specs:
eVGA 7800GT
AMD Athlon 64 3700+
2 Gigs of OCZ PC 3200 2-3-2-5
http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/m...z_el_ddr_pc_3200_dual_channel_platinum
One, 160 gig barracuta Segate 7200.7 RPM drive ATA
EPoX nForce4 Ultra (939) EP-9NPA+Ultra
http://www.epox.com.tw/eng/products_content.php?ps=335
Forton Source 450w

Mainly - my problem is getting my PC to run stable with both memory sticks inserted into dual channel configuration. It fails prime 95 within minutes and my games either bluescreens and restarts on me or it bombs out erraticly.

I can put both sticks in my dads PC that has a Chaintech VNF4 Venth Edition motherboard with a AMD 64 3000+. It can run prime95 for 11 hours fine with no errors and at the same timings as I would try on my PC.

Ive been trouble shooting this back and forth with Ryder on the OCZ tech support forums.

He/she has given timings and it seems nothing is working.

I RMAed my motherboard and had to RMA my CPU because my warrenty from newegg was running out and I couldnt rule out the proccessor as the problem.

I recived both of them back after about two weeks. (going on a month of not being able to use my gaming pc.) And now I ran Prime95 and it failed after 1 hour and 9 minutes.

What the hell could be the problem! PLEASE help me.

 

[TriggerHappy101]

well I ran it twice again. Failed after an hour. Ran it again. Failed after 17 miutes.

FATAL ERROR. Rounding as 0.5, expected les than 0.4

WTF.

 

[BadThad]

Running at stock clocks? Using integrated sound? Did you try increasing the cpu core voltage a little? What voltage is the ram running at? Do you have the latest BIOS? Windows XP? Clean, formatted install of OS?

 

[TriggerHappy101]

I disabled intergrated sound. Im using an Audigy 2 ZS. I tried increasing the CPU core, and RAM. CPU is at 1.4v, and RAM is 1.6v. I tried the latest bios on my last board and it did not help. I will try upgrading it again though. It is a clean install of XP - ill try reinstalling it agian.

 

[cganesh75]

did you try a different PSU?

 

[TriggerHappy101]

Not yet

 

[mechBgon]

The RAM can't be at 1.6 volts. At any rate, crank the RAM to 2.8 volts and test again.

 

[TriggerHappy101]

My bad - typo. Its rated to work at 2.6v. Ive tried 2.7 and 2.8 already. No luck.

 

[nweaver]

memtest

 

[TriggerHappy101]

tried it. Failes.

 

[TriggerHappy101]

Any ideas?

 

[stevty2889]

Originally posted by: TriggerHappy101
tried it. Failes.

There is obviously a problem with the memory then. Try underclocking the ram, or using looser timings. You need to get memtest passing before you go further. Could be a bad stick of ram, could be a slight incompatibility with with ram. Have you tried the other 2 slots for dual channel config. I know on my DFI board, slots 1 and 3 work better than 2 and 4.

 

[TriggerHappy101]

Well I ran memtest again. (with my new CPU and mobo) and now i didnt get any errors with 2-3-2-8 1t dual channel. BUt I am still failing prime95 in the same spot over and over even with a new install of windows XP.

Remeber - i can put my ram into my dads PC and runs fine for memtest, prime 95 and games.

Any ideas? Why would it work in my dads. From what i hear other people have the same board as me and ram and it works fine for them.

 

[TriggerHappy101]

bump

 

[TriggerHappy101]

well im RMAing my RAM unless anyone has any more ideas.....

><

 

[PC911mickster]

The OCZ isn't on Epox's approved list for that mobo. The links at the bottom of the Epox page list the approved.
I had excellent dealings with OCZ support when I ran into similar problems on a Gigabyte mobo about 18 months ago. They gave me an RMA for two sticks bought at different suppliers and sent me two identical sticks which have worked in the Soltek board I replaced the Gigabyte with. I dealt directly with OCZ and not the two online stores I bought from.
Personally, I'm a tad suspicious of the psu. If you can try a different psu with better specs, go fer it.

 

[TriggerHappy101]

Just because its not on their approval list doesnt mean it doesnt work. Think they have the time to test EVERY motherboard that comes out every day with every kind of ram they have?

Doubt it.

I am STILL waiting on the RMA response from them, been like 3+ days now.

Ill try swapping my dads PSU in. He has a 450w coolmaster. I dont think thats the problem though - why would it work 100% fine for hours on end without dual channel?

 

[PC911mickster]

Originally posted by: TriggerHappy101
Just because its not on their approval list doesnt mean it doesnt work. Think they have the time tove? test EVERY motherboard that comes out every day with every kind of ram they ha

Doubt it.

Well no shtick Sherlock...and how's what you have working for ya? It ain't! Buy a clue!

Ill try swapping my dads PSU in. He has a 450w coolmaster. I dont think thats the problem though - why would it work 100% fine for hours on end without dual channel?

That may not work either but then you KNOW that you've swapped out all the core components. If the replacement mem or different psu don't fix things, then I'd be looking at heat as the problem. I'm betting the subbed out psu or mem will straighten things up.

You're doing good troubleshooting...hang in there!

 

[TriggerHappy101]

Heat isnt an issue. I have a coolmaster ammo case, with two 120mm fans pushing like 80cfm each fan. Then i have a PCI slot fan pushing 30cfm.

I sent in my mem. If that doesnt work im gonna try the PSU. Doubt its the problem. If that doesnt work - im gonna sell the RAM and get some cheap stuff.

 

[PC911mickster]

If I were in your shoes, after trying all different core components, I'd be looking for a different mobo. I've had stellar luck with Epox but even they do an occasional clunker model.

As for the heat issue, the various components on the mobo and cpu can sometines be of lower than normal quality...the bad batch thing...lower quality, restricted airflow to certain parts that really need it...but I agree on the ram. ..Time for somethin' completely different

 

[Green Man]

What slots do you have the RAM in? With the 9NDA some people had better luck with the RAM in slots 3 & 4 instead of 1 & 2

 

[ForumMaster]

raise the CAS from 2 to 2.5. you do know that the stick are all right since you tried it on your dads..., how about trying your dad's PSU in you computer and see what happens?

 

[TriggerHappy101]

Originally posted by: ForumMaster
raise the CAS from 2 to 2.5. you do know that the stick are all right since you tried it on your dads..., how about trying your dad's PSU in you computer and see what happens?

I paid for a CAS of 2, not 2.5

My dad doesnt want me to rip his PSU out of his PC because all of his cables and stuff are strapped down.

If the new RAM doesnt fix it - ill try a different PSU. If that doesnt work im selling the RAM.